<p>MITES 2010!!!
I’m so excited for you guys!! MITES will probably be the best summer of your lives. It’s basically the most amazing thing you can do with your summer.</p>
<p>The classes are hard. You will have to work hard and it doesn’t matter how smart you are, I guarantee you that you’ll have to ask for help. The work is definitely challenging and the manageability is at times questionable, but you’ll get it done. There was not a single time when i didn’t get my work done and trust me I struggled with a few of my classes.
But trust me all the work is totally worth it. </p>
<p>If you’ve had any calc experience, you’ll be put in advanced calc which is multivariable. That class is intense!
Life science is basically entirely based on the placement test. If you do well in bio but not chem, you’ll be in chem; if you do well in chem but not bio, you’ll be in bio; if you do well in both, you’ll be in biochem.
Physics is also based on the placement test. That’s kind of a toss up. There are people who are put in physics III that have never taken physics before. I was in physics II and I’d taken a physics class the year before.
Humanities is random and all the same level…I think.</p>
<p>I took Genomics as my elective and it was AWESOME!! It’s more time consuming and more work than the other electives, but it’s worth it in the end. There are definitely times where I was really frustrated by that class but I’m really glad I took that class. Oh and the work pays off because the genomics kids are usually done with their projects early so they don’t have to pull an all-nighter the night before the symposium. </p>
<p>I don’t know how the social atmosphere will be your year but my year was a pretty social group. We had “parties,” hung out in Boston, went shopping, went out to eat, worked out at the gym, etc.
In terms of competition, I don’t remember it being competitive at all. We all worked on psets in groups and helped each other with question all the time. </p>
<p>I don’t remember them sending us a list of what to pack but generally, pack whatever you use on a daily bases.
make sure you pack:
a lamp
clothes hangers
toiletries
comfortable clothes (for everyday)
a few formal-ish outfits (for the final banquet, symposium, etc.)
a pillow</p>
<p>you don’t need a laptop (I didn’t have one and i did just fine) but you can bring one if you want to. There is a computer lab in the dorm that you can use if you don’t bring a laptop.</p>
<p>But yeah that’s about it. I’m so excited for you guys! You’re going to have a blast! I only wish i could be there too.
Have fun!</p>
