You Complete Me

Nov 15, 2007

I see that there's been a bit of discussion in the comments about the Application Tracking System and what makes an application "complete." Let me try to help clarify things a bit.

Scores: We don't need to have your full set of scores now; we won't need them until we go into the Early Action selection committee. We will receive November scores in time, so don't worry, we will consider all of your new scores.

MidYear Grades: We do not expect to see first quarter grades. If we need them, we'll call your school. We *do* want your first semester (or trimester) grades as soon as they're available; this is mostly for the Regular Action selection committee.

Supplemental materials: If you're concerned about our having received them, you can call our office at 617-253-3400 to see if we have them.

What if we don't have everything?: We will not act on any case where we don't feel we have enough information to make a decision. If we need further information or application materials to be able to make a decision, we will contact you or your school. That being said, it is your responsibility to monitor the tracking system and make sure we have your application materials.

Decision day: We have not yet announced a date for early action decisions. We will make an announcement later in December; watch the blogs for more information.

...and now, I'm off to go see the Bollywood film Om Shanti Om! (Happy belated Diwali!)

Comments (Closed after 30 days to reduce spam)

Hi! I´m Anderson. I did Toelf Test (paper-based) in september 2005...may I send this test

Thanks,

Anderson

Posted by: Anderson on November 15, 2007

What do we do if our first semester grades will not be final until the second week of January? Can I send my quarter grades?

Posted by: Teresa on November 15, 2007

Hey, what goes on the summary on the E-3 card, anyway?

Posted by: Sam on November 15, 2007

@ Teresa: Send your first semester grades on the mid-year report; most people don't send that form in until January anyway.

Posted by: Paul on November 15, 2007

Hey,
My guidence counsler said she sent my transcript along with Evaluation A and B, and my transcript and Evaluation A show being processed, however, Evaluation B is missing? Should I be worried, or is it nothing?

Thanks,

Olivia

Posted by: Olivia Milam on November 15, 2007

My situation is same as Olivia's! Please help!

Posted by: "Ann Onymus" on November 15, 2007

How was Om Shanti Om?

Posted by: Abhinav Gautam on November 15, 2007

Would you prefer that grades from college courses be submitted in the form of an official transcript from that college? (as opposed to having the high school copy the grades onto the midyear report form)

Posted by: … on November 15, 2007

Sal Mubarak!
(happy Diwali)

Posted by: Vivek on November 16, 2007

Will you act on the case when the fee waiver request has not been processed, possibly because you guys did not receive it?

Posted by: 0 on November 16, 2007

Happy Diwali to you to......Never knew that you like bollywood movies too!!! Nice, really nice.....

By the way when I get to MIT sometime maybe next year or whatever,I will get you some classics.....

Posted by: Utkarsh on November 16, 2007

I should drop by and look at the stacks of applications. I always wondered what an Admission Office looks like when it's filled with applications...=p

Posted by: Oasis on November 16, 2007

Woah.. Om Shanti Om.. It was such a roller coaster ride..!!

Posted by: Rashi on November 16, 2007

Omgg..Om shanti om??..I saw the film a couple of days ago, never knew MIT-ians in Boston would be doing the same!
Haha, Indians do enjoy it, but I want to hear your take on the melodrama around which Om Shant Om revolves...do post your comments!:)

P.S. I did like the film. But I think its olden counterpart "Karz" was better. Il bring a copy along if I get the chance to come to Boston

**hopefully as a frosh**

Posted by: Nihar on November 16, 2007

I take your title metaphorically. We complete ourselves, and make others feel complete. Hence, you complete me.

Posted by: AParent on November 16, 2007

Thank you very much for the post. It is so timely and comforting to many people who apply this year.

Posted by: AParent on November 16, 2007

i never knew that there is some one in MIT who enjoy bollywood movie. and knows about diwali thats really cool matt

Posted by: Nishanth on November 16, 2007

if I'm applying to study music/art, do I need to take the SAT 2 ?

Posted by: 0 on November 16, 2007

Yes, Anonymous, I'm 97% sure you still have to take the SAT Subject Tests in math and science. They're required! :D

Posted by: Shamarah on November 16, 2007

i am academically curious, really i am, i love to take extra classes and took some APs becaus they sounded interesting and i was curious. but the thing is i didnt necessarely get As in them, sometimes Bs, few Cs. so will MIT take in account that i'm academically curious, or that i failed those classes ? (also, my sat score is in the 500-600 range...).
do i seriously have a chance ?

Posted by: ra applicant guy on November 16, 2007

To ra applicant guy:

A) It doesn't sound like you failed anything, from what you described.
B) Far be it from me to give you any advice on "chances", but you never know if you don't try!

Be optimistic.

Posted by: Shamarah on November 16, 2007

you sound like Paul, but Paul can say to try since he doesn't care, he got in ! and I'm sure he had 700 something on his sat.
and 500-600 sat score isnt failing for you ?

Posted by: ra applicant guy on November 16, 2007

I met an MIT freshman this summer who got around a 1900 total on his SAT; I seriously don't think you should hold back from applying, just try. You might be surprised.

I mean, you're here on the blogs right? Something inside you is telling you that MIT could be the place for you - at least apply so you'll know.

Posted by: Shamarah on November 16, 2007

@ RA: I don't do chances, and nor does anyone else in the admissions office or on the blogs. But I do care, very much, about the people who are applying or thinking of applying to MIT. That's why I'm here.

Shamarah's advice is perfect. Remember that getting into MIT is not easy for anybody, regardless of what your grades or GPA scores are. You will never get in if you don't even try.

Posted by: Paul on November 16, 2007

My school uses block scheduling, so at this point i am halfway through my non-AP class, while my other three classes are only 1/4 done. Should I send in the mid year grade report just to show my progress in that one class?

Posted by: Sarah on November 16, 2007

Has anyone's school been contacted by MIT asking for first quarter grades? My guidance counselor talked to me in a rush earlier saying that one of my schools was requesting first marking period grades, but she didn't remember what it was off the top of her mind and figured it was my EA school (plus this is the only school I've submitted by app for). I wasn't aware that MIT would request them, so I told her they don't need to see them, but maybe they did request them? Anyone have any ideas on if MIT has been requesting them already or any reason why they would want to see them?

Posted by: 0 on November 16, 2007

@Sarah

You'll have to turn in a mid-year grade report no matter what, so yes, you should send it. It doesn't matter how much is actually on it.

@Anonymous

MIT has said that they'll contact your school if they want, so I'd say it's possible. Don't worry about it, it's what they do.

Posted by: Snively on November 16, 2007

What should we do if we already told our school to send our first quarter grades?

Posted by: Anonymous on November 16, 2007

When the time comes, tell them to send the mid-year as well.

Posted by: Snively on November 16, 2007

Right, exactly. Everything is in for me except Evaluation B. Is the Evaluation B Filing Office behind the rest? (Okay, so I don't know how admissions really works. But you know what I mean.) And if I shouldn't be worried now, when should I be worried?

Posted by: Lai on November 17, 2007

Lai,

I had the same problem with my Evaluation A; I was especially worried because I mailed them something after the Eval A was sent but it got there first. I guess it didn't mean anything because now it's all straightened out and my application is complete. I'd say to e-mail the Admissions office - that's what I did, and they responded in a reasonable amount of time. They were nice, too! (Thanks again for that, folks) :D

Posted by: Shamarah on November 17, 2007

Hey,
Just checking to make sure but: all my things are in except one letter of rec, which my teaceher sent several weeks ago. I am assuming it just hasn't been processed yet but I want to make sure. Should i be worried about it being lost in the mail yet?

thanks,
thomas

Posted by: Thomas'12 on November 17, 2007

Er, do letters of rec show up in the online tracking ?

Posted by: Isshak on November 17, 2007

@Isshak: Yes, they do. I think that it's about in the middle of the page, there are two checkboxes, one for Evaluation A and one for Evaluation B. Now you just have to remember who had which one

Posted by: Karen on November 17, 2007

Oh these are what you mean by letters of rec ? I thought it meant an letter of recommendation different then the teachers evaluation (and I didn't see a checkbox for that). Since I sent it with my two teachers evaluations (in the same big enveloppe), can I assume they received it ?

Posted by: Isshak on November 17, 2007

Om Shanti Om has the best music! *random*

Posted by: Anonymous on November 17, 2007

What do we do if our first semester grades will not be final until the fourth week of December? Can I send my quarter grades? I am in Early Action.

Posted by: Rhyan Villanueva on November 17, 2007

The mid-year report is meant to be sent after you finish the first semester or trimester or seomthing, depending on what system your school runs on. You can still send your quarter grades, but you will have to send the semester ones too.

Posted by: Becca on November 17, 2007

Is 1620 enough?

Posted by: BigBoy on November 18, 2007

okay, i know this has came up a lot, but i'm really worried.
i'm passionate, i love to take challenges, but i am not always good in everyone of them, i just like the challenge. and my sat score is in the 500 to 600 (not higher). i know you're going to tell me to just try we never know, but can the admission comitee take me more because of my personality/extra curriculars/teachers letters of rec/motivations then my academics ? i'm not bad, but i'm not very very good either..

Posted by: 0 on November 18, 2007

I recommend you take a look here:

http://web.mit.edu/ir/cds/2007/c.html

There's a lot of stats and stuff. So you find averages ("even" people with scores below 600), and a chart on the importance of things. Your SAT scores are "important", along with your grades and rank and so on, but the only thing "very important" are your personal qualities.

So it quite probably boils down to this anyway: Try and apply and find out.

Posted by: Matti on November 18, 2007

@ Anon: Your SAT score, by itself, does not define you. It's just a number. That being said, one of the primary responsibilities of the admissions department is to ensure that the students they select will not only survive but also thrive in MIT's rigorous academic environment. The SAT is one way (but not the only way) to gauge how prepared a certain applicant is for MIT. Ultimately, your scores, grades, personality, motivation, and everything else are considered together - while they all matter in different ways, you can't really say one is more important than the other.

@ Rhyan: Yes, you can send in your quarter grades now, though you don't have to (and you are not expected to). Either way, make sure you still send in your semester grades once they're available. If you refer to some of my earlier comments above, you'll find a more detailed answer to your same question.

Posted by: Paul on November 18, 2007

Follow-up: Thanks to Matti for pointing out that page. While I encourage everyone applying to remember that all parts of your applicant do matter, it looks like I mis-spoke when I said personality was equally important as scores. Instead, it turns out the admission committee values personal qualities more highly than just scores. Who'd have thought?

Posted by: Paul on November 18, 2007

so i am guessing most early applicants are admitted without even having their mid-year grade report in then?

Posted by: 0 on November 18, 2007

yes.

Posted by: Snively on November 19, 2007

Now, Anthony R hasn't blogged for months on end.. Why does MiT even bother to have his blog here anymore? Can't you scramble mr Snively so we get more frequent updates?

E

Posted by: E on November 19, 2007

Hey to whoever answers my blog. On my app I checked native american and I was sent a form by MIT asking a few questions about my heritage: are you registered, what tribe, ties maintained, etc. I am registered but will MIT confirm it with the council or do I need to send them a copy of my registration. I already sent in the question sheet with my answers; do I need to do anything else?
Thanks...Chief Bigfoot

Posted by: chief bigfoot on November 19, 2007

so if/when do I start panicking about my "Evaluation B" not having been processed?

Posted by: 0 on November 19, 2007

Wow, the statistics are intimidating. I'm a bit curious how the admissions committee judges personality. I'm certainly hoping it's not entirely based on the teacher's evaluation, I don't think I 'scored' too well there

Posted by: Anony on November 19, 2007

i'll be applying RA...but i still haven't taken the SAT so i'd have to take my SAT subject tests in Janauary....will dat be a problem???
nice to hear dat our movies r enjoyed by u all... personally i didn't like the movie much even though i am a huge shahrukh fan..

Posted by: Ahmad on November 19, 2007

In my freshman year in high school I was not academically motivated and performed slightly above par. Since then I have "turned a new leaf" and have been enrolled in AP courses with As and have been performing at the top of my class. Will my academic "evolution" be taken into account.

Posted by: Anonymous on November 19, 2007

completed.

Posted by: 0 on November 19, 2007

Ok I might sound melodramatic but Essay writing is not my idea of a bed of roses! GAH!I'm great at sci and math but gee, i only hope my not so above-average essay skills don't affect my application essays negatively though:(...I hope...

Posted by: Corrine on November 19, 2007

Thanks for posting this! I was going to email you guys and ask about 1st-quarter grades, so this was a big help

Posted by: Roy on November 19, 2007

what if an ea applicant's nov scores will noe be available to him before the nov 30? Will mit get it on time for ea?

Posted by: 0 on November 20, 2007

*not

Posted by: 0 on November 20, 2007

Hey Paul,
I applied EA, but I just got some good news from the Reischauer Program, can I send MIT an update?

Posted by: Cassandra on November 20, 2007

I have the same question. I received two awards this week, and I wonder if it's appropriate to notify Admissions even though my EA app is complete and the deadline has passed.Thanks.

Posted by: Dustin on November 20, 2007

@ Cassandra & Dustin: Yes, you can feel free to update Admissions on any really good news you may have gotten in the past few weeks. The best way to do this is probably by a quick fax that briefly explains the award or accomplishment. Make sure you include your full name and date of birth for processing.

That being said, you are under no obligation or expectation whatsoever to send in extra material, so please don't stress out too much about this. You're not going to be "penalized" if you don't send an update!

Posted by: Paul on November 20, 2007

Just for easier reference, the fax number is (617) 258-8304.

Posted by: Paul on November 20, 2007

can i send in two 500 word essays in response to the (last) optional essay ques?
Problem is: both convey my aspirations, interests etc equally.

Posted by: lisa on November 20, 2007

when do you actually BEGIN making decisions? and do you have a deadline for yourselves to finish this mountain of apps, or is it generally "mid-december-ish"?

Posted by: job on November 20, 2007

I am an international applicant and I just feel that MIT is the school for me.I believe I can take challendges, coz I have taken many so far.My extra curriculars are satisfactory(I had only about 5 to write about- a good coincidence!)and my grades are too good- among the top in my country.I have too many academic honors( but I just filled in the ones that the space can permit- bad coincidence this time round).But you know what the bad news is?My sat scpores total to 1780, my subject tests similarly disgusting:Math 620, Biology 670, Physics 660.Do think I should keep on trying or just give up?

Posted by: N'getich on November 22, 2007

@Ngetich....hey!!!We are from the same country!!
I think that as much as you need to forward SAT scores,the evaluation is made on an overall basis..ie,your scores are just part of the big picture.I dont have the best scores myself but am banking on the rest of my application to carry me through!:-)

...

Posted by: Waswani on November 23, 2007

English is the official language of Nigeria,can I have a waiver concerning TOELF.I can also provide a sworn affidavit to show that I have been using English Language as a means of communication for the past 18 years.

Posted by: Victor Alagbe on November 23, 2007

Hey, I have taken SAT Physics and I scored 620... I know that it is only a part of whole application and me but I'm curious whether it is enough? Second question: Will January scores be considered for international?
Tkanks alot:) Hope to get in MIT:)

Posted by: twardy on November 23, 2007

hey guys...
first of all Matt I was really shocked to read ur profile to find that u watch bollywood films...and am surprised that so many people at MIT watch them..I am a real fan of them too..
I have a few questions to ask:
I am a permanent resident in US but I moved here only this year so I had my schooling up to 11th grade in India...since I joined in the senior year over here I had a few mandatory courses for graduation which did not allow me to take enough APs and even the research courses I am surely capable of. Will the MIT admission staff consider this?? At present I have AP Chemistry and am doing really well in that...I am planning to take the AP Physics and English exams by studying on my own since I cannot do it through my school..so should I put this down in my application,,where?(i would be registering for the exam in march though)...

My teachers here do not know me very well but I have managed to get my evaluation forms done from my Chemistry and English teachers..but I feel it would add to my application if i could send along the recommendation letters from my previous school teachers...can i do this??

one last question....in India we did not have different levels of courses like "regular" or "honors". How should I complete the Self-reported course work section of the part 2 of my application as it is for the students in the U.S school system only ??

I know I have written way too much..sorry for that but please help me..

Posted by: moni on November 24, 2007

Hi Matt!
Firstly, thank you that you EXIST to answer our questions:)
Secondly, here is my question: I read carefully information about application requirements for international students and I know what tests I need to take. I've already taken TOEFL. But the thing is that it is impossible for me right now to register for two subject SAT tests. Could I just take SAT Reasoning? Will it be enough?
Thanx!!!

Posted by: Oksana on November 24, 2007

GOODMORNING,
I AM VARUN JOSHI,RESIDENT OF INDIA,AND WUD LIKE TO DO ENGENEERING FROM MIT..ITS MY AMBITION TO JOIN MIT..MY DADS IN THE ARMY..I DONT HAVE ANY INFO ON HOW TO GET ADMISION AT MIT.PLS GUIDE ME THROUGH THE PROCESS.ALSO I MISSED THE SAT EXAM AND WOULD GIVE IT THE NEXT TIME...PLS DO HELP ME
THANKS
VARUN

Posted by: VARUN JOSHI on November 26, 2007

Matt,

Hi from... MIT! I'm on my overnight visit right now (trying to figure out Linux for the first time in a computer cluster at the moment =P), and falling more and more in love with MIT by the minute. I was wondering if I could possibly send you guys an extra miniature essay (not some crazy 15 page deal; just a paragraph or two) outlining the reasons why I think MIT and I go so wonderfully well together that I'm not sure got across in the rest of my application. If you'd rather I didn't, that's fine too, but I really think it would add another dimension to what you guys in the admissions office see of me.

Thanks!
Becky

Posted by: Becky on November 26, 2007

I filled out the self-reported coursework, but a few of my classes really did not fit into any of the categories and I had no room to put them. So, in my extreme state of nervousness, I did what I do best and forgot, and I submitted my application without adding them. Is the self reported coursework crucial to the process?

I would also like to thank you for a very professional, yet personal application that makes me feel like I really put my personality on it.

Posted by: Alex on November 26, 2007

This is probably somewhere on the site and I just haven't looked yet, but does MIT only send application/deferral/rejection letters, or are applicants notified online as well?

Posted by: Xaq on November 28, 2007

what are the average sat I & II scores of the international students at MIT?

Posted by: bad SAT I,good SAT II on November 30, 2007

Matt,

I need your help please.... I am an international student... Lebanese nationality.. however studying in Saudi Arabia... in a British based education system... i hav good academic results throughout highschool... right around the 80 - 90% average score range... (we dnt use a GPA system here).... and hav good extracurriculars...
however there is one problem.. i cant seem to find any of my ninth grade certifications and awards... anything i can do for you to overlook this prob???
also... my SAT 1 score is quite below average in critical reading and writing... are there any exceptions in that matter for international students.. or those with English as a 'second language'...

thanks.

Posted by: Khaldoun on December 2, 2007

In some countries, getting more than 90% marks is very common(like USA). However, in my country, getting more than 70% is considered exceptional. How are you going to compare me with others? I am not responsible for that "bad" marks, but I may be penalized (by you!...I can't believe it).Of course, my rank was 1 over the past few years, I have 800+800 in SAT IIs and good Toefl Score.

Posted by: worried on December 3, 2007

hey matt..where are u ....plss respond to the soo many questions that ppl have asked u...the ra deadline is approaching sooon...plsss

Posted by: anonymos on December 6, 2007

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MIT Admissions

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Matt McGann '00

You Complete Me

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