Thanks a lot for the reminder.
My application is about done but I just keep the page open, hoping for some new idea to just pop up and I can't seem to bring myself to press the submit button... *Wishes this whole thing goes well*
First ?

Finally FIRST

good stuff

Question, if we requested a fee wavier
how many forms to we have fill out ex. both these links or just one?

1)http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/forms/fillable/fw001.pdf

2)http://www.ets.org/Media/Tests/PRAXIS/pdf/01361fw.pdf

But everyone, don't rush to click submit if you think there's still something you can tweak in your application! I submitted my EA app on Nov. 1st, so they won't consider you any less than the other applications just because you waited until the last day to perfect your app!

I finished sending my 2 days ago....:)
Just got to submit the music supplement which I will send by the end of today....
Best of luck to all RA applicants.

My Guidance Counselor has sent all my paper work but its not checked off when can expect it to show up.

Should have been mine..or my app...should read the what i write before posting it....

We have to send the teacher's reference, the guidance counsellor's form and the school report by mail don't we? Now, if I'm sending the rest of the form online, then am i supposed to quote something on the mailed pakage to help the admissions faculty link up my electronic and mailed application?

Thanks for this blog. I'm sure it will help out a lot of people these coming days. I had a question about sending in my evaluation forms. One of my evaluators could not hand me the evaluation B form she was doing for me before my winter break began. The break runs from Dec. 20 to Jan. 4. Since see is a teacher it will be difficult for me to see her and pick up the evaluation form before January 5th. Is it all right if I mail in that evaluation form on the 5th? I could rush deliver it if need be.
Also, I have the remaining forms (evaluation A, transcript, and secondary school report) with me and can send them before the January 1st deadline. However, if I can send in the Evaluation B form on the 5th, would it be better to send all my forms, including the Evaluation B form on the 5th together, or separately?
Sorry for the confusing questions. Also thanks a lot for taking the time the answer the questions of those succumbed to procrastination.

I dont think so as long as your name and address is on the envelope i think it should be fine...

How did you post your transcipts and teachers recommendations? You must have posted them too, did you use your name and address?
Is there anyway to send everything online? That would be great, because it's not only more convenient but also it'll save me the 20-30$ i have to spend as courier charges (I'm in India)

I mean, you did use only your name and address on the envelope right? MIT didn't provide you with anything else that you had to quote instead?

If we want to send you a link to our blog, where do we put that?

@Fateh
If you're using the standard MIT Evaluation forms you don't need to worry. All the info you had to fill out will link it to your online application. If you're not, make sure your name and date of birth are on it.

@'13 Hopeful
It's fine if you post them on the fifth. For early action it took just under three weeks to finish processing all the mail, and regular usually has twice as many applicants. Speaking from personal experience, MIT is very understanding about this sort of thing. Somehow my Evaluation B got lost in the mail and I resent it about three weeks after the deadline. Don't sweat it.

@Matt:
Yes, I won't let the better year to come before MIT gets my app! :p

@Garima:
Right here, while you comment or 'Post a Response'.
Put that in the URL box.

Hi Matt. Long time reader, first time poster. :) Seeing that I can't directly email the office about this, I'll post here.

I'm an RA Canadian applicant for '13, and I was wondering if the January 1st deadline for the music portfolio is a strict deadline? As I understand, admissions information is still being sorted, so would it make a significant difference to email it a few days later? I'd like a bit more time to re-record a few of my tracks for length, as it is running at about 14 minutes, and seeing that some unforeseen last-minute plans were made, it would not be possible for me to do this before the deadline.

I was also wondering if "two pieces of contrasting styles" was also a strict requirement. As a drummer, I've got one solo performance, and one play-along performance. Ideally, I'd like to fit in a short (1:30) big band drum feature, but if this can't be done, then I will omit it.

For reference, all paper materials (transcripts, letters, and supplements) were all mailed two weeks ago, and I will be submitting Part 2 very soon.

Cheers,
-whlue

I meant sending it with the application. How do we do that?

@Garima: The right place is probably the "is there anything else about you you would like us to know?" question (#14). Or you could talk about it in the "what do you do for fun?" question.

Hi Matt,

Thanks for the post! I was getting really paranoid (runs in circles in panic!) as my School Counselor sent out my package somewhere in the first week of November and it still doesn't show up on the my.mit portal.

Also, I made a mistake on Part 1 of my App (Erroneously entered my choice of major as Comp. Science and Electrical Engg. instead of Mechanical Engg.) Is there ANY way I could change that?

Hope you have a great vacation (and that answering our bombardment of questions doesn't temper it any way!) and a fantastic 2009 ahead! (:
(and hoping *fingers crossed* that 2009 brings a nice, big, fat package from MIT for me!)

Paranoid-ly Yours,
Kunaal (:

I am submitting my application now!

Kunaal, you won't declare your major until after your first year at MIT (I believe). What you filled out on Part 1 of your application only gives the admissions officers an idea of what looks good to you. There really is no need to change it.

@Garima
You can put the link in the free response area in the appP2. Here's what Matt says about it..
http://www.mitadmissions.org/topics/apply/the_freshman_application/supplemental_materials.shtml

@Suril
Su bhai tame kevi advise aapo cho.. barabar toh aapo ;)

@Steph (is the username remotely inspired by the Flobots Song?) (:
Thanks for replying!
I know that part- but Part 2 of your application asks WHY I'm interested in the major I say I'm interested in- and I can't really be writing for something I'm not passionate about! And I don't want the 2 parts to contradict each other! :(

@fateh
No i dont think there is any way to send the teacher recos and all online.(I too spent the 20$-30$)

@everyone else
how may of youl are from India??
from what I can gather there are loads..and looking at previous year stats MIT accept only 10-12 from here...:(
...only 10-12..

I was deferred from Early, but a question occurred to me that (I hope) shouldn't matter. MyMIT confirms the receipt of the standard application pieces (two evaluations, school report, etc). Is there any way to ease my paranoia and confirm the receipt of other materials (extra transcripts, letters of rec, etc)? Thanks.

@Kunaal

"Also, I made a mistake on Part 1 of my App (Erroneously entered my choice of major as Comp. Science and Electrical Engg. instead of Mechanical Engg.) Is there ANY way I could change that?

I would assume that as long as you talk about Mechanical Engineering in 3b on Part 2, it won't matter. I know Matt said to people who chose the wrong essay button that the admissions readers are human beings and would understand.

hye matt,

I sent all the school forms ten days back. When can I expect them to be completely processed and to appear on the my mit tracking ? I am from India. Also when will we know the regular action results ? I hope its all going to be soon. I hope I'll make it. All the best to all the RA applicants.

hey, long time lurker here. i have an interview question i'm hoping you might answer for me, since no one's responding to my e-mails. i contacted my interview before the deadline, but she said she was going out of country. the interview people reassigned me an ec but all of the contact info was outdated/invalid so i couldn't reach him at all. i tried to e-mail back right away regarding this dilemma, but there was no response and now the interview report deadline is coming up. will my interview likely be waived in this situation? thanks.

@ Chris: THANKS! (:

@Everyone else- let's help the Admissions' People enjoy their holdays- and try and answer questions we know about amongst ourselves! (:

@ Akhila
http://www.didigetintomit.com/ Results out in 76 days! (: (AAH! I can fell the rush already! Haha!)

It usually takes around two weeks after the stuff has been received- though mine hasn't been uploaded on the my.mit portal either- I guess it's just a busy time! Let's hope it gets up soon- I'm getting pretty worried too! :)

Best of luck with your application! Hope to be jogging on the Mass. Ave. bridge with you guys next year! Cheers! (:

^^^That Anonymous above was me, BTW! (:

@Bilal
I am from India too. True that 10-15 Indians go to the MIT every year, but its a lot for a single country. What do you say?

Can we know how many have applied this year?

Ooops!

I forgot to send my Oct SAT I score reports to MIT. Did so just 5 minutes ago. Since they say that delivery will be around 1 - 2 weeks, which is way past the deadline, should I consider my application well and truly f***ed?

I guess faxing a copy of my score reports won't help either, eh?

Oh, and, uh, thanks in advance!

@ CAPTCHA

Dont worry...As long as they receive your scores in Jan its fine...

Hey Matt! I am from India. Mailed up the Evaluation stuff in Nov. according to US Postal service, it got delivered on 12th December! Its been more that 2 weeks.So, is everything all right? 'cus I want everything to be in proper order!
Cheers-
PS:76 days to go!!! Eeeeeeep!!
:P

Anyone from pakistan reading these blogs and applying this year please reveal yourself :).

Matt:

As an international student I have to translate the evaluations of my teachers, It is quite expensive, so is it ok if I translate it? I work with dubbing, so I'm really used to it.

Here's a first set of answers...

@Anonymous at 11:47pm: We are happy to accept fee waiver requests in different forms. Form 2, the ETS/College Board form, is one we are very familiar with; we can also accept a letter detailing your circumstances or a number of other methods of fee waiver request.

@Ronak: Please be patient as you wait for Application Tracking.

@Fateh: Yes, the evaluations and transcripts must be sent through the mail. Make sure everything has your name and an identifying piece of information such as your date of birth.

@'13 Hopefull: If you are hoping to mail all of the evaluations and transcripts together in one package to save on postage, then mailing on January 5 should be fine, and paying extra for rush delivery should not be necessary. Be sure to submit your online Part1 and Part 2 by January 1.

@Garima: I would include a link somewhere in your Part2; the "anything else" text box seems like a good place.

@wlue: I don't know how the Music Department would answer, but I'd guess there might be a little flexibility with the January 1 deadline, and that the "contrasting styles" requirement might not be completely strict. But I don't know for sure.

@Kunaal: You can email admissions at mit dot edu with that change after January 4th.

@Chris: If you call admissions after January 4th, we might be able to tell you about those extra materials.

@akhila: Please be patient with the Application Tracking. I will let you know when it is up-to-date. Regular Action results should be available in mid-March.

@Al: Please stay in touch with the Educational Council office. They will be in touch with you as soon as possible; please be patient.

@Sharath: I don't yet know how many students have applied this year; I will update you when I can.

@Captcha: First of all, there's no need to swear, even if you're stressed ans censoring yourself. To answer your question, you will be fine; we will receive your scores in plenty of time to be useful. There's no need to fax your scores at this time.

@Suman: Please be patient with the Application Tracking.

@Marina: We prefer recommendations to be translated by outsiders; sometimes an English teacher can be good. If you must translate it yourself, please let us know that you have done so. Thanks!

is it a must to conduct the interview if there is a interviewer in your city? As i have miss the deadline to conduct the interview. WIll this affect my chance of admited deeply?

@ Matt @ Me
Yeah, sorry about that. I was just kinda mad at myself for being so careless.....

Many thanks!

Oh, and one more thing. Does the MyMIT site automatically close up the Part 2 after 12am on Dec 31? And which time offset do you guys use? UTC-5?

Not planning to shave it that close, but just needed to make sure....

Guys, I sent my application a long time ago by mail, but then it got lost. So a few days ago I just faxed it over and it all went well.

I am an International Applicant though (UK), so I am not sure weather it makes a difference, but if you guys dont trust the postal service, or your application form has still not come up on MyMIT then try to fax it over, its much more secure.

Well, hope this helps!

@ Matt

We dont have a GPA or class rank system here in Canada. What do I do? What do you define as an impressive project? Maybe examples of former MIT applicants.

Thanks in advance

Hey!

I want to sumbit photos with my application. I want to minor in photography. Should I send those on a CD or send printed copies of the photos to admissions? Also, I did not take the science subject test, only math, literature and world history. How should I indicate this on the application?

Daniel :)

I am locked out of my MIT account. The application has to be submitted by January 1, 2009. I still have to complete mine. I tried calling the number (617) 253-3400 but got a message saying that the office is closed for the holidays.
Do you know how I can get my MIT account reactivated?
Thanks and Happy New Year.
-Vikram

Virkam

I had the same problem. I went to the option of changing my password and it let me do it. Give it a try.

Daniel

I submitted my application early on, probably somewhere in the beginning of December or late November. Yet now, when I see everyone submitting it in the last minute to 'perfect' it, I somehow get the feeling I could have 'kept it' longer, hehe.

Still, though, when I do read my application and submitted essays, I'm fully satisfied.

Best of luck to everyone in RA!

Hey Matt!

As an MIT hopeful, I've been reading your the blogs on this site for a while. I really appreciate the transparency of the MIT admissions process.

I have a question about sat scores, though (I know, I know). I know that the 25/75 percentile marks are 740/800, but this information still worries me, because I have read that half of MIT students scores a perfect 800 on the SAT math portion. I got a 750 on the math portion of the SAT, and I am worried that this will make me less competitive.

When determining the academic quality of each applicant, would a 750 give one student a low "score" than one with an 800?

I can hardly stay awake during the SAT, and I really don't want to take it again, but I want to do everything in my power to maximize my chances at MIT.

Hey Matt,
I've tried submitting my app online, but after the payment section, I'm getting this error, even though I typed all the credit card info right. I've tried several times, still same error...

@Anonymous
A 750 is fine. It looks exactly like an 800 to the admissions office, don't sweat it. I promise.

Hey Matt!

I sent my transcript from high school without attaching it to the Secondary School Report (my school told me they would not let me do so). Now I am worried if the transcript would be discarded because I did not send it with the proper papers. Am I right to be freaking out?

Oh, again, the error was this:
"There was an issue submitting your payment. Your application Part 1 has not been submitted. Click Return to Payment screen to re-enter your credit card information. If you continue to have problems, please contact the Admissions office to report the issue."

@ Shashank
Is your Part 1 submitted?? (check if you have filled out everything and all that)

I was wondering, is the 500 word limit strict?.or can we go over a little?...

i'm an international student and i didn't do so great in the SATs...how much would that hurt my chances of acceptance?..and how does all the other stuff wiegh in?...

@Dhvanit

Ha bhai, e dhyanbaar jatu rahyu hatu! :p

@ Divya

I can't submit Part 1 until after the payment section. That is where I am getting the error. But other than that, I have filled out everything and I even did the Data validation. The error only says something's wrong with the CC info, but there is no way that can happen since I just copied it from the CC.

I sent out my docs by registered post and I'm worried: what if it doesn't reach???
Everyone who applied earlier assured me it will, but I'm freaking out. Registered mail is SUPPOSED to reach, but with India Post, you can never say. When can we know whether it reaches or not?

Um, I have a slight problem. My essay is 850 words. If I cut down anything, it'll massacre it
:S

PLEASE TO TELL ME SECRET OF ADMISSION TO MIT NOW!!! IT IS MY DREAM SCHOOL AND I WILL GO THERE! MUST I FILL OUT APPLICATION SOON?!?

OH, AND THANK YOU MATT FOR YOU HELP ME GET IN!

@ Shashank
If you are applying from a country other than US or Canada, then it might not be taking the credit card because it does not recognize it.

@ Tree
I know. I had that too so I know what you mean. You can just try writing one again :P, I can't think of anything else. btw, which essay are you writing- A or B?

Good post : ] !
It's helpful! Thanks, Matt!

I'm a 11th grade exchange student in the U.S. this school year. I'm from Taiwan :] And my app year is 2010.

I have few questions below:

1) If I take ACT test in early 2009, can I just send the grade from the test center in America while I am applying?
(PS. There isn't any ACT test hold in Taiwan.
And I would like to take ACT but not TOEFL.)

2) Can I ask my teacher during this exchange student year? How does this process work?

3) Classes in Taiwan are generally AP level in the U.S. But they don't show that on my transcript, what should I do?

4) Do I have to provide my grade report this year to MIT? I'm curious because my homeschool won't admit this school year. It means I need to repeat my 11th grade in Taiwan.

Thanks for this wonderful blog by the way :]
It makes me know tons of things of MIT.
And I believe that my MIT dream will come true!

The second question is asking for writing evaluations for me.
Sorry :P

Hey Guys!

Just wanted to wish the best of luck you you all.
Word of advice. Don't stress over your app. If you're finished with it and feel strong about it.. SUBMIT! =D
And if you have already sent it and think of something, why dwell on it? It's out of your hands. Just, as I remember a blog I read during EA said, focus on your school work and having fun (i.e. keep doing whatever it is you talked about in your first essay question)
As for seeing the tracking list get "X"d out, don't worry on that one. For me, it took FOREVER for it to post that my stuff was in. If you sent it, it's in, don't trip.

Well the best of luck to all RA's!

@ Daniel
You have to take the science subject test.

@ Anonymous
You have no disadvantage whatsoever for having a 750. None at all. Really.

@ Kimberly
No, it isn't. Your readers would probably appreciate if you stay below 600, though.

@ Dennis
Sending the score from America is fine, just make sure all the information (name, etc.) you fill out on your test is accurate.
Your American teachers can (and probably should) write your letters of reccommendation. If you can, e-mailing them from Taiwan when it becomes time to submit your application and having them mail/fax the letters (and forms) in might be a good idea.
The self reported coursework form should help you clarify your courses (your 3rd question).
MIT would want to know your grades from this school year - they're the most important ones.

dear Matt sorry for the nuisance I'm causing in between your holiday but i really am anxious about this case(i am an international student residing in Iran):
I couldn't submit my application fee, due to the financial problems between Iran and the world banks I didn’t have any credit card which would be acceptable for this case. so i called the intl office of mit and they said to me to submit it with a fee waiver and send an e-mail about the situation to the intl office's e-mail address requesting a fee waiver. i did so and even called the office again and they said everything would be alright. however every time i control mymit account i see that everything is received and processed except my fee waiver. i hope there isn't any problem.
@all those people worrying about sat scores:
i live in a country where you can't take sat exams my family went under a lot of trouble to send me to turkey just to take those exams but we couldn't. please be happy just that you can have all the requirements, i really could do whatever they wanted just to take those exams. i have been waived from the sat requirement, but i truly am uncomfortable. so please be thankful and don't sweat things like that.

@Mono

Hey, I am from India too. I used Speed Post and it reached in a 7 days. By the way, did you get a track id? you can go to usps.com and enter the id there. the usps(united states postal service) handles the post ones it reaches the US. hence, you can check if it is delivered!
By the way, please use ONLY Speed Post for all your college mailings. It costs around 500 but its completely worth it!
Cheers-

@Tree and @Kimberly

Well,I had contacted the Admissions office and here I quote the reply
"The 500-word limit is a guideline, not a strict cut-off. Simply use
good judgment - your readers won't mind if your essay is 550 words, but 1,000 words will likely
be a different story. Remember that your essay is not a writing test. It's the place in the
application where we look for your voice - who you are, what drives you, what's important to
you, what makes you tick. Be honest, be open, be real - connect with us.That's all that matters"

@arthur

As it clearly says in MIT website pages, on an average, 15% of the student who take the interview, get in and 5% of the ones who dont get in! Hence, it is always preferred to take the interview as it gives a clearer picture of 'you' to MIT and also, MIT to you!

thanx!
PS:76 days to goo
eeeeep :P

@ Tree
Try having someone else read over it (someone qualified), and tell you what information they think isn't necessary to the overall meaning of the essay. I have a friend who had the same problem, and we managed to cut out a lot of details that just didn't need to be there. It's often hard to see what the "excess information" is from your point of view, so that's why another pair of eyes could be really helpful. Try to cut 250-ish words.

@ fellow '13
*suspenseful voice*
The secret... is...
Use the qV x B.
*wide glaring eyes*
:P

@ person above me:
Well said, well said. :P

From a deferred Early Action applicant to the Regular Action applicants:

Good luck on your applications! Just remember to remain calm and try not to be one of the midnight submitters. Try to avoid stress as it will make your application much better. Take some breaks and just walk around your room, chat with friends, play a musical instrument, or other stress-relieving activities you enjoy. When you return to the application, you will be refreshed and ready to continue.

Also, don't be afraid if the application has you probing your inner psyche. You will probably learn something about yourself while doing the application. For example, until the MIT application, I never realized that I gained a taste for improving on the saxophone because of me breaking a saxophone back in fourth grade.

Good luck on your applications!

I'm doing essay B.

@Suman Barua:
My essay is all about my voice. That's why it's so long. The essay is as close to describing me in less than 900 words.It's got what I love and stuff to do with my world, what makes me tick, and tiny things that make me who I am. I really want to just leave it because then I'll be sad over the fact that I didn't put something in.

@Posted by: on December 29, 2008 01:30 PM
I did show it to about five people. One who doesn't know me that well. All of them said "It's you." or "Hey I didn't know that about you".

@Divya
I can't rewrite it. Not now. Plus, I actually like my essay.

Hi Matt, a couple of questions:

I applied Early Action and was deferred. Looking back, I suspect that the essays may have reflected poorly, especially after I spent much time revising them for other schools. I read on Chris' blog that he was able to submit a new essay for Regular Action after he got his deferral. How may we do the same thing? Do the admissions officers treat this as another supplementary essay, or will they disregard the one it is intended to replace?

Also, who exactly reads and answers the emails sent to admissions@mit.edu?

@tree
lol. I know EXACTLY what you are talking about! Mine was 790 words before. You know what, get hol of the person whom u think knows u the MOST in the world(preferably a friend)...and discuss out everything!Whatever you do, you have to portray yourself and you cannot sacrifice on that! So, discuss the points which least portrays you and try to reduce extra words and join in points! Well, try your best. You dont have to rewrite it if it is so good,just try to cut points wholly(even though you treat it as you baby, cus I did :P)
good Luck!
cheers-

@tree
i had the same problem and i just shifted from b to a. i thought i had never experienced something as the end of the world but i got one. and it got a lot more better essay it really described me better than subject b.

Hey maitree rite? u from bombay too? even you went to Kavas Petigara? How did it go? Isnt he damn cool?
:)
PS:find me in orkut or something

Hey , Thanks for the helpful post.
I am an international student from Syria , and they dont offer SAT Tests here , they closed up the testing center 2 years ago , i asked for anyother tests available , there isnt any , only the TOEFL , would it be ok ?? and if it is would that be a disadvantage ? thank you

sarah : another question , how can i do a fee waiver if i am an international student ? and applying for Fin Aid

There are no SAT exams until May for non-american students.There's a test in May and after it in June.
I'm applying for Financial Aid too.
I have not taken SAT test before.Can I do anything? Or can May SAT exams be acceptable? Or is admission possible without taking SAT exams?

When is the deadline for our interviewers to upload the interview reports? My interview was on 8th December but my checklist still shows the interview as not processed. I've emailed my EC and submitted the 'conducted interview' form too... I'm getting anxious!

@ '13:
The secret is to calm down and be yourself.

Oh, oh, one more question. I plan to send a .w3x file. (For those of you who know what that is, it's not what you think it is.)

The problem is it's only about 250kb in size. Should I use a floppy disk? DO you guys still have a floppy disk drive?

If I burn it to a CD, I'll be utilizing less than 0.1% of the disk, and I'm a stickler for efficiency......

Hi. Thanks for the blog. It reminded me that I should really press that submit button with all my entries finished.
Just one questions though about Music Supplement:
Do I have to state and let you know that I am sending a music supplement to auditions@MIT.edu on through my application ( part 2)? or do I just send it to the e-mail and you will know with my name and birthdate on the resume I send??

Thank you, I appreciate your hepl and happy holidays to you too!

Hi Matt,

How do I report my new SAT Subject Test scores for this past December if I've already sent in my application? Thanks.

I sent my Evaluantion A, B, and Secondary School report, and it got recieved last tuesday (Registered post), but it still hasn't showed up in my My.MIT dashboard. Should I be worried?

Hi,

I only recently found out that MIT uses their own teacher evaluation and secondary school report forms. I gave my teachers and counselor the common application form instead, and now that it's vacation, I can't rectify that error. Since MIT does not use the common application, I'm sure if they will get those forms either.

Will the admissions officers mind too much if they only receive a letter? Is there anything else I can do at this point without interrupting my teachers' vacation?

Thanks,
Mike

Hi,
I've been trying to get into the online app since yesterday without success. I can't speak to anyone in admissions until after the deadline, and the Tech Support that the MIT operator directed me to was unable to solve the problem. What can I do?

Kasey

I DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT ADVICE ("qV x B"). PLEASE EXPLAIN! THANK YOU!!!

AND I JUST NEED TO GET IN, AND THEN I WILL BE CALM. DO NOT LIE TO TELL ME "BE MYSELF" BECAUSE I NEED REALLY TO GO TO MIT!!!!

THANK YOU!!!

@ Tree
Specifically tell whomever you ask that you need to cut stuff, and ask them what they think can go. It'll take some work on their part too - it's usually not easy, and from what you've said I'm guessing your case really won't be. You need someone who can take the time to think hard about your essay and what parts of it aren't useful to the admissions committee. Preferably someone who knows you, but not super super well, whom you trust and who is a good writer.

@ Kasey
You know how the PDF forms are downloadable on the site? Well, you can get the questions from those. Try writing/editing everything in word docs for now, keep trying the site, and as soon as you can get in, paste your stuff.
If it still doesn't work by the deadline, I'm betting they won't penalize you. Alternatively, you can just fill out the PDF forms and mail in your app.

@ Sepideh
I feel for you. I really, really do. You've done the best you can, though, and I'm sure admissions will realize that, so maybe that's one thought you can rest comfortably on. Best of luck.

@ mrc
Hm, I have heard that they're more flexible with deadlines for teachers than for students, so for now maybe send the letters, and then have your teachers fax in the forms as soon as possible after break?

@ Guarav
Don't worry. And don't bother your interviewer too much. It takes awhile for things to show up, often weeks.

@ CAPTCHA
You probably have to take that up with the music dept.?

@ No SAT's in January
I'd talk to the admissions people asap and see if you can get the exams waived, which probably will be possible if you really haven't been able to take them earlier (like last year). May is definitely too late. In the meantime, have the rest of your app ready and set to go.

@ Anonymous from Syria
If you can't get the exams, there's nothing else you can do, and you probably won't be penalized. They're understanding people. I'd definitely take the TOEFL though.

@ '13
I really thought you were just trolling, so that was a joke. (qV x B = force, of the magnetic variety). If you sincerely want advice, then I'll give you some, but please quit the all caps :) In Internet manners, it's yelling.

@ Blaze
Absolutely not. It takes a few weeks. Rest and enjoy the holidays :)

@ Anonymous (music)
The latter.

@ Anon (subject tests)
Just have the tests sent from College Board, make sure your name is exactly the same on their score report as the previous scores you sent to MIT (i.e. if you wrote Joe Smith on your SAT and Joe Michael Smith on your SAT II, I'm pretty sure it goes as two different reports, even with the same birthdate).

What if someone had originally decided to put Material Science + Engineering in part 1 of the application but at the last minute switched it to Chemical Engineering? I know that this selection is not binding in any way, but when it comes to the short answer in part 2 of the application, which department appeals to you and why, could the person speak about Material Science + Engineering? Or are you binded to what you had in part 1?

@ '13:
It is not as much of a need as it is a want. Nobody needs to go to college, we want to go to college to try and get better jobs. MIT looks at personality and if you aren't for MIT, you aren't for MIT. Be yourself as I'm sure the admissions officers can easily pick out those who falsely inflate their accomplishments on their applications.

MIT doesn't look for the perfect student and I know this is true. One rejected student I know has a 4.0+ GPA, 2400 SAT score, and etc. He pushed his academic accomplishments on his application and showed little personality from what I hear. I am a deferred student and have a 3.7-3.8 GPA with 2020 SAT score. I am not perfect, but I presented myself on the application. I mentioned things like my passion for music or podcasting and tried not to inflate any academic achievements.

Once again, calm down and be yourself. If MIT is right for you, you'll be accepted. Just don't lie about yourself and your chances will increase.

@ dept
Write about what you are most passionate about in Part 2, and as Matt said, e-mail admissions after Jan. 4 to change your part 1.

Oh and Tree, it's great that your essay is completely you and your voice, but maybe they don't have to know *everything* about you, you know? Just the most important stuff. For example, I wanted to tell MIT about how I say "good morning" to people even at midnight because my personal life philosophy says every time is morning, or how I cried when Saturday Night Live's parody of Sarah Palin said "And I think [global warming] is just God hugging us closer," even though I laughed at all the other jokes they made.
But I ended up focusing on the bigger things, and that worked out well for me.
Leave some new things for them to discover about you when you're an MIT student :P

Where do I submit additional information for my resume? I want to send in a research paper I wrote. I could only find ways to submit art or music submission. I need to send a math paper.

@ Keshnav
You can write about the research paper in one of the optional essays (questions 13 and 14). If you want to send the whole paper, mailing it to admissions labeled "Undergraduate application materials" or attaching it to an e-mail with that subject line and your full name and date of birth is probably your best bet.
I think it's only very rarely that these papers are read over by faculty, so chances are they'll be more interested in a quick summary, especially what got you into your research, and why it was exciting to you, than in the paper itself.

Thanks!

Also, exactly what must be in by the deadline?
Can I submit an app before the deadline, then get scores, reccomnendations, an essay and other supplments in later?
I'm homeschooled. I read the pages on this, but maybe I missed some things; how do I do recommendations or teacher evaluations and such?

Thanks,
Kasey

matt wrote:
> @wlue: I don't know how the Music Department would answer, but I'd guess there might be a little flexibility with the January 1 deadline, and that the "contrasting styles" requirement might not be completely strict. But I don't know for sure.

I'm not worried about the "contrasting styles" requirement, but rather if I'm able to submit a third (short) recording.

I see that you don't really have contact with the Music Department at this time, but I trust that the January 1st deadline isn't too strict, given that since it is an email attachment, it shouldn't be too hard to sort (compared to actual paper mail. that must be a nightmare). I will be submitting the Music Portfolio a few days after Jan 1st.

Thanks Matt!

I've finished my application but I still haven't sent it and keep double checking everything.

I'm really hoping my evaluations and school forms aren't lost in the mail at all. I'm panicking about it cuz I didn't make copies and sent them from the UK >.

Here's a second batch of answers...

@Arthur: The interview is not a required part of the application. For those who can do it, though, I strongly recommend it. You may wish to contact your EC to see if there is a possibility of a late interview.

@Captcha: MyMIT will not automatically close up at midnight on January 1, but you should submit your application by then.

@Ehsan: We are very familiar with Canadian schools and transcripts, don't worry.

@Daniel: I would send your photographs as an Art Portfolio, described here. Also, a Science subject test is required.

@Vikram: Your account has been unlocked.

@Anonymous at 11:17am: I wouldn't worry about your scores.

@Shashank: I have forwarded this comment on to the folks who can help.

@Divya: No need to freak out, that's fine.

@Kimberly: The 500 word limit is not a strict limit.

@Mono: Please watch your Application Tracking in late January.

@Tree: I would recommend cutting down your essay; it's your call whether to submit it as it currently is, though.

@Dennis K: 1) Yes, you can direct your ACT scores now for MIT; we can hold them. 2) Yes, you can have teachers write you recommendation letters this year; I recommend asking at the end of the school year. 3) Having recently returned from visits to schools in Taiwan, the office is very familiar with schools in Taiwan. 4) Please provide all of your marks when you apply to MIT.

@sepideh: Don't worry about the Fee Waiver checkbox; you're fine.

@Deferred: You are welcome to add anything that you may like; my best advice is here. And our wonderful staff -- the same folks who talk to you and answer your questions when you call on the phone -- handle the emails.

@Anonymous at 2:30pm: Yes, the TOEFL would be helpful. If you don't have SAT IIs offered, please let us know why in the application.

@sarah: You can include a letter detailing your circumstances requesting the waiver.

@No SATs: If you do have not completed the required tests, it is unlikely you will be considered for admission this year unless there are very special circumstances.

@Gaurav: Don't worry, you're all set.

@Captcha at 2:37pm: It is unlikely we will be able to evaluate a .w3x file. I would consider detailing its contents in an additional essay.

@Anonymous at 2:41pm: You don't need to let us know in the application; the Music Department folks will be in communication with us.

@Anon at 2:57pm: If you have sent the scores to MIT, we will receive them, and there would be nothing else you need to do.

@Blaze: No, there's no need to worry. Please be patient with the Application Tracking (every day since Tuesday has been a holiday).

@mrc/Mike: No worries, we routinely get Coomon App recommendation letters and forms.

@Kasey: I don't know about your problem; I can't find a Kasey who is locked out of our system. Feel free to email me with details and I'll see what I can do.

@Dept: You don't need to change it, plenty of people have different answers in Parts 1 and 2, and you're in no way bound to either answer (all MIT students declare whichever major they like at the end of the freshman year). However, if you really want to change it, you can email admissions to request the change after January 4.

@Keshav: You can feel free to send it in via postal mail, or talk about in in your application Part 2.

@Kasey: Your application Parts 1 & 2 should be sent in by January 1; we are more lenient with application forms from your school and teachers. Most homeschoolers have recommendations from people outside the home.

I hope this is helpful!

If we send in a letter and an extra essay, when should that be sent by. My EC said that by the end of January would be fine. Is this true?

My account was locked because of wrong passwords (caps lock on) so now i can't submit my application! any help?

Parts 1 & 2. Ok.

My situation is that I don't have an account yet, but I was unable to register for one.

I think there may be someone working on it at
admissionsatmitdotedu RE: TechSupport.

I don't know your email address, so if you need further details, how do I contact you?

Thanks,
Kasey

I am a U.S. permanent resident and am applying for freshman undergraduate admission. Unfortunately, I was not aware until only recently that I needed to send in a copy of my green card. I am away from home right now, and I won't have access to it until the 2nd or 3rd. Is it at all possible for me to send it 1 or 2 days late and still have the application processed successfully? I would greatly appreciate a response. I am incredibly worried that all my work would be for naught.

Quick question from an EA deferred student,

Do all of our supplementary materials have to be post marked by January 1st?

Also, my semester grades won't be available until January 20th. Is it okay to send in the Mid-year grade report after the deadline?

A response would be greatly appreciated!

Also, good luck to any EA deferred students!

Hey Matt,
Sorry to be a nuisance but I've been locked out of my MIT account as well and I was wondering if you would reactivate it for me. Thanks for your help.

@Kristina:

Supplementary materials should be postmarked by January 1st...but it's not a huge deal if they're not, just get them in as quickly as you can.

Sending in the Mid-Year Report once your grades are available, even if it's after Jan 1, is also acceptable. MIT doesn't expect all schools to finish the semester by January 1, after all. :)

In case anyone is interested, I set up a chatroom mainly geared for applicants but open for students. You can visit it at http://coltonprovias.com/?page_id=426 . I just started it so there are very few people in the channel. Feel free to join. Just please no trolling, spamming, etc. Keep it clean, too.

How many people actually do interview? I have a very high statistical probability of getting in but about 20 percent is still not a good chance. *I go and cry in my corner until I order an acceptance letter from MIT off of ebay.* (Only 80 million dollars plus FREE SHIPPING[YES, I love free shipping])

My only concern is that the fax system may reduce the image quality and legibility of the form, but I suppose speed might be considered more important than legibility.

Ahh.. nevermind. Fax it is.

Thanks,
Mike

Hey Matt,
Sorry to bother you, but just a quick question:
my decision to apply to MIT was kind of last minute, and as a result, my school won't be able to send in my transcript, secondary school report, etc. before the 1st. (They'll all get sent once school reopens on the 5th). My guidance counselor said that it shouldn't be a problem as long as I send in my part of the application in time (which I have) but I've heard from former students that sometimes it is.
Should I be worried?

Also, is a 720 in math on the SAT I too low? (I got a 790 on the L2 subject test if that helps)

@Generic Bob:

Don't you wish it was as easy as paying money? Of course then getting wouldn't be anything special though.... And there's no way I'd be able to afford it. Oh well. Gl everyone. We'll see what happens fairly soon.

Until then: enjoy some pi!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/33823771@N07/3149589502

@ Ritika
It's not too low at all.

@Applicants worrying about test scores:

Don't.

MIT likes to tell people over and over not to worry. Truth is, your SAT scores are just one part of your application. There is no right score that will get you into MIT, it's all taken into consideration.

Third batch...

@Deferred: Sending materials by end of January is a good goal.

@bibodha: Done, unlocked.

@Kasey: You can find my contact information here, but if you've already been in touch with Tech Support, there's little more I'll be able to do, I suspect.

@Nish: That's fine.

@Kristina: That's fine. The Midyear Grade Report usually is sent in January or February; we do not expect it by January 1.

@Michelle D: Done, unlocked.

@Generic Bob: The majority of applicants who do not have their interview waived do the interview.

@mrc/Mike: Do not fax the letters at this time. We will accept the Common App letters as mailed.

@Ritika: No, you shouldn't be worried. Submit your pieces by January 1 and the school forms ASAP after that; we're more flexible with school/teacher forms than your forms. And no, a 720 is not "too low."

Best wishes, everyone!

Thanks Matt! :-)

@ Matt

I think I speak for everyone when I say thanks.

Will MIT sign for registered mail?

Thanks

Hey, on the "Tell us about something you have created" essay, can I submit another narrative essay? It is something that I have created but I'm not sure if it is what is expected from that question...

\
I can't say this. I can't. Not yet. Yes I have changed. In some parallel universe I posted my rant about how this process has changed me.

Hello Matt!!
New years greetings!
I have sent my secondary school report but I have not sent my high school transcript.Can I send my high school transcript through fax?? The postal process might take long.

@'13

I have to second what Colton said. I don't think anyone can stress enough that there is no set formula that you follow to guarantee admission. I, along with wo of my classmates, applied early and both had higher SAT test scores than I did. Both were deferred, and yet I was accepted. When working on the application, really think about what you're writing and if that truly reflects the ideals you value or the person you are. I wish you and everyone else in this process good luck.

I'm taking the January SAT and I have requested that MIT be sent my scores, is there anything that I have to do in order for MIT to view these scores with my application. I have already sent my previous scores.

@Matt: Thanks a lot. I appreciate your efforts to answer all our queries. :)

Thanks Matt! I did edit it a bit more but I'll take my chances with the essay.
Happy Holidays!

Matt!!
I've sent in an email into the admissions office about the same question, but I received an automatic reponse that you guys were on holiday...
I conducted the interview with my EC about 2 weeks ago but the application tracking still shows that the interview hasn't been processed yet. Do you think there is any problem that needs to be resolved here? Could have my EC forgot to report the interview?

@ Roman K

There's this specific option on your my.mit.edu page which allows you to report a conducted interview. Use it in case your interview doesn't show up after 2-3 weeks, and MIT will follow up with your interviewer.

hi
i m from pakistan.faisalabad
anyone else from pakistan

Hi Matt,

Just a quick question. I had sent my application package 10 days ago but realized that I forgot to include my official IGCSE exam grades. Is it possible that I can fax them over to your office rather than mailing them because being an international student in East Africa faxing is the cheapest option available to me.

Cheers and Happy holidays!

Hi

All my materials have been received by MIT, atleast thats what it shows on the postal tracking system.So no worries for me there.

But kind of one thing thats on my head is my school transcript.

I am the first person to apply to MIT from my region( State), and the process here is sort of, well u can say alien.

Though I gave every last quark of info I could to my school people, it appears that in my School Transcript, they have provided you with only my 10th grade(Secondary Examination) results and given a list of my subjects in 12th grade(Senior Secondary).Will that be sufficient or not?

If not, than I had submitted my CV to my EC with all my scores since 9th. Will MIT get that via him or should I mail it or do I need to ask for another School Transcript, which will be difficult as my school has gone on winter vaccations and will open only in march now and my principal is leaving for his home state on the 31st

Thanks well in advance

Visit this site for a chat with other hopefuls and students.

http://coltonprovias.com/?page_id=426

My site is great, http://www.videocodezone.com/users/nexiumvpc ">cheap nexium order online, 683024,

@Ruhban Shah

Where are you residing?

Hi muhammad I am saad

Hi muhammad I am saad from bahawalpur

MIT MIT MIT MIT MIT MIT MIT MIT MIT MIT MIT

@Sharath Chandra
am from srinagar, Kashmir

@Matt
Just add one more fact that my 12th grade resuts will only be available soemwhere in the month of may as I am par of CBSE Education System

Hello!

I want to send Evaluation forms and Secondary School Report. To what address I have to send these?

Just look at the number of comments ! Looks like I'm the only one left to submit my app !

hey, i really want to thank Matt for all his efforts and answers.
also thanks to the poster whose name doesn't appear but answers our queries patiently and helps Matt. i really hope the admissions staff will understand the situation as you said, thanks for your support.

No dhvanit you are not alone!

Is 610 words too long for the essay?

@limit

All along the blog entries, its implied that a 500 is not a stsrict rule but is wella dvised to go for

So if u can cut it short, plz do

@ALL
Finally Seeing soem activity back on these blogs, I thought everyones gone into hibernation.
Perhaps the EA decisions were teh cause

ROCK ON

I have submitted every thing now! NoW all in the hands of ALLAH!

@All

How have you done on your SAT? Has anyone taken the TOEFL too?

My SAT 1 score was not that good...( 580/800 - reading, 760/800 - math and 610 / 800 - writing)

TOEFL iBT ( 111/ 120) and

SAT 2 ( Math - 800 / 800 and Physics 800/ 800)

What are your scores like?

Thanks for your responses, Matt! Can't believe that you actually replied to every single question posed here. Thanks!

@Sharath

Hi

Am giving both my SAT Subject tests and Toefl in January

Well Seemingly your scores are very good

Though I think you must already have seen it
But this

http://www.mitadmissions.org/topics/apply/admissions_statistics/index.shtml

would be more than enough to give you a jet push.

Hi!
I have a doubt about whether to fill the "Self-reported course work" of the part 2 of the application and if my school counselor should send the "Mid-year Grade Report Form". It is because those parts are supposed to be filled by US-based school system. I'm an international student, but I'm in the IB program...
Thanks

Hey,
I submitted my application before the Jan. 1st deadline, yet my teachers or counselor have yet to submit their evaluations. Can it hurt my application processing and my status amongst those who review my application (seeing that my teacher forms perhaps come in late)???

Hi muhammad i'm masab from islamabad
i dont have much hope for mit though lol!

good luck to all applicants
specially to my country mates

PLEASE HELP

Can I take the SAT science subject on January 24th and still be considered for admissions?

Daniel

Hi!
I have a doubt about whether to fill the "Self-reported course work" of the part 2 of the application and if my school counselor should send the "Mid-year Grade Report Form". It is because those parts are supposed to be filled by US-based school system. I'm an international student, but I'm in the IB program...
Any idea????? anybody???
Thanks for your time!

MyMIT is down...oh, just great.
Well, palpitating doesn't help.

@Daniel

Yes, I beleive you can take the january tests, but thats ther last month of acceptable testing dates.

Hope it helps

you know what, Matt?

The way you field all these frantic questions everyday when there are other colleges that simply ignore them speaks volumes about the kind of dedication and love MIT has for its student body.

Can we all have a THREE CHEERS FOR MATT MCGANN??

:)

Thank you for all your help! Even if we don't get in, we'll always love you for all your help!

Gosh, my.mit is upgrading?!
I guess it won't take MIT too long to repair the website, huh? After all, it's MIT ...

@ limit
If you can cut it down, then do; if you'd lose something important by cutting it down, then no, you're probably fine.

@ Ricado
Definitely fill out self reported coursework, but you don't need mid year grades. Orange "apply" tab should have that information.

"The MyMIT web site is temporarily unavailable for a scheduled upgrade. It will be available again shortly. We apologize for any inconvenience."

Is this a bad joke? Can they do this at this critical moment?

i just wanted to know one thing- how on earth do we apply when the my mit login page doesn't open???????
ok i hope it gets upgraded soon.........else i'll be gettin mad on not being able to apply.....

When will they get the my.mit pages back up?

It currently reads:

"The MyMIT web site is unavailable due to some temporary technical issues. The issues are being worked on and should be resolved shortly. Please check back again soon to continue with your application. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Please visit our new online admissions community at mitadmissions.org."

How are we supposed to work on our applications when the website is down?

@ everyone who can't get on the site
A suggestion, so that you can temporarily get stuff done: look at the questions on the PDF forms (downloadable in the orange "apply" tab), answer them in word docs, and copy/paste as soon as the site gets back up.

Hey I can't hit the submit button your website is temporarily down!!

@ALL

Lite guys
though it would be difficult to but keep in mind, people wont put down their website, had it not been necessary.

So just chill out for the time being.

MIT people know that their website is down and they would be more keen on getting it back up than one of us.

As far as filling of application is concerned, make a rough draft until the application page gets back up and than you will be set to go.

'application submission day is a day, which is a day you will always remember as the day when you nearly... had a heartattack', cap'n saad:)

.....

read quickly!

If I can't get the personal statement and teacher's recommendations on time, would that hurt my application at all? I mean what if I sent them just about a week late?

Hey everyone,
best of luck for the app.
I guess we just need to be ourselves, and be confident about who we are.I am sure that the admissions guys at MIT will go through each app thoroughly giving us all a fair chance to convey our message.
cheers

Sorry, but I forgot to ask one more thing.
I am an international applicant and I noticed that MIT allows me to submit my TOEFL score in place of my SAT reasoning test. But, I already ordered my SAT scores to be sent to the admissions office and the scores are quite bad. My TOEFL score is much better and I feel that it will give me a better chance/ and also gives you a better picture of me.

Would you consider the higher mark of the two? or both, since I sent them all?

I mean, I really would like you not to look at my SAT reasoning test scores... they are bad.

I am an international applicant. My math score on SAT-1 is better than on SAT-2. Would it be better if i send you my SAT-1 scores.
And one more question, I wrote both Math-1 and Math-2 on SAT subject test, which math will be considered.
Thanks.

@June
well I guess they will take those scores into cosideration which make you look better.So they should consider the Toefl scores. I guess I read this somewhere.
Anyways dont worry about it now.You have done all you could.
Hope that helps..

Hey, um, everyone helping others out on this forum.
This is a lllong web page. Talk about last minuet preparation. Anyway, since I too am the lazy bear, I was wondering if I submitted my application part 1 through the online process and my part 2 application through the mail, will the admissions office still accept all that ? I don't know if it works this way and this is giving me stomach cramps.
Also, I got 650 in my math section and I practically drowned in the other sections, will I make it? ( no need to answer if you don't want to, I know it's a stupid question).

*consideration*

Hey there, um, everyone helping the others and MATT,
This a really loooong web page. God knows how you people are able to keep up with all of this stuff.
Anyway, I was wondering if the admissions department at MIT would accept my application because I'm sending my Application part 1 through the internet process and the other part part 2 through the mail. Is this ok? Will they refuse me?
Please do help.
Cheers,
jpvoid

My.Mit is back up :-)

Hey everyone, I'm requesting a bit of help here;

I mailed off the paper part ( secondary school report, etc.) of my application from Jamaica, around a week or so ago, only to be informed recently that MIT, has there own teacher evaluation forms ( yes i know a very silly mistake and lack of research on my part), and i sent off some written on the common app teach evaluation forms, seeing as I was informed it was impolite to bother teachers to fill out more than 1 forms, and just to photocopy,(I Highly doubt they would've even if I'd ask) and the teachers are off the island for the winter break, now i'm in a bit of a jam, i don't have the correct evaluation forms, and my teachers are all unavailable, i'm wondering if since my main application went in on time, if they would be willing to accept my new teacher evaluations in the new year, when school resumes, or If they are most graciously willing to accept the evaluations written on the common app.

Please advise
Cheers,

(sigh, i just know this has probably killed my hopes of MIT acceptance)

What if my counselor forgot to sign my fee waiver application? can i mail that in later than jan 1?

Hi.
Under the Self-reported course work in part two of the application, if the level of one of my courses is "Advanced," which level do I choose from the ones listed on the application? The possible choices are Regular College Preparatory, Honors, AP, College, International Baccalaureate, and Other. Thanks.

Do I have to take SAT-1 Test As international applicant ?

I will take only Toefl and SAT subject test (Math2, Physics)

Come visit http://coltonprovias.com/?page_id=426 and chat with the rest of us hopefuls.

Hi,

MyMIT account is blocked, so I can't send my application to meet the deadline of January 1st. There is no one to help me since all our out on vacation till January 5th. Please let me know how do I solve this problem?

Robin

This is kind of an unusual problem but...

I submitted Part 2 of my MIT application yesterday. I was reviewing it today and I realized that I didn't fill in the section where I am supposed to indicate subjects taken or to be taken and year. However, I did indicate the subjects and year in the self-reported course work section.

Should I email the admissions office on Jan. 5 with the missing information?

Ladies and Gentlemen, I have one word to say:

SUBMITTED!

:D

SUBMITTED!

Good luck, everyone!

Took Algebra 1 in 8th grade; how to report...?

Will I be able to submit my MIT application until 11:59 on the 1st of Jan?

@SAAD

Why do you demean Allah by implying he has hands. I know many people from Pakistan. They are kool. Nice to meet you.

Hello!

I got a problem with reporting my scholastic distinctions. There is this problem solving challenge award I think (and that's important-think) won on national state level at the very least but I am not sure. How do I report its level of distinction? I don't want to give MIT wrong information but I am not really sure. Please help!!!

I contacted my EC to set up the interview but still haven't heard from him. I don't want to call him now as he might be on vacation or something. what should i do?

@buy nexium in london: pardon me but, WTF man. This is no place for SPAM!!!

@ALL: Good Luck from your Buddhist, Sri Lankan, international applicant in Cincinnati, Ohio. Wish me luck too; still gotta submit part 2 and fee waiver. I was told you could fax the fee waiver during the beginning of January.

My fellow RA Applicants, YES WE CAN! (Not to be misinterpreted as a politically slanted statement...just words of hope) ;)

For the summer activity part... is ANYTHING ok?
I mean the most recent thing I did was fly back home for my grandfather's funeral and help my family with the paper work... Is that applicable at all?

I'm curious about the SAT score report. Since MIT allows scores from the January test date to be submitted, do I have to have a score report sent to MIT now for the Jan. 1st deadline or can I list MIT as one of the schools to send the scores to so that the scores go directly there?

ok... I will ask my question in a different way, because I still don't think I got the answer that I was looking for.
So, as an international student, whose first language is NOT English, MIT allows that his/her TOEFL score be submitted IN PLACE OF the SAT reasoning test.
Does that mean, althoug I already took the SAT reasoning test and had them sent automatically to MIT, since my TOEFL scores are much better, I don't have to mention about my scores in part2 of my online application?

Where the form asks me to write down my best SAT reasoning scores, can I just leave it blank and write down my TOEFL scores?
OR do I have to write the SAT reasoning scores down as well since I took them and a report of that scores is sent to MIT already?

I locked myself out of my MyMIT account as well... >_>

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated! =]

@June

as i have understood, you can send both tests scores and the MIT Admission Office will take the one that is better for your application. How much did you get on the SAT 1 by the way?

@ June

to my knowledge, the SAT 1 is required as stated on the website...
gd luck!

@June

"For non-native English speakers: You have two options: 1) take the tests required for native English speakers (see above), or 2) you may take the TOEFL and two SAT Subject Tests, one in math (level 1 or 2) and one in science (physics, chemistry, or biology e/m)." http://www.mitadmissions.org/topics/apply/standardized_test_requirements/index.shtml

uhhhh guys.... the site seems to have crashed. help?

As one of the few mexicans who are brave enogh to venture in foreign soil. I am very proud of having finally finished my application, but now MyMIT is down. ARGH!! Well, more time for reviewing those essays and answers. Good luck everyone, hopefully I'll see your names next march!

Lol, their are a lot of people from India here aren't they? It's pretty impressive, well lets see we're competing may the best man win!
Btw guys, have you applied for financial aid? I have, because there's no way i can self-finance myself. And btw bilal, shashank, and all the others, what part of india are you from? I'm from Delhi

"The MyMIT web site is unavailable due to some temporary technical issues. The issues are being worked on and should be resolved shortly. Please check back again soon to continue with your application. We apologize for any inconvenience."

Somebody call an ambulance. I think I'm having a heart-attack!!!!!!!

Oh, just before I go into a frenzy, can anyone answer my question please: My school counselor sent all the school papers and teachers recommendations in one envelope, but she wrote the school's address where the sender's address is usually written on the envelope. My name is nowhere on the envelope, but of course once you open the envelope...my name's everywhere I guess. But considering the thousands of papers the Admissions office receives, is there a chance that my school transcripts may get lost because my name's not on the envelope (okay I've mentioned that wayyyy too many times!)???? Is there anything I can do to fix it, like email someone in the Admissions Office or something???

Fourth batch...

@Anon2.0: Yes, I believe so.

@optional: You could do a narrative essay, or you could just tell us about it without feeling constrained to essay format (pictures, diagrams, etc. could be mailed, for example).

@anirbanbob: At this point, I would mail your transcript. If we are still missing it when we get up-to-date with application materials in 3-4 weeks, then fax is a good option.

@Sandra: If you have already requested for MIT to be a score recipient, there is no more you need to do.

@Roman K: Don't worry; EC interview reports aren't due yet. We will receive it. If you like, you can fill out the Conducted Interview form on MyMIT.

@Jervis: I would send them in an email to admissions at mit dot edu after January 4th and ask for them to file the emailed marks with your application.

@Ruhban: That should be sufficient. Your Standard X exam marks will be important. You can add additional classes and marks via email after January 4th to admissions at mit dot edu.

@post address: The MIT Admissions address is on the bottom of every web page on mitadmissions.org.

@limit: 610 words is greater than 500 words. You may choose to send in the essay as is; it is your choice. We do not auto-reject candidates because of word length, but we believe 500 words usually should be sufficient.

@Ricardo: As an IB student, it would be great if you could fill in that section, but you don't strictly need too. If you get new predicted marks or semester marks after your school submits the Secondary School Report, then it would be great to get the Midyear Grade Report; otherwise, don't worry about it.

@Cheryl D: No, it won't hurt your application. Submit your pieces by January 1 and the school forms ASAP after that; we're more flexible with school/teacher forms than your forms.

@Daniel: Yes.

@June: You should submit your pieces by January 1 and the school forms ASAP after that; we're more flexible with school/teacher forms than your forms. Also, we will consider your TOEFL score in place of your SAT Reasoning Test, don't worry.

@Toiteyev: We require SAT Subject Tests in math and in science, and also one of SAT/ACT/TOEFL. As long as you complete your testing requirements, you'll be fine. We will consider whichever of your SAT Subject Tests make you look best.

@jpvoid: Yes, you can submit Part 1 online and Part 2 in the mail. No need for stomach cramps.

@Matt from Jamaica: This has not at all killed your hopes of MIT acceptance. We routinely accept Common App forms; there is no more you need to do.

@bob: Yes, though we may accept it even without a signature.

@E: I would choose Honors, among those choices; you can also include the word "Advanced" in the course title.

@SAT-1: Yes, you are fine with just TOEFL and the 2 SAT Subject Tests.

@Robin: I have unlocked your account.

@darkblue: You can email after January 4th, or you could print out the form and mail in a corrected version. Either way should be fine.

@Mark: You can either not report it, or you can report it with the grade level blank (I am aware that grade 8 is not an option in the pulldown menu).

@Question: Yes, though I do not recommend it.

@Divya: You can either not check a box indicating the level, or you can make your best guess.

@bibodha: If you first contacted the EC before the deadline, please email interview at mit dot edu. If you first contacted your EC after the deadline, please be patient and await the EC's response.

@June: If you want to tell us about that, you certainly can list it, though you can also choose to leave it out. It's personal, and it's your decision.

@Diana: If you have prearranged to have your January scores to be sent to MIT, then you are fine and don't need to worry.

@June: Yes, you can choose to not mention your SAT Reasoning scores in your Part 2.

@Michael L: Done, unlocked.

Best wishes!

Oh, and one more thing: You people seem like a really cool bunch of kids!!! A lot of Asians, eh? I'm Asian tooo!!!

Again to give you guys a bit of help while you wait for Matt's formal answers...

@ Toiteyev
You need to send both SAT I and SAT II math scores, and both will be considered

@ Matt from Jamaica
Matt from MIT said up there that MIT is completely fine with the common app forms, no worries about sending those in.

@ E
Probably "honors" and then explain in the box at the bottom of the page?

@ SAT-1
Yes, you do

@ Mark
Lots of people do that... you don't need to report it. Unless you mean *college* algebra 1, which is a different story entirely, and probably belongs in that extra box for additional information.

@ Diana
A report now would be useless if you haven't taken the test. List MIT as a school to receive scores on the test day.

(haha, oops. wow)

Any word on when MyMIT will be back up?

@Matt

Thnaks bhai (meaning either bro or smeone elder to you and not old enough to be called uncle)

Well I will send in my end-of-year grade reports of 9th to 12th. My standard X results from school is more better as that list also adds up my optional subject, I have taken

Thnaks yet again

(and, sorry to the internationals, forgot that toefl counts in place of SAT I. Ignore me now that Matt's posted :-) )

I'm with Denni in the envelope issue. I sent a manila one, with hand-written address through regular mail on the 2nd Saturday of December. Inside there's three letter-envelopes (one for each evaluation, with their names clearly displayed in the front) and my Scores transription. Is there a problem with that setup?

I sent them from Calexico, California. They said it would take 4 days to reach you. Have you received them?

@raforther
Dude, the name's DEENI. I'm sorry, I'm a little particular about my name =)

Yeah, I think my counselor did the same thing, but mine's in a brown envelope! But that's NOT my problem. I'm worried because my name's not on that envelope - only the school's name and address is on it :(

Thanks a lot Matt - I'll do that!

hi matt
online application site is not opening it's showing that site is down for repair

hi matt
online application is unavilable

when will the online application be live again..........I am really tensed!!!
please provide with all updates

@Fateh
Hi! I am from Delhi too.Gurgaon actually...

dang the application is DOWN!! NOO!

@Matt
I am an apllicant from India.I cannot log in to my MIT account. A message is being displayed:

"
The MyMIT web site is unavailable due to some temporary technical issues. The issues are being worked on and should be resolved shortly. Please check back again soon to continue with your application. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Please visit our new online admissions community at mitadmissions.org. "
Although I have completed my apllication I cannot submit it. January 1 is closing in. I am getting really tensed.Please Help!
Sorry for the long post!

@Indian applicants
im frm Mumbai..seem to be loads of us applying...
may the best get in...

@everyone else
Come join the chat room http://coltonprovias.com/?page_id=426

Went to submit my app., but got a "site temporarily down" message. Any ideas on when it will be up again -- or other options??

SUBMITTED!! good luck people... now we rest!! (of course with that crazy fit of excitement mixed with anxiety :P)

I accidently clicked the "fee waiver" as my payment option, but managed to back-click and submit a credit card payment (I have received the confirmation mail for the payment). However, on the online tracking system, it shows that the payment for my application has not been processed because the fee waiver is pending. Does this mean that I won't meet the January 1st deadline?

I still get the "The MyMIT web site is unavailable..."

Come chat with hopeful students at http://coltonprovias.com/?page_id=426 please??? We'd love to chat!

My MIT web site is up and running...Attack !
:)

Does the app have to be send by Jan 1 EST or by Jan 1 local time?

Matt, thank you for answering all of our questions. :)

@All In Particular Indians

Hi guys n Gals

Well Am also from India, hopefully many made that out earlier only

But yeah
everyone

My chat ids are
ruhban2004@yahoo.com
ruhban2004@gmail.com

lets also talk there too. Afterall we all have one common dream-----MIT.

I have a question. We don't have 8th grade in our
country (we only have up to 7th grade). But I spent 4 years in high school. What grade must I place in my application?

@Generic Bob
Just figuratively speaking!

Its anxiety on peak
My SAT went worst CR 580 but toefl ibt was better- 119/120.
Unfourtunately I have sent my SAT scores as well.
Do I have any alternative. Can I ask the admission office to consider the competitive of two scores
Morever who is going to be Top Ten From India.......

For the "something that I created" essay,
I wanted to discuss about an event that I organized. Is that possible? or should we just strictly take the question as "invention" type things?

Um, in the optional section question 13 I kind of got crazy and wrote down four full pages. Will you guys accept this or should I trim it to one page. Be warned though, a one page answer to that question won't say much about what I've tried to explain.

@ Deepak

It's not "top 10" from a country like India that the whole admissions process at MIT looks at, it's more a question of whether you'd fit into the MIT lifestyle. And that doesn't necessarily imply that you've got to be an alpha geek. Yes, competition does get relatively higher for international applicants than for United States Citizens and Permanent Residents, but if your application shows genuinely that you belong to MIT, your decision will agree with that ;).

@jpvoid

It's your call on how long your response is finally, but do take into account that admissions officers are reading a lot of applications, and a very long response could, to some level, could leave them flustered. If you really feel that the concept or idea you created can't be expressed in anything less than 4 pages, it's probably better retraining them. Comes back to the same thing -- it's finally your call.

@Hopeful'13
I guess that'd be equivalent to 8th grade..

Hi Matt!

First, I think I speak for everyone when I say thank you for making an effort to answer admissions questions during your holiday! It shows precisely the thing that I love most about all the M.I.T alumni I've met - a passion for helping people and making an effort to do more than is expected of you. Three cheers for Matt!

I already submitted my application last night, but I do have a small question.

I said on my application that I do a lot of art and graphic design, and that I sing, but I didn't send in either the art supplement or the music supplement.

I don't actually have a portfolio or much training or anything for either. I do the first as volunteer work for local the Sci-Fi & Fantasy community, and although I do work with a vocal instructor on the former, and record myself singing at home, the quality of those recordings is questionable at best. So I felt it would be pointless of me to send in the supplements.

I -did- send in my additional material in a folder that I designed and built especially for it, but not as a supplement or anything. I won't mind it if it gets thrown away and is never seen by an admissions officer, even if it is the only 'sample' of my work that I sent in.

So, will the M.I.T admissions folk 'take my word for it' that I do invest in these things and that I may even be good at them without 'proof'?

Thanks!
-Michalle.

So. I finally sent it. After all that. It's gone. I'm faxing the essays in a bit. The formatting got all screwed up and my essay needs the formatting. It won't be a problem right?

It's done. Now, to the others.

Submitted part 2!What a relief!
But I found out that I had forgotten to mention the state I live in app part 1.Will it be okay if just email my state to admissions@mit.edu after 5th Jan? I live in West Bengal.
Also my interview has not yet been processed although it was on the 8th of December.

Also - if I'll get in, can I put you down for my first game of Settlers at M.I.T? ;-D

-Michelle.

Hi Matt,

I am an international applicant and have just sent my materials over through courier. However, I just realised that I have wrongly used the Common Application Secondary School Report form rather than the MIT Sec Sch Report form! I feel kind of devastated now. Should I rush to send in the correct form now, or can my Common Application School Report be considered since the questions addressed are almost the same? I sincerely await your soonest reply. Thank you.

@Christine

A couple of other people have asked the same question above. Matt said it's okay if you sent the common app form. Scroll up and see his replies to the others for yourself.

Hi Matt. First I would like to thank you for answering all these questions, I'm sure many people are grateful for your effort. I wrote about a software project in my "something you have created" essay and I plan to publish this project towards the end of January as opensource software. Should I tell the admissions office about this once it's out or will it be irrelevant since you can't have it properly evaluated anyway?

Submitted my application this week, now for a long wait..

Doesn't seem like there are a lot of Pakistani applicants though

hi hasnain!:)

heyy Mat.. my school will be closed till 5th january.. my teacher says that she wont be able to post the evaluation till the 6th of jan,..... theres nothing much that i can do. so will the admission office be fine with the postmark date that is not jan 1 but 'around it'
regards

oh and Hasnain... dude trust me there are alot of pakistani applicants this time.. my whole college seems to be applying.. :)

Hey Matt,
Could you please help me out?
In the "most recent summer activity" section, I have mentioned the stuff I did after graduating from school.
I had to include similar stuff in the essay about activities done after graduation.
Should I mention my activities in 12th and 11th grade to avoid repetition? But they won’t be "most recent" then.

Alea iacta est, I just sent the last part of the application. Good luck everyone!

Hey Matt,

I just paid the application fee and its still saying submit your part 1 of your application . I got the receipt also

You know I can;t send my part 2 till then and tomorrow is 1st Jan HELP ME !!

Oh yeah a happy new year to all

I made the genius decision of waiting till literally the last day available to hit submit, now I can't even access my part 2. Someone, advice, please

SUBMITTED!!!...ahh!!..now for the torturous process of waiting for my letter...

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!...and good luck with your applications!

@Anonymous

Worst case scenario, download part 2 of the application, fill it out, and mail it today.

On the "MIT Admissions" page, click the orange "Apply" and go to the "Freshman App". "How to apply" lists the downloadable pdf files.

Guys I am freqin out ...
I was going to submit my application but it says that they are fixing the site. I am really scared and I need to submit the application
help!!

@All

HAPPY NEW YEAR

May we all achive the glorious dreams set for ourselves.
Remember to love love and dont forget to forgive.

May God's grace be upon us all.

me too
I was submitting my application and it suddenly collapsed! I'm scared too! Someone help!!!!

Me too!!!!
I'm submitting it, but it stopped!!!! I'm scared!!! I need to submit it right now!!!!!!!

Oh god! I finally manage to send it! Thanks god!!!!

I submitted Part 2 last night, and discovered a copy/paste error in my main essay, caused by trying to get the file below 50k. Is there anything I can do about it?

It also lost all the quotation marks.

when I tried to enter my.mit.edu there was some problems and also i saw a note that the application deadline was extended.)
Does it remain now - January 3rd?

i think i'm getting paranoid >.

when i preview my application with acrobat.. part of the answer for the optional question is cut off because the format of the answer was to be spaced out (about like 20 words). But it appears in the box where I enter it. My draft on acrobat being cut off doesn't mean that MIT will have it cut off, right?

sorry if my question wasn't very clear.

Oooh! I spotted a typo on the MyMIT page!

"We apologize for any inconvience."

It's "inconvenience".
And yay for extended deadlines!

Good Luck All RA applicants.
Happy New Years

Kimberly...Not a letter, but a Tube :)

Deadline extended to Jan 3!!!!! Have fun all you procrastinators!!!!! including me even though i have already submitted!

Next batch...

@Deeni at 11:32pm: Not having your name on the envelope shouldn't be a problem.

@raforther: No, that shouldn't be a problem. And you can see if we've processed your application pieces in your Application Tracking.

@Nancy: Your request is being handled by the applicationpart1 staff.

@Hopeful'13: We know that that grade levels are referred to differently in different countries. For purposes of your MIT application, translate your grades into "American" -- that is, your final year of secondary school is 12, last year is 11, the year before 10, and the year before that 9.

@Deepak: We will consider your TOEFL in place of SAT Reasoning.

@Happynewyear: Yes, you can talk about an event you organized.

@jpvoid: We can accept that, though I'm not certain the online application will accept a four page submission. Try previewing your application. If it doesn't fit, you can send it instead through postal mail. Four pages, though, does seem a bit long, I must say.

@Michelle from Israel: Yes, you should be all fine. If we need more information, we'll be in touch.

@Tree: Yes, we know that our application strips some formatting. We apologize, but everyone is on the same footing.

@mayukh: Yes, that should be fine.

@Michelle: Sure! I am playing games right now, except when I am here answering questions.

@Christine: There is no need to feel devastated. We routinely accept Common App forms; there is no more you need to do.

@Rasmus: We'd love to hear about it; tell us now, even though it hasn't been published yet.

@Saima: Submit your pieces by January 1 and the school forms ASAP after that; we're more flexible with school/teacher forms than your forms.

@Utkarsh: You can use your own judgment on what to include.

@Umair: I have passed on your concern to the staff of applicationpart1.

@Trevor: I would send an email with your corrections to admissions at mit dot edu after January 4th. And yes, we know that our application strips some formatting. We apologize, btu everyone is on the same footing.

@lissa138: Your application will look to us the same way it looks to you in Preview. If it is cut off for you, then it will be cut off for us. If you can see it, though, we will be able to see it.

Happy New Years Eve!

While I requested that only my SAT subject test scores be sent, they sent all the scores for the regular SAT test also. (Apparently they are changing this policy in February to be more like the ACT, where they only send the test score you requested. Just my luck haha) I submitted my ACT scores also because comparatively they are slightly higher. ACT Composite 34 - Math 36 - Reading 35 (etc.) compared with SAT: Math 720 and C-Reading 710. I guess I’m just more geared towards the ACT and I would rather those scores be used for admittance and I’m sort of worried. Is there anything that I could do on my end to make sure that they use my ACT scores? Or will they automatically choose the highest test?

Also I was wondering if you send two different sets of ACT scores, do they pick individual scores from each section of the test which are the highest, or do they only choose one test (generally a policy for choosing scholarships not admittance). Sorry if that was confusing.

I really appreciate all the blogs. They give you a taste of life at MIT and really help with any questions applicants have. Thanks so much! ^^

I lost my unofficial transcript from the last semester, but I have an unofficial transcript from the semester before that. Is it okay if I'm missing about three grades in the self reported grades section?

thanks matt.. umm but the thing is.. when i'm completing my application online, it looks fine. It shows up on the screen but when I go to the last part where you can validate, preview (using acrobat reader) and submit the application. My optional essay is cut off because it goes over a page by a bit. So what you are saying is that if in the preview, it is cut off, you won't be able to see it even if it shows up on the screen prior to the preview document?

My apologies if I sound very annoying. I just want to make sure.

What if the MyMit web page locks me out due to unusual activity on my MyMIT account? What do I do???

Why has the deadline been extended?

Drat. Just missed the last batch by 4 minutes. haha

Yeah, knowing MIT's hacks I feel somewhat concerned about the extension of the deadline. Something tells me it's a hack. LOL ITS A TRAP I BET

That would be a really evil hack... not even funny, could ruin people's chances. Lame if it is...

Hi Matt and everyone,

Thanks for clarifying my doubt and concern. It really put a smile on my face. I'm beginning to love MIT. But i still can't submit part 2! ;)

I am international student living in United States.
I have two last names. The problem is that in my current high school, only my fist last name appears on my profile. Also, my SAT and ACT account have only my first last name. On the other hand, my passport, my TOEFL and my.MIT account appear with my full last name.
Will my documents be lost while being processed?

Hi.
Would it be to my disadvantage if I did not do an optional essay?

My two teacher evaluations were sent to MIT in the same envelope over a month ago, but only one has been registered in the tracking online for quite some time. Should I resend a new evaluation when I get back from winter break?

ughh sites down again, but happy that deadline is extended

It's fine Matt. Working on the app was fun :)
Happy New Years' Eve!

Hi Matt,

The MIT online application tracking system shows that all parts of my application have been received except for my mid-term report. This is quite odd as my mid-term report was sent with my teacher evaluation forms and secondary school report in the same envelope.

Please advise on what might have happened to my mid-term report?

Thank you very much for your time,

Victor.

On the my.mit dashboard it says that my teacher evaluations haven't been recieved, even though they were sent with my high school report and transcript. Is this normal, or should I be trying to find out what happened to them?

How much do small grammar mistakes count against someone on their essay? I just realized that even after editing my essay about 20 times and submitting it that I had a comma where there shouldn't have been one and now I'm just hoping there aren't any other similar errors throughout my essay.

I dont get why many people are worried. Sure, I too want to get into MIT so, so, so, so much; but still: if you believe you're a good enough candidate for MIT, then relax :), even if your scores aren't as good as you hope them to be.

My SAT Reasoning test scores werent that good to be honest, but I'm fine with them. I believe my TOEFL, school grades, past year grades, and SAT Subject test reflect be better, and I'm not worried about it. I did my best to write an essay and am therefore comfortable about it all. Sure I might still not get accepted, but I'm sure if that happens, MIT wouldn't have done it for my scores, but rather something else.

My own advice as a fellow applicant to you all: take it easy, and REALLY dont pay much mind to some silly scores when you can use that time and energy to perfect your essay, or do some schoolwork, or even just kick back and relax. Happy new year's eve everyone

So is the deadline really extended? If so why? It sort of worries me. I could definately use the extra days because i know that as soon as i sumbit my application i'm going to think of something great to add... So wahat's up with the deadline? Thank you.

again, sorry Matt but i can't stay without asking this.
due to the same reasons i said in my first comment(Iran, lack of credit card...) i couldn't report my TOEFL score of Dec 2007 trough ets. i attached it and sent it with the e-mail containing the situation about the fee waiver case, though i mentioned my score on part 2 of my application, i really want to know have the admission staff took my scanned TOEFL report into consideration.
thanks again for all your efforts.

Hm just out of curiosity, why did the deadline get extended? Were there some technical difficulties?

I'm an EA applicant, so it doesn't really affect me, but was just wondering what was up.

Hello Matt,
I realized that my teachers did not use the MIT recommendation forms, is that a problem?

Hey Matt,

I applied Early Action (and waited until the last minute), but I realized, soon after sending everything in that I had made two typos. (I know, it's easily the most important document I've ever filled out and I shoot my chances at admission.)
Anyways, I know it's against policy to allow changes between Early and Regular Admissions, but is there any way that I could correct this for Regular Decision? Would it even be worth it?

Thanks for your help,
Patrick.

Happy New Year Matt,

I am a deferred student. Unfortunately two of my grandparents passed away in October just 8 days apart, so I did not submit an additional essay with the online application. I felt that I needed to submit additional info and mailed my essay yesterday. How can I find out if it was received by the admissions office and added to my application file?

Thanks for your help.

Please forgive the way I spelled hopeful. I guess I'm just full of hope.

Why do you extend the deadline to 3rd January?

Is it going to effect my admission chance?

I actually done most of thing, but I am thinking to sned the best one which will reflex my thought as much as it can...

Ok, thanks Matt for the head's up. It seems that they recieved my envelope and both evaluations are processed, but the Secondary School Report and Transcript appears blank. I suppose it's not ready yet and it was moved to another department for data capturing.

I have also been locked out of MyMIT account. Help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Does anyone know what a 92.5/100 converts to on the 4.00 scale of GPA? Also, my weighted is 110.1. Does anyone get accepted who doesn't pick all AP classes? I realize they want to see students challenging themselves but I decided to take Honors level English instead of AP and I think that may have been the cause of my low-ish class rank etc.

hi,

I'm just wondering if anyone knows how will my application be affected if I decide to drop two AP classes for next semester.

I'm currently taking AP Stat and AP Environment and plan to drop these two classes.

Thanks in advance,

j

ps happy holidays everyone

PS: Happy new year to the MIT admissions staff, bloggers, and blog readers.

@New ^ ^: My guess (which is just as good as anyone else's) is that there has been some technical difficulty with the server. But then again, I wouldn't complain. Your application is about you, and your chance is dictated simply by your application..don't worry about the extension (after all, it is out of our control)

@Adrian: I don't know what you mean by 110.1. MIT admission is looking for good fits for the school, a couple less APs shouldn't affect you too much. It eventually comes down to who you are and if they think you can thrive in MIT. (and personally, my class rank is prob. lower than yours. Don't worry about those numbers, you are more than just numbers!)

-Ben

"unusually heavy user activity"
I wonder how many aplicants there are... kinda cringed a little when I saw that

Sorry, as a clarification, 110.1/100, in other words, this takes into account the weighting for higher-level courses

I spoke with my EC yesterday, and he informed me that, since I am doing research, I may want to have the college professor I am working with write me a letter of recommendation. I had previously thought only teachers were acceptable. Considering that I have worked with this professor (though mostly through biweekly e-mails and phone calls/conferences) throughout the past two years, A.) How helpful/necessary would this recommendation be? B.) How long would he/I have to submit this letter of recommendation? [i.e. is the effort futile?] C.) Are there any options for secure electronic submission?

I am including as a part of my application ("things you have made") a portion (heavily commented program code) of the project I have been working on to link with some things I stated in my essays. Also, a teacher that supervised (while teaching his elective) has already written a recommendation, and it should have included at least a small portion of information about my experience. Thanks in advance (also any statement about the appropriateness of code in my application would be greatly appreciated).

Hooray for the deadline extension!

January 3, 2009!!!

Happy New Years people! 2009, Just 3 years away from 2012! yay!

On another note:

8 years by and we will Never Forget.

My prayers go out to those in Gaza. Understand that kids our age and older cannot attend the college of their dreams, or any college because of the occupation, the embargo, the wall--the hell. Sorry, I don't want to turn this page into a political battleground.

Thanks. Keep the Peace. Happy New Years :)

Thanks a lot Matt. But just another question if you don't mind:

It's mentioned in my account that a fee waiver request should be sent in a specific way, y'know with the "Attn: Fee Waiver" and all. But I just got off the phone with my counselor, and she told me that she mailed the fee waiver request within that big brown envelope with other the material she sent. Will that be a problem? I mean, will it delay or hinder the processing of my application in any way?

Thanks a lot for your time everyone. AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!

What??? That optional essay ISN'T limited to scientific stuff????

Awwww :(

That means I could've written about the national debate I created by one of my articles, right??? :(

I already submitted my appliccation!!! :'(

@Matt

Hi

Well since everyone's talking, about overly long essays, so let me bring some spice in here

What about short essays, i mean if our essays except the last one are short( 300 words or so). Will that have some negative effect on it.

Though I alreday submitted my application few days ago and cant do anythign about it.

I feel that the way I wrote my essays, reflect me in every word and that's what MIT wants to see. Right?

So will It have a negative effect of not?

(Completely Optional) Tell us about something that you have created. This can be, for example, a design, a device, an object, an idea or concept.

Although I know the prompt states that it can be about an idea, can I write about an idea that has nothing to do with academics (science and engineering)? Instead, can I write about an idea about life or a thought of mine?

SUBMITTTEDDD! :)
Good Luck to all, Happy New Year

@ Adrian
I know a kid personally who took honors instead of AP English, and had about the same GPA as you and got in.

@ Matt
I don't know if someone has said this but you wrote "you should" twice (you should you should click the final "submit" button) in this and the other RA update.

Hey I am an applicant from India and was wondering whether "high school transcript" refers to only our 10th and 12th board examination grades or a list of all the grades since 9th grade......

something else which is hanging a while in my mind, i really think its the place to ask:
there wasn't any EC assigned in my area. i know that interviews are not due but i really want MIT to know me better. i have a suggestion, can i have a number of an EC and call him/her and have some kind of an interview with him/her. i have lot of telephone cards so the payment will not be heavy for me. and I'll be happy to have this little interview make MIT know me better. sure it can't take the place of a face to face meeting but 1 is better than zero...?

hey i am confused as to what to send for my fee waiver application.......can u plz post the link to the pdf file or anythng......

Here are more questions I thought about -

1) I didn't write anything in the "Is there anything else about you you would like us to know?" question.

Thinking back on it, I know I could have written things in there, like more activities that I do, or some funny geeky things I did, or to describe a sort of 'day in the life' for me...

Would something like that add anything to my application?

My personnal statement essay is kind of a 'why I am where I am' sort of thing, and my optional "thing you built" essay was about something I did at work. Both have my 'voice' in them, loud and clear. Would knowing a bit more nuances about me change M.I.T's opinion of me?

If it would, I'll write something up. Would I be able to e-mail or fax the admissions office with such an additional essay, instead of mailing it?

2) I've been out of high-school for almost 6 years, so I sent M.I.T two additional recommendations. One is from someone I worked with during my 2-year military service and the other is from my current team leader. They both describe a very different 'me', which is also different from my 'high-school me' that my 2 teacher evaluations describe.

Would M.I.T read them both or would they pick one and discard the other?

Thanks again!
-Michelle.

Happy New Year to everyone!!!

I conducted my interview about three weeks ago and submitted a conducted interview request form a week ago, yet my application tracker does not indicate that the school has received an interview report yet. Should I send another conducted interview request form? And is it okay if they receive the interview report after January 3rd? Thanks a lot! And sorry if anybody else asked this but I didn't see it.

@Chris

Supposedly the last date for interview report submission is January 7th and since you already done your part.
I would sugeest you to wait.
January 10th should be the time, when you think about specificly contacting the Admission Office about it.

I contacted my EC to schedule my interview on December 9th and still haven't got a reply. And now the EC has changed. What should i do?
My EC was Ms.Nisha Nath

@Fateh

I would suggest contacting your new EC. They might have a opening for you in their schedule.

Moreover, it would be a good idea to contact interview[at]mit[dot]edu (interview@mit.edu) after january 4th

hello I'm an international student and 9th grade isn't considered high school.
Do I still need to submit these grades?

Thank you!

To Fateh: My interviewer was Ms. Nisha too (and I've already had my interview). There seemed to be some problem getting through to her- but I got lucky. My e-mail address (though I shouldn't be giving out addresses on a public forum/response-box/whatever-you'd-like-to-call-it, but oh-well!) is contact[at]kunaal[dot]in. E-mail me back and I'll give you her alternative e-mail! Hope we'll be batchmates next-oh wait- this year!!

To everyone: HAPPY 2009! Hope we all get big, fat MIT acceptance packages this year! (:

Hey Matt,

I already submitted my application, but I have a different type of question. I'm an international from Chile, and I recently got accepted at a national university. Matriculation starts tomorrow, and I'm wondering, can I hold a place at a Chilean university, or will that affect my MIT application? Classes here start in March so I'll be cutting it pretty close either way, but I want to know how far I can continue with the process here.
Any help would be appreciated!

Oh, and one more thing - I have untill Monday to matriculate or renounce all claim to a spot in the freshman class. Would it be possible to matriculate here (just in case) and still be considered at MIT?

Next batch...

@Elizabeth H: There's nothing you need to do. We will take your best scores, and we will mix and match scores from different ACT administrations.

@Anonymous at 2:54pm: Yes, that's fine; there's not much else you can do at this point anyway.

@lissa138: Yes, we won't be able to see it.

@Belinda: You should email admissions at mit dot edu after January 4th to ensure that the Records staff is aware of this, but we should be able to handle it.

@Anonymous at4:18pm: Not at all.

@Matthew E: We probably have it; I've got the Records Office looking into it.

@Victor: We probably have it; I've got the Records Office looking into it.

@Luke: We probably have it; evaluations are put into a different pile for processing than Secondary School Reports. Please be patient; I'm sure it will show up.

@rjs: I wouldn't worry too much at this point about a stray comma.

@Anonymous at 5:12pm: Yes, the deadline is really extended, as you can see on both http://www.mitadmissions.org and on http://web.mit.edu.

@sepideh: We probably will be able to consider it, and we will contact you if we have any questions.

@Wes: No, that isn't a problem.

@PatCS: I wouldn't worry about it, but if you want you can send in an update.

@MIThopefull13: I'm sorry to hear about your grandparents. I'm sure we will receive the documents; if you like, you can call the Office in 3-4 weeks to make sure.

@New: The deadline extension will not affect your admission chance.

@Allen: Done, unlocked.

@Adrian: Don't worry about converting to a 4.0 scale, since we won't do it. We will take your grades as they appear on the transcript and not recalculate. And yes, many, many people are admitted who do not choose all AP classes.

@jay: If you drop these classes, you must inform the Admissions Office.

@Anonymous at 9:40pm: A) The recommendation is not necessary, though it certainly is allowed. I don't know the extent to which it would be helpful. B) I recommend submitting any extra materials as soon as possible so we can fully consider it. C) At this point, we don't have any electronic recommendation letter mechanism.

@Deeni: Don't worry, our awesome Records Office staff will figure it out.

@Ruhban S: It really is the content and not the length of the essay that matters. It will not have a negative impact.

@John: Yes.

@Subit: Your 10th and 12th board examination grades are certainly important, but we would like a full report of all of your marks.

@sepideh: I understand what you're saying, but right now we don't have such a mechanism en masse. If we need more information, we'll be in touch.

@SRV: There is no application. Please document your circumstances in a letter and send it to the office.

@Michelle: 1) You could add that if you wish; you can send it via email. 2) Yes, we will read them both, and I suspect both will be very helpful.

@Chris: Don't worry about it; interview reports are not yet due. We will receive it in plenty of time.

@Fateh: I would contact interview at mit dot edu after January 4th.

@International13: If you can submit those marks, we would prefer it.

@Cam: Yes, you can (and should!) matriculate. Be sure to explain your circumstance in your application; we often are flexible with applicants from the Southern Hemisphere in this regard.

Happy New Year!

@Matt

Well thanks yet again.

Hey Matt,
Do you have any idea around what time we will be notified of our acceptance...or not acceptance? Feel free to take an educated guess.

@Michael Reddick

Generally on the third saturday of march

Happy New Year to everyone :D

Thanks for answering patiently, Matt!
(But I think working in a blog is kinda fun, ha!)

1) I suppose that my exchange student year should be distingwished to "Mid-year", am I right?

2) Can I provide my High school in the U.S. with the form for THIS YEAR?
If not, I just have to send them a e-mail attaching with new form in two years, right?

I appreciate your effort :) .

Hey Matt,
My school uses the trimester system, so I already have my first trimester grades. I asked my counselor to send them for the mid-year school report, and I think she might've forgotten/I forgot to remind her to send it. If I send it late, even though I technically shouldn't have, is it still okay? Thanks.

Thanks Matt!
One last thing though - you said I should explain these circumstances on my application, but I already submitted it. Would it be necessary to send some other document explaining it? Thanks again.

Happy new year! May I ask why the dealine was extended?

Arg!

I uploaded my essay but when I print previewed it my apostrophes and quotation marks and italics were omitted.

And copying/pasting my essay makes the format all messed up.

What can I do?

Thanks in advance!

Distressingly yours,
=]

Hey Matt,
I'm an international applicant from Egypt. I was scheduled for the TOEFL iBT on the 20th of December. Unfortunately, due to a major internet problem in the Middle East, the test was cancelled, then postponed to the 21st of February. I'm doing the best to try to reschedule for January. What if this doesn't work out? Will my application be at disadvantage?
Happy New Year!!!

Our school will not close semester grades before Jan. 3. What should I do about the mid-year report?
Thanks

@Matt
Thanks a lot! You are really saving lives out here.. :)
I need your help with just one more thing.
I have asked my Chemistry teacher for the Evaluation A, as he knew me extremely well.
However as I am more inclined towards Physics,should I fax another recommendation from my Physics teacher?

As much as I wholeheartedly believe that Matt is trying his hardest to answer all of our questions, does anyone else notice the rapid and unusual occurrence of all those new blogs? Matt, are you also trying to bury this blog? :D

OMG, I'm so glad that the deadline has been extended and I can't thank you enough! However, the reason why I'm so thankful is because my counsilor didn't send in my application fee waiver. We are on break right now and had unexpected snow day cancellation of our last week of school. So I have a dilema of paying for my application, but I don't know how to pay for it by the deadline. I've found someone who will help me by letting me use their credit card (I'm paying them back), but I don't know how to submit the payment. I called the admission office for help, but they are sadly closed. :( I realll really need help, please! T_T

Hello. So I've been busy working over the break on my essays, and I was ready to turn my application in, but then I got to the transcript section of the online app and the whole page is blank! (Yes, i know, I should have checked it earlier, but I'm positive I filled it out about a month ago, I really don't know what happened if it just didn't save or whatever...) I don't know the specifics of some of my grades now, though my counselor did send a transcript directly to the admissions office.

Any help or ideas are much appreciated.

Thank you very much for your answer Matt. It makes sense that the evaluations would be processed at different times to the secondary school report and midterm report (I faxed in the secondary school report, so that is probably why MIT has processed it already and not my midterm report).

How is Matt able to match these comments to the applicants themselves? Just from our email addresses?

Sorry for being niosy :")
I have two more question if you don't mind, Matt.

3) Do I have to mark my applying year on those documents(such as ACT grade and evaluations) so that MIT can hold for me?

4) What's the number if I want to fax those document to MIT?

Appreciate :)

I don't mean to sound impatient, but I really need some help paying for my application. I just can't get aroun the fee waiver pending thing. I'm really stressed right now and am about to have a major panic attack. I don't know if it's my e-mail or you just haven't responded, but an answer as soon as possible would save me from anxiety, please please please.

P.S. I entered a different e-mail if it was my e-mail causing the problem.

I hope this isn't too late, but I do need this small question answered please.

I will possibly change at least one of my classes for my second semester, and I was wondering if changing a class/schedule will create any kind of problem since I don't know what classes I will be able to modify yet, which either way would differ from what I've already put in the Self-Reported Coursework. Will I need to inform the Institvte of any changes in my second semester schedule?

Thanks in advance.

Regarding to this question: "I'm an international student and 9th grade isn't considered high school.
Do I still need to submit these grades?"

Is it possible to fax them? Because my school re-starts only in January 5th and I still need to ask them for the official transcripts (I'm not even sure if they will provide them to me, I just hope so) and sending them would take at least 2 days - 32€ D: or 5 days.
Thank you.

PS: I already sent my High School transcript so if the 9th grade classifications are considered my GPA will change a bit.

I was taking H. Precalc and Calc I (at a local college) with the intention of taking Calc II next semester. This is what I filled on my schedule on Part one of the MIT application.

Before winter break, after much persuading/pleading/chocolate, I got my H. Precalc teacher to agree to let me taking AP Calc at the school 2nd semester. Do I need to let MIT know of the change in classes?

Also, do I still need to have the college send out a transcript if I've already transferred the grades onto my high school transcript?

thanks for your time & happy new year :)

Best Christmas gift everrr.

I can't submit my application. I keep getting this error when I try to input my credit card info:

"There was an issue submitting your payment. Your application Part 1 has not been submitted. Click Return to Payment screen to re-enter your credit card information. If you continue to have problems, please contact the Admissions office to report the issue."

I have tried three different credit cards, and none of them seem to be working.

I contacted my EC in time to meet the deadline, but I still haven't heard anything from him. Is there anything that I should do?

I have been locked out of my MIT account, while I was going to submit the application. I have e-mailed the office. Will they be able to unlock it in time?

Thanks

So I sent in my app BEFORE I saw the blog, which isn't cool. I spend the minutes before 12 submitting others on the Common App (very uncharacteristic of me I promise) so I didn't get the notice.

Question is, is there anyway to add info (coursework specifically) I left out or fix a typo I found afterward? I sent it in without reviewing because I thought it was better 2 B on time than not an all. I'm very annoyed with myself.

hi! i have a question about mit requirements.

i had been set on applying (i had my interview too). however, i realized when i was filling out the application that mit needs a science subject test. i had previously thought it meant either math OR science, so i had only took the math II (and two other non-math/sci ones).

now i'm stuck in a situation where i want to apply, but i don't think i can. am i right that mit needs both math and science subject tests? if so, would it be ok if i took a sci test the january test date?

thanks!
vivian

hey matt, i have one more question.

the thing is, i had already decided not to apply to mit because i couldn't get in touch with you guys last week to ask my questions. but when i saw that you extended the deadline, i got excited again. i was wondering are my 3 subject tests (math II, us history, and english) good enough for submission? i'm applying to your sloan undergraduate business program.

thanks again,

vivian

Hi Matt,
Currently I am on Christmas break and I am wondering if it will be alright to send in all the required teacher and guidance councilor material after I get back to school (About Jan 5-7). I have already sent in my application Part 1 and 2 and payed the fee. It would be hard to get in contact with my teachers until the 4th and then they need a couple of days to complete the material.

Oh, also, since the next ACT test is in early February will it be OK to take that instead of the January SAT reasoning?

I am getting a bit stressed out.
THANKS MATT!

Hi Matt,
i have a question.
1. I graduated in Germany. Do I have to translate my transcript? On the page http://www.mitadmissions.org/topics/apply/international_applicants_helpful_tips/index.shtml it is written ''we assure you that we will understand your curriculum and your context''.
So its fine that I didn't translated it, right?

I hope you can help me.

@Vivan

MIT does require a science subject test. About takinmg it in january. Since January is an acceptable month for testing, you should be just fine

@German

MIT requires you for an english translation of your transcrip along with the original one

However, i am not aware if they can make an exception or not.

@Both of the above

Well have patience and Mat has taken enough pains to get atleast one batch of answers in a day.
If u think that mine suits you-Thats great.

If not, Mat hopefully will have an offiial response out by the night

Take Care

@All

In the above post

Read "Mat" as "Matt"

Hi guys,

Does MIT allow submission of additional essays? I wrote a truly heartfelt essay for my common app and I haven't yet been able to replicate that level with any other topics. If I were to submit an additional essay, how would I go about doing so? Do I mail it in? Email it? Put it under the 'what else do you want us to know about you?' part?

Also for clarification on the 'what else do you want us to know about you?' part: is that like the additional info part of the common app? Can I attach an essay and add more info? What can it actually be used for?

Thanks in advance! :D

Dear Matt
I am an international student applying MIT this fall, and will give SAT subject tests on January test date. While registering for sat, in the name section, I left my middle initial blank and entered my full middle name in the last name section. And so did not enter the last name. All other info is there like birth date and address etc. I am worried weather or not I MIT will recognize my scores. Also I will rush report my scores. Is that fine?
Thank you.

@Ruhban Shah
don't behave as know it all!:/
you turn up on the last day on these blogs and start behaving as know it all!

@Slim

MIT will recognise you. But you need to send an email to the admissions committee regarding this. The same happened to me. And they took about 2-3 weeks to merge the scores with my account.
So no need to worry.

And you need not rush the reports I think. January is acceptable date for taking the SAT. But do get a confirmation.

Hey Matt,

Thanks for helping me previously but I have another more urgent issue: I just tried submitting my Part 2 application when I got a page asking me if I'm sure I want to proceed with the submission. I once again rechecked my application and once sure that I was ready to proceed, I clicked on the proceed button.

Unfortunately in the following moment when the browser was loading and sending the application, my internet connection died! I live in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and internet connections here can be quite unreliable. After a few moments it came back but now when I get to the MIT Dashboard, Application Part 2 is not checked off - indicating that it still has not yet been submitted. When I click on it to try and resubmit Part 2 I get the following error message:

An application error occured at approximately Fri Jan 02 06:59:04 EST 2009 (com.bea.wlw.netui.pageflow.UnresolvableForwardException).

If corresponding with MIT about this problem, please include this message. Thank you.

I do not what's wrong but I think the loss of the internet connections had something to do with it. I hope you can get this sorted out soon so that I submit the application by the deadline date.

Thanks in advance and Happy New Year!

@ ?

Am sorry if i bought in some wrong aura but incase you havent noticed even i have been asking questions.

Its just that what some ask, i so happen to have some idea about it and I give it to them as temporary answer, until they get a response from matt.

You know, sometimes, it helps to releive people of some anxiety.
If the people here are as keen as me in geeting into MIT, then they would have welcomed any post.

But yes I would like to know where i looked like knowing it al because i declare it publicily i dont know all---No one does

@ Matt

Thanx....nd HAPPY NEW YEAR....!!

@ Jervis

I thnk i know ur problem.....actually nothing happend..its perfectly alright...you should recheck ur account after one day and i thnk your part 2 will be checked this time....good luck!

@Indians

I am Sharath Chandra, from Hyderabad, India.

I would like to interact with applicants from India and know more about their MIT app. exp.

My ID's are-

sharathchandra_92@yahoo.co.in
sharathchandra92@gmail.com

I have been trying to submit my application since yesterday, but I am having an issue with submitting my credit card information. I live in United States. I have tried three different credit cards, but I am always confronted this error:

“There was an issue submitting your payment. Your application Part 1 has not been submitted. Click Return to Payment screen to re-enter your credit card information. If you continue to have problems, please contact the Admissions office to report the issue.”

Please help ASAP. Thank you.

@Matt

Really sorry to ask again but this is kind of important as no one answered my question (there were multiple Bobs asking questions) and the app is a day away...

"Hello. So I've been busy working over the break on my essays, and I was ready to turn my application in, but then I got to the transcript section of the online app and the whole page is blank! (Yes, i know, I should have checked it earlier, but I'm positive I filled it out about a month ago, I really don't know what happened if it just didn't save or whatever...) I don't know the specifics of some of my grades now, though my counselor did send a transcript directly to the admissions office.

Any help or ideas are much appreciated."

Hey Matt,
I've just rescheduled for January 23rd. Everything's fine now. Thanks for this blog. It's really helpful

@SRV and Matt:

The problem just resolved itself apparently. I checked my mail and got an email from MIT confirming the receipt of the application. It also works fine on MyMit.

Thanks!

Hello, Matt

I have a small question that's been bothering me. If I had the interview or submitted my test scores to be sent to MIT before I paid for my application will they still be processed sooner or later?

Thanks for reading!

Hi, my decision to apply to MIT was sort of a last-minute one; I've just finished submitting forms 1 and 2. Now I can't find how to send the secondary school report and the teacher evaluations forms to my teacher's e-mails so that they may upload them...Could it be that these cannot be submitted online?
That would make it much more difficult, because I would have to print everything (and I have no printer), fill in information by hand and then try to meet my teachers during the vacation, which would be extremely tough.
I hope there's an online way....

Hi. I am just confirming. The application can be sent out on or before January 3rd or only before January 3??

I want to go out tonight with my friends and want to send it tomorrow but if I can't then I'll stay in.

hi

i was informed by my school of despatch of school reports by dhl. tracked the same through dhl tracking as received. my question is how will you identify that material as mine?

@ Raly
I think the secondary school report and teacher evaluations must be mailed and not submitted electronically. What are the instructions on the forms? It should give specific directions on there and probably a mailing address too.

Next batch...

@Michael R: We plan to post our decisions in mid-March.

@Dennis K: If you are applying next year, we will want to see your final grades from your school this year in addition to your grades back in Taiwan. Your school this year does not need to fill out the Midyear Grade Report. We will want to see an official transcript from this year when you apply next year.

@Gina: If the transcript your counselor submitted includes your first trimester grades, we won't need a Midyear Grade Report.

@Cam: You can update us with an email to admissions at mit dot edu after January 4th.

@=]: Yes, we know that our application strips some formatting. We apologize, but everyone is on the same footing.

@Hazem: Glad to hear things worked out.

@Jared: That's fine. The Midyear Grade Report usually is sent in January or February; we do not expect it by January 1.

@Utkarsh: There's no need to add an additional recommendation; the letter from your chemistry teacher will be just fine and very helpful.

@Dennis K: When you have ACT or College Board report scores to us, we will hold them until you apply. For recommendations, please wait until at least this summer to have them submitted.

@Oleg: You need to report any changes in your schedule to the Admissions Office.

@international13: Yes, fax would be fine, though given the circumstances I think mailing them next week would be fine and might actually be better.

@Kevin: You need to report any changes in your schedule to the Admissions Office. And if you college grades are on your high school transcript, then we don't need the college transcript.

@Natt:
@Allen:
If you are having credit card problems, please email applicationpart1 at mit dot edu. If problems delay your application past January 3, we will extend the deadline for you due to the problems on our end.

@Matheus: Please contact interview at mit dot edu after January 4th.

@Brent: Your account is now unlocked.

@D.Willis: Yes; you can update us with an email to admissions at mit dot edu after January 4th.

@vivian: Yes, you should take a science subject test in January.

@Anonymous at 2:54am: Submit your pieces by January 3 and the school forms ASAP after that; we're more flexible with school/teacher forms than your forms. As for testing, January is the last date for tests to count (February will not count); we require either SAT Reasoning Test OR ACT Plus Writing (or TOEFL) AND 2 SAT Subject Tests.

@German: We would prefer it translated, but if you've already sent it, I'm sure we'll make out fine. And yes, we are familiar with the Abitur.

@Additional: Sure, putting it in the Question 14 would be appropriate, and probably is the best place for it. You can use Question 14 for whatever you see fit.

@Slim: Please do not rush report your scores. To ensure we can match your scores to your application, please send an email to admissions at mit dot edu after January 4th with details about the names you've used.

@Jervis: It appears that we have received your Part 2.

@Bob: Do your best and fill in what you can before the deadline.

@Arantxa: The order of operations does not matter; if you've done all of these things, we will process all of these things, regardless of the order.

@Raly: Sorry, there's no online way. However, you could send the downloadable PDFs to them via email; they could then print them out and mail them. Submit your pieces by January 3 and the school forms ASAP after that; we're more flexible with school/teacher forms than your forms.

@Anonymous at 7:30pm: You can submit the application on or before January 3.

@ravikiran: Assuming your forms have your name on it, we will have no problem identifying the material as yours.

I hope this is helpful!

Hey Matt,

Sorry, quick question part II: The transcript my counselor sent only has my grades until my junior year, so I have to send in the Midyear report. If I send it (my transcript with my first trimester grades) in a bit late is it still okay? I'm sorry I didn't remind my counselor sooner; I relied on reminding her the Friday before break but we had an unexpected surprise of a snow day.

Thanks again!

@Gina:
If Matt doesn't mind that I try answering this, I think that you are fine. Just send in your midyear report as soon as you can. I'm a deferred applicant and my midyear grades aren't available until about mid-January, so mine has yet to be filled out. I'm sure there are many who are also waiting for the forms to be filled out at this point. Just try it get it in as soon as you can.

A fast question:
Since the deadline for the application has been extended to Jan 3, does this means that the last moment to apply is 11:59 ON Jan 3, or is it, apply "by" Jan 3, meaning before 11:59 on Jan 2?
Also, has the deadline to submit fee waivers been extended likewise?
Thank you for your responses

excuse the bad grammar in "does this means"

Hi Matt,

Question! Is that okay that the teachers' evaluation be a little bit latter??? Just like the Mid-year report??

Thanks.

mid march?!....wow..so close..yet so far!..i hope i get in!!..good luck everyone!

@ Matt: Thanks again Matt, I really appreciate you taking your time to answer my questions! Thanks a lot!

@Matt,
What does "official transcript" mean? My counselor just send photocopies of official school reports. Will That do?

With about 20 hours and 37 minutes left at the time of this comment, I would like to wish good luck to everybody!

Hi again,

I sent in my additional essay, and a small question to the financial aid office, and received an automated reply saying that the offices are closed until Jan 4th and that they won't be receiving e-mail until then.

Does this mean that I will have to re-send both the essay and my financial aid question after Jan 4th, or that they'll just look at it after Jan 4th?

Thanks again for this great post!
-Michelle.

I'm going to submit my second part of application. But what time zone do you use when speak about deadline? GMT? Yours? or time zone of sender?

Another batch of answers...

@Gina: Yes, that should be just fine.

@Ernie: You can submit any time on January 3.

@Yi Ren: You should submit your pieces by January 1 and the school forms ASAP after that; we're more flexible with school/teacher forms than your forms.

@optimist: Most schools offer an official transcript for external use. Unless for some reason your school does not offer official transcripts, we will require that and not a photocopy.

@Michelle: Yes, you will have to resend the emails.

@Anonymous at 11:10am: If you submit your application on January 3rd in the US, or where you are, you will be fine.

Happy deadline day!

@Matt

Hi, i was going through the comman data set and i saw that, first generation is somewat considered.

What does MIT define first generation as?

i'm a little bit late.

Thank you for your answer. I would be delighted if you could also address my second question.
I have a fee waiver, and was planning to send it today, but I feel uncomfortable waiving my application when a page in the application explicitly requires me to ascertain that my fee waiver request will be postmarked no later than Jan 1.
Should I try to just pay for the application?

my school program is organized in semesters, how should I fill out the self-reported course work???

Thanks for your previous responses : ] They are really helpful!
I know it might be "a little bit" early, but I want to be more organized. Moreover, I only apply MIT as my goal college at foreign land. And it’s my first choice, too : ]
Oops, I talk too much again.

I have two quick question: (1) In evaluation forms, the column "High school now attending" I put high school I attend this year but not home school. Is it fine? (2)Do I have to sign my signature to voluntarily waive my right of access to review the recommendation in supplemental evaluations?

Thanks agian and again : ]

@Matt

I checked my application and I sent it, then I checked it again and found that I sent you the previous version of my essay (before some corrections) :/ What should I do? Are there any possibility to send you the right one? Stupid mistakes in not what I want to have in my app.

Hey Matt

What is the deadline for the submission of the interview report?

Hey Matt,
So my school isn’t very organized and my counselor inst really the best one ever. To me understanding my counselor and my humanities teachers haven’t yet sent my MIT forms ( evaluation B and school report) now my evaluation A (science teacher) was sent out.
I am sooooo worried that because of them MIT will not consider me or think bad of me right from the start. I submitted my application on the 31st of December so on my part everything is on time. Can you let me know if this happens in a lot of cases or am I the first one? Also will I be penalized? I have emailed them but no reply so on Monday when we start school again I will speak to my teacher and counselor

At the risk of sounding the most idiotic person to have ever applied to MIT, I will ask my question. A friend of mine (Ok, Ok, it was me! Happy?) who paid the utmost attention to this whole applying process made the killer mistake and uploaded the wrong essay. Aside from the fact that he uploaded something rather irrelevant, he has talked in great lengths about my (I mean "his") great desire to get into Brown.

Piotr, you should be happy mate, it was a previous version, and not something utterly different.

So, any chances of unsubmitting part 2? Please! :) Any at all?

Cheers!

Hey Matt,
I have given all the application materials (except the mid-year grade report) to mail on December 22, but despite the two weeks, the online application tracking still displays that those forms are missing. Is there a way for me to check any possible problems (they might have been lost during international mailing etc.), and does it create any disadvantages in my application if they is indeed a problem?

Hey Matt:

While reviewing my application, I noticed that I'm missing my Evaluation B. It was mailed about three and a half weeks ago. I have signed copies of the letter of recommendation, but no copies of the form. Should I fax in the letter of recommendation before midnight tonight and fax in a fresh copy of the form (first page) after school starts again on Monday, or should I hold off and fax everything in at once after Monday?

hey matt,

my teacher evals, and secondary school report were sent in around the 23rd Dec. how soon do i need to check to make sure that it was processed?

Matt, thank you for answering all our questions)))

Thank You.

Thank you, Matt. I have emailed Part 1 of my application to applicationpart1@mit.edu. Now, I simply have to wait for a response. Also, please instruct me on what I need to do in regards to payment. Once again: Thank you!
~Allen

Hi Matt,

Well, I really do have a last minute problem. I was going to submit part 2 of the application by post and I gave it to my dad to post it on jan 2nd. Unfortunately, my grandmother passed away on the 2nd in the afternoon and this application deadline just slipped out of our minds.Now my dad is in a village where there is no proper postal service available and he just called saying that he didn't post the application. He will come back after 3 days so I thought I'll submit part 2 online. Well, since I just started, I don't think I can submit this on time ( in India, its already 8 in the morning of 4th).
Will my account automatically shut down or do something else to that effect in another 3 hrs?? Please help me out Matt!!

@Matt and Colton

Thanks so much for the help and reassurance!

@Matt

I have a similar problem as Jarvis earlier. When I check my tracking, it shows that part 2 wasn't submitted with the error below:

An application error occured at approximately Sat Jan 03 22:20:20 EST 2009 (com.bea.wlw.netui.pageflow.UnresolvableForwardException).

Is that ok?

IHTFP

Please do not bother to answer my previous question, I have already submitted payment. How should I send my Residence Card? Fax, email? Are the instructions somewhere?

At last submitted. Now I don't have to think about anything until the decision or maybe I don't have to think about anything but the tests.

Ah! Submitted 5 minutes before 11:59 pm EST!

Congratulations to those who made the deadline!

Actually, I like deadlines. Even if they made the deadline in March, I'd still submit it one hour before it.

Part 2 submitted at 11:59:38 EST (on my computer).

No server errors, and a half-way decent essay (one of my best sadly).

Procrastination for the win/loss?

Whoa!! a successful Mars Mission!
I submitted my Part 2 at NY time 0000, the 4th! I was never satisfied with my essay, so I decided to hack it to the max... Last night I decided to get up early in the morning and do a final review and submit it! I hacked and hacked it till 0920 and called my mother, she told me that 900-1030 on Sundays was a real bad time for doing something good! Religious Indians believe that, there are 3 hrs in a day that are bad (It is called Rahu-Kal, I hate to say it). My mother wants me to follow all these things; she says It's good to do something absurd just because people have been doing it! and she can't give a rational reason for it! She suggested that I apply when there are 2 mins left. But I took it as something that makes me remember how I applied to MIT! The laptop was literally jumping around, I could hear my heart beats! I kept hitting F5 onhttp://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/ its a coincidence that when it is 1030 in New Delhi It will be midnight the 4th in New York, CAPTCHA's Question and the answer to it were dreadful. When the clock showed 0000 I did one refresh on the MyMIT Proceed button page and it was still the same (whoof!) I thanked everything for saving me, the involuntary doubleclick made me close my eyes, and my application was ""SUCCESSFULLY SUBMITTED"". I know that I was irrational and stupid, but I will remember this for years to come. I like tense situations, It makes me feel alive! I'll follow the Indian rule forever just for the heck of it!!

Hello Matt! There were some problems with internet connection because of the weather. I rushed but was late to submit second part of application for 20 minutes!!! It was proccessed but will admission office read it and consider?

@Husain: You're just lucky MIT doesn't use rolling admissions :P

hi Matt,

referring to the post by 'optimist',

in india, schools do not provide any xtra official transcripts.....so i have sent attested photo-copies of my original ones (attested by the pricipal of my high school)....will that do???? because i don't think sending the originals is a good option....

I submitted at about 1:30 AM, 1/4, EST. I guess my application will not be accepted, but still I want to have an official answer so that I won't cling on false hope.

@Shashi
Even I did that! Submitted it right at the "Shubh-Labh" junction point-time: i.e. 21:21! I remember pressing the Submit button frantically as soon as the clock struck 21:21! And well it did get submitted before the minute ended..

@Matt
I think this is the longest ever I've had to scroll to comment on a blogpost! The browser took 122 secs to load this page! I'm no.411 perhaps.. Good going! Enjoy our apps!

Sorry if this question's been answered, I couldn't find it. I contacted my EC on Dec. 10th and he told me that I was #26 on his waitlist and that I had 0 chance of getting an interview. I thought Dec. 10th counted as before the deadline (like applications are due by 11:59 pm on the day listed). If it is, is there anything I can do to let the admissions office know I contacted my EC by the deadline but couldn't get an interview?

Regarding the official transcript, I had my school college center forward one to my counselor (just as he requested), but am now considering the possibility that he did not include it with the rest of the forms. I had all my evaluation forms and secondary school report enclosed in one envelope, and he taped, signed, etc. the opening in order to protect his confidentiality. Since I've already sent out that envelope two weeks ago, is it okay if I have an official transcript sent to MIT on the week I return to school (Jan. 5-9)?

I too have a question about interview. I contacted my original EC before 10th but he transfered me to another EC. I have never heard anything since. In my personal information I stated that I would not be available for interview utill the 12th January as I did not study in my home country. However, now I realize that the deadline for interview report was 7th January. Should I emial mit and require an interview in my home country or should I just wait?

If my second part is proccessed at 00:20 on 01/04/09 will it be accepted?

sorry, I mean 12:20 AM on 01/04/09

How can I know for sure if my application will be read or not? If not, is there anything I can do? It was my fault anyway. I should have use Google docs or sth. My computer broke down on 2nd January with all of my essays and everything. I just can't believe it.
Thanks,

Hey Matt,

Its way past the deadline but I just completed my part 2...should I submit it online or consider faxing??? Anything I can do at all??

Hello, do I have to send the certificates of the awards that I've won to MIT? Or the only needed documents are the official school transcripts?

Thanks for helping.

Coming to think about it, there is something wrong with the whole uploaded essay. The last paragraph was repeated twice although I just checked the document I uploaded and it didn't contain this repetition. I am extremely unbelievably sure now that it's somehow the system's fault.

Any help, Matt, will be very appreciated.

Cheers mate!

@Matt

Thanks!!
:)

Dear Matt,(has to be this way, is a long one)
I have encountered problem with my admissions process. The thing is, I had to transfer during the first few months of my twelfth grade. And my last school is in a different country than my present school. Now, for having my recommendations written I had to ask the teachers from my last school to write me my evals as they were the only ones who knew me well enough. Now, when they sent the evals through the post, we never got them. As it happens, my new councellor assumed I would be sending the evals myself and I thought he had received my evals from my teachers from the other school as I remembered him putting in some letters into the packedge he was sending to MIT before the month long winter break. Today when my school reopened I found about the glitch. It would take some time before we find the mail my teacher had sent me and I will be mailing them, of course, later than the deadline.
Also, somehow the tracking feature says that my eval has already reched you.
I know that this is totally our fault and you are justified in not accepting my application. But please could you accept my evals, allowing for some misconduct on my part? I would be obliged if you could do this for me. I won't hold it against you if you were to deny this as it was totally our fault.
My applicant name >>Jayendra Tripathi 25/10/1990
Thank you for everything.
Yours truly,
jpvoid

(sorry for the long post but I was in a hurry and could not find your email address.)

The excuses here are amazing!

Why do we have to apply for Financial aid (Feb 15th) before we know whether or not we've been accepted(Mid March)?

Hi Matt, I submitted my application part 2 on 12.01am 4th Jan(EST). Will it be considered? I know I am to blame for submitting late. The PDF shows that I submitted the application on 4th Jan.

Does MIT know when did I submit the application?I mean does MIT know that I submit it one minute past the deadline?
I am really sorry if my questions annoy you.

pretty long thread, quite useful though :)

hey matt

when can i know for sure that mit received my evals and sec. school report?...it was sent via fedex and should have arrived on the 23rd Dec.

thankx!

funny how everyone here wants to get into MIT, but can't meet a deadline, let alone one that was extended :)

@ Anonymous
Ever considered that people might have some REAL problems? Some people do have problems like that.

@All

Did the FinAid part of your application appear on your MyMIT account?

@anyone who can help me
What does "transcript" mean? I have sent photocopies of my official school report cards.Will that do?

@Sharath
No. Just realised that. Is there supposed to be a checkbox for Financial Aid?

@Anonymous
It's actually not funny, everyone who didn't meet the deadline probably had major issues and stress going on, and now after all that work their applications might not even be read. If you don't understand problems like that you probably shouldn't be posting in this Q&A section anyway, it's long enough and you aren't helping anybody.

@Anonymous
Not funny at all! These things do happen!

@optimist

Yeah that should do. It would have been even better if you got them attested from your school principal.

@Lim Khey Jenq
The MIT SFS site says so actually. by Jan 09 you must be able to track your finaid app.

Where does it say "funny" in my comment. just that it is amazing the type of excuses I am seeing. Come on, these are people who want to attend MIT and are not only experiencing these things, but are trying to get answers on a blog at the last "second" to important questions. My daughter got accepted EA and the application was in more than a week before. We read through everything over a month early, contacted the Admissions office directly, and well in advance, with questions. Sorry, but you can just sense who should be looking elsewhere.

@Anonymous

We are sorry we are not like your wonderful overachieving and exceptionally intelligent daughter, who has such incredible foresight.
Might I seek an excuse for us? Your daughter applied EA, which means she only had one university to apply to and check the application 1000's of times. We, on the other hand, have to apply to many universities, and our time is divided on their applications and have to finish all of those applications by January 1st.

Again, we are deeply sorry! May God help us! How we ever survive being not Elizabeth/Mary/Jessica (or whatever is your daughter's name)??

Why don't I have a father like you? Oh God, WHY?!

@ All recent Anonymous posters

Let there be peace. This is not a turf for you to freak out. Calm down.

PEACE

@Anonymous

I didn't mean to be rude, and I am sorry if it was too sarcastic. It's just that I am angered by your post which suggested we are less qualified than everyone else because we spent countless days going over our application. In fact, you might be surprised to learn that many of the current MIT students are last-minute submitters.

One more difference, by the way, which is that if your daughter had a question before submitting the application, she would have got an answer. If we ,late submitters, did that, we'll get an autoreply because of the holidays.

Agree with Sharath Chandra.

Anonymouses can disagree outside this hread. We are waiting for Matt to answer our questions! :)

Cheers mate!

I too find the excuse pretty remarkable. I am applying to MIT for RA. I also have 7 other applications. All were completed and submitted before Christmas. Yes, I am sure I will see the "good for you" responses, but you know, yes, good for me. I began the process as if I was applying to all schools EA, whittled my list more than in half (15 to 7), approached teachers right after Halloween so I would not be included in that "overwhelmed" pile of requests, and got all of my transcripts together immediately following Thanksgiving. As for my essay, I wrote it over three weekends beginning during the Thanksgiving weekend. As I look back on it, it was not difficult.

I think Einstein did not study at MIT, and he has done very well

I agree with Anonymous on January 5, 2009 10:08 AM

Dear Matt!!! When will you answer to our posts? Please, make everything clear so that we (who were late just for a few minutes) will understand if our applications would be accepted and read!!!

Matt:

I submitted my app a week or so ago and just found out I've received a significant honor/award. Can I send something in as a supplement to add this to my application? If so, what's the best way to do this?

Thanks for taking the time to answer these questions. You are the best!

Though there is, of course, a difference in the timing of applying EA and RA, and I agree that there is only one application to contend with, I took care of a number of items I needed for my RA applications during the EA process. And yes, I also agree the opportunity to get your questions answered are better and more timely with EA than around the holidays. Still, I have to agree with the Anon poster about the number of excuses for late postings. Absolutely incredible.

Is age an important factor to apply and being considered by MIT?, I am 25 years old from Mexico, when I was in high school I was a very good student but because of very bad economical conditions I could continue my studies, thanks for the answer.

Hello Matt!

I already sent in my online application. I completed part 2 where I wrote about 5 extracurricular activities, but I didn't include my community service hours. Should I still send in my resume because in it I wrote about my community service? Or is it too late for that?

Well, my guidance counsellor just told me that she had the recommendation letter in her office and the other letters like evaluation letters and secondary school report have been sent out.

What should I do right now? Should I send the letter to MIT or fax it?

every one now enjoy the sweet wait before the decisions and live your life to the fullest!

every one now; enjoy the sweet wait before the decisions and live your life to the fullest!

@saad
It may be a "sweet wait" for you, but life has just become tougher for us Indians. Our board exams are coming up, and after that we have to take many engineering entrance exams.

@optimist

And moreover we will get MIT results during our boards

Dear MATT,
I am an indian and my school provides me only one report card(signed by the principal,with the school emblem) for each year. I could not send the original ones 'cause I am applying to other places also.So i had to send the photocopies. But you said that the photocopies will not do. So should I get my photocopies attested by the principal(like SRV and Sharath Chandra) and fax them by the 15th?(My school won't open before the 13th).Willl my application still be considered?

HI, thank you for answering my previous question.
I hope you had a nice holiday.
I got a problem with my credit card payment.
I tried to submit the part one of my application on January 3rd but I kept getting this error message:
"There was an issue submitting your payment. Your application Part 1 has not been submitted. Click Return to Payment screen to re-enter your credit card information. If you continue to have problems, please contact the Admissions office to report the issue."
So I sent an email to admissions@mit.edu with the part one of my application.
However, I could not hear any response back from the admissions office. I'm afraid that I might not be apply. Can you please answer me back?
Thank you.

Final batch...

@Ruhban: We consider an applicant's complete context, including the family's educational background.

@Anonymous at 12:46pm: It's too late now for my help to be of value; I'm sure you made the right choices.

@Dennis K: 1) That's fine. 2) It's your choice.

@Piotr: You can send in an updated version via email or postal mail.

@Minni: Don't worry, the interviewers are aware of their deadline and we will receive the interview reports in plenty of time.

@Gerardo: No worries, we're more flexible with school/teacher forms than your forms. You will not be penalized.

@aua: You can send in an updated version via email or postal mail.

@Ulascan: Please be patient with the online tracking.

@Ethan: No need to fax at this time. You can be patient with the online tracking and if we don't have it by the end of January then faxing will be appropriate.

@kim: Check back in the end of January.

@vidyadhari: I hope you submitted your application anyway; we would accept it.

@Ben: If you don't think it properly submitted, please contact Admissions with your full details.

@Ernie: I would submit a copy via postal mail; fax is fine, too.

@Ramazan: Yes, we will consider it.

@SRV: If it is attested by the principal, that will do.

@KMy: Yes, we will still accept it. Best wishes.

@sib: Please email us with all of the details at interview at mit dot edu.

@Nancy: Yes, that's fine.

@LittleFlute: Please email interview at mit dot edu.

@Ramazan: Yes, it will be accepted.

@KMy: Yes, we will read your application.

@vidyadhari: If you have not yet done so, submit it and includes the details of your lateness.

@Robin: We require the transcript; we do not need the certificates.

@jpvoid: Have the school forms sent ASAP. We are more flexible with the school forms than with the student forms.

@Sarah: To ensure that you receive a financial aid package with your admission decision, the financial aid office needs time to process all of the forms. Admission remains completely need blind.

@mocha: Yes, we will consider your application.

@Kimberly: Check the application tracking at the end of January. Please be patient as we are receiving lots of mail.

@optimist: We would prefer an original official report card.

@Lisa: You can update your application via email or postal mail.

@Javier: Age is not an important factor.

@Mary Anne: It is not too late, but it is not something we require. Feel free to send it in if you wish.

@Robin: I hope you've already mailed it; if not, please mail it ASAP.

@optimist: Have them attested and mail them on the 15th. We will still consider your application.

@Belinda: If you have emailed admissions at mit dot edu within the last day, please be patient as they respond. If it was more than a day ago, please resend your email.

Best wishes!