Is Project Interphase really worth it?

<p>My mom is forcing me to go and I really don't want to. It's my last summer and I just want to relax and hang out with my friends. It seems all the work I did to get into MIT is rewarded with more work when I'm supposed to be one break...She keeps saying how "you go to the beach and pool" but from what I've heard, it's tons of HW and the occasional trip...meaning, it sounds exactly like high school which I just left. So is it really worth it? I mean, 1st semester is pass/drop so what's the point?</p>

<p>hm, I'm not sure how much help I can be, but from the perspective of an MIT freshmen-to-be, (albeit one who's ineligible for Project Interphase) it might be fun! I mean, it'd be cool to meet some new classmates, and hang out/get to know the area. Though I guess, technically, you've got all of next year to do so, but hey, it might be neat to get a head start.</p>

<p>Geez, my mom didn't want me to go last year because she'd miss me leaving right after high school ended.</p>

<p>From what I heard it's a lot of work.. sometimes I even hear it's harder than the fall semester. :P But I'm sure it's some fun too.</p>

<p>a lady from the office left me a message to call her back, but by the time i called back, the office was closed.</p>

<p>anyone else get a call? i'm wondering if it was an acceptance/rejection call.</p>

<p>From what I can tell, Project Interphase is supposed to help those with some skill deficits adjust more easily to MIT. Why would anyone who's been selected for such a program NOT want to do it? You want your first year there to be even harder than it's going to be?</p>

<p>arg, i am in almost the same dilemma as engrishgamer. i actually applied for Interphase even though i wasn't sure if i was gonna do it. I just wanted to make sure i had the option open so if i ever decided i wanted to, i could. however, i didn't expect to get accepted. now that i am, i'm stuck. i don't whether it's really worth it to do it. to be honest, i came from a pretty mediocre high school. never did any research, never did summer programs, etc. though, i did quite well in AP sciences and maths like Calc AB and BC, Physics C and Chemistry. I don't know whether i really need the extra preparation offered by interphase and whether the work will really help me any. i mean, the vast majority of MIT students don't participate in programs like interphase but still do fine right? by the way, i dont think i have skill deficits, i think what i have is a lack of opportunities.</p>

<p>If you feel like you did well in AP sciences and math, I probably wouldn't recommend Interphase, unless you were really psyched about it.</p>

<p>Kbui- you have more preparation than I did coming into MIT (honors physics and self study calc). I didn't do interphase (do I even qualify?). You'll be fine :) </p>

<p>you can PM me if you want more details</p>

<p>Thank you Mollie and pebbles for your advice, i find it very helpful =].</p>

<p>However, I am still considering the program because it never hurts to get a head start. I just want to know some details about the program. Anyone here participated in the program? In the letter I got from OME, the rules for the program seem pretty strict. It says that when a student wants to leave the dorm, he/she has to notify the dormitory counselor and that friends and family are not allowed to visit. I just want to know how strictly they enforce those rules. Would I be locked up in my dorm all day if I can't find the dormitory counselor? What if I need to get off campus to do some shopping (for necessities)? I'm just afraid that it'll just be a prison when I'm not in class, doing homework, or participating in sponsored activities. I wouldn't want to be cooped up inside a dorm room all summer. That would be pretty horrible.</p>

<p>Unfortunately, I don't know anyone who did Interphase (well, that I'm aware).</p>

<p>It's hard for me to imagine that they would really enforce rules like that, but that doesn't mean they don't, I guess. :) Perhaps you could email the OME and ask for contact info for a student or a few students who participated before they were freshmen? Then you could get the real dirt.</p>

<p>thanks mollie! =D that's a great idea. i should contact them. once again, thank you!</p>

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never did any research, never did summer programs, etc. though, i did quite well in AP sciences and maths like Calc AB and BC, Physics C and Chemistry. I don't know whether i really need the extra preparation offered by interphase and whether the work will really help me any.

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<p>Hey Kbui, you shouldn't throw your summer away just because you feel behind. Don't fret that you'll be behind the other kids for not doing research or summer programs - I never did any either, I just did well at AP Sciences and Math and stuff, and trust me, you're not gonna suffer for it in your classes at all.</p>

<p>Heh, I think you should enjoy your summer. We're in the middle of finals week right now-- summer seems such a beautiful yet distant thing. You'll do MORE than enough studying (and learning) when you ACTUALLY enroll- and you'll be sick of it in exactly 3 1/2 to 4 years. No need to get a headstart on that.</p>

<p>:)</p>