MIT FAQ for application year 2012-2013

<p>I have been stuck for so long, not knowing the process for application. When I log into MyMIt, I only see “Manage Biographical Information, Shadow A Student Program,FAQ”. Hence, could you explain the steps to make an application?</p>

<p>

Last year, the application was quite strict, although I don’t recall if it cut off precisely at the word limit or a little over. </p>

<p>

Do you have the correct entrance year (2013) listed on your account? This is listed in the “Manage Biographical Information” section.</p>

<p>Only students with entrance year 2013 (next year) can access the application.</p>

<p>Part 2, Section 5 contains the following three questions (each with a 400 word explanation depending on the ‘yes/no’ response):</p>

<ol>
<li>Are you graduating from secondary school early or without a diploma?</li>
<li>Are you still attending school?</li>
<li>Have you ever been dismissed, suspended, placed on probation, left voluntarily for an extended period of time or incurred serious disciplinary action?</li>
</ol>

<p>I’m currently attending school (and have never taken time off before), so if I plan to take second semester off (for personal projects) while still formally graduating with the rest of my class (I will have enough credits), which of the three questions should I elaborate on? The corresponding “Education Interruption” section on the Common App has a “did/will take time off” option, so I would feel dishonest leaving this information off… Should I just explain my situation in Section 9’s “additional info,” even though it would seem a bit out of place?</p>

<p>This is probably not a big deal, but I just want to make sure… Thanks!</p>

<p>I am a bit confused about my test scores. I was going to apply to MIT early action, but then I felt like I should retake my SAT [CR:660,M:780,W:620] and my ACT [Composite: 31,English:34,Math:35,Reading:27,Science:27(bad day)] because I feel like I can improve them since they are relatively low. I already took the SAT twice and the ACT once, but I never really studied very hard, so I feel the next time would be better. If I do retake these tests, should I still try to apply EA, and if yes, how do I report my scores? As pending, or the ones I already have? Thanks!</p>

<p>

The additional info section would be totally fine – people put all kinds of things in there. I also think it would be appropriate to say “yes” to the first question in section 5, then explain that you’re technically graduating with your class, but have enough credits to take second semester off for personal projects. Whatever makes the most sense to you will be fine.</p>

<p>

You should report the scores you already have – if your new scores are better, MIT will use those in your evaluation. You can apply EA, unless you think you’ll need the December test date to re-take the tests (November is the latest test date accepted for EA, but you can even take January tests for RD).</p>

<p>@Mollie and MITChris,
I know that MIT looks at the midyear report for EA deferred and RD applicants. These senior grades are said to be taken into account in the admissions decision. I was hoping you could clarify exactly what that meant. Will the semester grades on the report be factored into the applicant’s “final” GPA (the one released in admissions statistics) or be viewed separate from the rest of the student’s transcript? Also, does MIT do any GPA recalculations of any kind based off of a student’s transcript, or do they just take the GPA as is? I really hope you can answer my questions.</p>

<p>Is AP Computer Science II (AB) being viewed as an AP course at MIT? S thought he took an AP course when he signed up for AP Computer Science (AB) in junior year. However, College Board decided not to offer the AP Exam for it this year. So, now he has the highest (A/A) semester grades in APCS II, but no AP score for it. His school district is treating it as a 5 on an AP course for the purpose of calculating Distinguished Academic Program credits. Should it be reported to MIT as an AP course and more importantly how will MIT view his (A/A) performance, less an AP score? Thanks</p>

<p>I have a teacher who I’ve taken math and econ from. Can I use a rec from him to satisfy Evaluation B? Would that be frowned on, since econ is can sort of go either way (between math/science and humanities) and math is obviously math/science?</p>

<p>MIT will accept a recommendation from any of the disciplines it considers as fulfilling the Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (HASS) Requirement: MIT Course Catalog: Undergraduate General Institute Requirements. Economics is on the list.</p>

<p>Hi guys. I am an international student.
I have few questions.
First, i made one grammatical mistake in the first part of application process. I was so eager that i submitted the first part already (even though i am applying RD) and so i can not correct the mistake any more. Is one grammatical mistake a big deal ?
Second, i took some AP tests this May. So how should i report my score to MIT ? I know there is something called “Self-reported course work” but it should be completed by students in U.S. or U.S. based school systems only.
Finally, i told ETS to send my TOEFL score to MIT this July. However, myMIT still says “No test results have been received.”. Should i tell ETS to send my score again ?</p>

<p>P/S: I am so sorry for my terrible English</p>

<p>Hello again!</p>

<p>I’ve started on my application (completing biological info now). My research mentor has asked when he is supposed to submit his letter of recommendation - should he do it now, because my application is already started, or should he wait until, say, I submit Part 1? </p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>

My impression is that the midyear report grades are viewed separately, but I’m not certain.</p>

<p>

Yes, report it as an AP course. MIT will be aware of the College Board’s decision, though a quick note about it on the application is always welcome.</p>

<p>

Economics is specifically listed as a possible subject for evaluation B ([site](<a href=“http://mitadmissions.org/apply/freshman/recommendations]site[/url]”>Letters of recommendation | MIT Admissions)</a>). Don’t give it a second thought.</p>

<p>

No, not a big deal.</p>

<p>

You can use the box that asks for “anything else you’d like to tell us”.</p>

<p>

You should give it at least a few more weeks – it’s possible (and likely) that MIT has received your test scores, but that the application tracking hasn’t started to be updated for the year.</p>

<p>

He can submit his letter whenever he wants between now and the deadline. There’s no need to wait until you’ve submitted any part of your application – the first piece of your application that comes in, no matter what it is, will lead to an application file being created in your name.</p>

<p>Thanks for the answer!</p>

<p>Hi Mollie</p>

<p>I think you might have answer this question before. However can you please tell how can I, a re-applicant, access the application? When I enter My MIT it only shows MIT regular Action decision have been released and I can’t find a way to access the application.</p>

<p>For the activities sections, some things I did in the summer, such as internships and volunteer work, I consider major extracurricular activities and would list them on my part 2 section 2 5 activities list.
is it ok if some activities are in both extracurricular activities and summer activities/work experience?
thanks!</p>

<p>

Re-applicants need to wait until the application database is purged, which I think usually happens in late September. You might consider sending an email to the admissions office to let them know you’re waiting, but I’m pretty sure the purge happens automatically.</p>

<p>

Yes, absolutely. You should list the activities that you consider most important in each section, and if they overlap, more power to you.</p>

<p>Is a SAT writing still not a factor in admissions?</p>

<p>I have two questions:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>How do we determine the level (school, regional, state, or national) of competitions that don’t fall exactly into one of those categories? Specifically, I am looking at a competition that was scored from the entire midwest region (6 or 7 states, I don’t remember) and another competition that was about 70% in state, 25% out of state, and 5% from Canada (I am guessing that this would be a “state” level). </p></li>
<li><p>On the activities list, it says that we should list our most important activities first. But what if I see several activities as an extension of each other. For example, I run cross country in the fall, train on the bike in the winter, run track in the spring, and race bikes over the summer. All of these are important to me, but would take up 3 of my 5 spaces. How bad would it be to submit them under a headin such as “athletics”? Or is there another place that I could mention them?</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Thank you</p>

<p>Hi Mollie, I have two questions: </p>

<ol>
<li><p>Do I list self-studied courses under self-reported coursework along with the courses I took at school?</p></li>
<li><p>Should I place AP Psychology, AP Macro/Microeconomics under Science or Social Science?</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Thanks for taking the time to answer!</p>

<p>In addition to my two previous questions, if I participated in selective summer programs, then would it be okay to list them under both Summer Activities and Distinctions, or would it seem redundant?</p>