<p>I am currently a senior.</p>
<p>Let me start off by saying this is NOT a "What are my chances?" thread, and that you're probably going to think I'm crazy.</p>
<p>I have been extremely interested in computers ever since I came into contact with one, which was about when I was eight. I started programming when I was 9, and haven't stopped since. MMOs, lots of high administrative positions online, adding on to open-source C++ projects, my own websites, etc. etc. If it's on the internet, I've probably been there, done that. </p>
<p>Up until recently, I have to be honest, I had never even thought about MIT. I don't think I had ever thought I would have had ANY chance of being accepted. But I had always thought the inventions and experiments coming out of there had been absolutely amazing; I am an avid reader of nerd news like Engadget, and I've actually learned a lot of information about MIT over the years. Not too long ago, I finally had the thought "What if?" And unfortunately for my mother, I'm one to latch on to the most difficult thing I can do and put my all into it. (And by "all," I mean every second of my day is spent thinking about how to accomplish it.)</p>
<p>Academically-wise, I am a 3.6 GPA student. I had slacked off my freshman and sophomore years (not proud of it), and then realized I had potential junior year and achieved all As. I have been 2 years ahead in math since advanced placement in 7th grade, but hadn't realized my love for math until Calculus junior year. Everyone else hated it, but to this day I thought it was great fun; it was the first math to make complete sense, the first one where everything 'came together.' I scored a composite 30 on the ACT, and plan on taking it again this coming Saturday. I have scheduled for the next SAT. </p>
<p>I am quite aware that my academics, in comparison to other applicants, will not 'dazzle.' (Get the reference?) But I know I am capable of handling MIT. I simply want to 'Wow' whoever my alumni interviewer is enough to make that clear. I am willing to try harder than anybody. And so, with that, comes the crazy...</p>
<p>For me, applications and interviews aren't enough. That's dull, and everybody else does it. I want to figure out a way to 'Wow' some people actually at MIT that might get me more noticed than just plain writing would do. It's a long drive for me, about 15 hours, but my plan is to go there for a week and do SOMETHING to get in the good graces of a professor or some other person that might hear out my case. And this is where I need guidance.</p>
<p>Would any alumni have any suggestions or advice for me on what to do? (And if any alumni wanted to be super-amazing-awesome, you could strike up a PM conversation with me or give me the okay to do it myself.)</p>
<p>I know my chances at this point, thinking about it so close to the end, are pretty low. I do have back-up options to fall on, but I'm willing to try whatever to make this work. Whenever there's something I really want, my persistence has a bottomless supply.</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>(And if you made it reading this far, you deserve a high-five.)</p>