International Student Questions (Undergraduate)

<p>Hi everyone, my name is Domingo and I'm from the caribbean. I have some questions about Intl. undergraduates. (I want to apply for the next year).</p>

<p>1.- I'm a year older than most of the other students applying for next year, is that a disadvantage? I had some personal issues that made it impossible for me to apply for this year.</p>

<p>2.- I asked my school if they could ''convert'' my grades into an A B C D F scale (we use the 100 scale) and they said they could. There's no problem in that right?</p>

<p>3.- My school had some problems sending grades and stuff via Post Office mail in the past, is it okay if I send myself my school transcript and letters of recommendations? I mean, I would keep it sealed and all formalities, the only difference would be that it would be ME (and not my school) sending the transcript.</p>

<p>4.- MIT specifies to attach of any translated document, the original untranslated document. Do I also have to attach copies of the prizes/honors I've received? (In any case, they would also be in Spanish) Would that help in any circumstance? If the answer is Yes, should I take a picture of the medals I've received and then send that picture?</p>

<p>5.- In MIT's page they offer me to fill out some questions instead of doing the essays, what If I'd like to do the essays? I'm asking because I see a lot people asking how to do the essays correctly, but do you guys call essays to the questions regarding Your World and etc?</p>

<p>6.
[quote]
Self-reported course work
We receive many different transcripts from various high schools. In an attempt to gain a better understanding of your high school studies, we ask that you complete the following form. To be completed by students in U.S. or U.S. based school systems only.

[/quote]

I shouldn't fill this part....at all? Not even the school grading systems or additional classes?</p>

<p>Help would be highly appreciated.</p>

<p>In my oppinion:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>It is not disadvantage.</p></li>
<li><p>It’s all right if you send with your scale, but provide them with Transcript details (explanation).</p></li>
<li><p>Yes. Just be sure that envelopes are sealed. </p></li>
<li><p>You do not need to provide proofs for awards you received. </p></li>
<li><p>I think that you have to write essays.</p></li>
<li><p>I am international and I did not fill this part at all.</p></li>
</ol>

<ol>
<li>No.</li>
<li>No. Actually I think converting only brings disadvantages. You should ask your counselor to write a letter which explains the grading system.</li>
<li>I think that’s fine. Just attach a letter (written by you or your counselor) to explain the situation.</li>
<li>No. They only require transcripts and letters of recommendation.</li>
<li>Just do what they ask. It’s just the matter of word limit. It never concerns your passion and true feeling, right? :)</li>
<li>Definitely no.</li>
</ol>

<p>Have a look at this entry:
<a href=“http://www.mitadmissions.org/topics/apply/deadline/mit_regular_action_deadline_1.shtml[/url]”>http://www.mitadmissions.org/topics/apply/deadline/mit_regular_action_deadline_1.shtml&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Thanks a lot to both of you.</p>

<p>I just need a little bit more clarification about question number 5. No Essay or Essay? What I’m trying to say, are the questions they are asking, considered essays?</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Also, Internationals student can’t apply for EA, if I have all my documents ready let’s say by the time september arrives, can I send it to them? (I know I don’t apply for EA, I just wanted to know).</p>

<ol>
<li>Also, is anyone here an admitted international student at MIT? If so, how did you guys prepare the Interview? By phone? Msn video chat? Skype? Cisco Live/Tele PResence?</li>
</ol></li>
</ol>

<p>9.Last, I know there are 2 evaluations forms for a math teacher and an Humanities teacher, mine choose to only fill the first page and then write letters of recommendations instead of the second page. Now, how many letters of recommendations are allowed? I see people in the forums who apparently send 3.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>I mean you can consider it as an essay or not, it doesn’t matter as long as you don’t exceed the word limit. People often call it “short answer”. And just fill in the space they give you (do not write the answer in another paper; they won’t consider it official). But if you want to clarify it, then fill in the space & send them a supplemental essay (do them both).</p></li>
<li><p>I don’t get it. You mean if you can send them early? Of course you can.</p></li>
<li><p>Actually it’s 3: 2 from teachers as you know and 1 from guidance counselor/principal (well for this one, they call it summary letter or something, but I think, it had better be a letter of recommendation). 3 is the minimum. You can send as many as you want.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>

Most of the time the interview will be in person with an MIT alumnus in your local area. If there is no alum interviewer available near you, MIT will waive your interview and will not hold against you that you were unable to have the interview.</p>

<p>@12npm12: Thank you so much, you got the point in every question I asked.</p>

<p>@molliebatmit: Oh, I see. I asked because a friend of mine who finished MIT this year (she’s graduating next year since they only have one graduation) had her interview by phone.</p>