I've been reading a lot of the comments about the applications that are due on Jan. 1.
And while what I'll say now is just my opinion:
"CHILLAX"
Definition (source bryan.mitblogs.com)
chill·ax: /tʃɪlæks/ :
-verb
to calm down; to release oneself from inhibition, worry, tension, etc.
I agree that it is easier said than done, but I'm in the same boat as you right now. I'm about to submit the application to my top choice graduate school, and there are a million questions running through my head, but I got hit by a jolt of admissions reality just now.
1. The deadline means as much as I'm afraid to press the submit button, in order to have my application read, I have to press it.
2. I don't own a time machine to go back in time and correct mistakes or retake tests.
3. A little bit of faith and optimism can go a long way.
4. I've tried my hardest, and that's all I can ask for.
Don't start the new year stressed out about applications. Put your best foot forward heading into 2007.
I can try to respond to any logistical/last minute questions you may have, but I'll only be near my computer for a little while longer before I head out myself to treat myself to some sushi and then celebrate the arrival of 2007.
Happy New Year and Good Luck!
Comments (Closed after 30 days to reduce spam)
Which graduate schools?
I just submitted my MIT app..
Posted by: Zay-Yar on December 31, 2006
I'm applying to a few schools on the east coast and a few on the west coast. I'll let everyone know what I end up doing in May.
- Bryan
Posted by: Bryan on December 31, 2006
Posted by: Jimmy on December 31, 2006
No need to be concerned. Its all kewl, I mailed mines on Dec 19th, Mit recieved them on Decm 23rd [I had track service on my mail]. I still don't see my online application tracking saying we got them. As Matt has discussed earlier that please allow 2 weeks to process Teacher evaluations and school reports. Lets do the MATH
8000 applicants and each applicant sends 2 teacher's recommendation letter, and school report and PARTII of application
8000 * 4 = 32000 pieces of documents to be processed.
Hope this answers your question
Posted by: Jigar on December 31, 2006
Posted by: 0 on December 31, 2006
I'm applying to Bioengineering/Biomedical Engineering PhD programs.
- Bryan
Posted by: Bryan on December 31, 2006
Jigar's response is completely right.
- Bryan
Posted by: Bryan on December 31, 2006
Posted by: Lindsay on December 31, 2006
isn't it due at 11:59:59 PM eastern US time on Jan. 1st?
Hmm... do you know if we don't submit our app by the deadline time, will it automatically be discarded/ rejected by the server?
Posted by: 0 on December 31, 2006
Do you know whether or not our application will be given full consideration if we submit it a bit after the deadline?
(-that Anonymous ^)
Posted by: NoOneInParticular on December 31, 2006
- Bryan
Posted by: Bryan on December 31, 2006
finally finished my application yesterday.
Best of luck with your applications Bryan!
Posted by: Nora on December 31, 2006
Good luck to you too, sir!
Posted by: Sarah on December 31, 2006
Posted by: ME on December 31, 2006
I'm not really sure if they'll mail it tomorrow or tuesday if you bring it to a post office or not, so I don't know...
Posted by: James on December 31, 2006
I took my application material to the post office at my hometown airport because they didn't close on New Year's.
I don't know what the exact policy is, but I do believe the admissions office will grant some flexibility granted the situation. Just try your hardest to get it postmarked tomorrow.
- Bryan
Posted by: Bryan on December 31, 2006
Posted by: James on December 31, 2006
I noticed you were in course 2 and BE but are looking fo BE PhD programs. How popular is course 20 at MIT? Also, I'm curious to know why you aren't continuing with course 2 related PhD programs?
thanks
Posted by: Nick on December 31, 2006
Course 20 (as an undergraduate major) is relatively new, but it's fairly popular. The reason I'm pursuing BE PhD programs is because I selected mechanical engineering to gain an understanding of how biological systems functioned as machines. Since I hope to gain a broader understanding of the complex functions of biological systems, I'm applying to BE PhD programs instead of course 2 PhD programs. I still hope to use some of my course 2 background to study some of the things that I am interested in.
- Bryan
Posted by: Bryan on December 31, 2006
Posted by: Melissa '11 on December 31, 2006
Majoring across schools (ie double majoring in an engineering discipline and a science) can be challenging, but if it's what you want to do, then if you plan appropriately you can do it. Getting a minor in my experience is a lot easier than getting a second major.
Check out this blog entry that I wrote a while back:
http://www.mitadmissions.org/topics/learning/majors_minors/a_tale_of_two_majors.shtml
- Bryan
Posted by: Bryan on December 31, 2006
Posted by: Melissa '11 on December 31, 2006
Posted by: Audrey on December 31, 2006
I'm pretty sure that you can't do that one.
- Bryan
Posted by: Bryan on December 31, 2006
Happy New Year.
- BDO
Posted by: Bryan on December 31, 2006
Posted by: Melissa '11 on December 31, 2006
Posted by: 0 on December 31, 2006
Anyways...
Happy New Year 2007 people!! Chill and be happy!
I also wanted to say congrats to MIT, to u, Bryan, and to all other bloggers. These blogs are awesome. Way cool
Posted by: Aki on December 31, 2006
Posted by: 0 on December 31, 2006
Posted by: Elizabeth on December 31, 2006
The post office is always closed that day. Even FedEx, and UPS!!! They are also closed just about every other day before, I know I have tried 2 other days before.
I did find one way! To get it in postmarked Jan. 1 SonicAir. Guaranteed to get there in less then a day anywhere in the world fast and only direct. We are talking 12hr or less shipping in the US!
They pick it up from your door in 60min or less, send it by air direct flight, have some one pick it up and hand deliver it directly without other stops. Only bad part it costs $200-$600!!!
Well there is one other way, go find where the postmaster lives, knock on his door and ask him to postmark your mail before the deadline. NOTE: Possibly a federal crime.
Any ways, I made a full re-do of the entire application online.
But, I would like some one to answer: What they will except as far as deadlines or what will happen if part is not in by the postmark?
Posted by: Kevin on January 1, 2007
need not to worry about time-machine
i am going to invent it in MIT
Posted by: bhushan on January 1, 2007
Posted by: Sha on January 1, 2007
I can't believe it - its gone and I cannot make any more changes. I worked on my essays for months, but at the last moment (5 days ago), I deleted one of them, and wrote a completely different one. Surprisingly, I finished this essay in one sitting, and I found it to be the perfect choice for expressing myself.
Now, it going to be a long wait still March (I hope I get the good news on my birthday, or the bad news after Einstein's)
Good luck to all the '11 applicants
Posted by: Anon1729 on January 1, 2007
i think i have big blunder in my secondry school report which also incorporates kind of an evaluation by my principal..the problem is that i asked her to fill out the form but in the field that asks for the academic accomplishments of the applicant she put a check on the average box ..i was heart broken to see that because i stood 3rd in my class in the first quarters and i was awarded the best student award after grade 9 and i have alwayz maintained great grades ,,,so i requested her to correct that because it was giving a false impression of me ..a really degrading one for me to be called 'AVERAGE' so she used a blade to rub off that check and tick on the 'outstanding' or whatever was the exact word for a very good student..my form looks like it has been tampered with..could that result in something serious like my application not even bein considered ???? i dont want that to happen
please help
Posted by: kanika on January 1, 2007
You can't do course 20 and the BME minor because the idea behind a minor is that you get exposure to a different field. Course 20 and the BME minor just have too much overlap.
Anonymous,
As far as planning goes, it always helps to have an idea of what you'd like to do, but in general, your first year, you'll be getting your general institute requirements out of the way. You may have the opportunity to take an elective or two here or there.
Elizabeth,
The only thing I know for sure is that they plan on mailing in mid to late March.
Kevin,
I'm not an admissions officer so I don't know the answer to that question. But like I said earlier, I think they are understanding within reason as long as you make a good faith effort to get your material in on time.
kanika,
If you're really worried about someone questioning the integrity of your report, I would possibly consider having your principal write a little note to the admissions office explaining why or possibly just send the one you have now, print out another copy, have your principal will that one out, and send that one as well.
- Bryan
Posted by: Bryan on January 1, 2007
Happy new year to everyone, and all the best.
Posted by: Guyomar on January 1, 2007
Posted by: Guyomar on January 1, 2007
Yikes...X(
Posted by: Jennifer on January 1, 2007
11:59:59pm Eastern
10:59:59pm Central
9:59:59pm Mountain
8:59:59pm Pacific
for easy reference.
I'd recommend getting it in ASAP though. Lots of people will be submitting now, and you don't want to find out that their server crashed, and its impossible to submit, or something.
Of course, the Admissions officers seem to be generally lenient about things like submission deadline.. They won't reject you just because you submitted it an hour late. Don't worry too much, but don't procrastinate, either.
Posted by: Adam S on January 1, 2007
I think you applied EA. Did you get in or or deffered or am I just imagining this!? lol
Posted by: milena on January 1, 2007
Posted by: Mike on January 1, 2007
Yeah, I applied EA and was deferred. I'm trying hard to be accepted RA, though. MIT is definitely my favourite school, by far.
Yes, I did intentionally spell favourite that way. I think that the British have it right.
Milena - What's your application status now? Just curious.
-Adam S.
Posted by: Adam S. on January 1, 2007
I submitted for Early Action and this is my experience. I live in a central time zone, so I decided to submit by 11:00 Central, 12:00 Eastern. I did my application quite last minute and tried to submit 2 minutes before the deadline. I didn't realize that my stuff was over the char limit, so I had to frantically decide what to delete from my additional info page and also my "Creation" essay.
I managed to click submit about 3 seconds before the deadline (11:00 Central). I thought I was okay, then I reviewed the application file that was generated and it said Nov. 2 (for those of you who don't know, Early was due Nov. 1). I realized that it took the application about 5 seconds to generate, which would put my submission about 2 seconds late. So either the date recorded is when your application finishes generating or my clock was off, but you should submit at least 5 minutes before the deadline to be safe.
Lessons: The deadline is really 11:59:59 Eastern time, but if you submit a little late, I wouldn't worry. I remember a question answered in one of Matt's blogs to a person who also submitted a little late. Matt said something to the effect of: If we really cared about the deadline, you wouldn't be able to submit after the deadline. Try not to submit late, but if you do, it should be okay. I'm not an admissions officer, but I don't think a late submission hurts your application too much.
Posted by: NotAdmissionsOfficer on January 1, 2007
I'm never doing that again.
Doggone it...
Posted by: Jennifer on January 2, 2007
Posted by: Jeff on January 2, 2007
Posted by: procrastinator on January 2, 2007
happy new year all!
Posted by: intn'l applicant on January 2, 2007
Posted by: Joe on January 3, 2007
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