In the near future, we'll have some advice here on the blogs for students who have been deferred. In the meantime, feel free to use this forum to chat.
In the near future, we'll have some advice here on the blogs for students who have been deferred. In the meantime, feel free to use this forum to chat.
Comments (Closed after 30 days to reduce spam)
Posted by: 0 on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Sam ('13?) on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Benjamin on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Ian on December 15, 2008
Posted by: 0 on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Navdeep ('13?) on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Drew on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Anonymous on December 15, 2008
Posted by: 0 on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Colton on December 15, 2008
Posted by: 0 on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Matt A. on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Izzy on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Rebeca on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Giroux on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Tyler A on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Anon on December 15, 2008
Posted by: 0 on December 15, 2008
I thought I'd get deferred. See y'all back in March (Now I have to actually do my other applications)
Posted by: Mitch on December 15, 2008
how nice acceptance would have been
all that for a sad little letter
Posted by: yo on December 15, 2008
If (you think this is sarcastic)
laugh -> "Ha Ha Ha";
else
get to work;
Posted by: Zorayr Khalapyan on December 15, 2008
I'm a Caucasion male from the Midwest who got deferred last year and then accepted RA. Have hope my friend.
Posted by: Eric '12 on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Tyler A on December 15, 2008
Just think - only 3 months left! haha... that really isn't funny, is it?...
Posted by: anonymous on December 15, 2008
-disappointed
Posted by: Jamo G on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Stacy on December 15, 2008
Posted by: hamsi on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Molly H. on December 15, 2008
Posted by: 0 on December 15, 2008
oh well, it could be worse.
Posted by: Kasey on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Tsornin on December 15, 2008
"The Admissions Committee has completed its review of your application and I am very sorry to tell you that we are unable to offer you admission to MIT."
that means you're deferred, right?
Posted by: Kevin on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Random '12 on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Tyler A on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Merritt B on December 15, 2008
:(
No.
Posted by: 0 on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Kevin '12 on December 15, 2008
Posted by: the bird is the word on December 15, 2008
No, sorry to say it, but that's a denial.
Posted by: Matt A. on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Adam U on December 15, 2008
Crap, now I gotta wait another 3 months, AND fill out all the rest of my college apps. GAH!
Posted by: Brandon on December 15, 2008
Now, I'm off to write a strongly-worded letter to Stuart Schmitt... just kidding. It would be a very good letter, though, considering I'm strongest in the humanities. Darn.
Posted by: AllisonAWE on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Kelly on December 15, 2008
Posted by: AK '13 hopeful on December 15, 2008
Posted by: 0 on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Jereme K on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Stephen on December 15, 2008
Posted by: 0 on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Peter on December 15, 2008
Anyway, good luck to everyone else. Don't fall into despair, because there's still a chance. I'm still hoping to see at least some of you next year.
Posted by: Dane on December 15, 2008
Posted by: James W on December 15, 2008
Posted by: pcb on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Ryan on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Taylor on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Tyler A on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Alissa on December 15, 2008
Does anyone have the stats for about how many students deferred get accepted in RegAction?
Posted by: Brittany on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Melanie on December 15, 2008
At least I have some more supplementary stuff I can send in now that I didn't have back in October...
Posted by: Alex on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Kelsey on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Anon on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Calvin on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Daniel on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Jen on December 15, 2008
It's okay, you guys. You deserved to get in. MIT admissions officers just fail so much.
Posted by: 0 on December 15, 2008
Applicants 3,925
Admitted 522
Deferred to regular action 2,903
Deferred applicants admitted during regular action 279
Posted by: Tyler A on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Taylor on December 15, 2008
It's okay, you guys. You deserved to get in. MIT admissions officers just fail so much.
Posted by: 0 on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Colton on December 15, 2008
Posted by: dude guy on December 15, 2008
Posted by: dude guy on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Darlene on December 15, 2008
Just to know that MIT would actually take time to consider me not only once, but twice is a great honor. Thanks MIT!
Posted by: Coleen on December 15, 2008
Posted by: ThreeMonthsLeft on December 15, 2008
Posted by: ThreeMonthsLeft on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Anon on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Ahmed on December 15, 2008
Best of luck to us all, and I hope to see you at Freshman orientation in Cambridge.
Posted by: Daniel S on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Megan on December 15, 2008
LOL
LOL
GBYE MIT
Posted by: Tyler A on December 15, 2008
Kind of relieved I wasn't rejected
Posted by: Allen on December 15, 2008
Posted by: yo on December 15, 2008
Posted by: 0 on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Mike '12 on December 15, 2008
Posted by: 0 on December 15, 2008
I completely know how you feel. I'm in a crummy school in rural Kansas with 300 kids, excelling in the most challenging classes available, and it will get me nowhere in life.
Posted by: Taylor on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Zach on December 15, 2008
Your application will definitely be looked at again
I know a couple of people who were initially deferred from schools and then got accepted later.
That said, send the rest of your applications out (and not only to schools of lower caliber than MIT)
Don't let this discourage you AT ALL
b/c of the economy and the incredibly high number of applications most schools were super cautious about EA this year, so don't think badly about yourself
Just send the rest of your applications out, maybe if something cool has happened since nov 1 send that to MIT and then sit tight and ENJOY your winter break
it'll be ok
Posted by: '12 on December 15, 2008
1 out of every 10 of us still has a shot.
This is NOT the end. There's still a 10% chance you will be accepted. Hang in there everyone- I hope to see at least 300 of you, including myself, next semester in Cambridge!
Posted by: Peter on December 15, 2008
Posted by: hadlz'12 on December 15, 2008
*sighs*
And i really didn't want to do these other applications...
Posted by: Cooper on December 15, 2008
Thanks for the stats guys!!
Things are looking up?? :-----
COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Melanie
EMAIL: [email protected]
IP: 68.237.109.205
URL:
DATE: 12/15/2008 09:24:17 PM
COMMENT_BODY:
I was just looking at the statisics on the MIT Admissions site and it looks like 10% of last year's deferred students were admitted regular decision and deferred students made up about 18% of the freshman class overall. Not bad. Everyone still has a shot - good luck in March!
Posted by: Brittany on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Melanie on December 15, 2008
Does it dry up
Like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore--
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over--
like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?
-Langston Hughes
Posted by: ngolshan on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Corey on December 15, 2008
Posted by: 0 on December 15, 2008
Posted by: 0 on December 15, 2008
Also, stop posting as Anonymous, it feels like 4chan *shivers*
Posted by: Tyler A on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Adam U on December 15, 2008
One against whom there was no official complaint,
And all the reports on his conduct agree
That, in the modern sense of an old-fashioned word, he was a
saint,
For in everything he did he served the Greater Community.
Except for the War till the day he retired
He worked in a factory and never got fired,
But satisfied his employers, Fudge Motors Inc.
Yet he wasn't a scab or odd in his views,
For his Union reports that he paid his dues,
(Our report on his Union shows it was sound)
And our Social Psychology workers found
That he was popular with his mates and liked a drink.
The Press are convinced that he bought a paper every day
And that his reactions to advertisements were normal in every way.
Policies taken out in his name prove that he was fully insured,
And his Health-card shows he was once in hospital but left it cured.
Both Producers Research and High-Grade Living declare
He was fully sensible to the advantages of the Instalment Plan
And had everything necessary to the Modern Man,
A phonograph, a radio, a car and a frigidaire.
Our researchers into Public Opinion are content
That he held the proper opinions for the time of year;
When there was peace, he was for peace: when there was war, he went.
He was married and added five children to the population,
Which our Eugenist says was the right number for a parent of his
generation.
And our teachers report that he never interfered with their
education.
Was he free? Was he happy? The question is absurd:
Had anything been wrong, we should certainly have heard.
-W.H. Auden
We're all under appreciated.
Posted by: 0 on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Damn on December 15, 2008
sure it's a disappointment, but we've all still got a 10% chance!
Anyways...
@Matt, I was wondering if we should send in extra materials or just let it sit?...
Posted by: Cathy on December 15, 2008
good luck to all other deferred
so who else has a calculus final tomorrow?
Posted by: Javamocha on December 15, 2008
@Everyone: Don't despair! The admit rate for deferrals is roughly that of undeferred RA candidates. When MIT says that a deferral isn't a rejection, they really mean it! Good luck to everyone in RA... And it's a painful 3 months, but it'll all be fine in the end no matter which way the decisions swing.
Posted by: Danny '12 on December 15, 2008
I was soooo looking forward to maybe being done....
*sigh....
Screw you, MIT.
Posted by: Feels Like Rejection.... on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Shawn on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Jon on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Shawn on December 15, 2008
Life certainly hasn't dealt us the best cards, I'm from New York (and by that I mean the state not the city), go to a school with maybe 500 or so students, 70% of which are below the poverty line and don't care about school, and their parents can't pay taxes, so the school has no money. The only consolation is that it makes class rank easier, but thats not nearly enough.
Posted by: Anon on December 15, 2008
ಠ_ಠ
since when did this exist? i was under the impression that deferred = "polite rejection..."
yes, that does all sound rather ridiculous.
don't lose hope guys! i certainly have not :3
anyways, ಠ_ಠ face pwns college anyday. :D
Posted by: josh on December 15, 2008
If I did the SAT again in December, should I resend the scores if they are higher?
Posted by: Bruno on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Ben on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Matt on December 15, 2008
Posted by: sigh on December 15, 2008
Posted by: anonymous on December 15, 2008
I don't want to have to face people at school tomorrow and hear "Did you make it?" over and over.
I shouldn't wait around for three more months not knowing where my life goes and what I should be preparing myself for.
I hate that I spent even a little time fantasizing about how I would react to the good news.
From the depths of my soul, I hope that all of you get accepted the next time around.
Posted by: Brad on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Kris '13? on December 15, 2008
Posted by: anonymous on December 15, 2008
Posted by: 0 on December 15, 2008
@Brad - I promised basically my entire phone book that I would attack them with text messages when I got the news.
Well, at least the 3 kids I applied with all got deferred too. -sigh- Hope to see all of you at CPW as the class of '13!!!!
Posted by: 0 on December 15, 2008
Yup! Calculus first thing in the morning!
Posted by: Peter on December 15, 2008
Just my 2c.
"WTF my sister has a perfect SAT score, perfect GPA, she is valedictorian of her school, and she is honestly the most intelligent person I know."
>> There are also thousands of other valedicts in the world, hundreds of perfect scores, and many many perfect GPAs. Putting things in perspective, the numbers don't define the person, unless you like being known as being exactly like hundreds of other people.
Posted by: Vivi on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Chan-Hee Koh on December 15, 2008
which is/was my top choice.
ugh.
@Tyler:
Stanford's REA clearly states:
"Applicants agree not to apply to any other school under an Early Action, Restrictive Early Action, Early Decision, or Early Notification program."
didn't you violate that by applying EA to MIT?
Posted by: Angela on December 15, 2008
But we are another statistic for MIT...540 accepted from a record setting over 5000 EA! That sounds great, we provided something to the wonderful institution, even if it was just a record! If the app. cost about $60 then add in over $300,000 in rev. in these tough times.
Anyways Good Luck to All, Merry X-mas, and Happy Waiting till Late March!
Oh yeah, and Taylor good apology!
P.S. anyone know caltech's stats??
Posted by: Kunal on December 15, 2008
Posted by: David on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Brandon on December 15, 2008
Posted by: 0 on December 15, 2008
However many of you there are, I wish all of the deferred students luck and patience for the next three months.
Posted by: Kris10 on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Anonymous on December 15, 2008
*shroud*
I am now...Anonymous.
Posted by: 0 on December 15, 2008
You're lucky you can share the feeling with somebody. All I've got are you guys, my schools just too stupid.
Posted by: Anon on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Taylor on December 15, 2008
I got deferred therefore I can actually focus on the finals week that is starting tomorrow. I don't think I could even begin studying if I had found out I got in.
Posted by: Paulpaul on December 15, 2008
Hahaha looks like you caught Tyler's lies.
Posted by: lol on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Billy on December 15, 2008
"This year, we received about 5,000 applications for early action admission, a record number for us and a 27% increase over last year. We admitted 540 students for an admit rate of 11%, or fewer than one of every nine applicants."
Posted by: Vivi '12 on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Matt A. on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Vince on December 15, 2008
I read them, but don't worry, they didn't help inn any way so you didn't miss out.
Posted by: Anon on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Kelly on December 15, 2008
btw. Asian is so much worse than caucasian from midwest.
Posted by: Asian LA kid on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Colton on December 15, 2008
now we got 3 more months of suspense
Posted by: 0 on December 15, 2008
What's wrong with not following the rules?
Posted by: 0 on December 15, 2008
MIT is still my dream school...I'll just have to wait errmm about 3 months longer. lol.
This is actually my 2nd deferment.
-Started with QuestBridge Finalist Match, now EA...how much more of this can i take??
But I have been trained well, I have hope, and I believe in a better outlook in RA.
Good luck to everyone for RA!!!
By the way,
Thanks for not rejecting me, MIT...
Posted by: Torffick A. on December 15, 2008
Other than the fact Stanford can reject hm if they found out? Nothing.
Posted by: lol on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Michael on December 15, 2008
true that bro. Asian male = epic fail
Posted by: 0 on December 15, 2008
I here you dude I'm in the same boat unfortunately. Even more unfortunately I am a white male from a really small rural town in Massachusetts. I'd like to see the admit rate on that. I'm sure its a lot less than 10%
Posted by: Other Taylor on December 15, 2008
Posted by: MIT Hopeful on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Vince on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Logan on December 15, 2008
"@Anonymous"
ta da.
Posted by: 0 on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Taylor on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Matt A. on December 15, 2008
to vivi- We're all a bit disappointed, so naturally we're venting. Yes, the sister who posted might have been a little irritated, but it sometimes hurts even more when have to watch someone you care about be really disappointment. So you might not have liked the "Harvard" comment, but at least she's thinking to the future and of other possibilities. So please don't come to the deferral board and try to cut us down to size. 4.0s and 2400s aren't always easy.
Posted by: 0 on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Amina J ('13..?) on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Colton on December 15, 2008
COMMENT:
AUTHOR:
EMAIL:
IP: 69.138.112.74
URL:
DATE: 12/15/2008 09:50:39 PM
COMMENT_BODY:
All who got deferred, join this Facebook group:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2222724260
Posted by: anonymous on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Borat on December 15, 2008
and i think that we should just meet somewhere and figure this out.
Poker? rock-paper-scissors? battle royal?
Any takers?
and then again i could say near home and be close to the trout fishing parks and awesome geology of the Missouri Ozarks.
Posted by: Javamocha on December 15, 2008
Posted by: STATS on December 15, 2008
Posted by: 0 on December 15, 2008
Yeah, so I sound a bit insensitive. Sorry if I offend anyone.
Posted by: C Dubs on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Matt A. on December 15, 2008
My sentiments exactly. People in general are stupid, they have no idea. NO
Posted by: Anon on December 15, 2008
I'm counting on Murphy's Law to make my dreams come true...
Posted by: Nicole on December 15, 2008
I was a questbridge finalist too!!! I ranked MIT, Yale, Columbia, and Princeton, and was "regretfully rejected" from all...oh well at least we got out of the application fee :D
Posted by: Taylor on December 15, 2008
And we tell them, and they don't believe us.
Posted by: Matt A. on December 15, 2008
But honestly, deferral is not that bad. well maybe for me, since I'm in georgetown already. In the scheme of things, just because we weren't one of the 540 accepted doesn't mean that we aren't worthy of such a high caliber institution, just that admissions hasn't quite figured out if we will be the best fit for MIT and if MIT will be the best fit for us.
just more waiting...good luck to all with the rest of the apps and in MIT's RD. i still have 4ish to go...
Posted by: Lauren on December 15, 2008
Posted by: the bird is the word on December 15, 2008
Um. I had already admitted my mistake earlier. You don't need to tell me this. I already know; I've played the college admissions game before. My sister was okay with it. I think it's understandable that I'd feel angry about my little sister being deferred. Anyway, congrats to everyone who did get in, good luck to those who were deferred. Gotta study for a biochem final now.
Posted by: megan on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Anonymous on December 15, 2008
And they just say, "well you're smart, you'll get in." Meanwhile they're applying to the open enrollment local community college
Posted by: Anon on December 15, 2008
Funny thing about my case is that a lot of these people are also applying to prestigious schools, or are juniors who will surely do so.
Posted by: Matt A. on December 15, 2008
At least you're a girl. People like women in the sciences. Try being an Asian guy.
Posted by: YC on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Anon on December 15, 2008
Arrrgh! Deferred! Time to hurry up and wait!
Posted by: Aaron on December 15, 2008
Posted by: TJC on December 15, 2008
I think they just like to test our patience...
=/
At least there's still room to dream. Not rejected!
I'll hold onto whatever thread of hope flying this way!
Posted by: Kandi on December 15, 2008
I wish I could say "Screw MIT," but I still really like it and wish I could go. Is there a term for when something makes you angry and sad and disappointed and you like it anyway?
Posted by: Heartbroken on December 15, 2008
Yea, that is kinda silly to only rely on getting into MIT.
I've been bugging the heck out of all of my teachers for recommendations for tons of schools---mainly in state because it's just easier.
I just don't wanna go to a school for another for years with the same hometown landscape. =/
Posted by: Kandi on December 15, 2008
Posted by: 0 on December 15, 2008
So you applied MIT early and you're going to do Yale regular?
Posted by: 0 on December 15, 2008
Posted by: that guy on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Brian on December 15, 2008
I agree wholeheartedly.
I'm actually just really excited. I wasn't rejected and most of my friends got in where they really wanted to go (some even here! :D ). All in all, not so bad. I guess we'll just have to wait till March now. Good luck again to all in March with RA, and of course with all your other apps too. I'm sure that each and every one of us will end up going to a great school and will have many amazing opportunities in life, whether we ultimately get into/go to MIT or not.
And I really liked the poems by the way. We read the Auden poem a few weeks ago in English, when I saw it here I cracked up.
Posted by: Morrisa on December 15, 2008
I don't think that being lousy at english is going to keep you from MIT, it is an engineering school after all... (I stink at english too, probably made loads of mistakes just now, but I still managed to get deferred!)
Posted by: 0 on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Taylor on December 15, 2008
I read the first line, saw deferred, and then I went over to my family's piano and played Rachmaninoff's Prelude in C# Minor. It got rid of all my anger at the admissions officers, but I'm still really disappointed.
Posted by: 0 on December 15, 2008
I hail from the south as well and received my deferment letter.
Posted by: Jason B on December 15, 2008
I would do anything to get accepted.
Please, please accept me in March.
There is nothing else I want in this world.
Posted by: Chris on December 15, 2008
The only gripe I have is that they didn't realize my school is a crap place to be, and the fact that I did what I did is testament unto itself.
But I don't care. I've got competitions eyed out which I believe I can do something impressive in to show improvement, ambition, etc. (USAMO, anyone?)
Posted by: Pawel on December 15, 2008
darn, no tube with confetti...bummer
yup I'm a varsity athlete (swimming) who got deferred
but it's all good
positive attitude, yes? think very powerful, positive thoughts toward a certain address in Cambridge...
Posted by: AGH on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Deferred '09 on December 15, 2008
Posted by: bo.qin on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Stephen W on December 15, 2008
There's still hope for March!
Posted by: swimmer on December 15, 2008
That's gonna suck having to tell everyone I got defered, and then having to explain what defered means, o well, i'll live.
O yea, who else is from Texas that got defered
Posted by: Steven on December 15, 2008
Meanwhile, I've got to get to work on my other apps, and then it's time to wait for all of the decisions to come back. I know that my chances are phenomenally slim for getting into MIT during RD, but I'll still hold out hope.
I'd like to thank the people of the MIT Admissions Office for their kind words in the deferral message. Good luck to everybody there with all of the applications you've gotta sift through come January. Here's hoping that mine gets in put in that incredibly tiny "Accepted" pile...
Posted by: Evan M. on December 15, 2008
Really, don't be depressed. You aren't in yet, but it's not over yet either. MIT has been synonymous with "college" for me for a long time, but still, I'm not going to panic or get angry. There's still a chance, and personally, I think my chance is better now, because at the very least I can add some more information about myself. Even if I don't get in, it's not like I won't have a chance to do well in life.
...Wow, I'm not used to talking like this. With this and pulling an all-nighter to get two essays done instead of not doing them at all (I procrastinated a little too long, a habit I'm trying to kill), I think I might actually be becoming responsible. That'll be good no matter what college I go to.
Posted by: Dane on December 15, 2008
Posted by: 0 on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Erazo on December 15, 2008
Yeah. That's how I feel too. Plus, no tubes for us, only envelopes... =(
Posted by: Rebeca on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Scott on December 15, 2008
Posted by: 0 on December 15, 2008
Also, hope my grammar and English isn't all that bad (everyone who is complaining seems fine to me).
Posted by: Stephen W on December 15, 2008
Posted by: vegan on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Virginia '12 on December 15, 2008
http://www.paulgraham.com/judgement.html
Posted by: 0 on December 15, 2008
btw... the most upsetting part of this entire thing... not getting that tube :(
Posted by: vegan on December 15, 2008
Maybe I can fill the "white female from the midwest" quota
Posted by: Hannah on December 15, 2008
Posted by: 0 on December 15, 2008
Well put, I couldn't possibly agree more. I had to brace myself for the possible rejection so that I wouldn't get all bummed out my top two colleges; so I was elated to find a "deferral" awaiting my login rather than a "rejection." Of course, it would have been nice to get "accepted," but all the sweets in life cannot be gotten the first time they come into sight.
Thanks, MIT, for not totally putting me out of the picture.
Posted by: Stephen W on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Chris on December 15, 2008
and what percent of the people are deferred in the first place? lol
Posted by: 0 on December 15, 2008
Posted by: 0 on December 15, 2008
and i would like to kno the percentages of admitted, deferred and rejected.
Posted by: mel on December 15, 2008
I'm sorry if my comment offended you in any way; I certainly wasn't trying to beat you into the ground by saying 2400s/4.0s were easy to come by. (Although once you come to MIT you very quickly learn that such items are not an accurate prediction of your performance here at all - I was a 2200/4.0 and I'm currently failing, haha..) I'm just try to say that instead of trying to pick and complain about what the admissions officers didn't see or care for (i.e. perfect scores, etc.), maybe it's better to look at aspects of yourself that could help your cause. Complete some more personal projects, participate in some more science competitions, and no matter what, keep MIT updated on what you're doing; it's never been officially confirmed but I am of the belief that it does help =)
P.S. Despite the jokes we make against them, MIT people actually do befriend people from and like Harvard. Especially their liberal arts classes. And Harvard Square. And the restaurants that the Kendall/MIT area is severely lacking :D
Posted by: Vivi '12 on December 15, 2008
Throw one more tally on the "white midwestern males" column; I guess I'll just have to send myself a tube. The glass is half full? Looks more like it's just under 10% full to me. I had so many people rooting for me too. I feel so mediocre. We should send the admissions office a tube. What would you put inside? I think pressurized cottage cheese would do the trick. Maybe I should send them my blood; they've already got the sweat and tears.
Posted by: c^2 on December 15, 2008
Posted by: 0 on December 15, 2008
Posted by: Moose on December 16, 2008
Posted by: 0 on December 16, 2008
Almost all who were accepted at MIT, have amazing research projects. Congrats!
Posted by: Another Alex on December 16, 2008
Posted by: lizzio on December 16, 2008
Posted by: lizzio on December 16, 2008
Posted by: Michael B on December 16, 2008
Well then! Best of luck to everyone in Regular Action! Be optimistic everyone! Do not get yourself down. I am actually pretty relieved with this decision. I am still full of great adrenaline and anticipation for MIT and I am sure to put it into use to put even greater effort in my current studies. I will never give up on my dreams to better our world!
Like my basketball coach always tells me, "A true champion is not shown through how many times he/she has won, but by the great strength and courage to continually pick himself up after a defeat!" Thats all you Coach Bobich! Good times. :D
This is my first blog ever here actually and I hope I do not get in trouble for this but...
THERE IS A GENOCIDE IN DARFUR!!! HALF A MILLION DEAD!!! 4,500,000 DISPLACED!!! PLEASE VISIT:
www.EnoughProject.org
www.TheIRC.org
www.DarfurScores.org
www.JewishWorldWatch.org
www.Sudanesonline.com
www.SudanNet.com
www.SudanTribune.com
www.SudanFreePress.blogspot.com
www.newsudanvision.com/news/sudan
PLENTY OF INFORMATION AND WAYS FOR YOU TO SAVE LIVES!!! EMAIL ME AT [email protected] FOR MORE INFORMATION ON WAYS YOU CAN BECOME INVOLVED!!!
I HOPE THIS DOES NOT AFFECT THE MIT SITE IN ANY WAY AND SINCERELY APOLOGIZE IF IT CAUSES ANY INCONVENIENCE!!! BUT ALAS I MUST PROMOTE MORE AWARENESS!!!
Posted by: TimDo4SaveDarfur on December 16, 2008
For those of you who know what Portal is, the song "Still Alive" hits close to home in this situation. Hehe
Posted by: Matt Fennema on December 16, 2008
Posted by: O on December 16, 2008
For the record - I'm a hispanic female from New Orleans who doesn't do any sports
Posted by: Pauline on December 16, 2008
Posted by: 0 on December 16, 2008
Posted by: Peter on December 16, 2008
Posted by: 0 on December 16, 2008
Let's make like some protons and stay positive!
Posted by: David ‚àë on December 16, 2008
Posted by: Ilyanep on December 16, 2008
Congrats to those who were accepted and those who have been deferred. The best of luck to you.
Posted by: Marco on December 16, 2008
If that doesn't match what MIT wants, then I have been sorely mistaken for the past year in my perceptions. If I am not the right fit, then screw it. Even if I get in for regular action, a rift has been created that admission cannot bridge.
Posted by: egh on December 16, 2008
And also, total rofl at "Still Alive." Never before has that song sounded so... comforting. Haha.
Posted by: RiCHARD on December 16, 2008
@ Megan: Life can be frustrating. I'm glad to hear that your sister took it well. The MIT admissions office said they weren't looking for perfect scores, so maybe she relied to much on her scores, and left out some more personal information.
@ Midwestern White Male Society: At least you get to fill some quota somewhere. Coming from a mediocre high school in a state (Washington) of ultra-high grade private schools, I have some serious competition.
Whatever. Good luck to everyone on their RA. I'm going to go watch Heroes.
Posted by: Eric Carlson on December 16, 2008
Posted by: Mark on December 16, 2008
Just an opinion; don't get your hopes too high for this episode.
Posted by: RiCHARD on December 16, 2008
also consider: admissions is 10% overall. Many times more men apply than women, but the demographics of students show equal gender enrollment. If 4 times more men apply than women, the adjusted admissions rates are as follows:
4% for men
25% for women
how's that for equality?
and i'd rather not delve into racial statistics, but i'm sure they're even more skewed. Which brings up my final point. If you're wondering what you did wrong on your application, perhaps it is the little line at the top that says white male.
*Probably also applies to asian males*
Posted by: from the west on December 16, 2008
Posted by: 0 on December 16, 2008
Posted by: Nate on December 16, 2008
Posted by: Marco on December 16, 2008
Posted by: Tsornin on December 16, 2008
I'm actually quite surprised with deferred...I have the qualifications, just didn't feel I did so hot on the application itself...whatever
*meanders back to listening to "Staying Alive" XD*
Posted by: T² on December 16, 2008
What do youse think?
Posted by: Tsornin on December 16, 2008
You'll find that people sing that song quite a bit around here.
Posted by: MIT '12 on December 16, 2008
Which means I'll always wonder: would things be different if I'd waited until tomorrow?
...and superstition trumps common sense once again. =P
Posted by: Niki on December 16, 2008
The worst part is that I love this school so much.
I've never visited MIT.
I've only talked to a few people who actually went there.
Sure I've seen the pictures, watched the lectures on YouTube, seen the hack articles on Wikipedia, heard the stories of all the wonderful traditions, and read the blogs of some very fascinating and intelligent people who go here (I want to personally commend all of you for being such wonderful people, by the way.)
No, I love this school because of what it represents to me - it's a symbol of the defeat of disparity.
MIT is an idea, that no matter what circumstances I've faced in my life, as long as I have the drive to change and be better than yesterday, then there is no limit to how much I can succeed. That somebody I will throw a rope to others like myself, whom society has tragically tossed aside so non-chalantly, and change the world.
Does deferment this mean my dreams are going to whither?
I couldn't tell you.
To the person who quoted Langston Hughes, I am afraid we have a discrepancy in our interpretations of his famous poem...
Because I think dreams deferred really do explode - and destruction breeds creation. This is my Big Bang. This will propel me to greater wonders than I ever imagined. My dream has been obliterated, but from the ashes, a universe will begin to coalesce.
A beautiful cosmos, to which new dreams and aspirations will be woven in to.
And of course, some old ones - MIT is already close to my heart, and I greatly appreciate the second chance.
But know something now - my ambition has grown twofold.
I. Will. Make. Something. Of. Myself.
I just really feel like I'd be happiest stretching my wings at MIT, over any other institution in the world.
Time will tell.
Posted by: Robert B on December 16, 2008
Posted by: Cathy on December 16, 2008
...and so the wait begins, again
"A Dream Deferred" by Langston Hughes means so much more now.
Posted by: Noelle on December 16, 2008
Posted by: Tsornin on December 16, 2008
Posted by: Nate on December 16, 2008
I was reminded of this jolly little clip when I read the 'failboat' comment.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcU4t6zRAKg
just so we don't get to depressed
Posted by: 0 on December 16, 2008
Posted by: Bo on December 16, 2008
Also makes me wonder it there's any cases the other way around. I so far haven't heard any.
Posted by: T² on December 16, 2008
its gonna be offff the heeeeeezy.
Posted by: Jay on December 16, 2008
Glad I'm not the only Questbridge finalist who got rejected. I didn't get into any of my other schools either. Aw well, Best of Luck to you all.
Posted by: Anonymous on December 16, 2008
Indian Male = Way worse than Caucasian Male
Posted by: 0 on December 16, 2008
Posted by: anon on December 16, 2008
So can we submit more information like research/invention/etc. to admissions to be considered with our app in RA???
Posted by: Hoping to be in MIT (soon) on December 16, 2008
I HATE THISSSSSSSSS......
I HATE THISSSSSSSSS......
I HATE THISSSSSSSSS......
I HATE THISSSSSSSSS......
I HATE THISSSSSSSSS......
I HATE THISSSSSSSSS......
I HATE THISSSSSSSSS......
I HATE THISSSSSSSSS......
oh.....
Did I mention...
.....I HATE THISSSSSSSSS......?????
Posted by: jamsandwich on December 16, 2008
most definitely
Posted by: 0 on December 16, 2008
COMMENT:
AUTHOR: Cathbad
EMAIL: [email protected]
IP: 200.3.250.100
URL:
DATE: 12/16/2008 09:16:13 AM
COMMENT_BODY:
How do I fit in the quotas? I am a Hispanic with Permanent Residency, and I live in Texas... still got deferred tho
Posted by: Ace on December 16, 2008
Posted by: Rudy on December 16, 2008
Posted by: A Man on December 16, 2008
"There's no use crying over every mistake. You just keep on trying till you run out of cake."
Hmm, replace cake with "hope of getting accepted into MIT" and it makes sense since THE CAKE IS A LIE.
Posted by: Billy on December 16, 2008
Posted by: Billy on December 16, 2008
I'm a dad whose daughter was deferred. I just read all the blogs of the deferrels and the rejecteds. I know its easy for me to say because I'm old and stupid but every one of you represent the best of our country and elsewhere so just dont sweat it. As parents we love you more than life and it really doesn't matter if you go to the local junior college. You will do well wherever you go because you are good smart motivated people. Enjoy wherever you end up and keep your love of learning and helping the world. Peace
Posted by: anon on December 16, 2008
Don't feel too discouraged. Just make the rest of your applications count. You *will* get in somewhere awesome, or somewhere willing to give you craptons of scholarships.
Also, the quotas are so BS. Stop analyzing it like that.
Posted by: hoppzor on December 16, 2008
I've already gotten in everywhere else, but this is the only school I want to go to. It's discouraging, but loads more people get in during regular decision, there is essentially nothing to worry about, it is not in our hands.
Posted by: Megan on December 16, 2008
I heard that about 300 were let in out of 5000 or so.
Posted by: Megan on December 16, 2008
unfortunately, not all parents are like that. I'm haven't even told my parents yet, I'm scared how they're going to react.
But thank you, it's very encouraging to hear (see?) those words.
Posted by: 0 on December 16, 2008
deferred is the chance to show then that we can bounce back at whatever they give us. We should show them that this wont stop us. keep working hard, but dont kill yourself trying to. Im glad caltech deferred me, it prepared me for this!
good job everyone, dont change what you want to do with your life. Its what you think of yourself, not what others think of you.
Posted by: Karen on December 16, 2008
deferred is the chance to show then that we can bounce back at whatever they give us. We should show them that this wont stop us. keep working hard, but dont kill yourself trying to. Im glad caltech deferred me, it prepared me for this!
good job everyone, dont change what you want to do with your life. Its what you think of yourself, not what others think of you.
Posted by: Karen on December 16, 2008
Posted by: Luke on December 16, 2008
Yea, shoutouts to QuestBridge Finalists who got deferred! lol
Wish you two, and everyone, the best of luck in RA and any other school decisions...
Dreams deferred, but not dreams shattered.
Thanks hoppzor and every other current MIT student who have been in our situation before. Thanks for all the support and encouragement.
Its finally snowing in NY!! woot woot!
Posted by: Torffick A on December 16, 2008
but anyway, education is more about the knowledge you gain not the where you get it so regardless of where we go im sure we'll be fine
good luck in RA for all of us
Posted by: shawn on December 16, 2008
now I don't know if I would go even if they accepted me RD - I looked through my app again, and there's absolutely nothing I would have done differently. if they couldn't offer me admission based on what they saw...
I guess I don't want it.
Posted by: caltech '13 on December 16, 2008
Posted by: 0 on December 16, 2008
when i applied quiteawhileago, i got deferred at mit, and was then accepted later.
all i can say is, keep up the good work you are doing in your school! no doubt you are all bright, wonderful students. and if you have any other snippets to add about what you are up to (in terms of activities, awards, grades, projects, stuff like that that happens after the fall semester), make sure to update your file and let the admissions office know
Posted by: former mit student on December 16, 2008
You're learning a valuable lesson the accepted candidates aren't. Maybe you were deferred because MIT felt that was what you needed before you could come to the Institute. Of course I'm disappointed, but all I can say is I'm glad MIT considered me worthy enough to merit reconsideration.
Posted by: 0 on December 16, 2008
Posted by: 0 on December 16, 2008
First, speaking as a member of the Educational Council, I want to extend sincere congratulations to you for what you HAVE achieved. The Admissions Office decided to defer decision on your application because they currently expect your application to be competitive in the final selection -- and that is not an insignificant achievement! After last year's selection process, the Admissions Office said that they could have admitted three or four freshman classes out of the pool of applicants WITHOUT compromising the Institute's standards. If the office deferred decision on your application, it is because the staff have determined that you are worthy of admission. So stop, take a deep breath, and give yourselves a big pat on the back, because you deserve it!
Now, there is still time to submit additional materials to strengthen your application for the final selection cycle.
>> If you have taken any additional college entrance exams, you certainly should submit the scores.
>> It also would be very appropriate to send an updated transcript showing your grades so far in your senior year of high school.
>> If you have received any awards or distinctions since you submitted your application, send a concise letter (keep it to one page) to the admissions office stating what award or distinction you received, the date of the award, and from whom you received the award or distinction. Be sure to include your name, AS IT APPEARS ON YOUR APPLICATION, and your date of birth on this correspondence, as the Admissions Office uses that information to match your correspondence with your application file.
>> And if there is any other new information that might be relevant to the admissions decision, you should submit that information via a concise letter in the same way.
Finally, if you have not already done so, it would be a good idea to submit applications to other colleges and universities -- and be sure to include one or two "safe schools" where you are very confident of admission. Unfortunately, we know that the admissions office won't be able to admit somewhere around 90% of the "deferred" applicants so a "Plan B" is definitely in order.
EC Norm.
Posted by: EC Norm on December 16, 2008
Thank you for clarifying that "deferred" is not... synonym with "defeated"
Thank you for putting it all in prospective!
Posted by: Alina on December 16, 2008
THE WORLD HATES ME!
Posted by: 0 on December 16, 2008
Thanks for the pick-me-up. I knew being deferred counted for something, but I didn't know how much. In any case, from the stats I've seen, 10% get accepted EA, then almost 10% of those deferred get accepted RA, so we get another shot with about the same odds as before if we're willing to be patient, and for MIT, it's worth it.
Posted by: Matt A. on December 16, 2008
Posted by: Tyler Alexander on December 16, 2008
btw this is in response to anonymous @ 3:34 PM
Posted by: 0 on December 16, 2008
Posted by: Luke J on December 16, 2008
I don't think they would...a lot of people would say things that they don't mean after something like this, and that'd be pretty unfair for them to do. It's pretty stressful, but that's one thing you shouldn't have to worry about.
Posted by: 0 on December 16, 2008
Posted by: Jacob on December 16, 2008
Posted by: kevin on December 16, 2008
If you didn't read this before applying, perhaps this will explain more about the "Match" between you and MIT:
http://www.mitadmissions.org/topics/pulse/the_match_between_you_and_mit/index.shtml
This includes valuable information for everyone!
Posted by: anonymous on December 16, 2008
Thank you so much for posting. I was wondering how to approach updating MIT Admissions on awards and updates.
Thanks again!
Posted by: Sam ('13?) on December 16, 2008
Posted by: kevin on December 16, 2008
I was shocked how many people didn't know...
Posted by: Kelly on December 16, 2008
But bring your spirits up come on... Remember it is not the end of the world. Even if u got accepted to only ur community college, it is what u do in life that matters. I know a Darden grad who went to our community college and hes doing fine.
Posted by: bo.qin on December 16, 2008
Posted by: deferred then admitted '12 on December 16, 2008
Posted by: Zach on December 16, 2008
Posted by: 0 on December 16, 2008
YES! sooo many kids at my school had no idea what i was talking about when i said "deferred". but then again, half of my graduating class isn't going to college, so i guess they wouldn't know...
Posted by: Mara on December 16, 2008
Posted by: Nick on December 16, 2008
Posted by: M on December 16, 2008
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=52094007588
Posted by: Brandon on December 16, 2008
Posted by: C Dubs on December 16, 2008
Posted by: 0 on December 16, 2008
Posted by: deferred on December 16, 2008
Posted by: Chan-Hee Koh on December 16, 2008
Here ya go: http://www.didigetintomit.com/docs/
There's a couple forms I dl-ed.
Posted by: Brandon on December 16, 2008
Posted by: kevin on December 16, 2008
Posted by: 0 on December 16, 2008
woops, I meant Tyler A., not Taylor A.
I'm still curious about my previous question, though.
Posted by: 0 on December 16, 2008
The stats for Caltech EA were this (with a few calculations):
Applied: 1048
Accepted: 227 (21.66%)
Deferred: 292 (27.86%)
Rejected: 529 (50.48%)
They seem to reject a lot more than they defer; I don't know whether to be happy about that or not.
Posted by: Double deferred on December 16, 2008
Posted by: Samuel M on December 16, 2008
HAHA same here. I had a dream that I got deferred from MIT and got in RD, the first part of that dream was true so we shall see.
Posted by: Chan-Hee Koh on December 16, 2008
Posted by: Stephen on December 16, 2008
Posted by: cj hky 1 on December 16, 2008
but now I think i'm okay.
my friend with her mom, dad, and sister who were all MIT-ers got deferred.
so i can't really say that it wasn't hard this year.
yay deferrals!
Posted by: 0 on December 16, 2008
I cried all through last night and this morning. Then I went to school late and little bit of normal and a lot of awesomeness (acappella groups and science classes) made it a lot better.
Posted by: Tiffany on December 16, 2008
I felt the same way after you did after getting deferred. But after reading an article on what to do after getting deferred, it has only motivated me to work harder and get rid of my senioritis (which I've had since junior year). Let's all work hard and I hope to see you and others on campus.
Good Luck!
Posted by: Chan-Hee Koh on December 17, 2008
Posted by: Vincent on December 17, 2008
Posted by: prepre(13?...PLEASE) on December 17, 2008
Originally when I found out I was deferred, yeah i was a little upset but my theatre teacher has great advice which she gives us relating to casting (so this isn't a casting, similar philosophy), her advice is: "if you don't get the role you want, give yourself 24 hours to be upset and then get over it."
So we all scramble for a few weeks to finish up our other college applications, and then just sit back and enjoy senior year. As I've seen some of the bloggers say, senior year after applications is something to be enjoyed.
@Those questioning January SAT. I personally didn't have the greatest SAT scores (730, 750, 680--reading, math, writing). But I don't think I'm going to retake the SAT. My personal opinion is that it sends the message that you're obsessed wtih test scores. Which doesn't seem to be MIT's philosophy. But who knows I may do it anyway if I can.
Also: Look at it this way: ~10% of the EA pool is admitted right off, ~10% of the Deferred are admitted. Now granted we deffered probably make up somewhere around 50% of the EA pool, so about 15% of the EA pool gets admitted opposed to 10% of the RD pool.
@EC Norm:Thanks for the tips, and also your words really helped put a different spin on it. (Less of a resignation, more of a collected acceptance, particularly the part where you said: After last year's selection process, the Admissions Office said that they could have admitted three or four freshman classes out of the pool of applicants WITHOUT compromising the Institute's standards.
Posted by: Cooper on December 17, 2008
yeah
A Special Message
Congrats to all Class of 2013. For those deferred and rejected, This has been a long journey EA suspense. Remember [Risk Taking] --never back down, never give up, never be afraid to fail. You have fallen, but you can get back up again. So, Keep on fighting--Keep on moving. I hope you will find your place in life. You hear that? Someone's knocking.
As for myself and many others, we are still applying, Regular Action.
"And so, the the baton is passed on from EA to RA; life goes on, another day passes. Here it comes--the final lap."
Posted by: Tube, himself, in person on December 17, 2008
Posted by: 0 on December 17, 2008
Thanks Hughes.
@Midwestern White Males (and others blaming race): I hope you're all joking, although I can tell some are serious. MIT will hardly take you if you are simply an underrepresented minority. It's hardly a quota system. Look at other nations with quota systems. America is still the land of opportunity. Let's not blame MIT's admission board for this. The percentage of African Americans at MIT is less than the national percentage. (All of this junk is coming from a member of a grossly overrepresented ethnic minority. It seems like the West Coast has all of us Asians and sort :D)
Posted by: Rishi on December 17, 2008
Posted by: deferred on December 17, 2008
I did not feel that bad, but my mom was like crazy. She ALWAYS belived (no matter how many times I told her that it was nearly impossible) that I would get in MIT in EA.
I knew a couple of my friends (international students) who want to apply for RA, and I am even more hopeless.
They are SO GOOD. (Though I am good, too XD).
And my midterm is AWFUL.
Posted by: ahh on December 17, 2008
COMMENT:
AUTHOR: ditto
EMAIL:
IP: 74.4.247.109
URL:
DATE: 12/17/2008 07:26:32 AM
COMMENT_BODY:
As someone commented before, this is perhaps the first lesson we have to learn - regardless of whether or not we go to MIT. Your reaction, I feel, may be the defining factor, though. I think we must come to realize that rejection is a more powerful galvanizer than acceptance - and we didn't even get rejected. The problem is that we grow up in own little respective worlds, where the edges occasionally brush and the bubbles merge or split, but we rarely remember that our bubble is much smaller than the globe we live on. Even if you do have straight A's, perfect SATs or AP scores, or have invented something using the knowledge you gained through an independent study of mechanics, you have to see that it isn't always about intelligence. I think it's fairly clear that most of the applicants are very intelligent. I believe the issue has largely transcended the question of brilliance - you've got to look carefully at yourself and ask if you have ever felt OK being the second wheel. Part of life is coming to terms with knowing that you aren't, that you can't be the smartest person alive. It's no longer just about inherent smarts - it's about using your resources, both mental and physical, to envision and create. If you can't cope with a deferral, perhaps you should be questioning your decisions to apply in the first place: do you want to go to a college where you will likely be in classes with people both just as smart and even smarter than you? Someone has to get the low grades - what if it's you?
This, of course, is not to say that MIT isn't necessarily a good fit for you. I think that some dejection from a referral is appropriate. Every now and then we need to get jogged into perspective. In the larger scheme of things, test scores and grades don't speak for a person. The people we admire in our society are the ones who have likely faced disappointment time and time again; and yet, this disappointment can in turn refocus their eye and force a new outlook. Disappointment is healthy in the right quantities - we need the stimulus to pause our frantic pace for a moment so we can see to what we truly are racing. I'm sure that most of you chose to apply to this school because it is clearly a wonderful institution; I hope you also applied because you felt that the community there is a haven. Maybe this deferral is a chance for you to explore your life more in detail and examine your possibilities. My sense is that you must enjoy your work and trust in others before you can work most effectively as a student and in a team.
You started life with a myriad of jumbled puzzle pieces. It's your task to try to find their proper place. At this point, you've only filled in three quarters of the border. You're still laying your foundation for the rest of your life. There are so many more options than any of us can see. It's up to you to find the best fits for the last row. Just remember that if the piece doesn't fit now, it certainly isn't going to get better when you start putting in the middle.
So now, it's up to you. Take what you will from this - motivation, despair, renewed hope. Just please be grateful to know that we truly are lucky to be considered not once but twice by a great school. My many thanks go out to the admissions staff who have doubtlessly worked tirelessly time and time again to ensure that they make the best decisions they can.
Thank you for an amazing opportunity. I never would have dreamed this could happen even a year ago. Thank you, too, to the people who have inspired and humored me throughout this process by writing posts on all the updates. My best wishes go to you. Thank you again, everyone, for helping me see a little farther.
Posted by: Brandon on December 17, 2008
Posted by: hockeymom on December 17, 2008
Posted by: jamsandwich on December 17, 2008
You're welcome!
@Those discussing submission of new SAT scores:
Submission of new test scores CANNOT hurt you; it can only help you. The Admissions Office always uses the HIGHEST score for each test.
EC Norm.
Posted by: EC Norm on December 17, 2008
@EC Norm - thanks for the helpful posts!
Posted by: 0 on December 17, 2008
Posted by: Stephen on December 17, 2008
Posted by: Alex on December 17, 2008
Posted by: 0 on December 17, 2008
The "deadlines" section of the web site says that you can take admissions tests in January, so long as you list the Institute as one of the schools to receive the results at the time of the test. There is not enough time to request that scores be sent separately after you receive them.
Also, it cannot hurt to submit an update after 01 January. If the update arrives before the application package gets evaluated, the staff will simply add the update to the package for consideration during the evaluation. If not, they can adjust the evaluation as appropriate based on the update or, if they judge the update not to be significant, simply ignore it.
EC Norm.
Posted by: EC Norm on December 17, 2008
I participate in activities that I enjoy and that interest me. Yeah, they may not seem as impressive on paper as playing at Carnegie Hall or something, but they're what I'm into. Shouldn't my extracurriculars only be used to see that I DO them, that I have time for other things? Not how they appear on paper?
Also, let's face it, most "captain" and "president" positions in high school clubs are really only figureheads and don't do anything substantial...
Posted by: 0 on December 17, 2008
How many of you were banking on just MIT? That's insane! I've had all my applications done before December!! It's a silly thing to do to apply to only ONE college, and have it be MIT nonetheless! A guy at my high school last year applied only to Peabody Institute of Music and he was SO sure he was getting in and didn't and now he's not even at community college.
But in any case, I'm rooting for the rest of you! Or not - 'cause I'm competing against you all.
Haha, have a happy holiday!
Posted by: Isabel Wen on December 17, 2008
I'm a goalie. my team is located in st louis, mo. we play just about everywhere in the central district, but unfortunately never get to go northeast
Posted by: cj hky 1 on December 17, 2008
Posted by: Tube, himself, in person on December 17, 2008
My son plays forward for his high school in NH. He has applied to UNH, WPI and Northeaster which all have ACHA D2 teams as does MIT. He also applied to RPI, Dartmouth and Harvard which only have intra mural teams. Do you play high school or youth hockey or both?
My mom was originally from MO and still has family in Jeff City. I get out there occasionally.
Good luck to you.
Posted by: hockey mom on December 17, 2008
It really does not matter in which extracurricular activities you choose to participate. Rather, the Admissions Office is looking at your involvement in extracurricular activities for evidence of personal qualities that indicate how well you would fit into the Institute's community and environment.
Now, what sort of qualities matter? Qualities such as perseverence, self-discipline, collaboration as a team player, leadership, fairness, integrity, self-motivation, consistency, trustworthiness, and drive tend to transcend all that we do, both in the classroom and outside of it. Now, what does it take to become a captain of a varsity team? In many schools, this honor goes to a player who has developed a high level of skill through perseverence, self-motivation, self-discipline, and drive and who has the respect of the whole team as a good teammate and a de facto leader. All of these are significant attributes that the Institute seeks in prospective students. Of course, the same is true of an All-State musician or a Black Belt marital artist or an Eagle Scout. Most people who achieve any of these distinctions encounter injuries or other setbacks, requirements that prove to be very challenging, and other challenges along the way that they must overcome and through which they must persevere. An achievement in one activity does not count more highly than an equivalent achieement in another. Rather, it's the qualities that such achievements require, and thus represent, that really matter.
EC Norm.
Posted by: EC Norm on December 17, 2008
Harvard does have a varsity hockey team, though I don't know which division it is. It's one of the four teams that meet in the Beanpot Tournament every year.
EC Norm.
Posted by: EC Norm on December 17, 2008
Harvard is a Division 1 team as is Dartmouth and RPI. My son is not being scouting by Division 1 teams. So, playing varsity hockey for Harvard or any other D1 teams is not an option. He's good enough for club hockey which is a good match with his academic goals and love of hockey.
Posted by: hockey mom on December 17, 2008
Also, I almost wish I get rejected so I don't have to choose where I go. But not quite. I hate waiting.
Posted by: anonymous on December 17, 2008
Extracurriculars only say so much about a person. I felt that out of the whole application, my extracurriculars, grades, and SAT were not my defining factors. Sure they show I'm a leader or motivated or smart or whatever an admissions officer draws from them, but they don't really say who I am.
How many other presidents and vice presidents and captains and leaders applied to MIT? I'm not really that unique in that perspective. I feel that the essays and rec letters give the admissions officers the best sense of each applicant as a person.
Also, leaders shouldn't be figureheads. All the captains and club leaders I know at my school are capable and personable people who have been elevated because of their character, intelligence, and ability.
Posted by: 0 on December 17, 2008
Furthermore, with the internet explosion that happened over the past decade students and colleges are becoming connected more easily. A perfect example is Questbridge which helped a rather large quantity of talented but disadvantaged students connect with Princeton, Yale, MIT and other top schools. This connectivity and increase in information has brought students into the application pool that normally wouldn't have applied due to financial or other reasons.
Posted by: 0 on December 17, 2008
ya, i play high school and for a local team. we play in the uphl, it's a new league in the central district. well all i can say s good luck to your son and hopefully i'll see him in a few months!!!
Posted by: cj hky 1 on December 18, 2008
You said: How come you always hear how Americans are getting stupider, but it is harder and harder to get into college.
It actually is easier to get into college in the United States than it has ever been. Many four-year colleges have lowered their standards to the point where they will take just about anybody with a high school diploma or a GED in order to fill and expand their programs, often offered at satellite sites throughout the nation.
What has become more difficult, however, is getting admitted to academically elite colleges and universities. Several factors play into this phenomenon.
>> 1. The population has grown more rapidly than the colleges, so there are proportionately fewer spaces available.
>> 2. Many of these institutions have expanded their geographical outreach to recruit highly qualified students.
>> 3. Many of these institutions also have become very aggressive in recruiting highly motivated applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds.
>> 4. At MIT, the yield (that is, the percentage of admitted students who actually enroll) has risen more than 25% in the last four or five years. Thus, the Admissions Office has had to reduce the quota of admitted students to contain the actual enrollment at the level that the Institute's facilities and faculty can accommodate.
So we now have about ten applicants competing for every slot whereas we had about three applicants competing for every slot about three decades ago.
And there'e one additional consideration. As high school guidance counsellors now see that the lower quartile of the students who would have been admitted a decade ago are no longer competitive, they encourage students who seem to fall within that quartile to look elsewhere instead. As a result of several cycles of this, nearly all of the ten applicants competing for every slot today probably would have been in the upper half of the one in three applicants who actually gained admission three decades ago, and the bar for actual admission is that much higher.
So your observation is indeed quite accurate!
EC Norm.
Posted by: EC Norm on December 18, 2008
Posted by: Luke J on December 18, 2008
Posted by: Jeff Y on December 18, 2008
You can't go in applying to these colleges expecting you'll get in. You can, however, go in expecting and hoping for the best. I mean, to the girl who doesn't think she'll get in anywhere else, just because you got deferred from M.I.T., that doesn't even mean anything. You should be glad that you are one of the people that they may be considering as a potential student. At least you didn't get rejected!
Look at it this way, such a competitive school cannot take everyone. And regardless, there are schools that are just as good, out there, that may not be as competitive. And I'm sure you'll be able to get into those schools.
Posted by: 0 on December 19, 2008
Posted by: Tiffany on December 20, 2008
Those aren't the colleges out there!
There are plenty of other colleges that you should consider that would be great e.g. Carnegie Mellon, NYU, etc.
Those may not be M.I.T., but I'm sure you'll get a great experience and learn a lot.
Everything is not about name. It's about what best fits you. For me, if community college was a best fit for me, I'd go there (it's not, that's kind of an extreme but you get the idea). If you make the most of wherever you go, it'll be a great school anyway, no matter what the rank is.
P.S. Graduate school is more important anyway.
Posted by: 0 on December 21, 2008
not those aren't the colleges out there.
OOPS
Posted by: 0 on December 21, 2008
I've always had to struggle to take advantage of the limited resources around this place, and I've always dreamed of being able to go somewhere with extreme resources! And the diversity! It's just as much an experience to go there as it is a phenominal education! Amazing
And so have you guys! SO be proud of how far you've made it! And keep dreaming. =) Dreams start the journey of a lifetime.
Posted by: Kandi on December 21, 2008
@Anonymous: Well what if I seriously think that MIT is perfect for me?
I would feel a lot better about getting deferred if everyone around me weren't getting accepted into the schools of their dreams. (I'm happy they got accepted, I just worse for myself.) I only spend 3 periods a day w/o an MIT'13-er in my class or hanging out w/ me.
Posted by: Tiffany on December 21, 2008
Yay St. Louis, MO! What high school?
Posted by: Zach on December 21, 2008
I'm surprised that everyone at my high school who applied early action was deferred.
I'm just wondering what kind of people these colleges are waiting for. My neighbor works as a Harvard Rep, and she says they're just looking for unique kids.
Do you guys know if you can send in december SAT scores to be counted for the regular admissions process?
In the meantime, I'm off to the other apps. Good luck everybody!
Posted by: Theo on December 21, 2008
Everyone at my school (quite a few people) who applied last year was deferred, and ultimately rejected in the regular applicant pool. I think MIT is looking for unique kids, but I get the feeling that its application process is not nearly as sketchy as Harvard's. MIT is more based on merit and accomplishments, whereas Harvard's can just be based on impressions or 500-word essays. And yeah, December scores can be counted for the regular decision process. Good luck with your other colleges!
Posted by: Anon on December 21, 2008
If that's the case, keep your head high. Know that you still have a chance.
And do as much as you can to make it come true!
And while everyone else may be getting into schools, you never know. You may just be the one who has the last laugh.
Posted by: 0 on December 21, 2008
I could have padded my application with irrelevancies, but didn't because MIT admissions wants to know the "person". And now I am paying the price.
Posted by: i believed in mit on December 22, 2008
That's not neccessarily true. An overload of activities is equal to that of NO activities. They would be able to tell if you were just joining stuff to be able to make your application attractive. It's better in the long run to just be yourself. After all, it's the only way they would be able to know if you would be truly happy there or not. It'll be ok; don't give up the dream.
Posted by: Kandi on December 22, 2008
Have you not paid attention to anything the admissions office has said? It's a holistic approach... maybe your essay didn't hit the right nerve with the admissions office. Neither you nor anyone else can say for certain what your interviewer or recommenders said about you - and those are both huge components of your application. You can't say that the other people got in "because" of their "laundry list" of activities, because to say that this "laundry list" was, in fact, the "sole difference" between your applications is completely untrue and, to you, unknowable.
I, like you, took no prep course and took the SAT once. I dropped classes I didn't like (I only took 3 years of Spanish) in favor of those I did (I picked up non-honors Astronomy in place of Spanish). I've never had a tutor or picked up any activities I didn't like. I certainly didn't have a big long list of meaningless activities.
So, I'm afraid that you didn't get in because other people were either better qualified or were a better fit. To say otherwise is, frankly, childish.
Good luck in the RD rounds.
Posted by: '13 on December 22, 2008
Posted by: 0 on December 22, 2008
Posted by: anonymous on December 22, 2008
I would definately play ice hockey if accepted to MIT. Hockey is definitely a lifestyle for playing it your whole life as well as living outside Pittsburgh. Go Pens!
Posted by: Matt Fennema on December 22, 2008
Posted by: Chan-Hee Koh on December 22, 2008
Posted by: 0 on December 23, 2008
I never said that I believed it. I merely paraphrased what my research mentor told me because he knew a retired admissions director from MIT who told him the same thing. Isn't it perfectly reasonable that they might have not read everything completely? There were 5000+ applications which was nearly 1000+ more than that of last year.
Once again, good luck to all of us.
Posted by: Chan-Hee Koh on December 27, 2008
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