<p>Hi @programmer8 it’s so great to have you here!!!
I want to go to this program soo badly. Can you tells us what your experience was like at the Program, what you talked about on your essays, etc.? As a personal question, I noticed (duh) that your CC name is programmer8, so I assume you must be pretty into programming. I am currently taking AP Computer Science as a class online. Do you think MITES would regard that as a good thing or a bad thing? (You can send me a personal message if that’s possible because I may have some more questions)Thanks in advance for your answer and thank you for your last post!!</p>
<p>@Iamquiteloud
I’ll answer your more general questions here (:</p>
<p>So my MITES experience… I warn you. This first statement may sound a little cliche. At MITES, I finally found somewhere I felt like I belonged. I definitely consider the community there to be family-like. The friendships I made during the program will surely last a lifetime. On another note, I have never met so many phenomenal students before. At first I was a little insecure, just worried that I wouldn’t be as smart as everyone else. But the truth is, no matter how smart you are, you won’t be prepared for MITES. For example, regardless of which level of physics people placed into (I, II, or III), we all struggled at one point. The schedule was super intense, and free time was basically nonexistent. Although we had a lot of freedom in the sense of being able to do things on our own and go out on weekends if we choose, it was hard to find time to do so. On an average night, I think I went to bed between midnight and one. Sleep during MITES was so hard to get, but so necessary for survival. </p>
<p>During MITES, it was definitely the first time I had really struggled in anything, so my experience was probably different from others who already knew how to deal with failure. Because everyone at one point failed at something during the program; there was no way to escape it. Maybe it was missing a deadline, doing poorly on a problem set, or maybe scoring below the 50% on an exam. But don’t find this discouraging! After feeling like you failed, it really only gets better from there. It was the most enriching thing ever, and I feel like I matured a lot from the experience.</p>
<p>This is a very general response, but just ask if you there’s any particular aspect of MITES you want to know about.</p>
<p>So I’m assuming everyone has seen the prompts for the application, yes? First of all, take each question as you interpret it. During MITES, I read several of my friends’ essays, and it seemed each of us took the prompts a little differently. For example, for Essay 1 I wrote about my dream of being of being a scientist or engineering of sorts and wanting to discover my path during MITES. I said that I thought I may be able to decide between computer science and materials science and engineering (two majors I’m interested in) after gaining more experience. I described how MITES could help me find my path. I wrote about how the program may change me and expand my views on engineering, collaboration, life in general, etc.</p>
<p>For Essay 2, I wrote about tutoring. Honestly. Nothing super out-of-this-world or extremely awe-inspiring, but it’s something I’m passionate about. I described how I want to change my community and how I want to support my underclassmen. I don’t come from a very competitive school, and I want to change the negative connotation most students put on academia in general.</p>
<p>Okay. So Essay 5. After being at MITES, I learned that this is the essay that seemed to make one of the strongest impact on admissions. They want you to be creative with this prompt. How are you going to impact the world? Are you going to benefit it through research, community outreach, etc.? MIT in general has this incredible culture of students who are crazy enough to think they can change the world; they want MITES students like that too. Personally, I wrote about wanting to develop new processes for packaging. I’m a lowkey environmentalist, and I basically discussed how I want to develop some new material (biodegradable would be nice) to replace plastic. I stressed the importance of waste-reducing methods and how we make plastic packaging that can’t be effectively broken down. So yeah. Don’t write about that, but find something you’re passionate about and integrate that into how you want to change the world.</p>
<p>So. Sorry for rambling. If any of this is helpful to any of you, it was worth it.</p>
<p>@programmer8
I think your comment about essay could apply not only to MITES application but any other competitive summer programs. Thank you so much!</p>
<p>Everybody, PSAT scores will be sent to our schools this month</p>
<p>Thanks so much. @programmer8
Did you have others read your essays before submitting? maybe an English teacher, guidance counselor? Or did you submit it raw?</p>
<p>Just to chime in, I don’t want to be a killjoy! As with applying to college, you need to cast a wide net! Do you have other options for next summer just in case you don’t get selected for the MITES program? DD was not selected but had also applied to 2 other summer programs. She ended up doing medical research at the Yale School of Medicine. Do yourself a favor and have a backup…just in case!</p>
<p>@NewHavenCTmom Yes Of course! I’m applying to several programs. They range from really competitive to less, I don’t have their numbers. But I’ll definitely be doing research for more programs. </p>
<p>Don’t have your heart set on any program. Let the chips fall where they may! Do your best with ALL of your apps. Like I said up thread, DD was NOT accepted to MITES and still had some amazing college acceptances. Not attending MITES will not break your college admissions process. </p>
<p>Along with doing research that summer, she worked as a barista, cake decorator & cashier at a local vegetarian restaurant. She was also a docent at an aquarium and she was a literacy tutor. All of her summers during HS were filled with interesting activities. Remember, college adcoms want you to be interesting!!</p>
<p>I agree with @NewHavenCTmom Even if you don’t get into MITES, that doesn’t change the fact that all of you are fantastic students. Not being accepted to MITES doesn’t mean you have less of a chance at acceptance to any university compared to a student who did participate in the program. However, most would argue that attending MITES does give students a competitive edge. With any apps you guys are submitting for summer programs, definitely put your hearts into it!</p>
<p>@PoisonIvy20
I had my AP Lang teacher read my essays. It was a huge benefit having someone else read them. She told me what she liked, didn’t liked, and how to make the more personal essays different/quirky enough to stand out to admissions. Get someone to read your essays who you know will give honest feedback. For example, you don’t want anyone telling you your essays are amaaaazing when he/she really thinks it’s dry/lacking personality.</p>
<p>Oh, but with that. Don’t let anyone’s suggestions change your “voice” in the essay. If you don’t agree with someone’s feedback and don’t find it helpful, don’t use it. It would be bad if your whole intention with your essay is distorted and changed because one of the teachers/mentors reading your essays don’t like it!</p>
<p>How convenient! I’m taking AP Lang this year and my teacher is super cool and doesn’t hold back when it comes to constructive criticism. I’ll definitely swing them by her. Thanks. </p>
<p>PSAT scores arrived at my school today. I’m not allowed to see my score yet, but I hope to be able to get my score before break!!! :)) </p>
<p>Is it okay to turn in last year’s ACT Plan scores?</p>
<p>@lilmonet1 If it’s a good score, I don’t see why not. </p>
<p>Hey everybody! I am a part of MOSTEC this year (it is still in progress). Don’t worry too much about scores. Obviously send in scores if they are good, but if they aren’t amazing, don’t worry about it. The essays are very important as others have stated, so do not wait until the last minute to do those!!</p>
<p>Hi @Mathmaticious ! Great to have you contribute to the thread! Can you share some of the things that helped you get accepted into MOSTEC? What did you talk about in your essays, what did your schedule look like your junior year, what were some of your extracurricular activities, and anything else you are willing to share would be absolutely great!</p>
<p>MIT seems to be huge on personality just show that you don’t only have the grades but also a personality. I tried to show my self motivation and ability to complete a task no matter the obstacle. My junior year I had 5 AP’s (Comp Sci, Calc BC, Physics C, English Comp, & APUSH) which was more than anyone else in my grade. I was/am in robotics club, TSA(Technology Student Association), Mu Alpha Theta, etc.</p>
<p>I am so confused with activities/ honors section. If I am an XXX of YYY club should I include it under honor/leadership section? But then under EC I have to list YYY club again. I do not have room to list all my honors/leadership since I can only list 5. </p>
<p>Do you think that it is too late to be starting the application?</p>
<p>Thanks @Mathmaticious ! If you have any other tips, please feel free to share</p>