So, as you all know, MIT’s admissions decisions are coming out on Saturday, and I am acutely aware that my chances of being accepted are extremely low. I applied pretty hastily, so my MIT app really isn’t as strong as my other applications. Even though I know my chances of being accepted are slim to none, there’s still a part of me that kind of hopes I’ll get in (which is NOT GOOD). So, how do y’all suggest I prepare for rejection?
Buy ice cream and tissues and don’t have anywhere you have to be for a couple hours.
Already have your back up planned, so you can say " too bad MIT, you are missing out! I’m going to …"
Netflix binge! But also, just realize that being rejected from MIT is better than not even getting the chance to apply to MIT (that applies to most people in the world).
Attend Harvard University. Lol just kidding 
In all honesty, you presumably have applied to a few safety schools and other colleges which you don’t mind attending. Then again, who knows, MIT might say that they like you and mail you the tube/acceptance letter/whatever they are sending out.
You can practice for rejection by making up your own choicely worded rejection letter and mailing it to yourself in a tube.
No need to practice in the case of an acceptance.
Oh man, I just looked back at my application (I saved a pdf), and it really wasn’t too great. I had a typo in one of my essays too. I’m trying so hard to not even remotely get my hopes up. I applied to some safeties and was accepted to all of them with some sort of “honors” award/scholarship at each school, so that has been nice. But I am really not looking forward to pi day.
Thanks for the advice, y’all! I’m definitely stocking up on that ice cream.
Sure you are. Pi Day is another day to get on with life, whatever the outcome with your MIT application.
Ice cream? It’s called Pi Day for a reason. You celebrate the awesomeness of Pi and eat as much pie as you want.
lol i like these responses
Spend the next three days researching the schools that have accepted you and make a list of all the cool classes you can take, study abroad opportunities, etc. Make a list of all the positives and count the blessings in your life. Try to keep things in perspective.
Good luck!
Absolutely and note that MIT doesn’t many reject students as not being good enough. There are many more that MIT admissions would want to take but cannot. As such, MIT almost never uses the word “rejected”. It does use “not admitted”, but there is a world of difference between them. Even if you do not get in, you were not rejected.
Heres how we handled it in my household:
1- You get to have a 5 minute Pity Party.
2- Forgive yourself for falling into the mania that is " I need to go to MIT"
3- Go do some physical demanding exercise that will drain you of any emotions- elation, sorrow, self-loathing, etc.
4- Begin the next step of your life as you would if you got into MIT- doing the best you can, enjoying what you have
If you are lucky, one day you will be looking to hire someone to work for you, and you will come across an applicant with an MIT degree… Then you can extract your revenge…
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^^hahahahaahah
thanks @jenroypa! your advice will definitely come in use
Dear Hungry Teenager, after reviewing your application, we are excited to deny you admission.
While it is great that you atrended prospective student events, your visit to the sponge’s dining hall ate up enough money to supply 2 other applicants with free tuition. Pun intended.
“If you are lucky, one day you will be looking to hire someone to work for you, and you will come across an applicant with an MIT degree… Then you can extract your revenge…”
A friend of mine tried so hard to get into Berkeley but was rejected at the end.
He loves to recruit and hire graduates from Berkeley and brag about it.
The best thing you can do is accept that the fact that you likely will not get in. If you do get accepted, you will be pleasantly surprised, but if not you are prepared. My son applied for EA and got deferred. He has a 36 on the ACT and perfect GPA. I’m not very objective, but I thought his ECs and essays were good and his recommendations were glowing. He thought his interview went very well. But my son is the first to tell you those stats are a dime a dozen for MIT applicants. He knows he isn’t entitled to anything and that there are no guarantees, no matter how perfect one’s stats. We also realize that, if they weren’t impressed enough to admit him in the first round, he isn’t likely to get in now. Of course we still hope. But he as already been admitted to some outstanding schools, including one with a full scholarship and another with a potential full scholarship. He is truly blessed. If the worst thing that ever happens to him is that he doesn’t get into MIT, he will be a lucky kid. These are first world problems. Hope for the best, but assume the worst. Happy Pi Eve!
That said, I do have a request for advice. My son’s scholar bowl team is competing in the sectionals tomorrow. At the risk of sounding cocky, he is very valuable to the team. Should he check his portal before the competition or wait until after? I know he is dying to find out, but I don’t want him to be off his game if he gets rejected. What do you all think?
Wait until after the event. Regardless of the outcome your sons mind will not be on his game. good luck!
I vote that he should check the portal before the competition. Then he will know and move on. The thought of having his decision sitting there all day, just waiting to be opened would drive me batty.