Don’t Panic!

Oct 30, 2009

As the message on MyMIT says,

MyMIT will be inaccessible on Saturday, October 31 from 6:00am until 10:00am EDT for essential maintenance. We apologize for the inconvenience.

I thought that would be less terrifying coming from me the day before instead of in the morning when you fired up the browser to finally submit your EA application. Rest assured there will be plenty of time for applications after the maintenance is completed. Go ahead and sleep in, read a book, watch some cartoons, finish that last minute work on your halloween costume, or......

I can tell you aren't listening. You're already thinking about re-reading your essays for the millionth time. That's good, too. Just try not to panic.

Comments (Closed after 30 days to reduce spam)

So...what's the maintenance for?

Posted by: Elias('14?) on October 30, 2009

I won't panic. I have a towel. =)
(Please tell me someone gets that?)

Also, thanks Dave for telling us ahead of time. =)

Posted by: Lydia AK on October 30, 2009

I already submitted my application, but is it okay if our teachers submitted their evaluations more than a week ago and MIT has not processed them yet, even though I only live like an hour away from MIT?
Is there like a very large pile of application supplements waiting to be processed at the moment?

Thanks for the reminder, though.

Posted by: Justin H on October 30, 2009

@Lydia AK: I get it.

@Dave: Thanks for the notification.

Posted by: VAL ('14?) on October 30, 2009

@ Elias

It's either the flux capacitor or the Oscillation Overthruster. You know how it is with those things.

@ Justin

Be patient with supplemental materials. As you can imagine, we have quite a lot of mail. Follow up next week if you don't see it reflected in your application tracking page.

Posted by: Dave on October 30, 2009

Thanks for letting us know!

@ Lydia AK- I get it too!

Posted by: Brit ('14?) on October 30, 2009

Hey, I have a very, VERY stupid question (especially for someone trying to get into MIT). Does anyone know when it says the deadline is Nov. 1, if it means we can submit our apps online ON Nov. 1, or does it have to be done BEFORE Nov. 1--ie, (the night of) October 31st? Thanks!

Posted by: Lauren on October 30, 2009

@Lauren I'm rather sure you can send it in on November 1 at 2357 if you would really like to; http://www.mitadmissions.org/topics/apply/deadlines/index.shtml says everything has to be "postmarked" the first, which should mean that it has to be sent ON November 1. Of course, I would think it'd be a lot less stressful just to get it over with now.

Posted by: Donald on October 30, 2009

@ Lauren

It means by midnight on Sunday, November 1.

Posted by: Dave on October 30, 2009

Ha! Good one Dave, from Flux Capacitors to the Hitchhikers Guide, you definitely fit in here.

Posted by: Chrism on October 30, 2009

Wow, I'm sorry. That posted three times. I hate my computer. But thanks alot!! Yaaaay I get an extra day to work on my essays!! :D

Posted by: Lauren on October 30, 2009

....maybe I shouldn't apply to MIT, because I obviously can't count. It posted twice

Posted by: Lauren on October 30, 2009

Does anyone know if I need to send in MIT's secondary school report form, or if I can just use the one from my school?

Posted by: Allie on October 30, 2009

@Allie: "We prefer that schools use our form, but it's ok if your school has a policy to use its own form." Source: http://www.mitadmissions.org/topics/apply/the_freshman_application/index.shtml#school

Posted by: Anonymous on October 30, 2009

I'M PANICKING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Posted by: 0 on October 30, 2009

I'm not panicking per se, but I'm nervous too, because I sent all of my supplements, recommendations, etc. Monday and I didn't think it would take a week to get to Cambridge. I'll be patient. I'm just nervous.

Posted by: Hopeful '14 on October 30, 2009

It could be the hyperdrive, just saying...

Posted by: JF('14?) on October 30, 2009

what happens if my employer sends a supplemental recommendation to MIT except all it contains is my full name as identification? I'm pretty sure I'm the only Yixing Shi applying though... but what should I do?

Posted by: Yixing on October 31, 2009

Yixing, I think when they process the letter, they'll look up your name in the database. Call them and make sure that they've put it in your file when the letter arrives.

Posted by: jasmine on October 31, 2009

Do panic and do not be patient so regular decision will be better for us...Just do mistakes while sending part 2 and etc...

I'm the bad guy today.

MARRY Halloween :D

Posted by: '14? on October 31, 2009

I'm not gonna apply EA but I'm still in panic!
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

Posted by: B'14? on October 31, 2009

MIT's processing-A.I has just become self-aware.

New admissions process: shut it down, save the world, and you get in immediately.

Posted by: Kabir on October 31, 2009

This was very helpful Dave. I was mortified that I couldn't get into StarGate!

Posted by: Quinton on October 31, 2009

Sent it minutes before the site maintenance kicked in!

Just because it's MIT, I have a question:
Is this an elaborately-planned hack?

Posted by: Anvi on October 31, 2009

@Lauren:

You can submit them ON the 1st of November.

@Allie:

Please send in MIT's secondary school report form. That way we will be sure to have all the information we need.

@Anvi:

I wish it were! Just poorly timed and surprise maintenance by MIT.

@everyonewhohelped:

thanks!

- Chris Peterson
MIT Admissions

Posted by: Chris Peterson on October 31, 2009

Do the teacher recommendations have to be postmarked Nov 1st as well?

Posted by: Tim on October 31, 2009

I signed up for MIT 2 other colleges, and a scholarship service to recieve my SAT scores when I tested this month. Now (the day before my application's due,) I check on collegeboard and it says I only sent it to the scholarship service. What do I do?

Posted by: mcYunBaconBitz on October 31, 2009

I sent my sat II scores two days ago through collegeboard. I figured it would be okay, since it says that scores from the november test date make it on time. But now I'm freaking out, even though I have a towel. Should I stop freaking out, or continue freaking out, or go back to collegeboard and sent a rush report, or what?

Posted by: AHHHH on October 31, 2009

@ Lauren,
Don't feel stupid, I had the same question. =|
I'm sure we're just too nervous about the thought of applying to MIT. Give us some credit, MIT! =D

@AHHHH,
Go get an extra towel and calm down. = )
(Can someone say that to me I'm freaking out.)

Posted by: Val'14? on October 31, 2009

@Tim: The teacher recs should be postmarked by Nov 1. However, Admissions has stated before that they are more lax with the due date for teachers as they understand teachers have busy schedules, etc.

@mcYunBaconBitz: Request a score report to MIT ASAP. It's about $10 (I believe the latest you should do this is the November SAT date, but don't wait until then).

@AHHHH: Stop freaking out.

Posted by: Anonymous on October 31, 2009

I submitted part 2, and I just realized that I made a stupid mistake on the app! I had put "Baseball" for Athletics section, and I have nothing to do with it. What do I do?

Posted by: Clara '14? on October 31, 2009

@Clara -

You should email admissions@mit.edu describing the situation so it can be marked in your folder.

Posted by: Chris Peterson @ MIT Admissions on October 31, 2009

Very last minute question, but: do we have to mail in proof of our accomplishments, such as certificates or signed statements from club sponsors, or is typing it into the application sufficient?

Posted by: AnotherAnon on October 31, 2009

No proof is needed. Just list accomplishments truthfully. They may question anything that doesn't seem to "fit" with who you are, but no documentation is required.

Posted by: anonymous on October 31, 2009

@ AnotherAnon:

I don't think you need to send in proof of your accomplishments. Listing them on the application is sufficient.

Posted by: John on October 31, 2009

Hi Dave,
I sent you an email just now concerning my supplementary materials for my EA application to MIT. Hopefully you got the email and can get back to me soon.
Thanks.
Sujin Park (sujinpark8 at hotmail.com)

Posted by: Su ('14?) on October 31, 2009

@ everyone

Good answers, especially from Chris (though he does work here). Rule of thumb:

a) Don't Panic
b) Keep us informed about changes, glitches & occasional catastrophes regarding your application and we'll work everything out.

@ anon(s)

We just need you to list accomplishments & activities, though keep in mind that an actual human will read your application and honesty is the only policy here.

Posted by: Dave on October 31, 2009

Hi! I was wondering...
I already submitted my MIT application.
But my parents found evidence that we're actually 25% Hispanic. They'd thought it was a running lie.
Is there any way to update this?

Posted by: Sean on November 1, 2009

@ Sean

Yep, just send us an email.

Posted by: Dave on November 2, 2009

Is it going to be a problem if I completed my interview 2 weeks ago, but still haven't sent in Part I of the application? I'm having a hard time filling in the 'Family' section because one of my parents is hard to get in touch with.

Posted by: Pei-Yu on November 4, 2009

Add a comment

Commenting is not available in this channel entry.

MIT Admissions

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Dave McOwen

Don’t Panic!

Comments (Closed after 30 days to reduce spam)

Add a comment