What did yall talk about in the optional essay?
@CIRCUITDEBATER mainly how I can’t do many extracurricular activities due to financial problems 
Wait it is due Wednesday, right?
@minimango Yea at 7:59 PM EST
@Soccer1235 I know how you feel about procrastinating. It literally has a detrimental affect on my life, but its something I’m trying to work on. This time it led me to do 60 short essay questions that gotta be 2 paragraphs (6 sentences per paragraph) long each in two days. So I would say try to not end up procrastinating until you ultimately regret it (like me) and go and start typing anything that comes to your mind.
Hi guys! New to this thread. If I’m not a minority, should I bother with applying to the MIT programs? I’m doubting whether I should even apply (my essays are already half-written, just need some polishing touches).
@shapeofyou Depends on what you mean by bothering. You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take but if you’re an undeserved student because of your socioeconomic background… go for it! Do it. You never know.
@shapeofyou is you user name inspired by Ed Sheeran :)? Listen to that song right now!
@shapeofyou Well look at it this way. Kind of like what @arinuma said, it doesn’t hurt to try! You don’t have much to lose, and you might regret not trying in the future.
@arinuma @solarsystem Thanks for the input! I’ll apply so that way I don’t regret it, but I’ll keep in mind that my background (ably-represented ethnicity + stable financial situation) is probably going to disqualify me from the program. It’s too bad, because I’m extremely passionate about STEM. I hope we’re all what the OEOP admission offices are looking for.
@minimango Why, yes it is. It’s one of my current favorites. :))
How many of you guys are doing the optional essay?
Do you guys think we could create a GroupMe chat to discuss more about MITES, and share our essays after the deadline passes?
yes we should do that!
@shapeofyou No don’t put that in your mind! If you do that you won’t write your best essays possible!!
I just submitted the application!!!
Now I’ve done LEDA and MITES
GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE! Don’t have heart attacks like me 
I realized I kind of am late in responding… sorry!
But someone asked me if one essay is more important than the other – to be honest, I forgot the essay prompts. But I don’t necessarily think they put one in higher regard than the others. For reference, I wrote an optional essay while many of my peers didn’t. It’s really up to them.
And yeah, you can’t rank the programs. If you are accepted, they place you in the one that you would succeed/learn the most in*. The OEOP keeps the students’ in mind.
I hope you all get to submit your applications in time! Honestly, it’s a bit of a waiting game until mid April (that’s when I got my decision). But I wish you all the best, and remember to be proud of your accomplishments regardless of getting accepted to the programs. I know people who weren’t accepted who are currently attending prestigious universities, so keep your chins up!
*Notice how I worded that. Honestly, it’s a feeling that you can only understand a few months after attending the program/or not attending the problem. (Generally when you’re in college or applying for it). MITES was the best thing for me, as a friend of mine says that E2 was the best experience for her.
I am down for a GroupMe!
I am still on the fence about the optional essay, but I may write it if I have time
What are you all writing your optional essays on??