Today I got an email from MIT that directed me to a website which linked to the following letter:
Dear Ms. C:I am truly sorry to inform you that we are not offering you admission to MIT in the Department of Urban Studies and Planning.
The number of applicants for admission to the Graduate School greatly exceeds the number which can be accommodated and it has been necessary to refuse admission to some fine applicants.
We appreciate your interest in MIT and sincerely hope that you may be able to continue with your professional studies elsewhere.
Sincerely,
{insert fancy signature image here}
Stuart Schmill
Dean of Admssions
Now is no time to despair!
Lucky for us, we're smart cookies. We applied to more schools than just MIT, thereby opening up more options for us. And since we're such smart cookies, we've probably gotten in to some other schools!
So what'll it be for me next year? University of Pennsylvania or Cornell University? :) If anyone thinks I should choose one place over the other, let me know...
It happens to the best of us.
Wait until you apply for jobs... then you don't even receive a proper rejection - you just plain don't hear back. It sort of hurts, and is a bit annoying - can't corporations spare the two minutes to write a standard email to send so they couldn't stop waiting, stop hoping, and move on?
Which means that, well, you have to handle the waiting/hoping/moving on independently. Like a delicate new relationship, you can't be too clingy on one person/place/thing.
I'm in a relationship at the moment. If anyone cares to know, MIT has tons of beautiful, charming people with amazing, fascinating personalities. Don't let anyone ever tell you otherwise. :)
Back to what I was trying to say before.
One rejection does not a big picture make. In other words, there's a bigger world to enjoy! ^__^ (Yes, it's still all there.)
Honestly, I had been terrified of not getting into any school. But even in that case, all you can do is be prepared; I would've tried to find a decent internship or job and applied again the following year. Life takes twists and turns, but even a rejection can't really derail things that badly if you kept sight of the bigger picture.
What is your plan?
Comments (Closed after 30 days to reduce spam)
Posted by: Ryan 16? on March 19, 2010
but good luck cristen!
Posted by: oasis '11 on March 19, 2010
Posted by: Mohamed Amine Mhedhbi on March 19, 2010
It has a been a long time since I questioned myself: where is this place in your blog banner?
Weaving machines, textile related? Can you let us know, please.
Posted by: Armin on March 19, 2010
I know that...)))
Good luck Everybody
Posted by: Ruslan on March 19, 2010
Hahaha, captcha: the whippets
Posted by: PDowling on March 19, 2010
p.s.I find it really unusual for MIT to reject their own student for grad school.
Posted by: 0 on March 19, 2010
Sorry you got the big R. I would've thought MIT would know that its graduates are the best!
Posted by: Katie on March 19, 2010
Sorry about your rejection! Hey, don't worry--what will happen, will happen. And those other schools are awesome. Just remember that you are, too!
Man, I know I'm still stuck--I spent 45 min. looking through the MIT Hack Gallery online, and have developed a suspicious obsession with integrals and modern architecture...good motivation, though
I have recently come to the unfortunate realization that if I get into Harvard, I will most likely I will have to go there, since they are pretty much the only one of my colleges where I could choose what courses to take freshman year (and thereby be able to take a few more math/science courses to help my MIT transfer app along). I mean, it's a great school, but--*Harvard?? Gasps!!* Lol...
OMG ironic ReCaptcha!! "the excludes"
Cheers, fellas!
Posted by: Amethyst on March 19, 2010
Although I have not studied in UPenn or Cornell, but I think Cornell University would be a better option.
Other than going through rankings and all, Wikipedia articles on both universities, I am sure Cornell is far better.
I believe that you will be building the biggest things (buildings, cities, continents) in the world, maybe on Mars also in the time to come, as you will be the best in your field of work, and as dreams come true with hardwork. Best Wishes for your future!
Note- *Di/ Didi means Sister in Hindi
For My Plans, I will be trying to pursue my aim, that is to make the world a better place through science and technology. And I will find a way to do that.
Goodluck Again !
Thanks !
Sambheet Krishna
Posted by: Sambheet Krishna on March 19, 2010
Posted by: 0 on March 20, 2010
Posted by: 0 on March 20, 2010
I'm waiting to hear back from Cornell on the 1st of April. It's nice of you to post the letter and situation it really helps me to think that at least for the rejected students, even MIT students can't get in everywhere.
If I do get into Cornell then I'm definitely going to be rooting for you to go there lol.
Posted by: Brad on March 20, 2010
Just so love the simplicity of your posts and the feelings that it conveys is awsome.
I am truly disheartened by the fact of the email posted above but the beauty lies at you realising the 'bigger, better picture' of the world.
Wishing you unlimted success and glory in times to come.
Good Luck Cristen!!
Posted by: Avishek on March 20, 2010
Posted by: Anonymous on March 20, 2010
Posted by: 0 on March 20, 2010
Posted by: 0 on March 20, 2010
Posted by: lovin' kind... on March 20, 2010
Posted by: 0 on March 20, 2010
I find it a little bit weird that MIT didn't accept it's own students, but hey things will probably go great for you no matter where you go
On the other hand, does that mean that you are going to stop being a blogger after you graduate? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO -Cries-
Hope to be able to meet you someday, I'll miss your blogs, you seem to be a very interesting person for what I read about them
Posted by: Jochi Pochi on March 20, 2010
Posted by: 0 on March 20, 2010
Donno if your information is correct. however I point Donald Sadoway's talk: So, I know that you're going to do something remarkable in your professional lives. I hope it's remarkably wonderful and not remarkably stupid...
@Some of other commentators
I applied to Cornell too. Since I'm a transfer and they accept good number of transfer students. And I like what the founder of Cornell says: I would found an institution where any person can find instruction in any study.
Sounds like lots of diversity, and New York itself is diverse.
Posted by: Armin on March 20, 2010
offering admission to Aafia Siddiqi is not MIT's fault. she's indeed exceptionally strong in academic and..perhaps leadership and taking risks??
still love MIT and will apply there, im a junior now.
not sure if the Muslim Student Association still exits;
Posted by: MX on March 20, 2010
thanx cristen!!!!!! that is inspirational!!!!!!
I'm on the undergrad waitlist, but i'm also waiting for a reply from Cornell and Notre Dame
Goodluck!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: mary on March 20, 2010
Posted by: Han' 14 Rejected on March 20, 2010
ReCaptcha:criticism godless?!
Posted by: Val on March 21, 2010
because I'm Tunisian Muslim and I was rejected this month although I'm excellent student in my country
Posted by: Mohamed Amine Mhedhbi on March 21, 2010
The location in MIT's Civil Dept I believe. On the third floor right beside Lobby 7 to the left, if I remember correctly.
Posted by: Phillip on March 21, 2010
We're going to spend the rest of our lives no where.
Posted by: 0 on March 21, 2010
Posted by: MIT '14 (2) on March 21, 2010
Posted by: Matt on March 21, 2010
reCaptcha: the twiddled
>>Is there some tradition to mention the captcha words at the end of a comment ?
Posted by: 42 on March 21, 2010
Posted by: 42 on March 21, 2010
Posted by: 42 on March 21, 2010
Go to Cornell! =]
Captcha: the shrewish
Posted by: Daniel WL'14 on March 21, 2010
Your other picks are amazing, though. Sometimes, change is necessary, opening new horizons, points of view and possibilities to explore. I hope you can make it! :D
@mfmtrq
So now you think that the MIT admissions committee has magic mirrors and crystal balls to predict the future? Most of the MIT alumni are inspiring and brilliant. Their ideas and contributions to the world saved much more lives than the destruction caused by those terrorists.
Posted by: Caio not '14 on March 21, 2010
btw the LOCATION of that picture is room 7-408. those giant things you see behind me are plotters (printers which print paper 3 feet wide and as long as you wish!). this room also has a color letter printer, a color tabloid printer, a black and white printer, a photocopier, a fume hood, a paper cutting thing, and a laser cutter. great resource for us architecture students.
Posted by: cristen on March 21, 2010
Posted by: joemill on March 22, 2010
btw the day i get that AWFULL letter......i will lock my door n jst cry fr a day........i will be prepared.....but the thot f rejection breaks me down......it really jst..... ;-((
but im hopeful tho.....very hopeful
Posted by: Anirban Shaw on March 22, 2010
js addin.....frgt to preview it frst dis tym.... :-DD
Posted by: Anirban Shaw on March 22, 2010
I've been following your posts for over a year now and find them (and your life) really inspiring!!
I also got a very similar letter... and I know how it feels..
Anyways knowing the answer is kind of like a liberation for me... the uncertainties are finally over and it's time to narrow down and make a decision.
whichever your destination might be, I sincerely hope and know that you will do great!!
See you improving human society!!
Posted by: Wang Wei on March 22, 2010
Posted by: CeeJay on March 22, 2010
I am just so excited to see that other people like my school enough to want to come here! I can't really say much about the College of Architecture since I'm an Arts&Sciences; student myself, but I hope you get to weigh out everything that matters before you make your decision and best of luck for wherever you do decide on going!
Posted by: Barbara on March 23, 2010
Anyhoo, you got into other wonderful grad schools so yay! And I got into Caltech so yay again!
Captcha: minor percents.
Posted by: Muhammad not '13 or '14 on March 23, 2010
Posted by: Snad on March 23, 2010
I got a rejection letter last year and I was very disappointed. However, I went to a different school (with much nicer weather) and am extremely happy here. While MIT is still amazing and I still hope to go there for grad school, I love where I am now and don't regret anything.
Kudos to you, Cristen, for being so brave and sharing this with everyone. You have realized what some people fail to: life is not what happens to you, it’s how you react to it. I wish you the best where ever you end up (both of those schools are obviously excellent and congratulations on getting in). Clearly, you have a very bright future ahead and I look forward to seeing great things come from you.
Posted by: 13' somewhere else on March 23, 2010
Unless you have a strong bias for a particular MIT research lab, it should help you big picture wise by going beyond MIT. An MIT bachelor's degree is a glaring enough, permanent mark on your forehead for the rest of your life. Good luck, Cristen!
Posted by: A parent on March 24, 2010
As for me, hopefully I will get into Columbia or Brown, then I'll be applying to transfer next year.
Posted by: Tim ('14?) on March 24, 2010
Posted by: 0 on March 25, 2010
I would say Penn for Cornell is in the middle of nowhere..haha~
Posted by: fioni on March 26, 2010
Posted by: joseph rapp on March 27, 2010
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