As decision day draws nearer, “who” questions are taking priority.
“Who will get in? What happens to the people who don’t? Will I get in? Who will I become if I do? Who will I be, who will I become, if I don’t?”
First, I think it’s important to recognize why people apply to MIT. Though I can only speak for myself and for people I know, trust that my words come not only from the accepted and the attendees, but also from the rejected. My primary reason for wanting to go to MIT – and the primary reason of everyone I have spoken to about this – was not the belief that I could not succeed without coming here, but rather the faith that I would have an extraordinary experience en route to my success.
It seems to me that this distinction is often overlooked. Comments like “don’t worry, you’ll still succeed” and “you’ll be great wherever you go” are well-intentioned, and much appreciated, but often miss their target, because they do not recognize where disappointment stems from. I never thought that failing to get into MIT would mean failing at life. Rather, I thought that getting in would mean having access to unique resources and unique opportunities. A close friend of mine, who was rejected, tells me that he was hurt and disappointed not because he believed he could no longer succeed, but because he lost the chance to have an MIT undergraduate experience. I know that these feelings do not apply to everyone – perhaps some of you do believe that attending MIT is the only path to success – but I think that they have historically not received the attention they deserve, and would like to address them here. Again, I can speak only for myself and for those I have discussed this with, so feel free to disagree.
I've been immersed in this place for six months. You’re probably sick of hearing that MIT is what it is because of the people who go here, so let me rephrase this in a more relevant-to-admissions-decisions way: MIT is what it is because the people here create their own experience. They fill what would otherwise be a bunch of (not particularly aesthetically pleasing) buildings with energy, personality, and cool ideas. The individual creates his own experience at the Institvte: he takes advantages of the resources that are here, and creates the resources that are not.
The process of making what you can from a situation doesn’t require a specific setting.
I would never suggest that it's easy to recreate an MIT experience, because I know that you'd never believe me. But I will venture to challenge every single one of you - those who are admitted, and those who are not - to concentrate on what you wanted out of your MIT experience. Hopefully, it was more than the chance to physically walk down a specific hallway, or take a specific class taught by a specific person. I trust that there were clubs you wanted to join, fields you wanted to explore, dreams you wanted to realize.
Whatever it is you wanted: hold onto it as tightly as you can. The hard part comes after pi day: in deciding what to do with these hopes and plans. I challenge you to bring them with you, wherever you end up: to resist abandoning them because you’ve been accepted and your life is complete, or because you’ve been rejected and your life is over. To make them happen, wherever you go.
You are guaranteed to meet hurdles and obstacles on the way to getting what you want out of college. Not because of where you are, but because of who you are, I challenge you to climb over them, dig through them, beat them down, and not allow yourself to be defined by the school you attend.
---
Addition: I want to draw attention to Spencer's comment, since I think it's a great idea.
"Fellow commenters, what say you we post those dreams and plans here to make sure they're not forgotten after pi day?
I'll start: To have something of my design land on Mars."
I'd love to hear them.
Comments (Closed after 30 days to reduce spam)
^^This.
Fellow commenters, what say you we post those dreams and plans here to make sure they're not forgotten after pi day?
I'll start: To have something of my design land on Mars.
Posted by: Spencer '14 (U. Illinois) on March 10, 2011
Posted by: Spencer '14 (U. Illinois) on March 10, 2011
The worst: "Don't worry, you'll get accepted at _____ for sure!". This is not only useless, but detrimental: it is, for the most part, done merely based on social convention in order to appear "polite" and stuff. It causes a person to rate their abilities higher than what they are. I wouldn't want to get my hopes up for a long-shot college (for an example of one of these, check the URL on your web browser) and then go through the anxiety and depression that precedes and succeeds the decision. I would rather, for instance, a friend tell me truthfully that my singing is "awful" than have them be polite and claim that it is "really good." It saves so much embarrassment later on.
Social conventions are so pathetic! (well, slight exaggeration here)
Posted by: P. Ovidius Naso on March 10, 2011
Remember what makes up you is you,and no one can change that, not even MIT. Do what you have to, pursue your dreams, and remember, this is only the beginning. Make your parents, your friends, and most importantly yourself proud. In the end, you are going to look at these times and smile (MIT or no MIT).
Go Beavers!
Posted by: TS on March 10, 2011
Posted by: Anna H. '14 on March 10, 2011
Posted by: Vivek on March 10, 2011
But the name mean different things to me as I grow older. after briefly reading your post, I guess (since I never been to MIT I can only guess）MIT is a place help people achieve their dream, "help is always available to those who needs it"(I read similar sentence in the book Harry Potter and the chamber of secrets)
I want to go to university because I want a particular life experience, to me, university is never a place to learn science only, its also a place that makes one's life unique.
I already appreciate the opportunity to post at the official website of MIT. Maybe after March the 14th, my account is going to be deleted, because I will be eliminated.
But before March the 14th, I will try my best to give reasons why I should go to MIT, even they sound more like excuses to myself.
Again, I will apply for transfer for sure if I am still interested into MIT, an university can reject a student, but a person won't reject his own dream and choice.
Posted by: Kyle Wang on March 10, 2011
Posted by: Bhaskar on March 10, 2011
Posted by: Shahriar on March 10, 2011
I really would be surprised if an assortment of pixels on a transistor liquid crystal display had the power to so much as put a scratch on our wonderfully beautifully powerfully majestic dreams.
Posted by: Anonymous( the '15? is ridiculously pointless) on March 10, 2011
1.Become a professor in the field of astrophysics, have great students from and to across the globe.
2.Establish a designated library of records, documents, tapes and especially books for astronomy and astrophysics research and teaching.
Posted by: Zhuchang Z on March 10, 2011
"I would like to develop holographic interface technology in order to ease interaction with the constantly-changing world around humans."
MIT made me realize that it's not the surroundings that matter, it's the idea and the dream.
And that's the beauty of MIT - it teaches us so much even before we have entered it.
Posted by: Jutrša on March 10, 2011
I accept the challenge and yes, " My immediate aim is to make the next 4 years of my college life a great learning experience. Later, I'd like to work for my country's progress by working in the civil services."
Posted by: Neha on March 10, 2011
I aim to be a theoretical physicist and find answers to each and every one of the questions I have about this universe, and to become a professor in physics and teach students from around the world and also bring about change in the way children are educated about science in my country
Posted by: Shahriara on March 10, 2011
Posted by: Shahriar on March 10, 2011
Posted by: Bhaskar on March 10, 2011
Posted by: prospectiverejectee on March 10, 2011
Posted by: ST on March 10, 2011
Posted by: orangeCookie on March 10, 2011
Well said!
I definitely accept the challenge.
Posted by: Norah on March 10, 2011
Posted by: Andy on March 10, 2011
Posted by: Banerjee on March 10, 2011
You might as well have been describing my own dream. I couldn't have put it better myself!
Everyone's dreams are so inspiring. It's humbling to glimpse the wonderful community of MIT and its applicants and I hope to join it someday.
The blog was wonderful, Anna. Great advice. Best of luck to everyone on Pi day!
Posted by: Superconductor on March 10, 2011
I am not joking.
Posted by: anon on March 10, 2011
an old pharmacist Rutgers'78 and prospective MIT dad
Posted by: CARLOSMERINO on March 10, 2011
Posted by: Abhishek Oswal on March 10, 2011
Wow , thanks , I feel great to finally meet someone who shares my dreams ....I guess this sort of thing is only possible at MIT , cuz up until today, I thought I was the only one with those dreams. Man, I really really want to be accepted now! XD
Posted by: Shahriar on March 10, 2011
Posted by: Ceesay on March 10, 2011
Posted by: anonymous on March 10, 2011
Posted by: Spencer '14 (U. Illinois) on March 10, 2011
Posted by: anonymous29 on March 10, 2011
Posted by: Ceesay on March 10, 2011
I accept your challenge! I know my dreams will not be destroyed by the rejection I may get next Monday. It does hurt to think of missing out of four years at this amazing place, but I think I can play creative college pranks wherever I go.
My dream is to be a medical researcher. I want to improve our understanding of the immune system and apply my knowledge to save/improve the lives of the people suffering from immune disorders.
Posted by: Jay on March 10, 2011
Posted by: Ghost hunter on March 10, 2011
Dream: Create a carbonless, liquid-based "fuel" similar to oil, in the fact that its pollutant free, has better atom economy in the process, and has similar production mechanisms to that of oil (it'd save money, resources, and hopefully future lives)
Location to achieve the dream: MIT (no really, I want to achieve my dream here)
Time to achieve the dream: Say about 7 years after graduation.
Source of dream/inspiration (if any): "Koos-A-La-Goop-A-Goop" episode from "Dexter's Laboratory" (avid Dexter fans should know what I'm talking about) + Father's exposure to chemical engineering (in general, chemistry).
Posted by: Murtaza Ali Khan on March 10, 2011
Posted by: Ash Ketchum on March 10, 2011
Posted by: Superconductor on March 10, 2011
Posted by: Corey on March 10, 2011
Posted by: natalie on March 10, 2011
Mine, general and simple it may be, is
To make a diffference in this world with what I have to offer in skill and intellect, and continue to discover what I can offer.
Posted by: Ashton Kim on March 10, 2011
That, I believe, is what I want to do: to teach the world to fish. Not specifically teaching, but enabling. I want to enable the world to achieve its goals and live life to its fullest extent.
Posted by: Chris d/I on March 10, 2011
Posted by: Sandro Rodrigues on March 10, 2011
My dream is to develop softwares which will enable us manufacture advanced robots at economical prices so that these robots can be used in all those fields (marine research, rescue operations etc) where precious human lives are in mortal peril.
Thanks once again anna, you have restored my heartbeat back to normal..haha..
Posted by: anjann on March 10, 2011
Posted by: Sandro Rodrigues on March 10, 2011
And best of luck for 14 march too! I hope we meet at MIT..
Posted by: anjann on March 10, 2011
Posted by: Katie on March 10, 2011
As my favourite motivational speaker says:
"There is no such thing as an impossible dream" and I will live by that.
Anyway, I've always wanted to create something that connected people on a global scale or create something that prevents roadkill (and saves those cute squirrels!). I hate seeing dead animals on the street :(
Ultimately, I will be pursuing what makes me happy and what satisfies my existence. MIT or not.
...but I am not saying I don't want MIT; I want it BAD. What I'm saying is that I want to live my dreams more than anything else in this world.
If anyone is interested, this is a link to my favourite motivational speaker.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVT-Quxd2PE
Posted by: Thomas Zaragoza on March 10, 2011
Posted by: Ilana on March 10, 2011
Posted by: Sammy '15 on March 11, 2011
Ans yes,
My dream: Win the Nobel prize in 2 disciplines.
Posted by: yetanotherhopeful on March 11, 2011
Well, here's to the future beaver!
(Hello fellow, look at the date. Feel any changes already?)
I just want to remind you that in 2011, the next-four-year part of your dream (yes, it was a BIG one and stretched beyond just four years!) was like this:
-> understand how science and the arts complement each other for yourself.
-> learn the 'Inception' tricks
-> get a few A's (come on!)
-> see more sci-fi
-> work on which island and the how-to make a studio there.
-> go tramping/swimming
-> discover yourself!
->
And, so tell me dear - where are you now? Time-travel isn't around yet, but I AM talking to you!
And, go listen to 'Gravity' right now.
Posted by: The Beaver on March 11, 2011
@Anna: Challenge accepted! A wonderful idea for a a blog post. Thank you so much! Btw, what about your dream? Like Spencer said, no cheating!
@Fellow commenters: The diversity of our dreams, even though we're so little in number is mind-blowing! Let's never let go of the dreams we hold so close to our hearts. Ever!
Posted by: Nikita on March 11, 2011
Posted by: Neha on March 11, 2011
Thank you for this post, Anna. You've relieved some of my anxiety for Pi day
Posted by: Sam ('15 applicant) on March 11, 2011
Posted by: Brandon-('15 Florida applicant) on March 11, 2011
Disability Products
Posted by: Disability Products on March 11, 2011
When a person is determined, what can stop them? Cripple them and you have Sir Walter Scott. Put them in a prison cell and you have John Bunyan. Bury them in the snows of Valley Forge and you have George Washington. Have them born in abject poverty and you have Lincoln. Put them in the grease pit of a locomotive roundhouse and you have Walter P. Chrysler. Make them second fiddle in an obscure South African orchestra and you have a Toscanini. The hardships of life are not sent to be an unkind destiny to crush, but to challenge!
All the best to all the applicants, much love X
Posted by: Sam on March 12, 2011
hey i m really interested in that....dats y i wanna join mit coz it ll give me th right path 2 get it done....
plz comment
Posted by: nikil on March 12, 2011
I've watched the BBS fireworks show of the 1980s, the rogue hacker outbreak of the 1990s, and the mind-shatteringly quick advancement of technology from 2000 onwards. What are we at now -- tens of GIGAbits per second over fiber optics? Impressive, to say the least.
But, alas, with advancement comes new sources of evil -- one being "trusted computing", which removes the freedom to create on a whim, the liberty to use however one sees fit, from a personal computer.
This is unacceptable. The computer was a piece of technology that I see was designed to extend the intellectual and creative abilities of its users, NOT extend the depths of the pockets of those who make a profit off this whole computer technology firestorm while slowly placing those who use the technology into creative and intellectual prison cells.
(*sniff, sniff* Yeah, that burning rubber scent really is a run-on sentence. Oops, my bad. Continue anyways!)
MY DREAM is to see "trusted computing" (treacherous computing) decimated with no chance of return. My dream is to see the freedom, the creativity, the fantastic mix of logic and beauty -- programming and art -- return to the center of the majority of computer users' mental drawing boards. Remember the Amiga demoscene of the late 1980s and early 1990s? Remember when there was an entire global community of computer users who would program for fun? Remember when technology wasn't released to see which company could make the most money the fastest, but instead to see which technology was the best, the most capable, and so on?
I want that world back. I want the creative and intellectual push to appear back in computing everywhere. I want the true hacker spirit present in the hearts in the innovators, the engineers, the designers -- everyone! I don't want to buy a piece of hardware because the company in charge needed this quarter's profits to increase, or I don't want to use a piece of software because it's the only option available in the "trusted" platform that everyone *has* to use -- I want to do things because they totally kick ass!
Signing off,
Master Steelblade
Posted by: Master Steelblade on March 12, 2011
The other part of my dream is then for a computer to exist that brings back the original creative digital spirit -- a computer which allows the user to use it as they please. As in, say, a computer that would allow me to send direct signals to hardware, to have available documentation which shows diagrams, layouts, and such for every piece of hardware in the computer. I don't want a system that tells me what to do, I want a system which I can tell what to do. A system that's loyal to me, not a silly money-focused corporation whose interests don't align with mine.
A system that I can expand to suit my needs and interests.
A system built with total freedom in mind.
That's my dream -- total digital freedom!
A great step in the right direction is the A-EON AmigaOne X1000.
Signing off,
Master Steelblade
(P.S. You're probably thinking "Well, Master Steelblade, we aren't all digitally imprisoned yet, so I don't see where you're coming from with your post!" I say that you should look deep inside the cybernetic world and see what's going on for what it really is -- a push towards a prison made of ones and zeros. Maybe not one year, maybe not five years, or even ten years -- but soon enough. If a problem like "treacherous computing" isn't stopped before it can start -- prevented -- then it will be an irreversible, detrimental change to the whole path of computers, networks, and global communication as a whole.)
Good night, everyone!
Posted by: Master Steelblade on March 12, 2011
1. Discovering a way to predict prime numbers, using either the Riemann hypothesis (which, naturally, would mean proving it) or some other means;
2. Finding an odd perfect number, or proving that there can't be one;
3. Playing with the Fibonacci sequence until I find something new. I'm not picky, it could be anything.
However, if I can't do any of those things, I would love to learn Hungarian Rhapsody no. 2 and perform it at Carnegie Hall. That would be pretty awesome as well.
Posted by: 0 on March 13, 2011
My dream is to learn as much as I can in college so that I can have a stable job as an electrical engineer, and then I can raise a family.
Posted by: Shela on March 13, 2011
"Solve one millennium problem(Preferably the Riemann Hypothesis)"
Posted by: yetanotherhopeful on March 14, 2011
(and ugh I'm horrible at captchas)
Posted by: chy on March 14, 2011
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