Even though it's been exactly a year since I found out I had been accepted to MIT, I still clearly remember the day I received my decision. The morning of Sunday, March 18th, I was sitting at the computer in our living room with my parents standing on either side of me, ready to either congratulate or console. As I prepared to click the button, I was neither confident nor despondent, only desperately curious to know. "Are you ready?" my mom asked me. "Yes," I said.
I clicked the button.
Have you ever been outside on a cold, cloudy, rainy day when suddenly, almost without warning, the sun suddenly just breaks through out of nowhere and illuminates everything, if only for a moment? That's how clicking that button felt for me. I remember smiling, I remember laughing, I remember hugging my parents and running to tell the rest of my siblings. I may have cried a little too but I don't like to remember that part. That day, nothing could have worsened my mood. I had gotten in to MIT.
Now, I can't help but feel that they cycle is coming full circle. I hope reading your decision was as enjoyable and rewarding for you and your families as it was for me. The celebratory dinner with my family, the pride on my teachers' faces when I showed them my letter, the rush of adrenaline I got when I finally opened my Big Envelope - those are memories that last, and I hope each of you had the opportunity to make similar memories for yourselves.
The first word of the MIT acceptance letter is, incidentally, not congratulations. It's actually something like, "On behalf of the Admissions Committee, it is my pleasure to offer you admission to the MIT Class of 2012." Which, don't get me wrong, is a beautiful, beautiful phrase (and as I said earlier, I really wish all of you could have read that on your online letters this past weekend). But I can't help but feel that, if you're as anxious as most prospective students are when checking their decisions (i.e., me), it'd be much more effective to start the letter with one big, straightforward, unambiguous "Congratulations!"
Maybe that could changed for next year's letter - how about it, Stu?
Anyway, as the huge thrill of being accepted to MIT starts to wear off (slightly) and you start preparing for the even bigger thrill of visiting MIT for Campus Preview Weekend (you are coming, right?), there were just a few things I wanted to share with all of you.
0. CONGRATULATIONS! I don't use caps lock that often, so you know I have to be serious. Really, you guys are amazing, and I can't wait to meet you all in person!
1. Read even more about how amazing (possibly even perfect) you all are in the "snapshot statshot" Matt just made.
1. Get a slightly different take on this year's admissions cycle by reading this article in today's edition of MIT's student newspaper, The Tech.
2. Add your name to the admitted student guestbook on MyMIT!
3. Join the official MIT Class of 2012 Facebook group and get to know your fellow pre-frosh!
5. If you can, try to be near a phone Wednesday evening, especially around 6-7 pm (your local time). I won't say anything more than that. ;)
8. For hilarity's sake, start counting how many times someone tells you "congratulations" for getting into MIT (this entry counts as one). I'll be interested to see how the totals turn out.
13. Get ready for your freaking sweet Big MIT Envelope, arriving in a mailbox near you soon! (Corollary: if you think that envelope is awesome, just wait until you see the Gigantic Envelope to Eat All Other Envelopes - also known, somewhat more officially, as the Next Big Mailing - you get early May, once you formally accept MIT's offer of admission, which is full of goodies about everything from housing to setting up your shiny new MIT email account.)
21: Speaking of mailings, I actually talked to Ben about the "Tubes for RA" idea a while back. Unfortunately, it's simply just not cost effective to send over a thousand tubes all at once. And, as #13 says, you still get the Big MIT Envelope (which really is awesome). Sorry guys, but I tried. I never got a Tube and I'm perfectly happy with my MIT experience, so I'm sure you will survive too. ;-)
34. Continuing the mailing trend, why not start thinking of creative things to do with your MIT acceptance letter? I just framed mine, but I'm sure some of you can come up with a more interesting use for it.
55. Got questions? We have answers, so ask away! Whether it's by email, Facebook, the Class of 2012 group, the blog comments, or by courier pigeon, I know all the bloggers will be happy to answer anything you want to know about MIT, as will just about any MIT student you happen to run across. (Your parents are also more than welcome to ask questions.)
89. Finally (I saved the best for last), I cannot encourage you enough to come to MIT's admitted student weekend - also known as Campus Preview Weekend or CPW - from Thursday, April 10 to Sunday, April 13. Trust me, you will have an amazing time. Even if you already know you want to come to MIT (like I did), it's definitely worth the trip. There's no better time to visit classes; tour campus; explore the dorms, fraternities, sororities, and other living groups; hang out with the other pre-frosh; and, perhaps most importantly of all, simply meet all the students who make MIT such an amazing place to learn and live.
Welcome to MIT, Class of 2012. And welcome home.
Comments (Closed after 30 days to reduce spam)
Posted by: Shruthi on March 18, 2008
Thank you for the entry.
Posted by: Lainers on March 18, 2008
Posted by: 0 on March 18, 2008
Thank you so much.
I cant wait to meet the bloggers ( I think this is officially the hundredth time I'm saying this)
The 'YAy I got into MIT' feeling still hasn't worn off and I'm hoping it'll last for the next four years!
I'm afraid I wont make it to CPW (I'm halfway across the world) :(
You guys will blog about it right?
*fingers crossed*
yay I get my own mit email id!
Shruthi you have a talent! seriously!
I'm never going to get a first ! ever !
Posted by: Aditi on March 18, 2008
Who gets to write for The Tech?
I really want to!
Posted by: Aditi on March 18, 2008
I'll have robotics meeting tomorrow 7-9PM
and more math class on Wed. 6-8PM (hint* I leave at 5:10 PST to give my friend a ride to class too, so I'll wait near my phone till 8:10 EST *hint* )
Posted by: Yuzhi'12 on March 18, 2008
That split second where I realised the consequence of that word being there, is absolutely priceless....it's exactly like what you described it to be Paul...I wish I could relive it over and over and over again.
And of course, then followed the usual screaming my head off, hugging my parents, and calling every single relative alive on the face of this planet!
I can't WAIT for my envelope, but taken that the mailing system in Libya is like unbelievably slow, it'll probably take FOREVER to arrive. But heck! what am I complaining about? I got in!!
I won't be attending CPW but hope you guys have lotza fun at it!!
OH! btw,Paul, my kudos wishes run 437 high! (yeh yeh I was being a pompous brat by telling everyone I met about it).
Ok, I'll shut up now.
Posted by: Natasha on March 18, 2008
Posted by: daniel on March 18, 2008
and my sympathies , the mailing system is really slow here too. I always get mail a MONTH after its sent :(
Posted by: Aditi on March 18, 2008
I got over it, and months passed till RD was only a week away. This time, I kept it to myself.
I wasn't able to sleep well throughout the night, and woke up at 5 AM, playing solitare on my ipod (which I kept on losing). Before my last came, I prayed for some sort of sign...and I won. However, I didn't take it to mean anything. I also had a regatta the day of RD, and at 9:10 PST, I was already on the water, racing. After my race, I asked my friend for her i-phone. It kept freezing at the login screen, and once I did login, I put my hand over the screen, revealing each line, one by one.
"Dear Celena,"
*deep breath* *moves hand*
"On behalf of the Admissions Committee..."
(oh no...not again...)
"...class of 2012."
OH MY GOSH. OH MY GOSH.
Needless to say, I jumped up and started screaming. The race attendees looked at me as if I was a crazy person-- especially when I started sobbing into my friends' arms.
"She got into MIT!!!"
Posted by: Celena '12 on March 18, 2008
Do you guys call our home phone? Or cell? 'Cause I'm not sure if I'll be home :x
Posted by: yiwen on March 18, 2008
Posted by: Shruthi on March 18, 2008
Posted by: 0 on March 18, 2008
Posted by: Shamarah on March 18, 2008
Thank you, Paul...Thank you!!! ^^
"Home"...T.T T.T T.T I'm so happy...
Posted by: senna '12 on March 18, 2008
Posted by: Omar '12 on March 18, 2008
I felt exactly the same as you when I found out I was admitted to MIT's class of 2012!!
Also say hi to every one here! I'm so eager to join the big family-MIT's class of 2012!!
Posted by: Ziwei on March 18, 2008
I'm beyond excited that I'm actually going to come study in MIT (I know its a whole 5 months away but it IS MIT!!)and I can't wait to move in alreadY!
YippEE! I get to call MIT homE!!
Posted by: kavya on March 18, 2008
am sooooo homesick already!!
Posted by: Natasha on March 18, 2008
These four months will be LOOoooooOOOOooOOOOng!
Posted by: Aditi on March 18, 2008
Posted by: Tanmay on March 18, 2008
I've got the same problem as yiwen, it is difficult to be home tomorrow :S and cell phone would be cool.
I want to visit CPW, but... but it's impossible because of i'm too far from US :((
Posted by: ka '12 on March 18, 2008
*say yes!*
And oh , I really dont care what time you guys call (if you do) because the time difference is rather crazy!
Cell phone would be good =)
I'm such a brat =P
Posted by: Aditi on March 18, 2008
Posted by: 0 on March 18, 2008
Posted by: Sarah '12 on March 18, 2008
Maybe I can tell my parents to tell whoever to call my cell?
Posted by: Chris M '12 on March 18, 2008
Posted by: excited on March 18, 2008
yeah, you are right
Posted by: 0 on March 18, 2008
Don't worry about it, you'll be fine. It's going to be a long night and we call back.
Posted by: Snively on March 18, 2008
But in all seriousness, I am getting SO excited about CPW already!
~Donald
Posted by: donaldGuy '12 on March 18, 2008
Er, do you call international waitlisted students too ? ^^'
Posted by: Isshak on March 18, 2008
Sorry Snively, what about me :((? The day after tomorrow we have got a program so I won't be home tomorrow because I must do all the stuff in school dormitory :((
Posted by: ka '12 on March 18, 2008
Also, yes, prefrosh, come to CPW for LN2 icecream! (I finally got trained in the ways of cryo, I'm really excited about making icecream).
Posted by: jasminef on March 18, 2008
Oh and I am also still waiting for the "I got into MIT" buzz to fade. This is amazing.
Posted by: Rachel on March 18, 2008
Posted by: Rachel on March 18, 2008
If you're not around tonight at all, I think there may be another mini-telethon later; I got my MIT phone call several weeks after being admitted.
The rationale behind the telethon, in my observation, is because one of the best ways to get a sense for a university is to talk to the students who actually go there. When I visited MIT, meeting with students - hearing what they had to say about the Institute, learning about their passions, getting to know them - was one of the major reasons I started falling in love with MIT.
Regarding international students - I asked the admissions counselors, and unfortunately, this particular telethon is only for domestic, accepted students. Sorry Isshak. :( International students may be called later down the line though, don't give up hope yet!
Aditi - Yes, there will be a lot of blogs about CPW. If there's enough interest, I'm planning on continuing the tradition Bryan started last year and hosting some student guest blogs about CPW as well.
Regarding The Tech - as with all student groups on campus, basically any student who wants to can join The Tech. A few good friends of mine write for the newspaper, and Laura used to be a writer as well. Maybe I'll highlight The Tech in an entry about student groups later on?
Daniel - Done. (Stefan, for those following along at home, is one of my fraternity brothers.)
Rachel - Good question. Personally, my dad came. We met up a few times for lunch, but mostly he did his thing (there are many events for parents) and I did mine. I think it was a good opportunity for him to see MIT though.
Posted by: Paul on March 18, 2008
Posted by: 0 on March 18, 2008
Posted by: kavya on March 18, 2008
yeah, kavya, you're right
Posted by: ka '12 on March 18, 2008
4. “Wow. The Mississippi Institute of Trucking. Nice job!” – from my smart-alecky bio teacher
3. “MIT has a really pretty campus!” – Yes, it is pretty, if you are attracted to giant sponges and heaps of metal. I will admit, I didn’t apply to MIT for it’s beauty.
2. “WOW! I can’t believe it! I’m going to the wine cabinet right now to toast you! Good-bye!” – this was from my guidance counselor . . . at one o’clock on a Sunday afternoon
And the number 1 most common reaction was:
1. “MIT . . . What’s that?” – Yeah, I know! It’s nuts that they don’t know what MIT is, but I do come from a small town. I really should have counted how many times people asked that, but I know it was at least 20 times.
Ok, I’m done, I just thought people would get some laughs from these. See you all at CPW!
Posted by: Diana on March 18, 2008
Posted by: Spike on March 18, 2008
Posted by: Paul Hoops '13 on March 18, 2008
Most MIT students have a peculiar sense of humor, yes. Combine that with too much knowledge about math, technology, science fiction, and stuff in general - and you end up with some interesting (but awesome) jokes.
Posted by: Paul on March 18, 2008
Congratulations on your acceptance into MIT!
You are a very lucky bunch of individuals. I, myself, did not get an acceptance letter, but a letter that has put me in deep thought for the last 50 hours. What revealed to me is the same mistakes that not only MIT, but the United States in general as a nation has been making for the last decade or so.
I am an international, un étranger.
It is a pity that international students are admitted at a tremendously smaller rate. For me, my chance of coming to MIT was one in twenty-five.
It is perhaps in every applicant's mind that applying to MIT even for an American citizen requires courage and confidence in one's intellect. For les étrangers, it is even more so. No int'l applicant applied without a fairly confident notion that they would be a great asset to MIT. Why would they invest a fortune on tests and application fees? And therefore, it is perhaps unfortunate and maybe aweful to realize that the average int'l applicant is more capable in academia as well as in society than the average American applicant.
However, by the last decade, the US curbed its immigration and the renowned MIT also has kept a strict quota on international students. Thus the import of great minds has declined.
Let's not forget America's immense progress in Science and Technology after WWII that was partly resulted from the country's import of great scientists and students who fled Europe. These people contributed a great deal to the country's wealth and status in the world.
We are living in a world where our country, the US, is losing grip over our superpower throne. Although the causes vary, but it is clear that an answer to that problem is right in front of us.
If America is truly a nation where "the best man gets the job," then there has never been a more crucial time that we implement this ideology for time is running out.
What has truly come to me is that my frustration in being slapped in the face by the notification of 3.15 has given way to a sadness to see this great nation, once the "greatest country in the world," fade away.
And to all those int'ls, the few 100 or so of you, who were accepted, congratulations, you are the best in the world.
L'étranger
if you like to speak, be my guest:
http://intlatmit.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Un étranger on March 18, 2008
Posted by: Harish on March 18, 2008
They took my letter, and a picture they took by surprise, laminated them, and hung them in the front of the school
The embarrassment...
Posted by: Bassil on March 18, 2008
I have actually started a count-down to cpw! =)
Posted by: carmen on March 18, 2008
And I love how you used the Fibonacci sequence.
Posted by: Ginger on March 18, 2008
Posted by: Miranda on March 18, 2008
I have never seen a more disheartening or upsetting mentality than I did at MITCO, and I am shocked that I found it at such a well-respected institution. We pay $42,000 a year to live and work in one of the most intense and challenging environments out there, and we deserve to get the world-class help we were promised on the first day of orientation.
Where is that help now?"
"http://www-tech.mit.edu/V128/N13/mitco.html"
so do you fail to deliver the promises you make in the start?
If this is the true state of MIT i am glad i was rejected.
Thanks,
Rejected but not dejected.
Posted by: 0 on March 18, 2008
I don't care what anyone says. I'm going to MIT. Its home. period.
Posted by: 0 on March 18, 2008
@ the first Anonymous
I'm glad you're keeping a positive outlook on things! As for delivering promises, though, MIT promises you a drink and brings out the firehose. Wham. Promise fulfilled every time, and then some.
@ the second Anonymous
"I don't care what anyone says. I'm going to MIT. Its home. period."
Amen, second Anonymous.
Posted by: Teresa '11 on March 19, 2008
Yeah, the mental lag imposed between opening the decision letter and actually finding the decision is really cruel :Haha, I skimmed your list first and was all like, "that's the weirdest base 9 list I've ever seen" until I noticed the massive gap between 5 and 8.
Yeah, the mental lag imposed between opening the decision letter and actually finding the decision is really cruel :<
Posted by: Rachel'12 on March 19, 2008
I guess posting anonymously is not for me =P
and thanks Paul I'd still like to hear about the Tech
Posted by: Aditi on March 19, 2008
Are the callings just going to be for RA? I felt bad when I got calls and didn't have any good questions or know what to say. I still wouldn't know what to talk about :X so maybe it's good if it's just for RA.
I'm extremely excited for CPW!
Posted by: Davorama on March 19, 2008
I love the way that sounds.
Posted by: Vivi '12 on March 19, 2008
Posted by: Almani on March 23, 2008
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