Official MIT 2011 EA Decision Thread

Colleges and Universities A-Z Massachusetts Institute of Technology
81

<p>ok here gos:</p>

<p>SAT 2240 M780 CR750 W710
SAT II 2C780 BioM760
AMC/AIME 106.5/and my school lost the records! damn them!
GPA 3.53 unweighted 4.13 weighted
Rank 59/400somehting (its a competitive school)
APUSHistory 5, APCalcAB 5 (only APs offered)</p>

<p>too bummed to list my ECs serriously, but they include (all very seriously) volleyball, cello, research (2 dif bio. projects), more research, Science Olympiad, sculpture and assemblage.</p>

<p>awards like national first for scioly, all league volleyball, etc.</p>

<p>all of my friends got accepted. go them :)</p>

82

<p>Follow-up to my earlier post...the whole thing is still sinking in...</p>

<p>Decision: ACCEPTED!!</p>

<p>Stats:
SAT: 790M 740CR 770W
SAT IIs: 800 Chem, 800 Math II, 780 BioM
GPA: 4.3128ish (weighted on 4.0 scale, AP classes = 5.0)
Rank: 1/710 (by weighted GPA's)
Other stats: AMC/AIME - 112.5/4 (i think?)
AP Calc AB - 5, AP Bio - 5, AP Stats - 5, AP Calc BC - 5, AP Human Geo - 5, AP Chem - 4, AP Lang - 4</p>

<p>Subjective:
Essays: spent a LOT of time on them, w/ tons of revisions, therefore were hopefully good
Teacher Recs: should have been very good
Counselor Rec: Should have been very good
Hook (if any): Medical Research (published), clinical internship at the hospital, scholarship fund i created for underpriveleged students in India, a really great interview in which i really managed to convey how passionate I am about MIT (which is totally genuine, actually:) - got some really good feedback from my interviewer</p>

<p>Location/Person:
State or Country: IN
School Type: Public HS
Ethnicity: Indian
Gender: Female</p>

<p>Other Factors:
Extracurriculars: Medical Research, Girls' Golf, NHS President, Student Council (Council School Board Ambassador, Sr class president, Public relations director in junior year, soph. class treasurer, freshman representative), Math acad. competitions (including ASB), Youth Symphony (Violist), Debate,
Job: Tutoring
Why I think I was accepted/deferred: I think I really managed to show the admissions comittee how truly momentous MIT is to me, what it represents - the pinnacle of math, science, technology - and how i want to be a part of that.
Other thoughts: Does anyone actually read through these? If you are, I'd just like to say that I've seen a lot of amazing stats on this board - tons of amazing applicants. And I know getting in seems like a real toss-up, totally vague, governed by incomprehensible standards - really just a "game". But stats, i think, aren't the real issue (judging from my admittedly limited experience) -
it's about how much you want to attend this school (and how effectively you can prove it to the adcom) and what you can bring to the mix of the most brilliant, creative minds on the planet. Be prepared in terms of scores, EC's, etc., - but the stress you place on your passion, your motivation, seem the most important.
Good luck to all, and congratulations! :)</p>

83

<p>Decision: deferred</p>

<p>SAT: 790M/730CR/720W 11E
SATII: 770Chem, 750Math
GPA: 4.0/4.0
Class rank: 1/575
6 Aps</p>

<p>Recs: awesome
Essays: good
Counselor: good
hooks: unknown public, never had MIT applicant</p>

<p>Extracurrics: Run my own company, Debate (State and National Success), Implemented a philanthropic project in Pakistan (technology for schools), Tennis (4 years club/school top 10), Robotics, Internship at fortune 500 company, Student Technician (School District), Designed Database Driven Webapp. </p>

<p>Reason: I really have no clue, i think my app didn't leverage my strengths properly...</p>

84

<p>yankees42, there's only 1 MOPper who's graduating this year that lives in NJ (and is jewish) that I know. And he should get into MIT without a problem during regular admissions. :) Btw, tell him I said hi. Daniel, TX, from MOP 2004. He may remember that we worked together and got pwned in Alex Saltman's algebra class.</p>

<p>For those of you who can't imagine a MOPper being deferred by MIT, there's something suspicious about making USAMO in 04 and 06, but not 05. And there's other factors too. But nonetheless, should be no problem for regular admissions.</p>

<p>Accepted.</p>

85

<p>freshprince, so far I've heard of no Kentucky love... about a dozen people from Manual applied, after I find out who gets accepted I'll post here. From what I've heard so far though, no one has been too happy...</p>

86

<p>DECISION: ACCEPTED!!!</p>

<p>Stats:</p>

<pre><code>* SAT: 800M 670CR 760W, 11 essay
* SAT IIs: 760 Math 2, 700 Physics, 650 Chem
* ACT: 33 C, 34 M, 31 R, 33 E, 36 Sc., 10 essay
* GPA: - 4.19/4.0; 4.0 UW
* Rank: 3/336
* Other stats:
2 APs: 5 AP German; 4 AP US Hist.
112.5 AMC
Second Place at State Math;
Science Club Founder
JROTC Battalion Commander; Command Sergeant Major
Eagle Scout
Soccer and Swim team captain; track state qualifier
State qualifier in Scholars' Bowl
</code></pre>

<p>Subjective:</p>

<pre><code>* Essays: Amazing
* Teacher Recs: no idea
* Counselor Rec: good
* Hook (if any): big military guy and athlete...lots of leadership
</code></pre>

<p>Location/Person:</p>

<pre><code>* State or Country: Kansas
* School Type: Public
* Ethnicity: White
* Gender: Male
</code></pre>

<p>Other Factors:</p>

<pre><code>* Extracurriculars: JROTC, NHS (president), scholars' bowl, math club, science club, STUCO, junior class cabinet, soccer, swimming, track, rifle team, German Club, Executive Council
* Why I think I was accepted/deferred: unique essay, much leadership, military background
* Other thoughts: I think that the key to acceptance is a unique, entertaining standpoint when it comes to the essays...that is how you make your presence felt.
</code></pre>

87

<p>Have you been to their info sessions or read their website? Or on Collegeboard look at how important different factors of the application are? They make it quite clear that they're looking for quirky, creative, adventurous students - not perfect grades and SAT scores. So, in essence, the most scrutinized parts of the application will be the essays, and then perhaps recommendations and interviews along with the normal stuff like grades and scores. In other words, it's impossible to predict whether someone will get in or not with the information in the stats primer you're using. So stop trying!</p>

88

<p>*Decision: Accepted! *</p>

<p>Stats:[ul]
[<em>] Fee Waiver Used?: no
[</em>] SAT I (by section): M:800 W:800 CR:740
[<em>] SAT IIs: Math IIC:800 Physics:790
[</em>] GPA, Weighted and Unweighted: N/A
[<em>] Rank: N/A (early graduation)
[</em>] Senior Yr Courseload: English 4AP, Physics AP, CalculusBCAP, LatinIIIH, Government/EconomicsAP, BiologyAP, StatisticsAP/soon-to-be Independent Study of Math: Differential Equations
[<em>] Number of Apps from Your School: 2 EA
[</em>] Other stats:
Random Awards coming to mind at the moment: Bronze and Championship Team at Po Leung Kuk Math World Contest; Top 5 HOSA nationals; more random math things; National Merit Semifinalist; 2nd place State Latin Certamen Team; Maxima Cum Laude Pentathlon; Region Orchestra 1st Violin
Summer Stuff: Starting MathWonder; Canada/USA Mathcamp 05 and 06; MathWorks Math Camp 04; Lake Lavon Interstate Church Camp 04, 06; HOSA Nationals 06.
[/ul]Subjective:[ul]
[<em>] ECs listed on app: Founder/director of nonprofit, Math/Science club, HOSA, Violin/Piano/Guitar, Global Meltdown.
[</em>] Essays (subject and responses): Skipping 3 grades. I did a decent job of appearing "cute". >.<
[<em>] Teacher Recs: English=pretty good probably. Calculus=possibly very good but also possibly very bad. She made it very clear at the time that she wanted me to stay instate and go to Rice.
[</em>] Counselor Rec: Probably not extremely detailed but definitely positive.
[<em>] Interview (feel and general location): 2 hours at the interviewer's office. I had fun and I guess he didn't hate me since he spent that much time on me. ^__^
[</em>]Outside rec from church leader: MIT alumni. Very strong rec.
[<em>]Outside rec from parent of student in my nonprofit: It was an amusing rec. Very good also. From what I was told, it emphasized leadership skills and ability to work well with kids.
[</em>] Hook (if any): Age maybe though that could potentially have been a weakness.
[/ul]Location/Person:[ul]
[<em>] State or Country: Texas
[</em>] School Type, Average Stats of School (if available): Public. The last person rumored to get into MIT graduated 5 years ago.
[<em>] Ethnicity: Asian
[</em>] Gender: Female
[<em>] Strengths/Weaknesses: Age, Grades
[</em>] Why you think you were accepted/deferred/denied: Nonprofit, competitions, good outside recs, bothering the MIT people. All recs should have done a decent job of addressing my relative maturity and ability to cope.
[/ul]
Other Factors: Was 14 when I applied. This may have been good or bad. <em>shrugs</em>
General Comments/Congratulations/Venting/Commiserations,etc: Yay.</p>

89

<p>


</p>

<p>She wrote about Barney sneakers and scruffly white socks. :)</p>

90

<p>

Grats LUNA!!!</p>

<p>btw, the luna from my school got deferred =/</p>

91

<p>


</p>

<p>I'm so adorable aren't I? :)</p>

<p>Edit: And thanks David. Did you apply?</p>

92

<p>


</p>

<p><em>sigh</em> 15-year-olds and their egos. Tsk tsk.</p>

93

<p>Oh God not another one of these Texan handfuls</p>

94

<p>Yankees 42:</p>

<p>This is a shocking deferral. I would still bet your friend gets in during the regular round. MIT defers almost everybody.</p>

95

<p>Decision: Deferred</p>

<p>Stats:</p>

<pre><code>* SAT: 2400
* SAT IIs: 800 Math 2, 800 Chemistry, 800 Physics
* APs: 5 Calculus BC, 5 US History
* GPA: 3.96 UW
* Rank: N/A
* Senior Yr Courseload: 6 APs + Calc 3 via EPGY; most demanding in school
* Number of Apps from Your School: 2, including mine
</code></pre>

<p>Subjective:</p>

<pre><code>* Essays: I thought they were quite good, but it's difficult to assess one's own writing
* Teacher Recs: One was to the effect of "best in my career"; I didn't see the other one, but I'm sure it was very positive
* Counselor Rec: Very good
* Interview: Didn't have one x_x
* Hook (if any): Nothing, really
</code></pre>

<p>Location/Person:</p>

<pre><code>* State or Country: MA
* School Type: Public, better than most but not exceptional
* Ethnicity: White
* Gender: Male
</code></pre>

<p>Other Factors:</p>

<pre><code>* Extracurriculars: Good enough to not be a weakness
* Why I think I was accepted/deferred: No interview
* Other thoughts: shrugs
</code></pre>

96

<p>xyz if that is indeed your real stats, then i guess the only reason why u got deferred is ur extracurrics (or you have a poor register of your writing abilities, a very poor register)</p>

97

<p>Decision: Deferred</p>

<p>Stats:[ul]
[<em>] Fee Waiver Used?: No
[</em>] SAT I (by section): 800 CR - 750 M - 800 W (2350_
[<em>] SAT IIs: 790 Chem - 730 MathII
[</em>] ACT: N/A
[<em>] APs: 5 on US History
[</em>] IBs: N/A
[<em>] GPA, Weighted and Unweighted: 98.8605 UW, 103.3721
[</em>] Rank: 1/288
[<em>] Senior Yr Courseload: AP English, AP Calc, Advanced Physics, Advanced Bio (school doesn't offer science APs-taking or have taken all high-level science offered), Computer Programming independent study
[</em>] Number of Apps from Your School: none EA that I know of
[<em>] Other stats: NMS semifinalist, Rensselaer medal winner
[/ul]Subjective:[ul]
[</em>] ECs listed on app: Karate (10 years, black belt), Mock Trial (4 years, semifinalist team 2005), school newspaper (3 years, section editor), district technology advisory committee (student representative), national honors society
[<em>] Job/Work Experience: Part-time server at a retirement home for over a year
[</em>] Essays (subject and responses): Essay B - pretty good, based on my karate experiences, conveyed desire to always keep learning and improving and for a supportive, cooperative learning environment</p>

<h1>13 - talked about my volunteer work in designing and maintaining school web sites</h1>

<p>[<em>] Teacher Recs: Good one from english teacher (wrote a 2300-word paper for my final exam in 2.5 hours), very good one from chem teacher (had her for a full year, honors and advanced chem)
[</em>] Counselor Rec: Very good, she knows me well and has had two other students admitted to MIT in previous years
[<em>] Interview (feel and general location): Pretty good; my interviewer told me he could tell that I was very enthusiastic about MIT, took me on a tour of the Fairchild Semiconductor plant where he works afterwards, emailed me later to offer me a summer job there
[</em>] Hook (if any): Nothing specific, just tried to show a general enthusiasm for science and technology and the learning environment at MIT
[/ul]Location/Person:[ul]
[<em>] State or Country: Maine
[</em>] School Type, Average Stats of School (if available): Public, ~1300 kids, I know two students in the past 5-6 years who have gone to MIT
[<em>] Ethnicity: White and armenian
[</em>] Income Bracket: Mid-upper middle class, single parent though
[<em>] Gender: Male
[</em>] Strengths/Weaknesses: Strengths: grades, courseload (in context), scores, dedication in ECs, local technology work, interview and recs; Weaknesses: no research, no major hook, white male, no AMC
[li] Why you think you were accepted/deferred/denied: Not a strong enough hook for the adcoms in EA - hopefully, will get in RD[/li][/ul]
Other Factors:
General Comments/Congratulations/Venting/Commiserations,etc: Congratulations to everyone who got it; I don't begrudge it to any of you. However, if any of you are planning to go somewhere else instead, I'll take any open spots... ;)</p>

98

<p>
[quote]
xyz if that is indeed your real stats, then i guess the only reason why u got deferred is ur extracurrics (or you have a poor register of your writing abilities, a very poor register)

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Or maybe he just didn't have any research or olympiad awards...</p>

99

<p>^ Well, I didn't either, nor did I have any enormous "hooks"... I'd guess not enough showing of passion in his essays/ECs or something... yikes.</p>

100

<p>Most of my ECs are things like captaincies of my school's math team and Academic Decathlon team, and awards I've received are mainly on the local or state level (aside from NMSF, but almost everyone has that). I figured they wouldn't keep me out, but there's nothing that stands out very much among them, either. Research awards and whatnot do seem to be the most highly valued, and I don't have any of those.</p>

<p>I really do think that, other than the sheer volume of qualified applicants, the lack of an interview is what hurt me most - I read that admit rates last year (overall, not EA, but they're still applicable) were something like 6% without an interview yet 17% with. It's hard to argue with statistics like those. That isn't to say I would have gotten in for sure with one, as nothing is ever even close to "sure" at colleges like MIT, but I believe it certainly would have helped.</p>

<p>Just hoping for success in the regular round now.</p>