Chris LaBounty
May 7 2013
Transfer Decisions to be Released Today
Posted in: Miscellaneous
MIT Transfer applicants will receive their decisions today!
All applicants will be emailed their decisions at 5 pm. Eastern Time to the email address specified on the application.
This year (as all years) the process was very competitive. We had over 500 transfer applicants, and are only accepting around 20 students. Obviously with a selection process that rigorous, we had to decline admission to a great many outstanding students. We know this. And it's not a great feeling.
What is a great feeling, is hoping that those 20 students who we did accept are excited and prepared to be part of an dynamic MIT community next fall.
** Unsolicited advice from Labs **
If you were hoping to transfer but were unsuccessful, my advice to you is to make your next 2-3 years at your current college the best they can be. Like most things in life, what you put into the experience is ultimately what you'll get out of it.
** End unsolicited advice from Labs **
Mar 21 2013
Think About This
Posted in: Miscellaneous
Hi Everyone,
I thought it was about time I wrote something interesting -- something outside of the bounds of routine admissions announcements.
But where to add value? Right now we're in a strange time. A time of delight for some, and anger and confusion for others.
Guidance counselors are calling flabbergasted that the best students of their careers were denied admission. Mothers are dealing with despondent teenagers. And, as we know from message boards and emails, some kids are lashing out.
But what you might not see, is that there is also a lot of positivity out there. Many of the questions that we're getting are totally respectful, thoughtful, and in many cases difficult to answer. Especially for someone like me who is new to this business.
When I think about it though, I think most of the issues I've encountered this year, as they relate to decisions, can be answered by two things: having a little zen, and a much better understanding of some statistical concepts.... read the post »
Mar 14 2013
Decisions Released TODAY @ 6:28 p.m.
Posted in: Miscellaneous
MIT Regular Action admissions decisions for the Class of 2017 will be available today at 6:28 p.m. (Deep breath)
Please don't be crazy and click refresh 200 times in a minute. You might get carpal tunnel! And you'll crush the server. And Labs will get fired. :-(
Ok, here's what you need to do: (Deep breath again)
At 6:28, or anytime thereafter, you can check your decision at:
Log in using the same username and password that you use to log into your MyMIT account. There are no interim screens, so you should be sure you are ready to receive your decision online before logging in to decisions.mit.edu
Other facts:
Almost 19,000 students applied for admission to MIT this year, the most in our history. (Again) As a result, our admit rate this year is very low; we had to turn away the vast majority of excellent, qualified, well-matched students who applied to us, something we don't take lightly.
Of those applicants, we admitted just over 1,500... read the post »
Jan 16 2013
Mandatory: MIT Mid Year Report
Posted in: Miscellaneous
Hi Everyone,
The MIT Midyear Report is now available on MyMIT. Wait! Don’t fill it out yet – you need to read some important info below.
What is it?
- The MIT Midyear Report is an online form that is required of all students (including those admitted or deferred in Early Action), and is to be completed by you, the applicant. The MYR serves two purposes: to share your newest grades, and give you an opportunity to mention other updates since you submitted your application.
Biggest issue we have?
- Students often get excited and fill out the form before their grades are released, which defeats at least half the purpose of the whole form. And, since you only get to submit this form ONCE, this causes problems. So what we really want is to get the MYR as soon as possible when your grades are released, OR by February 15th, whichever is earlier. We absolutely need it no later that February 15th.
Who should fill it out?
- Everyone! Even those already accepted in... read the post »
Jan 2 2013
Check the Mail Pyramid!
Posted in: Miscellaneous
Hey Everyone -
Alot of questions and stress about documents and such on the blogs the last few weeks. Things like:
"I sent in my scores awhile ago, but I still don't see them on MyMIT - what's going on?!"
"My teacher said she sent my eval A in, but I don't think you got it. Maybe there is a post office conspiracy?"
"My counselor said she faxed you over a SSR but it hasn't been processed, so she sent it three more times. Should she send it again?!" (Please no.)
The answer to all these questions my friends is, "Check the Mail Pyramid."
Now, if I were in charge of mail I would probably not process anything just to see how high I could get the stack. I also have sensitive hands - I might get a paper cut which could seriously impact my FIFA 2013 gaming skills.
BUT - I'm NOT in charge of the mail. Our processing department is. And let me tell you they're rugged. They're tough. They can rip through the toughest DHL envelopes with one bite.
But they need a little... read the post »