<p>To future applicants who are thinking of applying to this prestigious school: good luck. With this year’s acceptance rate being less than 8%, it is easy for prospective students to be consumed by panic over how to optimize one’s own chances.</p>
<p>I was given the impression that applicants love to follow a set “checklist” of steps in order to get into MIT and other top universities. It certainly does help one’s chances to:</p>
<ul>
<li>Receive a 2400 for the SAT/36 for ACT</li>
<li>Earn 800’s for every SAT II test</li>
<li>Obtain A’s in every class</li>
<li>Score 5’s for over X number of AP courses. </li>
<li>Be valedictorian/salutatorian/top 5% in the class</li>
<li>Win national awards/Participate in math or science competitions</li>
<li>Participate in science extracurricular activities.</li>
</ul>
<p>However, none of these will guarantee admission. The goal of the admissions process is not to reward the highest performing students with acceptance letters, but to create a class of talented people with unique backgrounds and experiences. This is another reason why, when reading the results thread, Person X who followed the checklist above may still be rejected. Feel free to reach your own conclusions though; below are links to results threads dating back to the Class of 2016:</p>
<p>Class of 2018 – Early Action
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/massachusetts-institute-technology/1588918-mit-class-of-2018-ea-results-thread-p1.html">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/massachusetts-institute-technology/1588918-mit-class-of-2018-ea-results-thread-p1.html</a></p>
<p>Class of 2018 – Regular Decision
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/massachusetts-institute-technology/1625217-mit-class-of-2018-ra-results-thread-p1.html">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/massachusetts-institute-technology/1625217-mit-class-of-2018-ra-results-thread-p1.html</a></p>
<p>While there is no guaranteed way of getting into any top university, MIT does provide many resources to prospective students. Below is a compilation of some blogs I came across while I was applying to MIT. </p>
<p>“Why I Chose MIT”
- A blog response to a common question: “Why MIT?”
<a href="http://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/why-i-chose-mit">http://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/why-i-chose-mit</a></p>
<p>“There Is No Formula”
- Read this, then dig into the results threads.
<a href="http://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/there_is_no_formula">http://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/there_is_no_formula</a> </p>
<p>*“Applying Sideways” *
- A blog response to a common question: “How do I get into MIT?”
<a href="http://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/applying_sideways">http://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/applying_sideways</a></p>
<p>“Many Ways to Define ‘The Best’”
- A blog response to a common question: “How many AP Classes should I take?”
<a href="http://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/many_ways_to_define_the_best">http://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/many_ways_to_define_the_best</a> </p>
<p>“What’s the big deal about 40^2?”
- Test scores can only tell so much about an applicant.
<a href="http://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/whats_the_big_deal_about_402">http://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/whats_the_big_deal_about_402</a> </p>
<p>*“No Chance” *
- Be wary of chance threads and programs. They are not an accurate prediction of whether or not you will get in. Do not let chance threads discourage/mislead you. Just keep working hard.
<a href="http://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/no_chance">http://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/no_chance</a></p>
<p>“I’ve Got 99 Problems…Admissions is Not One”
- Semi-serious list of things NOT to do. Avid readers of MIT’s blogs, note #15. If not, still check out #15.
<a href="http://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/ive_got_99_problems_admissions">http://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/ive_got_99_problems_admissions</a></p>
<p>“Our Essay Questions”
- Mr. Peterson provides the essay questions FOR 2013.
<a href="http://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/our-essay-questions">http://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/our-essay-questions</a></p>
<p>“How to Write a College Essay”
- Mr. Peterson discusses some writing tips.
<a href="http://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/how-to-write-a-college-essay">http://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/how-to-write-a-college-essay</a></p>
<p>“Show, Don’t Tell! (the College Essay, Pt. 2)”
- Chris S., a MIT alumni, discusses some additional writing tips.
<a href="http://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/show_dont_tell_the_college_ess">http://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/show_dont_tell_the_college_ess</a></p>
<p>“Notes on the Interview (the EC edition!)”
- Some advice given for an upcoming interview. Great to get an idea of what the interview felt like. I can personally say that my interview felt like a casual conversation. Feel free to message me for my experiences (Hint: It was relaxing!).
<a href="http://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/notes-on-the-interview-the-ec-edition">http://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/notes-on-the-interview-the-ec-edition</a> </p>
<p>“Advice On How To Approach Your Interview”
- Remember: Students are the ones applying, not parents.
<a href="http://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/advice_on_how_to_approach_your">http://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/advice_on_how_to_approach_your</a> </p>
<p>“Ben’s First Annual Q&A”
- Some good general questions, and some fun ones.
<a href="http://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/bens_first_annual_qa">http://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/bens_first_annual_qa</a> </p>
<p>For those in the future who are unlucky enough to experience rejection, I am truly sorry. We are all in the same boat. Hopefully, the following blogs can provide some comfort. Afterwards, message me and we can talk (hopefully, I’ll still be active for next year).</p>
<p>“It’s More than a Job”
- Ben Jones, the former director of communications for MIT, provides a comforting glimpse into the admissions process.
<a href="http://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/its_more_than_a_job">http://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/its_more_than_a_job</a> </p>
<p>“Bleary Eyed”
- Mikey Yang, an associate director of admissions, also provides his view of the admission process.
<a href="http://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/blearyeyed">http://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/blearyeyed</a> </p>
<p>“The Burning Question”
- A blog response to a common question: “Why were we rejected?”
<a href="http://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/the_burning_question">http://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/the_burning_question</a>
<a href="http://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/the_burning_question_part_2">http://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/the_burning_question_part_2</a> </p>
<p>Remember: life is not a zero-sum game. Help future applicants (to a certain extent); who knows, you may be providing the tools to make someone’s dream come true! Even though you may not be a part of the MIT class, it does not diminish nor reflect your capabilities to make an impact in society.</p>
<p>Here’s one last link to a blog before I end this message:</p>
<p>“Late Night Thoughts On You Guys & This Whole Process”
- For every applicant who got rejected, waitlisted, or even accepted from MIT. Remember these words.
<a href="http://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/late_night_thoughts_on_you_guy">http://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/late_night_thoughts_on_you_guy</a> </p>
<p>Cheers</p>