Daniel Barkowitz | May 26, 2009
"Moneyman's Top 10 - a Greatest Hits"
So, Thursday is my last day at the Institute. I am sadexcitednervous-nostalgichappyconfidentready about taking the next step in my life's adventure (much as I am sure our graduating students are feeling about their own imminent departure from these hallowed halls).
As I depart MIT, I thought I would do a final post with my top 10 greatest hits (if you will), blog posts that are MUST READS from the 5 years of my blogging history. If you disagree with my picks (and comments on them) feel free to add your own below.
10. This post (or really series of posts) provides information on how we determine your family contribution. Before the recent introduction of our online calculator, this was the best way to find out information on the intricacies of our analysis. Even though these posts are over 4 years old, much of the information is still valid. Read the intro here, and parts 1, 2, and 3 follow.9. My Random 10 Songs on iTunes post, back before everyone else did it (that would be in 2005). You can find it here. Unfortunately it is an old post from the old platform, so none of the original comments got ported over when we converted to the new format, but I had many people playing along!
8. While we are on the topic of music, a post which (humorously, I hope) explores why we ask for all of that information.
7. For those of you who may feel that your dream remains out of reach, a post about our appeal process.
6. A trip to the Galapagos Islands... over my lunch hour... Only at MIT!
5. Congratulations, you've just won $1,000,000 (or an introduction to the Time Value of Money).
4. In 2008, we announced significant financial aid enhancements. The post is here. The conversation was long, intense and all-in-all very respectful of each other and of the space we created on the Internet. As the moderator / guide to the discussion, I thought this post really showed how transparent MIT is (given that the conversation was occuring live on our own blog).
3. Sometimes in the admissions application process, you get an answer that you didn't think you wanted. I shared some health news, my own admissions story, and how the door that closes behind you sometimes represents another door opening.
2. Just because I can:
1. And staying on the Snively theme, my favorite post has to be when Snively and I liveblogged Ben's Info Session. Of course, Snively did a much better job than I did.
I'm sure there are a ton more posts I could quote from, but why not do yourself a favor and click on the link above and to the right for my blog and read through the posts yourself. Better yet, maybe I should publish a book with the best ones.... Hmmm.......
It has been truly a remarkable gift for me to work with you over these last seven years, and to be part of this virtual (but all too real) community since we launched in 2004. I leave with a sense of pride in all we have accomplished together, and an assurance that the future for all of us will be bright. May your heart always carry you down your path, may your burdens be light and your joys be plentiful, and may you know the pleasure of true friendship and love as I have. This place has been home for me, and while I am leaving home I know I will be able to come back and visit in the future.
All my best, now and always!
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The author has filed this entry in the "Financial Aid" section; check it out for further reading on this topic. |
Responses To This Entry:
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Hey best of luck for your "first" steps into your new life!!! We'll all miss you!
Posted by: Shiv on May 26, 2009 02:39 PM
We will miss your blog! I never even got to meet you in real life >.>
Posted by: NathanArce on May 26, 2009 03:25 PM
Best wishes Daniel. I'll drop in and see you when I take my rising senior to Columbia for a campus visit. We are also saying goodbye to MIT. Louis has been very fortunate to secure a job in his (Course 16) degree field. He is bound for Houston after graduation. I will be forever grateful to you for all your help these past four years.I know you and your family will enjoy this new adventure. Good luck!
Posted by: intleyes on May 26, 2009 08:09 PM
Esteemed Daniel T. Barkowitz,
After a meticulous analysis of my current financial situation, calculating both the minimum payments as well as any accrued interest of Federal Perkins and Stafford loans, and estimating future earnings/expenditures (including the soon-to-be-implemented Voluntary Emergency-Liaison Operation of the Citizen's Invasive-Reptilian Adjustment Plan Tax On Revenue), I must implore a revision of my Financial Aid award, based on the suggestions outlined on the following document:
2009-2010 Revised Financial Aid Plan
Thank you for your time. Hope you enjoy Columbia. :)
Sincerely,
José P. '13
Posted by: José P. '13 on May 26, 2009 08:35 PM
JOSE! You ROCK!!!
I love it! Thanks for the link... (now everyone else, you need to click it and see for yourselves!)
Posted by: Daniel Barkowitz on May 26, 2009 09:30 PM
Mr. Barkowitz;
As a Columbia prefrosh I am glad to hear we will be starting our journeys at Columbia at the same time. Will you be bringing blogging to Columbia?
Roar Lions Roar!!!
Dan M.
Posted by: Dan M. on May 27, 2009 09:13 AM
Hello Mr. Daniel Barkowitz,
May I ask which day is the Teacher's day at MIT?
Thank you,
Posted by: Anonymous on May 27, 2009 09:54 AM
Intleyes, look forward to seeing you then!
NathanArce, come visit...
Shiv, thank you for your "first" wishes!
Dan M., I hope you come check out my new office in Lerner Hall once you arrive on campus. After the summer working at Columbia I should know my way around campus, so I'll be able to clue you in to the great places! As for blogging, who knows? We'll see what the future brings...
Anon, not sure what you mean by "Teacher's Day"? Tell me more...
Posted by: Daniel T. Barkowitz on May 27, 2009 10:46 AM
Dear Sir,
Great to have you with us now....
See you soon enough :)
Posted by: Rankeya (Columbia '13) on May 27, 2009 03:07 PM
I was an applicant this year to MIT.... sadly didnt make it.... but you helped me with the financial aid a lot...
Posted by: Rankeya (Columbia '13) on May 27, 2009 03:10 PM
@ DanM: okay i know i am not supposed to be here.... but columbia has a blog.....
visit
www.bwog.net
Posted by: Rankeya(Columbia '13) on May 27, 2009 03:14 PM
Hi Mr. Barkowitz!
Thank you so much for your help during CPW! I will be forever grateful. Of course im going to MIT...couldn't follow you to Columbia...lol! xD
Posted by: Mo on May 27, 2009 07:13 PM
Hello Mr. Daniel Barkowitz,
I asked about Teacher's day at MIT.
About four years ago, my friend sent a gift to me. It was an MIT T-shirt for luck.
I have decided to give the T-shirt to my teacher as a gift. That's the best thing I have.
Thank you,
Posted by: Anonymous on May 28, 2009 06:16 AM
Then I think any day you choose would be appropriate... What a wonderful gesture...
MIT Excellence Awards are usually presented in March, but there are all kinds of awards (for faculty, staff and students) that are presented during the year...
Posted by: Daniel Barkowitz on May 28, 2009 08:48 AM
Dear Mr. Barkwoitz,
I graduated yesterday from another institution, because despite your help, I couldn't afford to finish my final year at MIT.
In an attempt to either lick my wounds or pour salt in them, I'm not sure which cliche is more appropriate here, I came across your final post. I am sad you are leaving MIT, when we talked I thought you demonstrated a level of empathy that made you an asset to MIT.
Also- Ben's line in your top post about the formation of Bio-Chemistry- he stole that from my info session.
Posted by: Would be MIT '05er on May 31, 2009 02:42 PM
MIT's Fin Aid Dept claims that the "sticker price" should not be a factor in your decision to apply or enroll here. I read many stories about students getting accepted for admission into MIT and unable to afford it. I also read about MIT students that needed to take a leave from school for finacial reasons, and now a student who graduated from another school because of finacial reasons. Is this just a marketing scheme to increase the numbers of applicants and decrease the acceptance rate?
Posted by: Parent on June 4, 2009 12:46 PM
So, I am now wearing a different hat, but I still get the comments left here, so let me respond to this. I think it is unfair to characterize what has been said as "many stories" about lack of affordability. There are many factors that go into the decision about attending college and many reasons why someone may decline an offer of admission for "affordability".
For example, if a student is offered a full-ride scholarship at another school and turns down the MIT need-based award, is that an "affordability issue"? I could see both sides of that argument. Yes, as the family would have to pay more to attend MIT, but also no, since MIT does not offer any merit based money. Remember also that it is likely that the educational experience would be very different between these two options.
Also we (or I should say "they" since I don't work here anymore) are very transparant about policies and practices, much more so than many other institutions. This has now played out in the introduction of the financial aid calculator, allowing you to actually see into the workings of the financial need analysis. If you as a parent are concerned about affordability, you can look at the calculator to see how much MIT would award you (based on what you enter into the tool).
I object strongly to the characterization that the statement that MIT meets the full-need of every admitted student is a "marketing scheme." In fact, if it were it would be a tremendously expensive one. MIT will spend more than $80M in the coming year to provide need-based scholarship money to its undergraduate students. I can't think of a more worthwhile investment!
What you may be seeing (and reacting to) is the evolving definition of what constitutes financial need. This common definition has been eroding (witness the changes of several of MIT's peer schools) and the stduent who faces two differing definitions of need is often put in a precarious position. Sure, this may feel like an affordability crisis (and it is), but it has more to do with the current practices of schools with the resources to unilaterally (or bilaterally) lower PCs for a group or all of their applicants.
I hope this helps provide a context. I'm sure that the great staff in MIT's financial aid office can add more or answer any specific questions you have.
Posted by: Daniel T. Barkowitz on June 4, 2009 02:06 PM
@parent
Dear Parent,
Please don't let my story deter your child from applying to MIT. My situation was quite exceptional: when I had a child, my mother refused to continue contributing to my education. Unfortunately, MIT's policy made it difficult and ultimately impossible for Mr. Barkowitz and the Financial Aid Committee to consider my family's finances separately from my mother's. My mother's income is too large to be considered for aid, so I was unable to finance my final year.
At MIT, most people I knew were very satisfied with their aid packages and I never encountered a student who had to take time off or was unable to graduate for financial reasons.
Posted by: Would be MIT '05er on June 4, 2009 05:53 PM
