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MIT staff blogger Matt McGann '00

Waitlist and transfer: quick update by Matt McGann '00

No decisions yet, but some notes & reminders.

I know that with all the hubbub for admitted students, some of the waitlisted students and transfer applicants are feeling a little left out. So here’s a quick update.

Waitlist

It’s still too early to know whether or not we will use the waitlist this year, and if so how many students we can admit. For now, we are waiting to see how many of the 1597 admitted students choose to enroll by the May 1 deadline. After that time, we will reconvene and discuss the waitlist. You can see a lot of answers about the waitlist process in the waitlist blog entry from March 17th.

In the meantime, you should accept the offer of admission from another college before May 1, even if it means making a deposit. If you are still interested in MIT, you should stay in contact with us. I’d recommend an email, a letter, or a phone call. Keep us up to date all the way through May 1 and beyond if you remain interested.

Transfer

We are currently reviewing transfer applications for entry this Fall. Applications are up approximately 30% over last year. We plan to release transfer admissions decisions by May 6th.

While transfer admission is a small program at MIT, we love the transfer students we are able to admit. And of course, like in our freshman admissions process, all students are admitted in a need-blind fashion and we meet every student’s full financial need.

Thanks go out to Emily, with whom many of you have interacted during the transfer admissions process. She has done a great job in helping many students with their questions and facilitating things for the transfer admissions committee. (Transfer applicants — any Emily experiences you’d like to share?)

88 responses to “Waitlist and transfer: quick update”

  1. Jack says:

    Matt,

    Assuming I returned the waitlist postcard in March, will I be seriously considered for admission if I send no further updates?

    Thanks.

  2. Anonymous says:

    DO you know if transfer students go through the same process for REX as freshman?

  3. Transfer_S says:

    By the way, how will you release them? I mean, will you for example send an email to applicants?

  4. DK says:

    Ok, I asked this question on Paul’s blog but I am bringing it to you since you work in admissions.

    I am currently attending a CC that only offers algebra-based physics. I do want to take physics, but should I wait until I transfer and take calculus-based physics or would it be worth my while to take the algebra-based courses now?

  5. Jaslynn says:

    Matt, Just a random question. How does MIT feel about students who take a gap year after high school to intern at an engineering firm while taking community college courses? I am a junior and I really want to get some life experience before taking on college. What do you think?

  6. Anonymous says:

    Emily was really helpful during the process…I was not sure if I had included my application fee with my package, but Emily sent an email saying that they had received my application but not the fee and to send it ASAP. When I called later, verified that the office received it, and provided me with an update of my other application materials as well!

    Thank you! :D

  7. Paul says:

    I also had gone through a similar experience. I had forgot to put my signature on my check before sending it.And she’d mailed me after a few days requesting to send it again.
    I wanted to ask that how will you release the admissions decision? And will all the people get the admissions decision on may 6th or is it a rolling process?

  8. Transfer S says:

    Thanks Matt, I have been looking for any info about transfer for a long time. I am really exited to hear from MIT.

  9. Steph says:

    30% increase? Yikes. I hope it goes down when I apply next year. haha

  10. HuHao says:

    er,could you give me your email address??

    I am not so clear about the adminssion^^

  11. Chad Agrawal says:

    Emily was extremely open and accessible for transfer students…She definitely works for MIT.

  12. Steph says:

    HuHao — Was that comment directed at me? If so, just comment on my blog by clicking my name.

  13. future admit says:

    Hey Matt,

    I did lousy in one of my biology courses this semester and am considering retaking it this summer. Would this be a wise decision or should I just put it behind me and continue on with other courses?

  14. Avinash says:

    Thanks to Emily, she has been helpful in reminding that one of the reference letter did not reach MIT and when it is received, she confirmed receipt and acknowledged application is complete. Avinash

  15. From NY says:

    Emily was very helpful when I went to visit MIT last month. She answered patiently and with a smile to all the questions I had. she updated my application when I asked her to
    Thanks for the job ur doing

  16. Troy Yang says:

    Hi Matt,

    Thanks so much for this update. I hope there will be some spots left for wait-listed students after all is said and done. When do you think the information regarding how many spots are left will be released? Thanks again.

  17. Jason says:

    Yes. I remembered Emily had reminded me that I lacked one of the recommendation. Thanks her so much. ^_^

  18. MIT's lover says:

    It’s May 3, how are the numbers looking? is there any chance for waitlist students? please post an update.

  19. TOT says:

    Matt,

    Emily was a superb help for me during the transfer process. I’m an american student studying overseas trying to transfer back to the US, can you imagine the sort of difficulties I had? She was great and responded to my emails quickly and with in depth advice and help. No matter how my application goes, I am extremely grateful with working with someone who truly was there to talk to. Thank you so much!!

    xox

  20. Transfer S says:

    May 6. Today is the day. Good luck everyone. Finger crossed

  21. Transfer S says:

    May 6. Today is the day. Good luck everyone. Finger crossed

  22. Dave says:

    Are the notifications via email or are they just being mailed today?

  23. Anonymous says:

    I think they will send an email.

  24. What time do decisions release? Heart Beating…

  25. Transfer says:

    aaaaa…
    Good luck to everyone!!! wink

  26. Anonymous says:

    freshman admissions were released at 2pm EDT, maybe it will be the same with the transfer.

  27. Jake says:

    So no one else has received their notification yet?

  28. Freshman decisions were released on March 14th, 1:59
    as the same as π(3.14159), is there any implication for the number combination of 5 and 6?

  29. Leonardo says:

    Probably means they won’t actually release them until Friday at 1:21pm.

  30. Anonymous says:

    @fingerscrossed How about http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5.56 but probably it not as scientific as 3.14.

  31. Transfer says:

    @fingerscrossed:
    or maybe this one http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stefan-Boltzmann_constant then we will have to wait until 7:00 pm…

  32. Transfer says:

    I meant 7:04 pm of course raspberry

  33. SB constant seems more likely than cartridge.Well, Mass of Saturn:5.68e26…good luck at 8 pm

  34. Anonymous says:

    Here comes a good one: 5*6=30 ==> “Applications are up approximately 30% over last year.”

  35. Anonymous says:

    how about we call and ask them. maybe they won’t even send an email.

  36. I knew many called for their decisions, however received disappointing answers. I prefer waiting till tonight…Has anyone get positive feedback?

  37. Anonymous says:

    Has anyone heard for sure that they’re emailing decisions? I haven’t heard a word from MIT since submitting my application.

  38. Transfer says:

    Neither did I

  39. I am sure they said they are going to Email the decisions on May 6th…check to see if you are checking the same Email inbox as the one you put on the application

  40. Transfer_S says:

    I wrote to Emily in april and she said “
    We will email decisions in early May.”.

  41. Anonymous says:

    Any1 got their notification yet?
    *finger crossed*
    my whole body is shaking madly…I cant even type properly now…

  42. Anonymous says:

    nope no word yet..

  43. Anonymous says:

    nope no word yet..

  44. Anonymous says:

    I have no ideas why I get so many email notifications 2day…of course none of them is from MIT yet…but at this rate Im gonna have heart attack for sure lolz

  45. From NY says:

    same here i haven’t ate since this morning grrrr its 65 out but i’m so cold

  46. Anonymous says:

    Does anybody know when do we get the email?

  47. jake says:

    yeah, i can’t take this suspense for much longer. I have several finals that I need to be studying for, but simply can not focus on anything but this.

  48. Anonymous says:

    Nothing, been waiting here all day attempting to study for finals with my email open.

  49. true that. I am studying for OB and can’t help peeking at the screen every few minutes.

  50. Anonymous says:

    refresh this page and my email every 10 seconds…

  51. Transfer_S says:

    same with me

  52. Anonymous says:

    Somebody could really get everyone going by saying they received an email saying they got in. Everybody would go crazy wondering where theirs is.

  53. I almost did that

  54. Anonymous says:

    Great minds think alike. smile

  55. tot says:

    so did I…but then i thought of karma and decided against that

  56. Anonymous says:

    yeah that would totally not be cool

  57. Anonymous says:

    Well I just figured the decisions are already made, so whats done is done. It’s not possible to change the past. Might as well get a little fun out of this tormenting situation.

  58. maybe the admission officers are watching us and there are great possibilities they will alter decisions as the last minute. Too bad this is anonymous…otherwise, for the sake of waiting like this, we should all be granted admission

  59. Anonymous says:

    lolz that’s so true.

  60. Transfer_S says:

    On the other hand, I think we are like people in an empty room whore are waiting for a phone call, but not getting it because of some problems with the caller.

  61. Transfer_S says:

    I meant because of some technical problems on the side of a caller.

  62. Anonymous says:

    oops, whore are would be who are…alright whatever…

  63. Anonymous says:

    So are you saying we should call the police to make sure MIT admissions is ok?

  64. tot says:

    AHHH QUICKLY SOMEONE CALL THE 911!!!! ITS AN EMERGENCY!!!

  65. would it make everyone feel better if they only release email for the admitted ones at last minute? Has anyone called AO?

  66. Transfer_S says:

    now we are having fun:))))))

  67. this is disappointing, still no email, I am off to eat my lunch

  68. Transfer_S says:

    OK. I think they are not going to email anything. Lets not waste time waiting.

  69. yo, guys…new updates, just called them and they said tmr morning!

  70. Anonymous says:

    seriously, tomorrow morning?

  71. that’s what she (probably Emily) said

  72. Transfer_S says:

    so they are going to EMAIL tomorrow morning?

  73. Yes. I believe that’s correct…you may call the transfer admissions office if like, i am off to enjoy life

  74. Anonymous says:

    Thanks fingerscrossed, I would have wasted more valuable time I should be putting into studying.

  75. Allie says:

    OMG, I can’t wait no longer. it is so difficult to wait. i can’t believe that I have to wait another day. i have a big presentation tomorrow. i dont think i can do any work.

  76. Anonymous says:

    Yup another 20 hours of being tortured lolz

  77. Allie says:

    do you know what time they will send the e-mail tomorrow. I might call them

  78. Emily S says:

    Hi, all. This is Emily from the Transfer Admissions Office. As you have probably heard, our numbers are up this year. We have been working long and hard, reviewing each and every application, giving you all the time and consideration you deserve.

    However, because of the increase in applications, we are just a bit behind schedule. I hate to tell you this, but decisions will not be released today. We will email all decisions tomorrow (Thursday, May 7) morning.

    I know how anxious you are, and I’m very sorry for the delay! Good luck to all of you!

  79. Duc says:

    Thanks Emily.
    And good luck to all of you who still have finals.

  80. please says:

    Tomorrow morning. Please come as soon as possible please.

  81. Good Luck to EveryOne!!!

  82. Anonymous says:

    Thanks for the update, Emily. smile