<p>Hey, I'm an EA applicant who loves MIT but was deferred.</p>
<p>I'm confident it wasn't my stats (they are higher than most of those who posted in the results thread), essays, or recommendations, but I think my ECs were my weakness.</p>
<p>I'm not into sports. The activities I listed on the app were mostly music (I'm good, but not some awesome prodigy) and service (ha, plus Math Team). They're the ones that interest me the most and that I enjoy, though they aren't particularly impressive. There aren't really any leadership positions available, either, in these activities.</p>
<p>Can I get any insights? How much do ECs matter? I mean, I DO them and love them and they keep me busy, so I don't feel it necessary to make myself miserable by overloading. I'm confident I can succeed at this school, regardless of whether or not my high school ECs are as crazy high-caliber as other students'. Can I somehow explain this to admissions?</p>
<p>^^what were your scores... id like to know... because my ECs should of benefited but they didnt change **** in the eyes of admissions... i did what i enjoyed and i think that backfired on me</p>
<p>write an essay. show your PERSONALITY. (damn, why am I telling this!? one kid less and I have more chances of being accepted :p)
just kidding :)</p>
<p>I only do those activites for "quality;" like I said I do what I love though it doesn't immediately come off as impressive.</p>
<p>Yeah, I know that's what everyone immediately jumps to--personality. Trust me, I've got it and I certainly let it show through in my essays that I am not a 2-D individual by any means.</p>
<p>I just really don't like how activites seem to be judged on face value. For example, a person is "better" if they played varsity volleyball than the kid who really enjoys it, but is only good enough for IM/afterschool. In both cases, people can be equally passionate and committed.</p>
<p>DoWhatYouWant, I'm a parent and I'm proud of you for doing what you want.</p>
<p>I agree with you that what looks like "passionate and committed" in high school
can be somewhat contrived, and things that don't come off as impressive can be
the things that build skills that are later important.</p>
<p>If you have time, read the book "Good to Great" by Jim Collins. They did research
on great companies and found that the ones with "charismatic" leaders - those that
did a lot of public speaking, got in the paper, on TV, etc - were actually less
successful than CEO's with some other important traits. Unfortunately that doesn't
help you get into college, right?</p>
<p>Rest assured that deferred leaves plenty of room for hope... Maybe you can send
in some new info and make it happen for you RD.</p>
<p>Anyway, you are in plenty of good company. My son, with 2330 SAT I,
2400 SAT II, straight A's 9th-12th, a sweet writer, 8 college
classes math and physics classes so far, lots of music, competitive summer
research program, started a county-wide math circle... got deferred, too.</p>
<p>I did what I wanted and included a few things that I wasn't crazy about (NHS) but they still think you are competitive for regular decision.</p>
<p>I was also deferred and we could spend all our time thinking of what it was that caused us to be deferred, but we will never know, so there is no use in worrying about it...</p>
<p>If you really think it was your ECs, maybe you could try a few new things this year and send them an updated activities list later.</p>
<p>but don't overthink it; I know I'd go crazy b/c I love MIT so much too
Good Luck (hope we can both go there :) )</p>
<p>Another thing I was wondering about was summer programs. My family isn't poor (no fe waiver, etc), but my parents still couldn't afford to send me to any fancy science camp though I would love to attend one. I feel like this is a disadvantage that many kids are at. How heavily do things like summer programs weigh on your application?</p>
<p>There are summer activities that do not cost money.
Take classes at a community college in areas that support your passion.
Apply for internships at colleges and companies (not anything that you have to pay to attend)
Start your own science/research project.
Volunteer to work at local science museum or any place that supports your passion.
Get a job.
This is what I came up with while I write, there are so many things you can do and I think these are much more impressive than attending something you have to pay for, anybody with money can do those.</p>
<p>Activities don't have to cost money...for example:
where I live there is a "National Forum on Medicine" that costs a few grand.</p>
<p>I chose to do an internship at the NIH which actually PAID ME.
You just have to know what to look for; If something costs too much, I'd say its not a great bet or use of your time. Go for things you can afford that are things you like to do. THere's plenty out there-- good luck!</p>