At MIT, we seek to develop in each member of our community the ability and passion to work collaboratively for the betterment of humankind. How have you improved the lives of others in your community? (This could be one person or many, at school or at home, in your neighborhood or your state, etc.) (*) (200-250 words)
WHY???
Here’s the thing, I’ve done quite a ton in my community, but I’m really racking my brain on how I’ve improved anyone’s lives. I’ve tutored kids, I’ve help teachers get acquainted, but I don’t know how to get into this. Jeez!
If you cannot get into this question then maybe you are not cut out for MIT.
Maybe something about how when you’ve tutored, you’ve been able to use your interest in those subjects to inspire the students you tutor to dig deeper or be more interested? That would be improving their lives by helping them to find an interest/unlock a potential passion.
Slow down there @TomSrOfBoston . I’m very much MIT material, you don’t even know it. It’s just that this question asks about an influences. The thing is, I really don’t know if I’ve actually motivated something out of anyone. I’ve never been able to follow up on the kids I’ve tutored. I don’t feel that I’ve really influenced a lot of people. Honestly, I like the question they replaced it with.
Oh my gosh I know! It’s so annoying how colleges want us to actually care about people and contribute to society! Like, improving people’s lives? Who even does that? I mean, making the world a better place through progress and technology isn’t even what colleges like MIT are all about. What is the point of this question? God!
@Shortstack17 Are you implying that I don’t want to contribute to society? I think you got the wrong idea. I’m just thinking of a way to get this question correct.
I feel like I’m racking my brain over this too much, though. Just one little question…JEEZ!
Okay, hon, you’re overthinking it. It’s asking how you think you’ve improved people’s lives. Tutoring is a great example. Just having someone there to help you on your math test or whatever makes a difference in that student’s life, even if it is small. You didn’t have to see some amazing change in that person’s life. The point is you’re TRYING to make a difference and to help people.
I hear that MIT adcoms read CC.
“This is a stupid question. I’m totally MIT material. I have good excuses why I can’t answer this question.”
Listen to yourself. The kind of student you are representing yourself as here is not the kind of student MIT wants to accept. Be the kind of student MIT wants to accept. Then the question will answer itself.
@TomSrOfBoston So what? I don’t have anything to hide. That’s how I feel.
@Shortstack17 True. I don’t need to see some miracle. Maybe that’s where I was thinking.
Why are people hating on OP?
It’s a very corny question, there’s no doubt about it
OP, from the tone of your responses here you appear to be anything but MIT material.
OP, I totally agree with you! It’s great to improve the lives of others but to write 200 words about it is highly
obnoxious. What happened to your love of humility MIT?
It’s obnoxious, but it’s what we got, so we should just work our best at it.
I read short stack’s post 6 as being sarcastic. Perhaps adding :)) would help.
Well, it’s been done. And I submitted! Hofefully, my response goes over well.
just tell a story! Use details, dialogue, and specifics. Make it personable and memorable, and anything but generic.
This article is pretty helpful, and I bet you could find some more stuff like this if you dig around the MIT admissions website a little:
http://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/how-to-write-a-college-essay
good luck! 
@BowlerGuile: You cannot get the question correct, Darlin’. You can only answer it thoughtfully, honestly, and with an intent to express how you feel you have c o n n e c t e d with another in your community. Think of your intent in undertaking the tasks you did, the preparation and dedication you had toward it, and perhaps tie it to that one time you saw a light in someone’s eyes, a smile, an improved effort and/or performance… in whatever the thing is.
This question is not obnoxious. You guys/gals are overthinking it.