<p>I'm sending in a research paper as an additional supplement (I was deferred EA) and in the cover letter I put it into context...
but should I say like why I still would like to go there or anything like that?</p>
<p>When I sent in my supplemental information (also a research paper, an additional essay, and some stuff I can't remember anymore), all I did was to list out the contents of the supplemental as a cover page, and I let the abstract of my research paper speak for itself.</p>
<p>I think through the rest of your application they already know that you're sufficiently interested in MIT and you would like to come here, so I'm not sure whether if you include more of that language it would necessarily be more effective. But put it in if you really have something significant to say. Otherwise, leave it out.</p>
<p>I sent in my IB extended essay (it was based on work I did at Rutgers over the summer between junior-senior year). It had a table of contents and an abstract before the actual paper. Whether or not it helped me get in I have no idea.</p>
<p>I think a TOC and an abstract serve well. The TOC shows them what would be in the paper, methodology wise, and the abstract gives some gist as to what you found. I know it his highly unlikely that they will read a 20+ page research paper for the sake of time.</p>
<p>I agree -- there's no need to explicitly say you really want to come to MIT, because your whole application should help convey that message. :)</p>
<p>If you want to write something, you could write the cover letter about how you became interested in your research topic, and the ways you approached the problem, and what you learned from the experience. And I agree with others that an abstract is key.</p>
<p>thanks everyone; I sent it in today!</p>
<p>does mit want abstracts or the paper itself? or do they care?</p>
<p>cus i seriously dont want to plague them with stuff they dont want.</p>
<p>I sent my whole paper (30 pages) since they didn't indicate that they strongly disliked additional info. But of course I know other people that just sent their abstracts, so I guess you can do as you like?</p>
<p>ps. Oh but if you send your paper make sure you have an abstract at the front! I still think they still just look at the abstract =p</p>
<p>well I sent the whole thing (17 pages) but this includes an Abstract and tells them what page it is on...I guess just make sure you also include a cover letter</p>
<p>Says Matt:
[quote]
Research papers. I think research papers are best talked about in the completely optional essay ("about something that you have created") or in an extra recommendation from your research mentor. It is unlikely that if you submit a complete research paper that we will be able to have it properly evaluated during our process. We'll be most interested in your research experience: how you got interested in the field, how you acquired your research opportunity, your results, what you learned, how this experience influences your future plans, etc.
[/quote]
Full papers are fine; abstracts are more useful.</p>
<p>thanks mollie, ill probably just send an abstract then.</p>