Ok Early Action accepted students (AKA prefrosh), stay by your phones for the evening, because MIT is calling YOU!
That's right, tonight is the Early Action telethon when current students spend their evening calling new students and chatting with them about MIT.
I've participated in the last two telethons but, alas, this year the 9 degree weather outside is just too much of a deterrent, it's so nice and warm inside that I don't particularly want to walk all the way over to campus in order to call all yalls. Especially, since, I can chat with you here. So, here's the deal, I will be available until 11 PM EST (3 hours from now), just as long as the telethon lasts, to answer questions in the comments, and chat about MIT.
STIPULATIONS: Early Action admitted students only. I know, it doesn't seem fair, I'm sorry, but feel free to read and enjoy the banter if you haven't yet been accepted. This entry is due to my laziness and desire to stay warm, yet also chat with accepted students.
SO . . . have at it. You get me for three hours, go.
Comments (Closed after 30 days to reduce spam)
Posted by: Ronny'13 on January 15, 2009
Posted by: Ronny'13 on January 15, 2009
Posted by: anon 13! on January 15, 2009
MIT has been known to fly people out for CPW, but you don't get to request it. They'll look through the admitted students and decide who to offer the free flight to.
@anon 13!
The conversations last just as long as the prefrosh wants them to last. There are TONS of callers here and so we have plenty of time to talk as long as we want. Some conversations last 2 minutes, others 45, and some over an hour, it all depends on you guys.
Posted by: Snively on January 15, 2009
Posted by: 0 on January 15, 2009
I, personally, do not accept friend requests from people I don't actually know. I can't speak for the other bloggers, I believe several of them are friends with various prefrosh, but as for me, you'll have to wait until you get to campus and I can see your bright and shiny face.
Posted by: Snively on January 15, 2009
(the last two are kind of a joke).
Thanks!
Posted by: Liam '13 on January 15, 2009
Posted by: Reena '13 on January 15, 2009
Posted by: Ronny '13 on January 15, 2009
Course 2 (MechE) is the most popular major here after course 6 (comp sci and ee). It's also a very full major, meaning you have to take a lot of classes and there are a bunch of requirements. The core course 2 classes that you have to take are 2.001 through 2.009. The intro classes are the odd numbers (2.001, 2.003, 2.005, 2.007, 2.009) and the followups are even (2.002, 2.004, 2.006, 2.008).
2.001 is materials and statics. Basically, you have various shapes (cylinders, I-beams, discs, what have you) and you stretch, twist, compress, or pressurize them. You then solve for various things (elongation, pressure, displacement, etc). It's a great introduction into course 2 classes: difficult, but reasonable.
2.002 expands upon this, only with the addition of lab reports (that reportedly induce many all nighters).
2.003 is dynamics. Think AP physics only harder. This is also when LaGrangians are introduced (a magic little tool that eliminates vectors and force balances from physics). 2.003 is also kind of difficult, but totally reasonable and I enjoyed it.
2.004 is controls. It uses a lot of differential equations and Laplace Transforms. I've heard that as long as you grasp DiffEQ then 2.004 is relatively straightforward.
2.005 is Thermal Fluids I (aka, death). 2.005 is the hardest class I've ever taken in my life. The PSETs took a dozen hours each, the tests were like being clubbed in the head with a cattle prod, and the final made some people cry. It's the most failed class in the major and will push you to the limit. Consider it the course 2 weed-out class.
2.006 is Thermal Fluids II (aka, death part II). Apparently 2.006 is slightly easier and more applied, but still ridiculously difficult. I think what makes it easier is that you've done 2.005 before and, frankly, everything is easier than 2.005.
2.007 is MIT's famous robot class. Everybody in the class is given a bucket of stuff, some electronics, and access to a machine shop. They then have to engineer and construct a robot from the pieces they are given and compete with them at the end of the semester in a large competition. Seen the movie "21"? This is the class that most closely resembles what their robot competition was.
2.008 is the yo-yo class, where you learn about injection molding, design, production, and manufacturing. At the end of the semester you'll have designed and manufactured a bunch of yo-yos (which are usually handed out to friends before everybody heads home).
2.009 is the design class. Basically, you're given a theme, $5,000, and a semester to build a very legitimate product and then give a huge presentation at the end of the year. 2.009 is a huge time sink, but it's really rewarding and a lot of people love it. I look forward to it quite a bit.
There are some other minor requirements that aren't a big deal until you get here. As for the people in course 2, they seem to be very nice. I have a lot of course 2 friends and we all tend to get along. We all like building things so we have something in common, we always talk about great stuff we could build and put together.
Posted by: Snively on January 15, 2009
Hopefully that's not the case, and hopefully they call you. If not, e-mail admissions tonight and request to change your phone number. There's usually another round of phone calls that happens tomorrow for all the kids who were unavailable today.
Posted by: Snively on January 15, 2009
Posted by: Sheila ('13?) on January 15, 2009
It's cool that you guys call all of us, though.
Posted by: Cam on January 15, 2009
Well, then it wouldn't be called a "tele"thon would it?...
Posted by: Ronny '13 on January 15, 2009
To my knowledge, the closest there's been to a live online forum between MIT and applicants is a MathJam that Matt McGann does every year on AOPS. Other than that, I don't think there are plans for an online version of the telethon.
Posted by: Snively on January 15, 2009
Posted by: Liam '13 on January 15, 2009
Should I just mail the essay to MIT? Is there someway I can send it in online? Also, if I mail/email it, what address do I use?
Posted by: Vaibhav on January 15, 2009
Posted by: Ronny '13 on January 15, 2009
What about taking AP Physics C on both E+M and Mech, and AP humanities?
Posted by: Sheila ('13?) on January 15, 2009
18.022 is much more theoretical and difficult, if that's what you're in to. It has a much different curriculum than 18.02 and you may have some trouble adjusting to 8.02 (E&M) which uses a lot of 18.02, but people have enjoyed it.
Posted by: Snively on January 15, 2009
So I'm probably going to be course 2, course 8, or course 16 (testosterone heavy much?). I'm currently taking AP Physics C and BC Calculus. Assuming I get a 5 on either/both, would it be wise to skip these MIT classes and go straight to the intermediate stuff? Or is it a good idea to take them again just to get a really solid background?
Posted by: Liam '13 on January 15, 2009
I'm sending you totally uncreepy MIT love right now.
Posted by: Lexy on January 15, 2009
Skip 'em. If you can do the AP, you can do the MIT and it'd just be frustrating to do it again. MIT doesn't offer a lot of AP credit since a lot of AP courses don't match MIT's rigor or curriculum, but those that it does offer do match, so there's no need to repeat.
Posted by: Snively on January 15, 2009
Posted by: :-( on January 15, 2009
Is it alright if I arrive late? The first day (Thursday) of CPW conflicts with state science fair and I don't really want to miss either. Are the Prefrosh icebreaker and student festival on the first night something I really don't want to miss or are they worth skipping science fair for?
Thanks!
Posted by: Nathan '13 on January 15, 2009
I was just asking how I could send in supplementary material if i was deferred EA. Snail mail or is there a way to send it online.
But anyway I'll be back to studying for my chemistry midterm >Snively, did you just happen to mistakenly skip over my post earlier? Or did you skip it on purpose?
I was just asking how I could send in supplementary material if i was deferred EA. Snail mail or is there a way to send it online.
But anyway I'll be back to studying for my chemistry midterm ><
Posted by: Vaibhav on January 15, 2009
It's fine to skip the first day, don't worry about it too much. The ice breaker and the student festival are fun, but they're no more fun than anything else, so go to the science fair. Just make sure you show up as early on Friday as possible, the festivities will be going on around the clock.
Posted by: Snively on January 15, 2009
Is college like high school in that prefrosh/freshen are looked down upon as unknowledgeable and frankly, kind of annoying?
Posted by: Ngozi '13 on January 15, 2009
No. Well, not to their faces. It's more of an endearing "Ah, they have no idea what they're doing because they're freshmen. Stupid freshmen, let's help them."
Posted by: Snively on January 15, 2009
That was so cool!
Posted by: Carlos on January 15, 2009
LOL. Oh no! I can't wait to stumble and fail in new and fantastic places! XD Well, rites of passage...
Also, I think I have a problem: I kind of have no idea what to major in? Like, I'm interested in biology and medicine and computer sciences, and keep telling people, "I'm going to be a biomedical engineer!" Do many people encounter this problem? It seems like a lot of my peers are already on the fast track to being physicists, chemists, all-around awesome engineers, etc.
Posted by: Ngozi '13 on January 15, 2009
A lot of people have no idea what to do when they come here, but you have a whole year to figure it out, so now worries, it'll come to you.
Posted by: Snively on January 15, 2009
Posted by: 0 on January 15, 2009
Yes, Dr. Horrible's Sing-a-long blog. I have the wonderful, wonderful soundtrack. When'd you come across it?
Posted by: Ngozi '13 on January 15, 2009
No worries, you still may get a call. The way the system is set up, you're probably at the bottom of a stack of numbers somebody has and they are probably talking to somebody else. If they haven't called by 11 EST then you won't get a call tonight.
Posted by: Snively on January 15, 2009
where does the money for books come from? Do we have to buy books from our own money or is it included in the student budget & tuition?
Posted by: Carlos '13 on January 15, 2009
Can you please explain the purpose of TechCASH. Does MIT give students TechCASH for books?
sorry. I'm a bit confused.
Posted by: Carlos '13 on January 15, 2009
Money for books comes from your own pocket, it's not included in tuition. All that extra money that they estimate you'll spend included books.
For example: $35,000 for tuition
~$15,000 for housing/food/books
MIT will take the $35,000 from you, that's a bill. The $15,000 is just their guess how much you'll spend on other stuff, you decide how much.
A lot of people buy books on Amazon.com, at MIT's bookstore, or just borrow books from friends and dorm libraries.
Posted by: Snively on January 15, 2009
Posted by: Carlos '13 on January 15, 2009
TechCash is just an MIT-only debit system. It's a way to have money stored on your ID card that you can spend on campus. A lot of federal loans feed money into your "student account" and student account funds can be transferred to TechCash (they're also used to pay tuition). Thus, loans that cover food and books tend to funnel naturally into TechCash. Otherwise, it's just more convenient to have money on your ID card. MIT doesn't give you any money to put there, you decide how much goes there.
Posted by: Snively on January 15, 2009
Right, a lot of outside scholarships will go into your student account, and then you can decide whether that goes towards tuition or into TechCash for food and books.
Posted by: Snively on January 15, 2009
Posted by: Carlos '13 on January 15, 2009
Posted by: Sam Range on January 15, 2009
Bring both parents, take advantage of the 2 checked + 2 carry on per person, convince your parents that all they need is one carry on and take both of their checked bags. Then, ship all bedding and things from home that don't fit in suitcases.
That's what I did, a combination of shipping and checked bags. Over the summer most dorms have storage options, but you will need to get EVERYTHING out of your room/move it to the dorm room that you live in over the summer. They're very picky about that, you have like 2 days after finals to be gone or moved, otherwise they trash your stuff.
Posted by: Snively on January 16, 2009
Posted by: Mel on January 16, 2009
For example, is there a residence hall in the center of MIT's campus or is there one on a far edge of campus that I should avoid. Considering only the factor of distance to classes, what residance halls would you recommend?
Posted by: Matt ('13?) on January 16, 2009
Posted by: Justin E '13 on January 16, 2009
Posted by: tube8 on January 16, 2009
Yes.
Posted by: Snively on January 16, 2009
But, I might call all of you anyway.
Posted by: Yan on January 16, 2009
Posted by: Mel on January 16, 2009
Posted by: jimmy on January 16, 2009
Also, I'm always happy to take questions from anyone via Facebook message (or email, of course).
Posted by: Paul on January 16, 2009
Does RAGGING takes place in MIT?????????
Posted by: SRV on January 16, 2009
1) Yes
2) Not really
3) Potentially
4) Yes
5) Yes
6) Yes
7) Yes
Posted by: Snively on January 16, 2009
^
O_O　愉笑
Posted by: deng on January 16, 2009
Posted by: SRV on January 16, 2009
Posted by: SRV on January 16, 2009
(Sigh, what is the world coming to?)
If the MIT telethon wanted to be more representative of MIT, it could've been held from 1AM-4AM.
Posted by: Cam on January 16, 2009
if u r talking abt no 2......i wont agree with u...i mean whats the point in harassing the freshmen..huh ??!!??
Posted by: SRV on January 16, 2009
lol, idk how parents would feel about MIT if they called so late on a school night
I wonder if they do this for RD prefrosh too
Posted by: deng on January 16, 2009
We do, there are two telethons each year.
Posted by: Snively on January 16, 2009
Posted by: deng on January 16, 2009
:[
Posted by: Saskia '13 on January 16, 2009
You've gotta send it through snail-mail buddy..And send it soon!
Posted by: Dhvanit on January 16, 2009
He asked twice
Posted by: 0 on January 16, 2009
Well, I (Nathan Arce), am sorry I missed the call of... whoever called me, but I still look forward to meeting all of you at CPW!
Posted by: Narce on January 16, 2009
Posted by: Melody '13 on January 16, 2009
I can't speak for BC calc, but you should know that just as there are different flavors of single variable calculus (you only take one) there are also different flavors of physics. Speaking with other people, I think the mid-level intro to mechanics class (8.01) is on par with AP physics C, but there is a much harder version 8.012 (the 2 at the end means its harder than 8.01) that goes beyond the requirements of the AP exam..
The official description of this class is recommended in particular for Course 8 majors (not a requirement, but it makes some of the future physics classes easier to understand because of its depth and span, introducing some concepts early here). This class assumes no prior physics knowledge, beginning from vectors, though you should know at least some single variable calculus.
Not all AP physics classes are equal. Perhaps you learned enough in your physics class to both get 5's in the AP, as well as ace this class. My recommendation to you is to aim for those 5's in AP physics C , and if (can I hope for a 'when'?) you decide to come to MIT, ask to borrow the textbook for 8.012 (introduction to mechanics, by Kleppner and Kolenkow) and flip through it to see if you know the material, and in the case that you don't, if you would like to learn it. Then make your decision.
5's in the AP physics exam does not guarantee you an easy time in this class, but neither should you feel so terrified of this class that you avoid it completely if you haven't done AP physics. The results of this first test is before 'Add date' (your last chance to switch from 8.012 to 8.01) so you can use the test to gauge if you think you can pass this class or switch to 8.01. (if you fail 8.01/8.012, you have to do an intensive makeup over IAP: you don't want to fail). And you won't fail your future classes at MIT if you haven't taken this class, as proven by how few people actually take the class (this year, only ~10%), and how many graduate (over 90%).
Posted by: Lauren '12 on January 16, 2009
everybody i know at MIT took one of them... i actually don't know anyone who skipped into 8.02 or 8.022.
Posted by: 0 on January 16, 2009
Posted by: 0 on January 16, 2009
I think Snively said "STIPULATIONS: Early Action admitted students only. I know, it doesn't seem fair, I'm sorry, but feel free to read and enjoy the banter if you haven't yet been accepted."
Posted by: Anonymous on January 16, 2009
Posted by: sunrise on January 17, 2009
I think that Lauren '12 meant that only 10% of those that take Physics I (8.01 or 8.012) take 8.012. I'd guess most people take Physics I.
Posted by: Melody '13 on January 17, 2009
You guys disgust me. Posting this on a university's blog. Pervs.
Posted by: wow ('14?) on January 17, 2009
Those are bots.
Posted by: 0 on January 17, 2009
I got my call yesterday, but the background noise was slightly louder than the speaker herself, I didn't exactly get my questions answered.
So I was just looking at the class list, and I was trying to choose among the lab courses I would need to graduate. I came across this robotics lab course, and I saw that it recommended prior experience in mechanical engineering, software, etc. How much is needed to do well in the class without too much difficulty? Does being on a high school robotics team provide adequate experience?
Thanks,
Andy
Posted by: Andy '13 on January 17, 2009
Posted by: Anonymous on January 17, 2009
i have sent my application stuff (containing transcripts, LORs, fee waiver application), 2 weeks ago and at the USPS website it still says NO RECORD...i am a bit worried whether the packet reached MIT admissions office.....
happy new year to all.......best wishes!!
Posted by: SRV from India on January 17, 2009
(I'm Course 6 and 18, but I have little experience w/ 18 as I just declared it a month ago).
Posted by: Nicole '10 on January 17, 2009
Ohh, that makes much more sense. Thanks!
@ Snively
Time to delete the spam
Posted by: 0 on January 17, 2009
Posted by: 0 on January 17, 2009
Posted by: 0 on January 17, 2009
Now I feel even worse.
Posted by: 0 on January 17, 2009
2 months : P
Posted by: 0 on January 17, 2009
Posted by: 0 on January 18, 2009
East Campus is pretty close to main campus. Depends whether you want to be closer to Stata and the east part of the main buildings, or the Student Center and the west part.
Posted by: 0 on January 18, 2009
Can you please tell me when will the result of regular action be declared...............
and approximately how much time will take to get tracked....i mean i still cannot track my papers
.
.
.
Posted by: Mak on January 18, 2009
Posted by: 0 on January 18, 2009
hi, I'm not Matt, but RA decisions are supposed to come out by March 20th. Judging from the EA, I'm assuming that Matt will give us an exact date probably ~a week or so in advance.
also, when you sign into application tracking, there should be a message telling you to wait until the end of january
@last anon
Campus Preview Week(end?). it's in april when admitted students go to MIT to get familiarized with the campus and living there. it's when you meet the rest of the '13 class ^_^
Posted by: deng on January 18, 2009
you can check www.didigetintomit.com
=)
Posted by: Jesse on January 18, 2009
Posted by: 0 on January 18, 2009
Well, in my defense, the subtitle writes, "RA's find out in about..." there is the word "about"
oh well...
Posted by: Jesse on January 18, 2009
Sorry about that, I wasn't sure what the exact date was for decisions. I updated it.
Also, I'm thinking about adding a forum to the site. Does that sound like a good/bad idea?
Email me at mit******[at]******spleeyah.com.
(Remove the asterisks).
Posted by: Brandon on January 19, 2009
I thought that I was the only Vaibhav who commented here!!
Seems like I'll have to use another initial from now on.......lol
Posted by: Vaibhav M. on January 19, 2009
Posted by: Random User on January 19, 2009
Yeah I suggested that a while ago, and I don't know why they don't do it. It would save them a lot of comment-sifting time, and it's really easy to implement with just reCaptcha or something.
http://www.DidIGetIntoMIT.com/forum/
Posted by: Brandon on January 19, 2009
Posted by: 0 on January 19, 2009
Posted by: Ronny '13 on January 19, 2009
Mystery Hunt. I've been MIA since Friday afternoon solving puzzles, as were many others. We'll get back to blogging soon, we're recovering right now.
Posted by: Snively on January 19, 2009
[/shameless plugging]
I'm sad I wasn't on campus to call you guys. Expect me at the RD telathon!
Posted by: Vivi '12 on January 19, 2009
Posted by: Jacob '13 on January 19, 2009
when's the MIT 2013 AIM chat?
is it opened to any applicant or just those accepted so far?
Posted by: deng on January 19, 2009
if an athletic coach officially recruits you, what does he/she add to your application to let the admissions office know so, and how much does it actually help your chances of admission?
Posted by: hopeful '13 on January 19, 2009
Posted by: '13 deferred on January 19, 2009
Posted by: Ngozi '13 on January 20, 2009
Posted by: anon '12 on January 20, 2009
Posted by: Anonymous on January 20, 2009
I added a forum for applicants to talk about random things, but maybe you guys could use it for a chat thing? I dunno, let me know if you're interested. You can get my email address from this post, or find me on the forums :D.
Posted by: Brandon on January 20, 2009
When do the classes for the class of 2013 begin ? When are the students required to be at MIT ?
Posted by: akhila on January 20, 2009
I think September: http://www.mitadmissions.org/topics/learning/academic_calendar/index.shtml
Posted by: 0 on January 20, 2009
I want your guidance for admission in MIT for Aerospace engineering for sep. 2009
Thanks
Ananya
Posted by: ANANYA SHUKLA on January 20, 2009
As an answer to one of the questions, the way you wrote about course 2 was wonderful. I was wondering if you could write like that for a few other core courses like computers, electrical engineering, biological engineering, aerospace enineering etc.. Otherwise it would be fine if you say where we can find such type of info on majors. Are you enjoying your IAP ?
Posted by: akhila on January 20, 2009
Posted by: 0 on January 20, 2009
Posted by: 0 on January 20, 2009
I'm sorry for any misunderstanding: Melody '13 interpreted it correctly. I judged the percentage based on the numbers I both saw in my class, and heard from the professors for that class (I actually thought it was less that 10% until I heard from them that it was closer to about 100 students). The rest of the freshmen class divided itself up into those taking other 'intro to mechanics' classes, and those who tested out of it, usually via AP scores.
Posted by: Lauren '12 on January 21, 2009
Posted by: 0 on January 22, 2009
@ anonymous
You can major in course 2A ("SB in Engineering as recommended by the Department of Mechanical Engineering") and declare a concentration in design.
Posted by: Liz '13 on January 23, 2009
Are international students called in it?
Posted by: Sudhanshu on January 28, 2009
Posted by: how on February 14, 2009
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