<p>As many of you may know, I have a son attending MIT now. After his EA acceptance last year, and because of my strong interests in communications and using the Internet for social networking, I got to know Ben Jones, of the MIT Admissions staff, who is responsible for their series of "Admissions blogs" and the MyMIT portal students use. Today MIT Admissions shipped their RD decision packets to the USPS, and tonight Ben posted to confirm that the USPS now has all the mail ready to ship, and to muse on the process of selecting a class and how it affects him personally.</p>
<p>I recommend that you take a few moments and visit Ben's blog entry for tonight, "It's More Than A Job". I would like to hope there are admissions officers all over the country who feel similarly: I am touched by how well Ben puts it.
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Of my many favorites this year, there were a few who really got to me, and when they didn't get in, the tears came. Some would call me foolish for getting this wrapped up in the job, but honestly, I couldn't do this job if I disconnected myself from the human component of it. It's my job to present you to the committee; if your dream of being at MIT didn't become my dream on some small level, then really, why am I doing this at all? Others would disagree, but then, others aren't me.
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I want to thank people of integrity and character like Ben, who are willing to give their all to a difficult job. I appreciate greatly his willingness to share himself and his care for our students through his writing. Thanks, admissions folks everywhere.</p>
<p>Even though my daughter did not apply to MIT, I have enjoyed reading the admissions blogs. They have done a wonderful job of "humanizing" the admissions and financial aid processes; I have learned quite a bit from Ben, Matt, Bryan, and Daniel. Thank you for taking the time to inform, calm nerves, patiently answer the same questions over and over, and for showing us what a great place MIT is!</p>
<p>I just read this aloud to my husband over coffee. He's sitting at the breakfast table in tears. Although my D did not apply to MIT, I want to personally thank you, Ben, for restoring my faith that the admissions staff really DO to pains to know my daughter, even if she doesn't get accepted.</p>
<p>This is a wonderful addition to CC, and I thank you, Mootmom! Ben, thanks for putting a human face on this process, and thanks for all of your caring!</p>
<p>
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To the 87% of you who have shared your lives with us and trusted us with your stories over the last four months, please know that they meant something to me, and I won't forget you.
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Quote from Ben</p>
<p>This is a rough process from both sides of it. Ben says it well.</p>
<p>I really appreciate how Ben has written about the process from his end so thoughtfully and so that parents and students can get a picture of what it is like for an admissions officer at a selective school. It is a hard place to be in to have to reject kids who you know are outstanding in so many ways. I interview applicants for a selective college, as an alum, which is not NEARLY what Ben does, and I see just a handful of applicants each year. But it even gets to me when I meet these really fine kids, accomplished, who would contribute well at the college and then realize that a majority won't get in and not because they don't deserve to or aren't "good enough". It is hard. I have no say in it, like an adcom does, but even that is hard. I can't imagine what Ben has to do and his post just shows how it tugs at his heart to not be able to admit candidates whom he thinks so highly of. </p>
<p>Also, another thing is that readers should take notice at how the file is really read....all of it...and by several people....it is not just "stats" like kids post on CC....it is SO much more than stats (though you have to be in the right ballpark in that area)....and so when students post stats of who got in and who didn't, it really does not show the entire story. The differences between each candidate at that level really isn't the stats. It's all the stories, like he shared in his post. </p>
<p>That is a great post and should be required reading for all applicants!</p>
<p>Ben, you sound like an amazing adcom and MIT and its applicants are lucky to have someone like you on staff doing this work which can be heartwrenching at times.
Susan</p>
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WOW! Makes an admit to MIT that much more special. WOW.
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<p>Honestly, this type of sentiment even makes a rejection that much more special <em>lol</em>....or, more accurately, that much less "stinging." Ben's sensitive and eloquent blog entry is 180 degrees apart from some of the feedback my son received post-rejection from an elite school last year. Kinda makes me wish he'd have applied to MIT. </p>
<p>On a related note, the MIT blogs, in general, have basically served to "bust" every stereotype I had ever held about MIT as an institution....that because it is so math/science/engineering oriented, it must be dry and technical and wholly businesslike. That this remarkable institution employs people of not only such brilliance, but also of such heart and empathy and thoughtfulness makes it truly astounding. Impressive? YOU BET!</p>
<p>I followed Matt McGann's blog last year when DS was an MIT applicant. In addition to helping me understand and feel more in touch with the admissions process, it also helped me understand DH's affection for MIT in a way he, an alum, was never able to. I felt real sadness when DS decided to attend another school.</p>