first.. :P

How do you guarantee that they will not have an advantage if so many of them are admitted later. I could not make the EA deadline because I had a torn wrist the week before I was supposed to take the SAT.

I'm really big into mock trial and I was wondering whether a video of me performing would be appropriate. If so, what would be the best format to send?

Fourth!

@Matt,

Thank you very much for the advice. I am working on my other college apps, but I definitely keep MIT as my number one choice.

You say that we don't need to edit our applications, but is there any way to?

I didn't notice until afterwards that the uploaded version of my essay had all of the apostrophes missing, so some of my essay looks kind of dumb :\

Also, at the point when I sent my application, I wasn't sure if I had a good answer for any of the optional essays, but now I do. Would there be any way to add those to my application?

Thank you so much for this.

Jermaine, let me assure that no one at MIT has an advantage solely because of when they apply. Quite simply, anyone who was deferred during early action is a very strong applicant to begin with - this, and nothing else, is why many deferred students end up being accepted during the regular round.

That being said, if you take a peek at the statistics, the majority of students admitted are those who simply applied during the regular round - like me! :D

Hi Matt. What else can be done in conjunction with "Simply sending in additional materials...?" You say that it "does not by itself increase your chances of admission." Do you mean that it does not simply increase your chances, but it gives the reviewers a better overall picture of the applicant?

Thanks.

Matt, what number should the counselor call? 617.253.3400?

If we want to send additional material, is the deadline January 1?

I'M GETTING IN!

do people admitted in regular decision get tubes like the EA?

@Dan

Nope, sorry, tubes are just for EA. Although, we were discussing it the other day, that's the only difference between EA and RA. You don't get any special previliges or anything until March if you get accepted EA.

Considering the increase in admitted EA students this year, are you expecting to admit more RA students as well? Or did you admit a higher percentage of the freshman class through EA this year.

Also, does anyone have the statistics on admitted / deferred / denied students from this year's EA? I want to crunch some numbers :)

I have the same question as Karen. With 522 students admitted, that means the RA admits will either have to go down or the total will need to increase. Personally, I'm hoping for the latter.

The number of EA is pretty high, does that mean that the number of RA will go down...That's scary, MIT is my dream of all dreams. And will that threaten the chances for the international students??

Dear Matt,

In point number cuatro, you said that we could keep you up-to-date with our lives. I have a few questions about it:

1) Can we write it as a letter? Or would the Admissions Office prefer a list for easier and quicker perusing?

2) Actually, do we keep you up-to-date by e-mail or by snail mail? Or can we do either?

3) Is it okay if we send updates frequently? Not every day, of course, but maybe once a week or once every two weeks? Or would you rather us just send one very long letter?

Thank you for your help!

Sincerely,
Natasha

PS: I'm also curious about the size of the RA acceptance pool this year. On that topic, could anyone tell me why so many EA applicants were accepted? (Unless MIT is allowing 2012 to be a much bigger class size, isn't it MIT's admission policy to have only a certain percentage of the entire class be admitted via EA? ... man, that sounds a bit hostile! Don't mean to sound like that. I'm just curious, that's all.)

PPS: Ah! One more question. I really need to learn to, you know, not press the submit button when I'm not completely sure I'm done.

Er.

Anyways! If we keep you updated, does it necessarily have to be only about "exciting things" that happen, or can it about little lesser things? Nothing like "Oh, today I went shopping and bought the cuuutest dress ever!" but things like "Today I went to [Band Name]'s concert. It was not their best performance." Things like that? ... Am I making sense? Oh dear.

Thanks for the advice! I'll be sending in some supplementary materials of my own, though I'll try not to inundate you with too much mail. But first, I must reluctantly finish these other apps

Well, I'm really glad you listed U Chicago as places that MIT applicants tend to be happy at, since I got in there early.

But say we want to edit our essays? Is that even an option?

so, if 522 students were accepted, how many were deferred? And will the class size still be about 1000? Cause then that would be about 50% of the class, which is more than 30%...

Don't worry Matt, I'll keep you updated.

Also, I'll try and take your advice, but I don't think California would suite me well. Thanks in advance for reading my application a second time!

P.S. I noticed another Trevor posted before me. I'll be looking up the stats, but I think MIT could use a higher percentage of Trevors. ;)

P.S.S. I looked up the stats:

There are 60,711 people in the U.S. with the first name Trevor.
Statistically the 697th most popular first name.

@Trevor P: The fun thing is to find people with the same exact name as you. Now, that's kind of an odd experience. My fellow name-holders range from a (somewhat, I think) famous tennis player to a criminal charged with a pretty big felony. You?

Well, I can't think of anyone famous, but there is the Trevor project.

As I understand it, there was a boy name Trevor who was scared that people would find out that he was gay, then some kids at school found out and he killed himself.

So, around my school, there are posters for a gay/questioning youth hotline, and the number is 1-800-4U-TREVOR or something to that effect.

It gets better though. They had their first newsletter come out earlier this year. The top corner had dates for events, which included "Trevor Pool Party."

My last name is Pool.

So, no one famous, but a crazy coincidence.

@Trevor P (part deux): That's tragic and very sad. There's not much I can add to that.

"Trevor Pool Party" -- I immediately had this imaginary conversation in my head:

Student A: "Hey, are you going to the Trevor Pool Party?"
Student B: "Do you mean the Pool Party of Trevor or the Party of Trevor Pool?"
Student A: "... You lost me at 'Do you mean.'"

@Natasha

I was tempted to go, but the party was in L.A. and I am in Atlanta.

I could show up, claim the party as my own...
...and that's where the plan fell apart.

My friends have had some fun with it too, claiming that wherever I go, it's always a Trevor Pool Party.

@Trevor P

Atlanta to LA? Why, that's just a hop, skip, and a jump! (and possibly a second star to the right)

One day, you will turn around in the hallway, and your friends will all be wearing party hats, throwing confetti, and popping party poppers.

try
{
application.sumbit();
}
catch(DeferralException e)
{
e.printStackTrace();
}
//Output:
/*
It's not over yet! Keep trying!
*/

Hey guys,

Just cuz we got deferred doesn't mean we can't post anymore code on these blogs...We still have a chance. Let's make it count.

-Deferred

time to wait till march.

@Natasha

As long as there's cake...

I hope we both end up getting in, we can throw Trevor Pool Parties outside the dome in a foot of snow

I'll make the cake!

Natasha...could you possibly be the same Natasha who went to GSE this summer?

@Trevor P

Chocolate or vanilla? Mmmm, ice cream cake...

Yes! We could put out those little inflatable pools (the ones for kids), and put up big beach umbrellas and lay out towels for sunbathing. And we can start a string of "TREVOR POOL PARTY HACKS" at MIT's swimming pool(s?).

Good luck to us both, Mr. Trevor P, sir!

@Natasha

I'm thinking chocolate with vanilla or mint chocolate chip ice cream...or maybe a cookie cake?

I also wish fortune's blessing upon us, Ms. Natasha, ma'm (say the "ma'm" in a Southern accent, it's much more fun. Or yes'm if answering a question)

@Bryan: No, that's not me. I was studying abroad for most of the summer. Maybe she'll show up sometime later in the blogs! :D We will subsequently have Natasha Talks.

When I was a wee naive child, I used to think my name was unique to myself. Solution: Make myself so famous that when someone says "Natasha" the first thing they think is "Oh that girl" (... hopefully I'll be famous for good reasons!). Is this a viable idea, Monsieur Bryan?

@Trevor P:

Aw, man. I'm getting really hungry. BUT MINT CHOCOLATE CHIP is an A+ IDEA. Mint chocolate chip lords over all the ice cream flavours.

But, on the other hand, cookie cake is a fabulous and glorious idea! This... this... this requires complex decision-making.

Why, Mr. Trevor, sir! What a lovely drawl you have! (haha, I'm actually not that good at Southern accents, despite living in VA for a few years. A NC girl recently moved here though -- Are thy Georgia accents similar to those of the northern neighbor of thy northern neighbor's accents?)

Should additional life info be sent by snail-mail or email?

I noticed Natasha asked this question but I'm not sure it got answered. Just double-wondering.

Thanks!

@ Natasha

The accent can vary by region. I live very close to the city, so I don't consider myself to have an accent. However, I do have relatives around the south and can do the various subtleties of the southern "dialect" on command.

North Georgia is similar to SC and NC, but southern Georgia and the regions close to and in Alabama, it sounds like the stereotypical, red neck "hey y'all, watch this!!" Occasionally, you'll find some grandmothers in GA, SC, and NC who sound like Scarlet O'Hara.

PS I consider "y'all" to be a proper conjunction colloquially, though it is rarely (actually, never) used in formal text.

@Trever: Everyone has an accent :-p You just don't notice your own because your used to it...

And Natasha, Virginia is hardly south but some of them do sound quite southern!

And on the topic of the South....I love sweet tea! But they don't have it many places in the North :(

I use "y'all" occasionally when I'm typing to a group, such as an email or chat room. However, unless 'southern drawl' refers to southern New Hampshire, I'm pretty sure I'm just making it clear who I'm refering to.

@ DHowdy

I suppose everyone has an accent, but I meant that I do not have a pronounced Southern accent (so I think, a Canadian once told I had an American accent)

Also, sweet tea is absolutely delicious, but so are most teas (I love me some earl grey).

Oh, and here's some Georgia law makers in action:
"Representative John Noel, D-Atlanta, and four co-sponsors filed a bill...that would make it a misdemeanor not to offer sweet tea in any Georgia restaurant that serves iced tea. Violators could be jailed for up to 12 months."

A bill after my own heart :-p

I'm from "southern" Maryland, though it's pretty middle if you ask me....We pretend we're from the south here, but I don't think we've got anyone fooled

Yeah, that's the way I see it. Everyone has an accent - an accent is just a way of pronouncing a language, not a deviant from a standard non-accented thing.

Generic American is an accent =)

- Generic American

I like accents, variants of language are actually rather interesting :)

Although...North Dakota is another story....I couldn't finish watching the movie Fargo....I'm just playing, don't cha know? :-p

well this has really been my lucky week... i got deferred AND i got west nile fever... lovely...

knowing my luck ill end up with meningitis by the end of the week. Oh boy!

And by the way my family is from Fargo. My mother's family that is. My father's mother is from the ozarks and my grandfather is from oklahoma as is my father.... I'm a city boy.

@ Trevor P

I use ya'll ALL the time, and I also use its plural form: all ya'll. I love Texas, even though I live in a city I still get to retain some of the accent!

If we get deferred Matt, can we still do the Overnight Program?

With 522 already in, I really doubt whether the deferred really have equal chances as RAs.

My daughter has been deferred. I have thoroughly enjoyed the journey as a parent, my daughter is also very excited and started applying to other colleges with the same focus as she was with MIT app. That is a useful distraction for her not to think too much about the final outcome from MIT in mid March. I am proud of her and if she keeps same passion and desire, if a top college admission is bound to happen in her life, it will happen. Best wishes!!!

Um, for all the people running numbers out there, I'm like 80% sure the class of 2012 will be bigger than the rest of the classes. I might be wrong, but they're making Ashdown, which is a grad dorm, into an undergrad dorm, so there's room for about ~100ish people. But I have no clue when that goes into effect, i.e., I don't know if the 2012ers will benefit from it. You might want to look that up on the Tech's website.

OK, so I said 80%.... make that more like .80%. I read something like that somewhere (probably the tech) but idk. Seriously look it up. But as I've said before, take everything I say with a grain of salt. I'm very misinformed.

Great post Matt, I especially liked the list of other schools as you had some I had yet to consider. But with MIT still my top choice, I’ll have to keep you updated with some supplementary materials as well.

Re: Trevor P.
If you're placing all your hopes on cake, you'd better be ready for disappointment.

The cake is a lie.

The cake certainly is a lie.

WCC is the only objective truth. Long live WCC, :/

I wrote this in the "Not Admitted" Blog a few minutes ago but I think it'd be more prevolent here.

I guess this is the first time I'm going to respond to one of these long posts here. I spent day and night on my MIT application, perfecting it as best I could... To tell you guys the truth, I don't have anywhere near the grades/test scores to get into MIT at all... I applied here because I know MIT is right for me, because the way I have lived my life and things I have invovled myself in are what MIT prides itself on. But to all the guys that got differed or not admited... Please know this. A number does not define a person, its the quality of their character and personality that due, hence the reason its the only box MIT checks as "Very Important" on their application review. In the end the kids with the numbers aren't going to be remembered but rather the kids who changed the world against all odds.

Good luck to all the guys going RA (aka me) but like I said, even if I do get denied, I plan on framing my letter and putting it in my office some day.

Jack

I concur with Jack. At a school like MIT, you're admitted more because of your character and less because of your grades and test scores. People with 2400s and linear algebra on their application get denied flat out, no deferral or anything. From what I understand, MIT looks at your grades and test scores to make sure that their work load won't kill you.

@Jack

This is my first blog ever. All I want to say is that Jack...your amazing thank you.

Official slogan of the deferred:

"Tubes for RA!"

I agree with "Me." As in Me, the poster, not myself.

Also, could someone clarify the deadline for deferred EA students to send in additional material? Is it Jan. 1?

@Me
I thought RA didn't get tubes. Am I wrong?

@Anonymous
I believe that you can send things in until March when MIT finalizes their decisions.

@Jack

I love your post. I worked on my application for over a month before I finally got it perfected. I definitely have the grades to get into MIT, but not the test scores. I suck at standardized tests and I always screw them up somehow. Yeah, I got deferred, but even though we're not in YET, it still means we have a chance. Good luck everyone! And I hope everyone has a Joyeux Noël!

biz

@PJW

No you're not wrong, for now! I (along with many of my fellow deferrees/RA applicants) hope that MIT starts sending tubes to RA acceptances too, hence the slogan =)

I guess rallying cry would have been more appropriate?

"Tubes for RA!"
I like. It's a great rallying cry.
I know the game at this point is to apply to a plethora of other colleges, but I just got my ED from Cornell and I'm feeling a bit dejected. And rejected. It made my MIT deferral look good- I got flat-out denied for the CU College of Engineering. Cornell and MIT were my first choices-- they were MY schools!-- so now it's MIT or nothing. Although RPI's my third choice, and it made my day to see it on Matt's list of "other good schools." Thanks for the ray of hope, Matt!
As for the rest of us Deferred: "Tubes for RA!"

@Jack

Thanks for your post. It kinda cleared my head a bit after the deferral. I was (and still am) intimidated by the whole "I'm already published in several major journals and as a hobby I enjoy saving the world" type people. But what you said refocused me. So thanks again.

And I heartily throw my weight behind the "Tubes for RA!" idea.

I definitely agree- Tubes for RA!!!!!!

Not actually related to the post, but I have a rather urgent question.

We keep our green card in a safe and out of sight, so I just realised it expired the 9th of December -- yes, it has passed.

The thing is, can I send it anyway to qualify for admissions as a PR student? My single-parent mother was supposed to file for renewal a while ago, but she leaves for work at 4 am, ferries my sister and I around, and by the time she gets done the offices are generally all closed, and she has been loathe to miss overtime to get to it, especially because we've just skipped this month's rent anyway (luckily our landlord is so kind).

Basically, I hope I can still assert myself as a PR and just assure the AdCom the renewal is on its way, so I don't have to count as an international student.

The other thing is that my transcript for the local state university where I am dual-enrolled may be delayed because we haven't been able to pay the fees on time -- not the tuition, which was covered by both my institutions -- but things like health and transport fees, even though I don't even have a car to park anywhere on the campus! AS such I am expecting a delay -- would it be a problem if it were sent late?

@john riemann soong

Just in case Matt is unable to reply to these posts due to sheer size and busy-ness, I really suggest e-mailing your concerns to the Admissions Office. Your concerns are a very important matter.

Thanks for the advice Matt! I did talk to my guidance counselor. Because MIT is still my number one choice, my counselor and I have decided to send in a package that will enable MIT addmissions personnel to better understand me as a person. I would like to know, however: will the material I send truly be considered (I mean, all of it)??
Thanks so much! Happy Holidays to all!

"tubes for RA"

I am also one of those applicants that don't have the test scores or linear algebra on there app but i feel that MIT is the place for me. I feel that they can feed my drive for learning and passion to create. Whether or not I am accepted I will not regret spending countless hours on the application because at least I know I tried. I wish the best of luck to everyone here.

I'm glad to see some support of the "Tubes for RA!" cry.

I was thinking of making some sort of site/facebook group to try to get some numbers in support, but I fear that this may be frowned upon by the admissions officers (not the people I care to upset in my current situation)...any ideas?

@Matt - Mahalo for the information and advice! Help is always a refreshing thing to find. As others have mentioned, I too would love to hear something about the number of admits possibly growing (or at least just some information about the numbers)(maybe in the "Return of the Questions Omnibus 2"?) ;)

@Fellow Deferrees - No. Though I'd probably chew my own arm off to get a tube because of the sheer awesomeness of them (and please don't attack me when I say this, but), I do believe that it should be reserved for the EA's only. I mean, they've earned it. The admissions staff wouldn't have chosen them if they hadn't. I would, however, like to petition to have either confetti or a poster in the 10" x 13" regular admit letter ^_^ (Just having confetti would be enough for me though [if I get one that is]) lol That's just my opinion though. Good luck all (Deferred and RA)!

Happy Holidays!

@ME

I pretty sure that the admissions office reads these often. So just by a large number of us showing support for "tubes for RA" will get the message through to them.

When they learned I was deferred, several of my teachers (especially the recommenders) wanted to call the Admissions Office to give a "verbal recommendation," as one of them called it, or, at least, send in another letter. Is this allowed? Or would you rather not have that happen?

I'm sorry that you guys haven't gotten in yet, but all hope isn't lost. I am a freshman this year and I got in after being deferred and not sending in more information. Have a great second semester and hopefully I'll see you next year.

I'm sorry that you guys haven't gotten in yet, but all hope isn't lost. I am a freshman this year and I got in after being deferred and not sending in more information. Have a great second semester and hopefully I'll see you next year.

I consider applying for college like applying for a job or a date (just that it has higher standards). They have a difficult choice to make, but since you didn't get rejected at the start, that means they just want some time to think or compare you to others.

So.. I'd suggest not really worrying about extra materials, unless it makes you look better. I'm not sure, but I don't think further recommendations are necessary. The recommendations are just to make sure you can be trusted and to give a portrait of you, I think. Unless they're going to recommend something about you that wasn't mentioned in the earlier one. You want to show that you still care about going there, but not look like a stalker! It can be a bit hard to balance, makes me happy that I'm applying RA ;)

But it looks like this year is a very competitive one. I'm hoping that I'd still get in, but I'm not putting my hopes as high as I did :P. Still, like Jack, I think I'll frame my letter as well, accepted or not. I'm a bit loud when losing, but I'd still be happy to lose to worthy competition :)

@Trevor, Natasha: A bit late on the conversation, but I'm willing to bet that my full name is unique enough to be the only one of its type ever ;). Where did you two check? (On the down side, my name is so long that my TOEFL & SAT slips cut out a few letters from it. I hope that doesn't affect id checks or anything later)

Matt,
Could you give me your phone number so that I can ask question directly to you. It will be helpful for me. Sometimes I want to know certain things about MIT and I have to wait for months.

yes, tubes for RA....

I agree with Anonymous in that Tubes should be send to RA students. They also got admitted to MIT. Well, lets see what they decide. But we can tell them...why not? its worth a chance.

@De Petagma Saru

I understand what you mean when you say that the EA have earned them, but really don't you think any admit to MIT has had to work hard to get there?

I still say,"Tubes for RA!"

Seriously. Why DON'T regular action acceptees get tubes? It draws a thick, resentful line between EA and RA. People that get in RA are just as smart! They deserve something as cool as tubes too.

I'm making a rallying cry right along with you guys: "Tubes for RA!"

Tubes for RA, indeed!

What do we international application do?? WE WANT TUBES! WE WANT TUBES!!

@deferred students,

The application process is not as much as a qualification test, as it is an attempt to match two things: the college and the applicant. So, if you are not compatible with a particular college, it does not mean that you're not good enough for it. It just means that they feel that you will be better off else where. So, don't lose heart, and regardless of the ultimate decision (which is not ultimate at all), love yourself for what you are.

@Matt,

correct me if wrong.

Hey Matt,

Thanks for this post. Keeps my hope intact to know that there is still a chance.

Quick question- I am in the process of filing an idea patent for some research I have been working on. If I do get it, can I submit it for consideration (will it find its way to my application?) when it is being reviewed for the regular decision?

Hey,I have a question...
I'm sending in supplementary materials for music, and it says I need to attach a recommendation from a teacher. Am I supposed to attach it to the e-mail or can the teacher send it directly to the address? I don't think my teacher would want me to read what he wrote about me...

Maybe we can mix it up. Scratch the tubes, RA admits should get something different. And deffered EA people who are eventually admitted should get the best packing; they did have the most stress.

Pyramids for RA!

@ Laser-- that is an awesome idea.

agh! stress! I just wish I knew what they are looking for. I feel like if I don't do something better with my application, I'll get the same result.

Hope. Still got it.

@Dan: If you're attaching your supplementary materials to an e-mail, the admissions office can't open it due to their filters. You have to paste all materials into the body of the e-mail or just mail them directly to the admissions office.

any official word on the increased number of EA admits this year yet?

Frustums for RA? I'm scared you-know-what-less about all those EA admits. That's insane. The admissions people say they try to avoid admitting over 30% of their freshman classes EA, so this either means that 2012 is going to be HUGE or that the rest of us are screwed. Completely and utterly screwed. The latter seems the likeliest, unfortunately. I seriously doubt that an urban university like MIT has tons of extra unused space ready for a 500 freshman surplus. So, odds are, all of us are going to end up in second-rate places full of second-rate people. Hooray.

And the second-rate people: three guesses who they are. Come on, guess...

THEY'RE US!

*shakes fist at heavens*

I hate this whole process. I hate the forms. I hate the essays. I hate the people who read the forms and the essays. I hate the whole damn thing.

Have a nice evening everyone.

@platypus01 - According to The Tech, it was 3,937 applicants. Not sure if that's official, but that's what it says.

@Twilight Bob - Sorry to hear that you're a bit uhhh...down about the whole application/admission process. The most recent edition of The Tech says, "Despite the increase, Schmill said MIT would continue to 'only enroll approximately 30 percent of the class in the early action round.'" Also, going on other articles in The Tech, as Hunter mentioned, the graduate dorm Ashdown is supposed to be converted to an undergraduate dorm in (once again quoting The Tech) Fall of 2008. It also says that Ashdown has about 360 beds, and by Fall of 2008 (according to the MIT Housing's official site on this subject) 550 beds. Don't be so down, I'm sure if some major event happened that doomed everyone's application happened, we'd hear about it [one way or another]. If you look at your chances negatively, it'll just get to ya more, and everything will just bite.

Also, we're not second-rate. If you're even considering MIT as a choice for your school next fall, there's no way you can just call yourself second-rate. No matter what your decision/action might have been, think about it. If you're considering MIT, you can most likely have your choice when it comes to most other colleges. Some people would do anything to put themselves in this position. I doubt anyone who applied to MIT this year, or any year, were second-rate, unless they just applied as a joke [but who'd go through all of that for a joke?]. Hope things start going better for you, and good luck this year.

Hmmm, just wanted to correct myself. Seems I didn't read well enough. The new graduate Ashdown will have 550 beds. The undergraduate Ashdown will have 360 beds. though this may seemingly leave around 150 freshmen SOL, you also have to consider undergrads joining fraternities, sororities, or other independent living groups. Oh well, maybe I'm looking at things the wrong way, but I think MIT will stay true to their word. Once again, good day and good luck.

The waiting's getting to me. I said dumb things that I didn't mean. So it looks like we're still in the game. That's good to know. I'd just like to apologize to everyone here for what I said--it's completely uncharacteristic of me to come unglued like that. De Petagma Saru is right--we aren't second rate. We are Professional Grade. Like the pickup trucks. So let's all wait and see what happens. It might me amazing.

Forget beds--I'll live on a subway if I can go to MIT.

All right, I've sort of been MIA on the blogs for the past few days (finals tend to have that effect ^_^), but hopefully I can help clear up a few issues.

Regarding Tubes: I have no idea how the tradition of tubes for EA started, though I imagine part of it is practicality - there's a lot stuffed into those tubes, and sending a poster flat doesn't work very well. Although it may seem to create this divide between EA and RA, let me assure that, at least in my experience, it doesn't really matter once you get here. :)

However, since I helped (in a very small part) to originate the "Tubes for RA" cry, I feel slightly responsible for the recent hub-bub. Although I can't promise anything, I assure you I'll mention it to Matt and/or Ben. :) That being said, both Matt and Ben (and several others in the Admissions Office) do read the blogs fairly regularly, so I'm fairly confident they know what's going on anyway. ;)

Regarding the number of EA admits: one of the admissions officers should be posting about this soon, but most of your guesses aren't that far off the mark. Finally, as De Petagma Suru pointed out above, the Director of Admissions himself has gone on record that MIT still expects to fill only ~30% of the class through Early Action - and if that's not good enough assurance for you, I don't know what is. ^_^

Regarding increasing the undergrad population: yes, this is definitely in the works (and has been for some time, actually). The conversion of Ashdown House from graduate housing into an undergraduate dormitory will play a big role in this increase. There are actually a lot of interesting things going on with Ashdown that I may have opportunity to blog about later, but I'm sure what you all want to know is: Does this mean the Class of 2012 will be bigger than previous years? My answer is a tentative yes - but it's at this point it's really too early to say for sure.

"Forget beds--I'll live on a subway if I can go to MIT."

ditto. it just seems so much like the right place for me...

"unless they just applied as a joke [but who'd go through all of that for a joke?]."

my stat teacher this year told us that when he was in our shoes, he applied to harvard just to be able to have something with their letterhead on it, even though he knew he wouldn't get in. When his mom found out and asked "Why'd you do that?" he just said "Cause I wanted a letter from Harvard."

just got my tube down here in texas, happy holidays!

Hi,
Does anybody know if the January 26 SAT scores will be considered for the deferred applicants?
Thanks.

This is what the website says, but I didn't see anything for deferred appplicants:

Dec. 2007 • Last month for Regular Action applicants to take required standardized tests. Please note: January tests may be accepted on a case-by-case basis.

I'd live on a subway too if I could go to MIT. Being deferred driving anyone else nuts? I keep thinking:
"Deferred, I have a chance!"

then

"Deferred, I LOSE!"

It's a vicious cycle. Can anyone offer some comfort for a poor deferree?

-Fingers crossed for larger acceptance pool.

Ahhhh when're additional materials due? I want to send in a music supplement, but I don't think I can get it in by Jan. 1
Thanks!

@Twilight Bob - No worries, I think everyone's getting a bit stir crazy during the wait. We've all probably wanted to throw the nearest thing to us at one time or another. ^_^

@a nonny mouse - Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but, from what I've read, heard, and been told, I think that as long as supplements are in by the end of January they're fine. But I think they said that they could be sent in anytime before selection, but if you really want them to see it, I think the "deadline" is before the end of January.

@ Paul

Thanks for the clarifications, your logical reasoning is very soothing.

I would also like to thank you for taking it upon yourself to mention the "Tubes for RA" movement to Matt and Ben! I really would like to get a tube (pending acceptance, of course).

Merry Christmas/Happy New Year/Happy Holidays!

@ Paul: Thank you for being a calming informant in a sea of frazzled, emotional deferrees. =)

@ Steve: Here's what I've been doing: hanging out with friends, eating good food, and relaxing for the holidays. It's put my mind to rest over MIT, and while I still really would like a nice fat envelope in April, I'm feeling good about life and what it has to offer regardless. I think it could be the eggnog, but I like being optimistic.

Actually, I don't really mind not getting tubes. But it is a bit unfair.. EA applicants get so much, including knowing the status of their applications before us RA applicants even send ours. I'd still like a poster or something, just to keep something for the future :)

But 30% from EA, IMHO, is still quite a lot. Any note on whether the international student population will increase as well? My EC tells me that a lot more students are applying from my country this year than most of the previous years.. and I'm sure most of them are excellent. Which kinda scares me.

"Forget beds--I'll live on a subway if I can go to MIT."
Haha, I'd have to agree with that too. And it'd make a great story to tell the future grandkids too ;)

Merry A7Xmas!

what was the optional essay question? my profile won't let me view it.

@Question:

Optional essay prompt 1: "On a separate sheet, show us and/or tell us about something that you've created. This can be, for example, a design, a device, an object, and idea or concept."

Prompt 2: "No admission application can meet the needs of every individual. If you think that additional information or material will give us a more thorough impression of you, please respond on a separate sheet."

so for extra recommendation letters, or supplementary materials, what is the process for sending them? i'm writing an autobiographical essay for my english class that i think will go a long way in helping my application, and i've got a hold of another teacher who can say some good things about me, but i don't know what to do with them

@extras - I'm pretty sure you just have everything sent to the Admissions Office at the address at the bottom of this website, and make sure that your full name and birthday are on the supplemental stuff so that they can match it to your application easier. That's it, I think. I'm not sure if putting your school on there is needed, but I'm sure it wouldn't hurt. If you get a teacher to write a recommendation, I think you just have them send it to the Admissions Office like the regular recommendations.

I think you can send things in by e-mail as attachments too as long as your full name and birthday are in the e-mail, unless it's a computer program. Then I think you're supposed to send it on a CD to the main office. I'm pretty sure that's how things are/can be sent. Hope this helps.

@extras: Don't send attachments - the admissions office doesn't open them. If you are e-mailing extra essays, you have to paste them directly into the body of the e-mail.

When I was sending things separately, I found it easiest to put everything in a big envelope and just mail it. I wrote my name and birthdate on the top of each sheet of paper that I sent, as well as which essay I was sending ("required essay" "optional essay 1" etc.). I e-mailed the admissions office about two weeks after I postmarked my envelope and they confirmed that everything had found its way into my folder. It was relatively painless, for me at least!

-_-> Thanks Karen for the correction, and sorry extras for the misleading info. I knew I had read something about e-mail, and had typed that message before hand, while I was searching for the post regarding e-mail submissions. When I went to click preview, my cat hit me, and I clicked post. I had figured I'd finish my search before posting an amendment with a definite answer, but I see I should have mentioned that I was unsure about info exactly after posting. Many apologies for my mistake ya'll.

Also, as Karen mentioned, I'm finding it easier just to mail any supplemental items directly to them by envelope.

Darn, I just sent an email to them last night with my essay attached as a pdf. Grr...well I mailed a hardcopy anyway, so at least it won't matter.

is it just me or does this whole proscess sound like the birth of a new scorsese film?

..... the deferred

@Juan: Better deferred than Departed :)

@karen: it seems like to some of these folks theirs not much of a difference , im staying optomistic.

Well, I'm late to the party.

Nevertheless, it feels good to be reminded that all is not lost; I forgot that for a few hours after I checked my status. But, hey, it means that we're still in the running, and that definitely means something.

Best of luck to everyone else in the regular run!

Forget the subways: if I get in and there's no beds at MIT, I'll build a nest and stay in Newton's Apple tree right on campus. I'll fish for mutated, edible creatures from the Charles, I'll put on a giant piegion (sp?) costume and eat the breadcrumbs people throw at me, I'll steal food from the fruit flies in the bio department! I'll be an urban hermit for the sake of MIT!
Whew, that was intense.
And sod the cost and confusion: Tubes for the RA!

Personally, I'd buy a tent.

@Nick: forget the tent, I would live in a freaging mail box and eat the glue off of poastage stamps.

@E Rosser: I would totally throw bread creumbs at you (If I can afford bread after paying the rent on my mail box)

Sometimes, I actually go back to decisions.mit.edu and recheck the Admission Decision -- not because I think that maybe I misread and I was actually accepted (which I wouldn't mind!), but to reassure myself that I was deferred instead of rejected.

Anyone else do this masochistic routine?

I, and probably most of you, are still in the thick of the application process. I've been at this for about three months, and I just have to ask: is anyone else tired of thinking, talking, and writing about themselves? I've gone through so many applications, I know pretty much everything about them. I've even mad a pithy observation: they all follow what I call the "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" pattern. Essentially, any application will (in so many pages, text fields, and check boxes) ask you three questions:
1. What is your name?
2. What is your quest?
3. What is your favorite color?
(#3 representing irrelevant background information such as extracurriculars, books you've read, etc.)

So there you have it. A warm, steaming nugget of wisdom from Twilight Bob.

@Juan
If you're smart enough to actually go to MIT you shouldn't be eating glue.

Twilight Bob,
YES! From early action to regular action and now to scholarships, I'm really starting to see all these applications just as an endurance test. Applications "await me with sharp, pointy teeth."

@Twilight Bob
YAY for Monty Python references! I have to agree that I am completely sick of writing about myself. In general I feel awkward talking and hearing about myself, so this is hard. I'm sure lots of people feel the same way.
But hopefully in the end we'll get our own "Holy Grail" :)
Always look on the bright side of life!

@archimedes
Haven't you already been admitted to MIT? Why are you still filling out applications?

Wow, I just had a panic attack. I barely noticed how many EA's MIT admitted and I freaked out about my chances as an RA. Then after scrolling down for what felt like years of agony I saw Paul's response. I feel better, but still not great. As much as I love numbers, statistics, specifically college admission statistics, usually don't leave me feeling great. But thanks Paul for giving me peace of mind...

Yeah, I get a few panic attacks every now and then when the statistics hit me. About 5% chance of getting accepted as an international student. Ouch. :/

What's worse is that I'm practically delaying a year of my life because of the different admissions dates of the US vs other countries. And I while I did get accepted into a good uni in some other country (for Feb 08, not sure if that offer still stands), I only applied to 2 unis in the US, both very selective. In effect I've burned the bridges behind me just to make sure I do this right.

It'd freak me out really, but I guess Sun Tzu was right.. when you put yourself on 'death ground', you'd do everything much better. I've written the best essays I've ever wrote. If they're looking for people with passion, I've put so much passion behind those essays that I was worried it'd look like obsession. I'm just worried that someone else will/has done better, and out of all the other international applicants, I'm sure there are a few who have won some international science awards or so. Me.. the closest I did was participate in an international computer games tournament, lol.

It's almost a bit cruel. We all go in there, give it our best, and no matter how nice we try to be, there's some secret resentment deep down, hoping that the others we go up against won't do well. Thousands enter, only a few survive. MIT is not my Holy Grail.. but it's the legendary monastery where I hope to train for my search.

But whatever happens, I respect all of you very much. If I happen to get rejected, I'll take it with dignity and spend a year rebuilding the bridge I burned. I've just reached the end of my application journey. It's been great, staying up till 6 AM, studying, writing, thinking, searching for who I am for the freaking long essay. All I can do now is watch, wait, and pray...

T. Bob- I did regular action schools during November to keep my mind off early action. Please don't think I would take any acceptance for granted. I don't apply "just to see if I'll get in." And scholarships... yeah self-explanatory. I'll be doing those all year.

On another note-three days left in 2007!!!!!

@ Matt McGann (or another official);

I am going to submit some supplementary materials. I was however wondering: must any essays I submit still pertain to the original essay prompts from the application ???

@everyone posting

You all seem awesome, and I hope I end up going to school with you, whether it is here or elsewhere.

@Trevor Pool.

What middle/elementary school did you go to? I might have gone to school with you at somepoint. I've lived all over the metro Atlanta area and I'm excited to see someone else for the area posting. (I live in berkeley now though. Its pretty different.)

Does anyone know if we have to have additional/supplementary materials in by Jan 1st like the RA applicants?

Is the MIT office opening mail these days??

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!~~

Is the MIT office opening mail these days??

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!~~

@Muz: Thanks for your post. Are you Singaporean, by any chance? I'm also an international (from Singapore) and I can relate to a lot of the things you went through, minus the bridge burning - I'm applying to five US colleges, and I'm pretty sure of getting into at least one.

I'm really attached to MIT, though. I know course numbers by heart. For example, today I looked at the webpage of The Tech and the headline was about 6.170 being abolished and I thought with dismay: I liked that course on OCW, I even own the textbook for it! That's how much I want to get into MIT. If I'm not accepted, I'll move on, sure, but I'll be really heartbroken.

Rationally, I know I'm probably not qualified enough. The fear of rejection paralyzed me for weeks, which is why I am still doing applications of Deadline Eve. Life goes on eventually, but right now, apps are the most terrifying thing in my life. Right after I write this, I'll submit my forms online, then it'll be out of my hands. I'll take comfort in knowing that my app is in the hands of people like Matt and Ben who open their hearts to every applicant and feel the impact of every decision made. Thank you.

Muz, thanks for sharing, and I wish you all the best. Any international appers in the crowd, solidarity! =)

@Nick: Thank you for your insulting response, I am sure that I do not stand allone in the fact that I would do what ever it takes to attend MIT. I also hope that you understand what I was saying out side of its literal interpertation. As for insulting my intelectual capibilities, I would like you to know that I am currently taking seven AP classes, opperating two small businesses with several employes, and caring for my dying father. So if you dont mind I will keep my mail box, E Rosser can have his piegon costume and we can all hang togther in our hope for a brighter feture.

Happy New year

@ Juan: I was being intentionally sarcastic and not insulting you as a person. Honestly I'd pay to see it happen.

Question:

MIT's incoming class is capped at 1000 students, which makes for about 1500 offers of admission per year. After the EA round, roughly 1100 spots are left. How is it the number of deferred students is significantly more than this number? Obviously, even if no one else applied to MIT, you would have to reject half of the deferred pile, so half of these people whom you have given another hope have already in fact been rejected...

Guys, Relax!

Worrying about statistics is not going to help us get in, we should really be enjoying our senior year and keep working hard to prepare ourselves for success.

I recommend trying the AIM chat, our potential future classmates are great =)

Quoth Anon: "Does anyone know if we have to have additional/supplementary materials in by Jan 1st like the RA applicants?

Posted by: anon on December 29, 2007 11:48 PM"

I also would like very much an answer to this query...especially as that deadline is fast approaching. Would it be alright if I have an (important) extra rec sent by January 14th or so? If not, when must it be sent?

Thanks.

Also I wanted to add to my application a response to "Question 14", the catch-all. When do I have to do that by?

I very much appreciate this blog and all the rest, they've been a calming influence in this sea of uncertainty and furious flurries of application materials.

Oh, and to all my fellow Deferred folks: good luck. I support Klein Bottles for RA. Or maybe...what do you call a torus with triangular cross-section that twists into a Möbius strip-type one-faced (one-sided) solid? anybody know? I've no idea.

...Regardless they'd probably be too impractical to construct. Drat.

@Yifan: Haha, I was a bit melodramatic there. I guess something as stressful as applying to a competitive college + exams brings out the romantic hero side of me. But I guess this works for me... I certainly wouldn't suggest anyone else try anything as extreme, lol. It can bring forward a lot of bravery, but it can easily snap people who aren't used to it. :P

I'm sure none of us are really qualified, but think of it this way.. the best universities in the world are proud to take a merely good/great student and turn them into the world's finest. I'm certainly not as qualified as most people out there, but I'm hoping that they'll at least look at personality and recommendations, lol.

Oh, and I'm Malaysian. Good guess ;)

@Certain other people:
Guys, relax. It's easy to get offended and offend under all that stress, but let's not take it to heart. I'd suggest one thing if you intend on being sarcastic... as unprofessional as it is, use a smiley. Body language is the difference between an insult and a joke :P

@CJCP: I knitted a Klein bottle for my calculus teacher, but I think that's kind of beside the point.

In reference to the supplementary materials, what are you guys sending in, anyway? We've been counseled that we all need to relax and that our applications are clearly good enough to not get rejected the first time around, so unless you managed to cure cancer or something of the like since you submitted your application in October, I think that we should all just relax! It's almost 2008 - go out with your friends and see some fireworks or something! But anyway, considering that we are supposed to send letters sometime in January, I think that sending supplementary materials a little bit late would probably be okay...but if you can get them postmarked on time, that would probably be better.

Good luck, everyone, and relax! Even if you don't get into MIT, you'll find somewhere else that fits you perfectly :)

Two questions:

1) I attended Splash at MIT this year(go to http://esp.mit.edu/learn/Splash/index.html for an explanation of Splash), so I am wondering if it would be good to inform admissions or not?

2) If yes, how should I do so because it isn't really supplemental material it is more of an update to my application?

Thanks in advance for any help. Happy 2^3*251.

i had a few bottles of klein on new year's...

I would stop worrying about all of the EA admits. MIT is not expecting all 500 to attend. All colleges over admit, that's why they all have a yield rate: the number of students admitted who actually attended. According to 361 Best Colleges, MIT's is about 67%, which is probably a bit higher for EAs and a bit lower for RAs.

Good luck to all who are RA and deferred, and congrats to all EA who got in.

S, I had that book, too! It is spectacular, except most of the schools did not submit a safety rating. But anytime I needed stats I said, "let's consult The Big Book."

It is an awesome book!!! It didn't include some schools that I thought it should, which annoyed me, but I love the "Students who liked this school also like" listings. Anyone who needs a college book, this is the one to get.

67% is very low for a college like mit. I'd expect it to be more like 90%, there are much worse colleges getting 67%..

actually sir I have posted my form to cambridge, U.K.............due tosome misunderstanding..........what ahould I do .........I am tottaly diheartend.......I dont know what to do..........I really wnt to sudy in MIT.............please help me or suggest me some..........alternatives

i want to get admission in mit eecs please help me

if i want to edit my essays and resend them in, will you take out my old copies?

sorry if this has been asked already, i haven't read the ENTIRE thread...