<p>I was in bits sad, angry and absolutely dejected for the last three days to visit this forum. Came back to see the recently closed thread debating MIT's meritocracy, hyped praise of people who "overcome obstacles," etc, so do forgive me for starting another thread that is in a similar vein, although a more personal one.</p>
<p>I never expected to get in with my grades. My scores were decent enough to not disqualify me. But, as honest as I can get about my own writing, I think my essays were good. I worked on NO other application last year but MIT's. That was my fault, despite my EC warning me to spend time on other apps too. I applied everywhere else - about 20 other places - just like that, leaving it to chance, cuz I believed I HAD to go to MIT, that there was no other home for me.</p>
<p>But now I read the thread that says MIT gives undue consideration to females (fewer females apply; that's why the rate. Why's that so hard to understand?) and to people with exceptional life circumstances. Perhaps. That wasn't the case for me. I'm female. I've had a truly terrible life. I overcame nightmarish circumstances to be here. Ma never thought I'd even go to college, two years ago. Six years ago, everyone was sure I'd go to MIT. I overcame the bad stuff that happened. My grades got completely screwed up. I tried to make up for them through the SATs, (~2200 and 2350 on SAT I and II), but it didn't matter. </p>
<p>There could be so many reasons I didn't make it. My app mightn't have cleared the preliminary academic qualification check. They could've thought I was smug. I think they thought I wasn't academically prepared, and it's fair enough if they thought so.</p>
<p>Yea, the standard impersonal rejection did sting. Would've appreciated a slightly more personalized one, since I took out a lot of time and energy to do the app. But, whatever you people say, I doubt it's about building an exotic class that doesn't glue together. I doubt I'd have had better chances as an Afroamerican than as an Asian - cuz I went through hell without race coming in. You could debate all you want about qualified candidates being rejected for lesser qualified ones, but I doubt you could prove the lesser qualified ones were unqualified. Because, I can really say that I should've been one of the best underqualified applicants. :P</p>
<p>If you can, let me in on their secrets. I'll try to transfer next year. Still love you, MIT.</p>