<p>Lets assume we have a perfect candidate for mit(yep,I know there is no such thing as perfect match), He has 8/8 at Match with Mit.How can such a person show himself to the Mit?I not implying I'm such a person but there is some characteristics I wanna show to mit which I don't know how to do</p>
<p>and lets assume this theoretical person haven't won(haven't offered to join) any fancy competitions</p>
<p>If there are no fancy competitions, then you could highlight your personality. Also highlight the EC’s that really mean something.
But you know, I have the same problem, and I’m not even 50% qualified for MIT.</p>
<p>Among the (very) desirable characteristics to highlight are: a collaborative spirit, dealing well with failure (“knocked down seven times, got up eight”), and interest in learning. Try to use essays to show these, if not evident elsewhere in the application.</p>
<p>So scientists have this term, grantsmanship. Someone who has good grantsmanship is able to craft a clear, on-point, pithy application for funding. Although funding applications in science and undergraduate applications have different goals, I think the same sorts of skills are required to do well in each.</p>
<p>It’s important to remember, as Mikalye has often said, that people don’t apply to MIT – application folders do. All the admissions officers know about you is what is contained in your application. So it’s your job to distill the complexity of your background, qualifications, and goals into the application in a way that the admissions officers will be able to get you.</p>
<p>A helpful exercise might be to make a list of application components (various essays, awards, teacher recommendations, extracurricular activities, interview, etc.), then a list of facts or traits you’d like to make clear through the application, then assign each fact or trait to an application component. (It’s probably useful to remember, though, that subtlety is a virtue – you should be clear and succint, but you shouldn’t hit the admissions officers over the head with what you’re trying to say.)</p>
<p>I’m actually pretty obsessed about perfection of my essays,I’m thinking on them for hours, making lots of notes n drafts.I’m actually asking for something else than essay.I’m actually looking for Something like scientific research, something I can show my talents…
I’m really feeling lack of few fancy awards :'(</p>
<p>Well, at some point, you have to consider how to best present what you do have, rather than trying to quickly accumulate new application talking points.</p>
<p>actually my problem isn’t presenting , its proving.How can I prove I’m telling the truth?
I think just saying I’m handy with computers isn’t enough to show talent in computer</p>
<p>@Dex, you’re right. This is why strong letters of recommendation are important. This is why you also have the opportunity to send in supplementary materials of any sort.</p>
<p>Personally, I think many students completely blow their chances of getting strong letters of recommendation, simply because they don’t think strategically about this part of the application. First, familiarize yourself with MIT’s mission. Go to that link on the Undergrad Admissions website and read about “The Match” between you and MIT. Second, select teachers who know how to write really strong letters. What’s a really strong letter? Go to that link on the Undergrad Admissions website that’s “Info for Schools” and read about letters of recommendation. Finally, think about how each of the individuals writing your letters could highlight different aspects of your character and achievements that would demonstrate a good fit with MIT. Arrange a meeting with each teacher and present them with written information about the aspects you’d like to emphasize to MIT (i.e., “I’m especially proud of the fact that I have … and I’d love for you to write about that, if you could.”)</p>
<p>Think also about supplementary materials you could submit that would demonstrate your match in other ways. Be strategic.</p>
<p>I’m no expert on college admissions or MIT but I suggest that you use specific, concrete details in your writing that demonstrate your knowledge of and passion for computers. Try to create a “snapshot” of what you do with computers and how you think about them. Also try to let your genuine personality show in the style of your writing. Write in a “voice” that is natural to you. Pretend that you’re talking to someone and telling them what it is that fascinates you about computers, then translate that into writing.</p>
<p>@CalAlum: …Be strategic.
Exactly what I’m trying to do, by this thread I’m just looking for possible missed points, some stuff I haven’t know about.And you advices are helpfull
Also Mollie’s advices was helpfull too</p>
<p>If I put a few references to computer software projects and music stuff that I’ve done, and include the URL of my website which has information about my projects, will the admissions officers actually check the site out?</p>
<p>(I’m not demanding that they do, I’m asking whether they will, because obviously they have so many candidates to read about and I’m curious how much time they’re willing to spend on each)</p>
<p>They will if they can, but they can’t guarantee that they will.</p>
<p>From Matt, in his blog entry on supplemental materials:
</p>