Hey, I usually don't post on the blogs but I have definitely been reading them all the way through as well as on CC. You can call me a lurker. But anyways, I'm from Miami, got accepted. I was praying at home, staring through my window even until the mail truck (USPS) came. Once I saw her stick the tube in the mailbox I couldn't help it, I was weeping like a little girl =/
It still hasn't sunk in yet. I'm just so happy. I can't wait to meet and talk to the rest of Class of 2010. Thank you admissions people. These blogs definitely helped the process seem easier and more welcoming.
And for those still waiting, remember to "expect the worst, hope for the best". I think Matt said that. I know you are all truly deserving of MIT, and will have the time of your life at any school you attend.
Hmmmm.....lemme get back to homework....

Hi! I got accepted to MIT yesterday and danced barefoot in the snow for like, 15 minutes.... I'm sooooo happy!

And then today I got accepted to Caltech too! I honestly don't know what to do... I suppose I might wait for financial aid decisions? Boston is a gorgeouos city, but freezing cold (I live in New Hampshire, I shouldn't complain), and Caltech is warm and in California.... But I spent a month at MIT this summer and fell absolutely in love... They're both amazing schools -- I never dreamed I'd have to actually make a choice between them.

Thank you so much to you and all the admissions people at MIT! :) :) Do you accept baked goods as thank you / Christmas presents? ;)

-Caroline

alright, still no tube, but I'm not going to worry yet. However, as you can imagine I am incredibly nervous. Are my scores good enough? Did my E.C. have a positive attitude about my interview? Were my essays well-written? All these questions can really make you anxious! I was just curious how you (those already accepted) feel your interviews went and how your test scores were and how they reflected on your obviously outstanding application? Maybe it's for piece of mind until I find out if I am in or out. :)

Tube! Tube Tube Tube!

..but you knew that already. I reposted my entry over on Matt's blog.

No tube or letter yet. From reading Matt's blog, I'm apparently not the only Minnesotan to be dealing with these anxieties of "did I get in earlyor not why can't the info come yet". I've got to have faith it will come tomorrow. I eagerly await my tube (or letter. right now I just want to know.)

In response to Jake's post two posts ago, here's some encouragement. First of all, I got my tube today. Now here's something you may like: I had a US History score of 500! Obviously, and I knew this, but you don't have to be perfect to go to MIT. I don't think they'd want that anyway. I had lots of other good stuff on my app, but my interview, to me, was only so-so. It could've been better because I just really didn't answer the questions with any vigor or excitement. (I had just gotten back from Vegas which was a very draining trip.)

As far as essays go, I'm a believer in this philosophy (which I'm only pointing out because you've already submitted the app): Essays don't make that much of a difference. Provided you have good credentials on the rest of the app and you write from the heart, you'll be fine. I believe a terrible essay might break an otherwise good candidate, but an excellent essay can turn a deferral or rejection into acceptance. So if you feel good about the essays, don't sweat 'em.

Bryan, do you know what percentage of the admitted EA applicants are minorities?
thanks!
if you know, do you have specific percentages of each particular minority?
thanks again and sorry for asking much..

Armand and Caroline,

Congrats! Welcome to MIT!

Armand...Although you have homework, take a minute to dance in the snow, or sand depending on where you live.

Caroline...Way to go! What a great problem to have. Remember to take a moment and pay attention to factors like, the student body, and the place that will make you happiest. PLEASE don't place that high a premium on the weater! (If you do, make sure to consider who has the best fall folliage.)

Hi Brian!...Mr. Nance! Mr. Revolution!

Sorry, I can't stop exclaiming. First off, I've been more of a blog-reader than a blog-maker, but the arrival of "Da Tube" calls for a change of pace. To answer your questions: yes, YES, reservations to what? and YES! My story is that I went to MITES this summer (actually met you briefly, and Matt too!), had the best time of my life, and realized that not only was MIT the best place on Earth (better than Disney, even...or *ahem* Harvard, for that matter!), but that I actually had a shot at getting in too! And look at me now! I'm so content that it's like my life is complete before I've even truly done anything.

So if you played any part in my specific admissions decision, I want to give you my sincerest thanks. And if you didn't play any part in my specific admissions decision? You still get my sincerest thanks!!! I love you, I love MIT, I love MIT Admissions - all I do all day (okay, I'm exaggerating) is tell other kids how pathetic their school of choice's admissions website is when compared to MIT's. But really, you guys have all been so ACCESSIBLE and REAL for us applicants. So thanks again.

I guess I could tell "the story" about accosting the mailman and rolling through the streets of my city, but I'm sure you know how it goes already! I try to tell my mom that the news of getting accepted is so big that it eclipses my birth, but she won't here it. I guess she has her own stock invested in my birth...

...Anywho, I think you're really FUNNY and really AWESOME and don't tell the other admissions officers, but for some reason you're my favorite! (Ben's a close second if he somehow reads this) Okay, I'm done.

Oh wait - RESERVATIONS!!! I get it...not like to a hotel, but like...mental hang-ups. NO! The only possible reservations could be a) snow (I don't do well with anything under 80 degrees...but that's why jackets are made!) and b) lack of sleep, which I'm already dealing with now so...all systems are go!

I'll find you at CPW! (Please don't interpret that as a scary threat)

=D

Wait a minute...that post wasn't made by "the Nance Effect"...it was made by me, Kristin R...oh, well.

Caroline-

Congrats! I'm still waiting for a tube or something out in California, and I'm only telling you to go to Caltech so there's more room at MIT for ppl like me! But Pasadena's great...

KRISTIN,

Welcome Home! Go easy on stressing out your mom. She is already comimg to grips with the fact that her baby will be leaving for college in less than a year. Don't push her over the edge.

I definately look forward to seeing you (again) at CPW. Ben will be happy to know that he too is loved.

Please post regularly, and let us hear more form you!

Again, welcome to MIT!

Tyler,

You are soooooooooo right!

"....Provided you have good credentials on the rest of the app and you write from the heart, you'll be fine. I believe a terrible essay might break an otherwise good candidate, but an excellent essay can turn a deferral or rejection into acceptance. So if you feel good about the essays, don't sweat 'em."

Although, I'll add your essay is veryyyyy important. We really looked for passion.

Manuel,

Good question. I have not had a chance to split out the minority admits by specifics. I promise to post it all as soon as I get a chance. I can tell you that the percentage of minorities accepted early increased this year to 27%.

In an article in the Article, Minority Admits Recover Even As Selectivity Rises, (written by Benjamin P. Gleitzman, Staff Reporter for The Tech) Benjamin wrote, "This year also marks a success for the Admissions office, which doubled the percentage of admitted under-represented minorities at MIT."

To read the entire article, check out the following link:
http://www-tech.mit.edu/V125/N61/earlyaction.html

Caroline,

WE

L-O-V-E

COOKIES!

Has anyone from the state of MN received the tube yet?

Do you remember how much people you guys admitted form Brooklyn named Sam?

MN-yes, why?

how baout someone from NJ named April?

Central MN--no. nothing.

CA applicant here. No sign of The Judgment yet. I got deferred by Caltech, so that may or may not set the tone for what to expect from MIT...

Deferral is just fine, but it wouldn't hurt to come home to a nice tube sticking out of my mailbox! Here's hoping.

Deferred but hopeful. Although I had to chime in, because down here, if someone got into MIT, we say they got TUBE'D!.

I dunno, it's interesting.

"What happened?"
"Soandso got TUBED!"
"When?"
"Last night!"

So yeah, those tubes are definitely having an impact. :)

another minnesotan applicant sadly left out in the cold clutching nothing but empty air.

MIT is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I came home Monday night and did not at ALL expect to see the TUBE. However, as I said in Ann's blog, MIRACLES DO HAPPEN. One thing that no one mentioned and that I was very impressed with, was the actual presentation of acceptance. First of all, the TUBE is unique and creative. Secondly, I enjoyed the beautiful stars/confetti that pop out when you open the tube. Best of all, the letters, particularly from Marilee Jones, are so warm and welcoming. I was so thankful and in total shock.

I just wanted to show my appreciation for all the work done by everyone involved in admissions. This includes the admissions officers, interviewers, website maintenance, representatives, etc. THANK YOU!! I cannot wait for the CPW!

Hopefully everyone overlooks the fact that I typed "here" instead of "hear"...at an MIT-related website...*sigh*

Hey, wait a minute!!! I know this is my fourth post in one day, but I JUST REALIZED that when a person makes a post, their name goes UNDER the post...not BEFORE it...!!! Which means The Nance replied to my comment!!! Ah! Thanks for everything you said...and now that I know how the comment board works...I'll leave fewer confused comments!

So...let's hope no one reconsiders my acceptance over this. I mean...common sense can't be THAT important.

YESSS!!! I'm definitely going now that I got in! It's very exciting!

I'm also from MITES (what's up, Kristin!?) and I really enjoyed my experience at MIT over the summer.

My entire school found out--- mostly because I ran a lap around the school when my mom handed me the tube (she had brought it to school) and I quickly realized that I haven't had much physical activity for the past few weeks due to a knee injury but it didn't matter!--- i got in! The very next day (Tuesday) I was practically treated as a celebrity. It was kind of weird but I put up with it.

ARMAND, I'm also from Miami and I have three friends(maybe five by the end of the week) who have gotten into MIT so far also. Email me whenever you can.

Armand,
sorry i thought my e-mail would go up automatically. it's danny99@mit.edu.

Every year of my life, I have welcomed the arrival of snow. What a beautiful thing, so white, so clean, so glittery, so fun to play in....

This year I wish it hadn't snowed at all.

That's the only reason I can think of that would slow down everything to the Midwest.

Here's hoping to Wednesday.

Why I really came on here: There is a rumor among the (two) other applicants to MIT from my school that I'm sure is false, but I will not be reassured until I hear it directly.

One of them claims that his EC said something to the extent of "I can only take one of you..." which he took as - from our school. I didn't think t here was a limit to the people you can admit from a school. Is there? I don't think there would be. MIT doesn't seem like a place that would be that unreasonable.

Anxiously, but sincerely,

Karen

HEY BRYAN!
YOU KNOW MY STORY!!!
BEST FLIPPIN" THING THAT EVER HAPPENED!!!
DEF. C U AT CPW (unless i go up there for an overnight visit)!!!!!!

p.S> did anyone else from maryland get in?

I got tubed yesterday. I was driving home and saw that my mailbox's flap couldn't close due to some oversized piece of mail. It was a tube! I was pretty pumped. No one was home to share my excitement with, so I blasted The Doors throughout my house and danced around while making toast.

I'm almost positive I'm the first person from my (rural, public) high school to be admitted to MIT. When you get the time, could you post statistics about the Early admits for 2010? Someone else requested ethnic stats, but I'd be interested in geographic ones as well. State-by-state breakdown maybe? Whenever you guys have time, that would be cool so see.

Thanks to the admissions department for taking the process so seriously and keeping us up to date with the blogs.

One of the other blogs had a story about three people being accepted from the same high school. I can't speak for The Nance Effect, but I'm sure that your rumor is false.

Good luck!

congrats tubed pples!

Timur,

That's awesome! "TUBE'D" reminds me of Teen Girl Squad on homestarrrunner...anyone seen that? "ARROW'D!" hahaha

As Alia, the other Admissions Counselor, says: "it seems like a theme for this generation is to turn nouns into verbs". (You know you're getting old when you say 'this generation' not 'our generation'...ugh)

Grats to those who've gotten their tubes! Hope to see you at MIT sometime soon!

P.S. for those of you who don't know who I am, I'm one of the Admissions Counselors at MIT, graduated '05. :)

nothing in PR

Hahaha "ARROW'D!" I love that cartoon, MikeyYang. I would, however, love to be TUBE'D much, much more. If my notification isn't waiting for me when I get home I'll be remarkably upset, and lose all faith in the USPS.

Has anyone from Oregon seen a tube yet? I've been racing home after school every day this week to look in the mail. I've wanted to go to MIT since 5th grade and I have been freakin out for the last week!

Hey guys!

I got "TUBE'D" (lol) on Monday afternoon, I am SO happy! My dad called me when I was still at school and he left a message saying something about a "big envelope-tube thing"....when I heard the word tube my jaw dropped about 50 miles. haha so I called back just to make sure it was a tube, and that my parents hadn't opened it yet =P The confetti was hilarious. Thank you so much!! And I also want to say that the MIT admissions blogs are so nice and makes the whole process a lot more personal and real :] I think in the last couple weeks I check them as much as I check my email.

Again, thanks!

It's worth pointing out that Joanne attends my school, thus proving that I'm not making up the "TUBE'D!" thing. :)

Grats Joanne!

Hey Bryan!
Thanks for the message on the letter!

I got a tube. Yupeeeeeee. Congrats to everyone who did it.

HEY BRYAN!!!!! Finally...the waiting is over! I'm SOOOOOO EXCITED that I will meet you again...by April I will get to see your baby too :)

Ok...SO I actually wasn't suppose to recieve my tube in the mail til tomorrow because there is currently a horrendous blizzard in MN...so my dad drove me to the Post office two days in a row (yesterday too) and on our way our car got stuck!!!!! so we had to shovel around our tires in the middle of the freezing road.

But the JOURNEY was well worth it!!! Whoo-hoo!

Thanks Bryan!!!!!

the doors...sweet. my god i hope i get tubed tomorrow. it'll be the best thing that's ever happened to me. that, and i'll probably be the first person from this side of tennessee who's ever been accepted to an out-of-state school, much less mit, if i get in.........

alright, im posting again! but im still tubeless :( when i was a little kid i used to laugh at people in tv shows that would run out to their mailbox to see if they get in, now i AM that person! i'm so nervous. of course there are always those that tell me, "oh you'll get in, you can do it!" but then there are those that remind me about the real world and tell me, "its not the end of the world, you'll do well wherever you end up." i just want to tell everyone that has applied good luck and to remember that you wouldn't have applied if you weren't truly capable of doing something amazing with your life. I find that i am constantly reminding myself of that very thing. hang in there is the only thing i can do. if anyone from ohio got their letter, i hope you were accepted, I'm just going to camp out by my mailbox on tomorrow's potential snow-day, praying for the stress to end and a verdict to be read!

posting again... This is getting ridiculous. Not because there's still no sign of a tube or a letter, but because I saw a DHL delivery van driving through my neighborhood on my way home from school, obviously on a completely unrelated delivery run. It's like the fates are toying with me or something!

It sounds like the "recipient wall" is moving slowly West, and I'm all the way over in California. I might end up resorting to the phone call on Friday at this rate!

Hey just dropping "the Nance Effect" a line. I received DA TUBE on Monday....I am still sooooooooooooo excited! I have no doubts or reservations. MIT was always NUMBER 1 on my list. Getting DA TUBE Story (short version): Rode my bike home, saw that the mailbox wasn't overflowing (was disappointed), was walking bike up drive way when I saw a box on my front step (turns out the box was from my grandma--Christmas presents), after putting my arm on the box and wondering why it was sent on the very day I was awaiting something from MIT--I saw DA TUBE--it was in between the box and the door...I started crying/jumping for joy/screaming. I could hardly walk, let along open DA TUBE. I just wanted to drop a line on your blog because I came to the information session you did in Maryland...so great by the way :). --Kathleen

"the wall" may be moving west...but i'm in the east and still nothing :(

Thanks to the fact that I live in the middle of nowhere, I didn't get anything yet.

MIT doesn't send rejection letter later than 'da tube' right??

-annie

Saying, "long time reader, first time poster" makes me feel a bit cliche, but we'll leave like that.

Wow, THAT was amazing. Since December 1st, I was waiting for something (if not ANYTHING) to arrive in my mail box. Of course, it's Christmas so there are so many packages. Anything that was visible in my mailbox from the street as I was pulling into the driveway made my heart skip a beat. By this week, I was so skeptical that MIT would even send me anything I figured the tube was just a huge sign that said, "so sorry, get lost."

I waited for at least a full five minutes before I even opened it. Staring, I wondered if I should wait for my family to get home or just tear into it. I love pessimists. When I had dumped out the confetti, I fell apart and even had trouble getting the papers out. I was on the phone with my uncle and just burst into tears.

This made my week, if not my month. It was perfect timing too since I have to go to court tomorrow for a fender bender I was in. It balances things out. When I called my friend, I was in tears as intense as when I had gotten into the accident, she thought I had gotten into another.

Anyways, my name is Brooke. I am from Chicago land in the northwest suburbs. I moved here about four years ago from California and lived in GA before that. I am looking forward to making another move to Cambridge.

I am still nervous about senior year, but I feel like I can finally take a deep breath since I have gotten accepted into one choice. Barring all apprehension, I hope they follow in suit of acceptance. Risking sounding cliche again, I wanted to say thank you for giving me such a wonderful opportunity.

We're a match in the fact that it'll be crazy-mad style the entire time, and I plan on taking advantage of that.

Has anyone from colorado gotten in? I think I'm the only one from my high school and area that applied because first they gave me the wrong e.c. and then my e.c. was all surprised that mit wasn't at any of the college fairs or anything. I wish I could just know now whether i'm in or not. I don't want to be deferred, I can't take anymore waiting.

Oh Timur. haha <3 this convo is the best plan ever, i thought i should share it. example of MIT shaping futures:

TCSahin: We'll go to MIT together.
TCSahin: You'll become rich and famous.
TCSahin: I'll do something silly like major in physics.
sushigirl505: hahahhaha
sushigirl505: sounds like a plan!
TCSahin: We'll get married so you can pay for me.
sushigirl505: lol!
TCSahin: :D
sushigirl505: amazing
TCSahin: And in exchange, I will cook!
sushigirl505: wow, that is perfect
sushigirl505: i can't cook to save my life!
TCSahin: yayyy!

:]

Hey Mr. Nance!
I received 'Da Tube' on Monday, and I couldn't be happier! My reaction was similar to that of other commenters...dancing, shouting, running around my house/culdesac like a wild woman. I am almost positive that my neighbors think I am insane. Needless to say, I am still in shock! Sadly, I have exams that I need to focus on. It's a shame, really, because all I want to do is think about MIT and enjoy my holiday break. After reading all of the comments I am even more excited about attending MIT and meeting all of the great kids of the class of 2010! See you guys at CPW!!!!

Miracles do in fact happen, and I too was tubed Monday afternoon (and the confetti was gorgeous. And the yellow paper was too. Actually, everything about that tube was...but I'll shut up now.)

Eee. I still can't really believe it; I'm a junior, and the fact that I "know" ("know" = shorthand for "very very sure") where I'll spend the next four years, and "know" what I want to learn at MIT and how I want to go about it--that is too cool for WORDS.

I'm gibbering. Will shut up now.

Oh, and Armand--I too wept like a little girl. Only I was laughing too. Seriously. It was the greatestest emotional rollercoaster I've been on in forever.

Bryan, I saw in the statistics that it says 7 countries and 44 states, that means, no one from the US territories? No one from PR?

I got in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

wootness!

grats manuel!

I'm in!!!! I got my tube on Monday and I was sooo excited. MIT is definitely my top choice. I was just mad because none of the people at my school have ever heard of MIT. They even think that it's bad because it's an institute instead of a college or university. Aaaaah, the people that I hang out with. But either way I'm still Excited. MIT CLASS OF 2010!!!!!!! AND I GET TO SEE MY WTP 2005 FRIENDS!! I <3 MIT

Thank you Bryan. Think I just spoke with you and got news that my son is deferred. A good relief. At least, hope is still there. We will keep our fingers corssed for another 3 months. Thanks for all your hard work and the heavy work ahead. But enjoy a hiliday break first. Cheers!

So Nance, I suppose you had a lot to do with the fact that 27% of early action admits were under-represented minorities. If a black kid and a white kid applied with the same application, the black kid, if anyone, would get in. I'll be called racist for making this point, but you are the real racist. And I'm proud to have the courage to call you one.

^WTF!

Asha! :) Yay I'm so glad you got in! Yay for WTP 2005!

And it's ok... Someone in my school asked me where MIT was the other day, and if it was a state school... None of my relatives have heard of MIT either, because they're all from England - Should have gotten into Oxford or somewhere instead. :)

Bryan: thank you for the 27% of minorities... a cool group of Puerto ricans got in today...

April: thanks! im sure ill see ya in august

[quote]
So Nance, I suppose you had a lot to do with the fact that 27% of early action admits were under-represented minorities. If a black kid and a white kid applied with the same application, the black kid, if anyone, would get in. I'll be called racist for making this point, but you are the real racist. And I'm proud to have the courage to call you one.
[endquote]

That was quite blatant, although it's probably just a general thing. It never was easy for Asian males to get in in the first place. Leastwhiles when MIT hates my high school.

There are three cases of early decision affirmative action in my high school. They all did less than I did, had lower grades, and could not offer more than I could. I really wish I could say that race had nothing to do with it, but the real deal is: race has everything to do with it.

Here's to a disappointing next year with colleges. My trials will be over soon. I had been told by everyone that all colleges would be like this. I really hate it when they're right.

you know, I had a good picture to show you. But I don't have your e-mail address.

Hallelujah for acceptance via phone. I'm not sure where my tube is...somewhere floating out there. I hope I get it!

dear mit,
why didn't you reject me
without any hesistation?

dear mit,
why didn't you deny me
with definite rejection?

dear mit,
why didn't you kill me
with the deepest damnation?

dear mit,
I would feel better
if you rejected me at once
with no "further consdieration"...

dear mit,
my intense love fire would be
died off temporarily
if you havent told
that you "have decided to hold it
for further consideration..."

dear mit,
do you know that how many times
I've been thinking of you
as a wonderful dream to fulfill
as an impossible star to reach
as my deepest love to possess

dear mit,
when I know that you've only taken
377 out of 3098 suitors
my heart was broken
shallowed with all possible
darkness
desperateness
and hopelessness...

dear mit,
you make me want to die
for you secretively
because please remember
there's always a little girl
named angelina
waiting for your acceptance
to her unconditional love
regardless the time
regardless the place
regardless anything

dear mit,
this little girl wouldn't feel any regret
any more because she knows
that
you have ensured
all her achievements
everything she has done
for you to be worthy
that is enough...

dear mit,
angelina's strongest
and most passionate
love fire
for you would never die off...

To John C. Elder and anonymous-

The underrepresented minorities were just as qualified as the asian males, white males and females..etc, and any other applicant. Please don't blame race as a factor, because seriously, if someone is super qualified, they will get in hands down regardless of race. I'm not considered a minority at MIT, yet I still got in and so did a bunch of my friends of all races who are all equally amazing.

And your comment calling Bryan "racist" was rude. It's shallow and selfish to be against affirmative action simply because it doesn't help you. You are missing the point of affirmative action. Diversity is such an essential factor needed in a world that still has lots of work to do to so that minorities are ensured equal opportunities as other races.

Please do not take this message personally. But I believe that diversity is so important in a multicultural society where there are still sadly many blatant disparities between races.

I am proud that MIT had so many URMs!

I totally agree with Minnesota.
Elder, you are not blatant, you are just a prick. why are you writing on the "accepted" wall anyway?

It's a good question though -- How much of a role does affirmative action have?

Certainly being an African-American female doesn't guarantee you anything -- You still have to do exactly the same amount of work. On the other hand, surely being an Asian male doesn't help...

I'm not sure -- I'm a white female, so I figure I'm fairly neutral as far as affirmative action for engineering schools goes...

-Caroline

I went to MIT over 20 years ago. Back then, and I'm sure today, MIT doesn't admit minority students unless the Admissions Office believes they are qualified. Don't think someone got in just because of his/her race or sex, because that isn't true.

The difference in URM's between my engineering school campus and my daughters soon to be campus is night and day. We were 90% male and 90% white. If affirmative action played even a small role in the transition, we should be proud of that change. Racism will always be a part of our culture if we try to live in isolated clusters of like people. Lets celebrate the fact that there are so many talented students for MIT to chose from, regardless of background. Personally I would be hesitant to admit any of the deferrals that exhibit such narrow minded behavior.

I haven't heard anything still, and I'm in MN. Has anyone else?

To Jon Elder:

Wow, let's not get too tense about race. I think the real question is why the racial proportions of society don't occur naturally without affirmative action. The other really important question is whether we should do anything about it, and if so, what? It's probably pointless to have that debate here in this blog entry, but it's something everyone needs to consider.

Hey I heard yesterday from MN. But because of the blizzard, I know there are serious delays. I actually picked up my decision (tube, yes!) at the post office last night.

Good luck to everyone else and the Minnesotans! I go to Wayzata High School btw.

Hi.

I know this is not the place to post other kind of comments appart from acceptances. I just ran into this blog and into the whole MIT admission process. See, I really need help from you, people who got in, and also from Nance there, I hope I don't annoy you with my story:

Well, yes, of course, I want to go to MIT. As well as 15000 students around the world, many of them probably better candidates, and brilliant people. Myself, I might not have a chance at all, I come from Ecuador, a small country in South America (Although I guess you all know where it is). I lived there for years, all my childhood and then I had to move with my family to the US. I was actually not planning to go to any school due to financial issues back there, and also because I had to work. Now, I finally was able to travel to the US, and knew about all the opportunities that are available here, specially for people who are trying to succed. Me, I simply love math and physics (among other passions). I practically taught myself throughout most of my life, school here is not the best thing, and I'm confident of what I've learned for myself. The problem is, I'm 19. Yes, old. Maybe too old for a freshman, I'm afraid. I know I have the potential for any school in the world, even MIT, Sometimes you just know when you are good. I only need a chance, but maybe it is too late for this school. Most kids here are 17, but I can make up all the lost time with all my self-studying. (Calculus, Multivariable, Linear Alg, Complex Analysis, Some Tensor Analysis, Mechanics, Fields, Waves, Thermal Ph...) I just want to know if I have a chance, a consideration, a thought for admission. Since I just got here, I'll take the Toefl and the SAT and prove I know my stuff. I just love to learn, and I don't want to miss the chance to attend the best school I can (which I dream might be MIT). I'm really motivated, and will do whatever it takes to earn a spot.

What do I have to prove? What do you need to know? I don't have any recs, or ECs. But I have talent, intelligence, knowledge and passion. I do not only do math, but I paint, I'm a musician, and love literature. I learned english practically due to my own effort, as well as most of what I know. Please, only one chance, that is all I need, in the land of opportunities

Hi Sebastian,

You sound like a good candidate with a lot of passion. It's NOT too late to apply, some freshmen here are like 21 years old. In the meantime, you should definitely take the Toefl/SAT and find people/teachers that know you that will give you a recommendation, someone who will vouch for your hard work and passion. With out recommendations, it will be hard to get in. Also, we know you are very smart, but be careful not too sound too confident/arrogant. Just show through grades, activities, recommendations that you are talented academically as well as passionate in other activities. Action speaks louder than words.

Hey Mr. Nance! I've been reading your blog for a while but I think this is my first comment. I got my tube today... I'm from Hawaii but I go to boarding school. I ended up having to get the school bookstore/mail office specially opened to get my tube and then walk 6 miles back to the house of the people I am staying with (winter vacation swim team training).. nobody's in town anymore now that school's out. It was completely worth it! I was both speechless and ecstatic. The best part about the confetti was that my name is Star... and it was star-shaped confetti... I wish you guys would put a polaroid camera in next time to capture people's faces. Mine would surely have been worthy of Kodak.

Question: I was wondering how applications with no racial preference / stated background? Are they automatically rejected, assumed as white, or what?
Also, I was wondering why male/female dichotomies are rigidly enforced and I would like to hear about your opinion on that because answering those questions on applications has made me continually uncomfortable this year.

I can understand some hesitancy against affirmative action, because I was against it at one time. I can try to explain why I changed my mind.
First, though, I must say that MIT and other instituitons provide a better learning environment for everyone when they have a diverse student body. A racially blind policy of application reading that fails to achieve diversity might get the best test scores, but the educational experiences in the dorm rooms and such could never be as full as if racial equality was reached. Meaning, at the end of four years, the full cultural and persynal maturity of the students could not match that of a competing diverse institution.
The other issue to realize is that despite civil rights movements, inherited barriers to success still exist and are still felt. More time is necessary to overcome these, and affirmative action can help to put students with equal minds and unequal levels of privelege together.
Finally, affirmative action at MIT could not possibly be leaving out people who are objectively better. There are so many great applicants for so few spots that tie breakers become extremely important. If this means choosing an under-represented minority over another student, it seems justified for the greater good of the institution.

Hi........if my sat score is like......2140, in what range do I fall and hw much difference does that make to my admission chances?

i might get in trouble w/ this post..

the one thing i hate about our society is the emphasis we put on race. the last couple of years i've been looking for good engr. summer camps..wut made me mad is that there are SO many that are just for minorities..i don't see how this can be right..it isn't my fault i was born white and it seems as if pple are discriminating against me in the name of affirmative action...I AM NOT SAYING MIT DOES THAT..i don't mean that...after lots of searching i finally found a couple of camps i could apply to (they had to be free i'm cheap..well..just broke)..the one i got in was at Pittsburgh Univ. i guess you can say i'm shelterd..but being homeshooled i have NEVER thought about race..i don't think it matters..i grew up in a church of about 200 pple represnting over 25 countries..i never thought about race..i didn't think other sdid either..the summer program i went to proved me wrong..all of a sudden i was a minority because of my gender (how does that wrk out?!?!) i was forced to take a class called "cultural awareness" a misnomer..i had to sit through this teacher bashing my race every class.. that's all it was.."it's all white ples fault that blacks are a minority in engr" EVRY class! it was hard for me and when i tried to speak up she ignored me or twisted my words...i guess the purpose of this post is i don't understand y race matters..we're all the same..that's why whenever possible i don't submit my race or gender..i see no reason why whoever is asking for it should need it..please don't understand me...almost all of my friends are minorities...(i hate that word) i just wish we lived in a world were race didn't matter...i am not saying i was deffered cuz of my race! definately not..i dont' think that at all..i'm not against affirmative action..i just wish we didn't have to have it..i for one didn't put my race don on my app and i doubt VERY much it had anything to do w/ it..if you're complaining about not getting in because of affirmative action you're too immature to deserve MIT and the amdission officers did teh right thing to reject u..if i have offended anyone i am sooooo sorry..that is not at all my purpose

well..that's all..congrats on your admits pples!

Caroline and Asha,

YAY for WTP '05! So glad to hear that you got in! See you guys at CPW! WEEEEEE HOOOO!

Dear April,

As a recent graduate and a minority female, I have often thought about the importance of race and gender in my life. At many times, I wished that we could all be "the same," and I wished we could all be without biases, prejudices, and fears of one another.

After being in an environment in which I was a minority in several ways, I realize that I don't want race and gender to go away. I think what I bring to the table as a minority female from the inner city is important. My history, my culture, and my experiences have shaped so much of who I am. I do not want these parts of my identity to be discarded. At the same time, I am eager to learn about others who aren't necessarily "minorities." I don't wish to imply that only ’Äúminorities" can bring diversity. But, they can be seriously underrepresented in higher education- thus it's very important that qualified students of these groups be recruited and admitted. I wish race and gender would not be a barrier and a basis for stereotyping and degradation in our society. But I do not wish that they would disappear.

I appreciate your honesty and your desire for a world that is more ideal.

For those asking about Minnesota: We're from MN and haven't received any MIT mail, as of 12/15.

I telephoned for my son (he's out-of-town in snow-packed Hibbing) and he was deferred! I think it it's a great compliment that he still has a chance (hey, you guys are all incredible,top students!!) and wasn't denied outright.

I feel so happy for students with tubes (Julia from MN)--it is great that you are rewarded for all your hard work. I am sure you will all love MIT. I have been very impressed with MIT for a long time. (If the Car Talk guys are alum, that says it all). My feelings have only grown, as I hang out on the blogs occasionally.

On the other hand, my message to the deferred/denied students: you will all suceed anywhere you go! From what I have deduced, the type of student who applies to MIT EA are also the type to take destiny in their hands and make it their own. WAY TO GO, EVERYONE!

In my own humble experience, I've found that diversity of race is pointless and superficial, while diversity of culture is truly rewarding and enlightening. But hey, that's just me.

Sebastian,
(que hay loco un saludo de un puertorriqueno q acaba de entrar a mit!)
Just to let you know, you have a good chance.
I have a friend from ecuador en MIT right now (his name is Sebastian btw), so that should give you hope..
I have a lot of good friends in ecuador!
if you have msn messenger look for me: jibarotimbalero@hotmail.com and we can chat !
suerte

April, I am a minority and I think just like you.
A way of discrimination is avoiding it.

While on the topic of minority admission, does MIT consider that it may have over admitted URM's? 27% may not seen like much but it is definitely a greater percentage than URM's have in overall society. Granted basing race and ethnicity in college on their values in society would create an unhealthy concentration of whites but making all races and ehnicities equal would be equally bad especially after one leaves college to go into the real world. Basically, what is the ideal balance of different races and ethnicities to make a college culturally diverse but also realistic?

recent alum,
i don't mean that minorities are a BAD thing!

i just wish that we didn't have to mention it on applications..

Hey guys, I just wanted to introduce myself again~

My name is Julia and I live in Minnesota~
I love meeting new people, traveling new places, blazing new paths that haven't been taken, reading, political activism (amnesty international), music, math, and of course, spending time with family and friends.

I would like to major in Biology or Course 9-(brain and cog) and minor in Biomed Eng. I am extremely excited and looking forward to meeting all you amazing people during CPW!!! It is such an honor to be accepted into the greatest place on earth!

feel free to aim me @ julbabee88

hope to see you all in April :)

Oh I forgot to mention how EXCITED I am that Randal (MIT Phd 01) won the apprentice! I wish I were at the auditorium cheering him on!

YaY!!! Go MIT and go Randal!

To Ccaleb,

I couldn't agree with you more about the importance of diversity. This summer I attended the Minority Introduction to Engineering and Science at MIT, and coming from a school that lacks diversity, this enriching summer program broke my bubble and exposed me to a whole new world.

Thus, after this summer, I realized that MIT is not only a place that pushes through scientific breakthroughs, but also a place that celebrates diversity and widens the horizons of many students.

i think that diversity is a FANTASTIC thing! i just wish it didn't have any bearing on college decisions

^ that was me ^_^

So I'm the one of 2 African-American girls in my entire senior class and the 2nd ever in my school to get admitted to MIT. But it IS a small school about 400 high schoolers. I applied to MITE2S and got a nice rejection letter . And then applied to MIT, my pop's alma matter, and stressed out all last week waiting for the tube. AND IT CAME! So in short my really summarized story. Btw MIT is an has been for like the past 6 years or so my top choice. Yay!!!

Hello All!

Again, congratulations to all of you admitted Early Action to MIT. All I can say is job well done.

I have been reading the blog and trying hard to refrain from jumping in too much. I am most happy when The Nance Effect is a conduit for conversation. Oh boy has it been just that over the last few days. I think that its time for me to jump in. Forgive me, but this might be a long one.

When I started this blog I wrote the following:
’ÄúTHIS BLOG IS NOT THE PLACE TO WORK OUT POLITICAL OR RACIAL AGRESSION. IF THAT IS THE FIGHT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR, MAY I SUGGEST AM TALK RADIO.’Äù

That still holds true. However, this one time I’Äôll respond to comments made earlier in the week. MIT is firmly committed to diversity and Affirmative Action. Diversity means much more to us than just race. When we act affirmatively, it includes focusing on ethnic, intellectual and even geographical diversity. I am very proud to work for an institution that is willing to walk the walk.

Let’Äôs start with Mr. Jon C. Elder. If indeed you applied and was deferred or refused I know that you are going though a painful time right now. With that said, HECK YES I’Äôm responsible for the upward trend in underrepresented minority admits during the most recent Early Admission cycle. (I of course did not do it alone. I work with incredibly talented admissions professionals who are also very committed to diversity. Less I digress.)

Let’Äôs dispense with the tired clichˆ©s: ’ÄúIf a black kid and a white kid applied with the same application, the black kid, if anyone, would get in.’Äù Is that your definition of racism? Is this your hypothesis of how we enacted discriminatory and abusive behavior towards members of another race?

Allow me to juxtapose your assertion and even offer you antithesis. Where is the desperate impact? How did we discriminate or prejudice the admissions process based on race? Did we not admit students of other races in equal or greater numbers of the minorities? I fail to see how our actions are at all discriminatory or abuse. If anything, by admitting qualified minority students we are honoring the vision of our founder William Barton Rogers.

Look, I don’Äôt want to rain on your parade. I know that you really hurting. Again, for that I truly empathize with your situation. However, I cannot allow your tantrum to go unchallenged. Your assertion is just wrong. How do I know? Simple, in the last 6 years I’Äôve personally reviewed and sat in admissions committees that reviewed over 10,000 applications for admissions to highly selective universities. It is my professional experience that admissions officers seek to admit the students with the best fit and match. I find it interesting that no matter the racial configuration of the class, someone always seems to ’Äúloose their space in the class to a minority.’Äù

Your comments are dangerous not for what you say, but for you passive-aggressive assertion. Your statement seeks to cheapen the accomplishments of all students who were admitted to MIT. I’Äôm sorry; I can’Äôt allow that to happen in my corner of cyberspace. Every student admitted to MIT earned his or her spot in the class of 2010... PERIOD.

Tell me, why did only single out the 27% of the class who are minorities? Are you not concerned about the credentials of the other 73% of the students admitted EA? Do you think that we got it right only in those cases?

I am quite disturbed. If I continue to delve into the pedagogy of your assertion, I can only conclude that you believe YOUR EA space at MIT was taken from you and given a less qualified minority student. The only logical way that you can avowal such a charge is if you feel admission to MIT is your right. Do you are somehow entitled to admission at (arguably) the finest school of technology in the world? In the Middle Ages I believe this notion was called the Divine Right of Kings.

I truly hope that I am wrong. I pray that the azimuth of my argument is pointing me in the wrong direction, whereby I completely misconstrued your comments.

MIT is VERY committed to admitting and enrolling the brightest students in the world, regardless of race, religion, creed, sex, color or national origin. Given our stance on diversity, and our staunch support of Affirmative Action, you need to ask yourself, ’ÄúIs MIT really is the best fit and match for me?

With that said, I will not address or respond to this thread topic again.

Happy Holidays.

Ccaleb,

Students who don't report their ethnicity are admitted, postponed and refused at a rate no different than any other group. We don’Äôt dwell on it in the admissions process. We look at it, and promptly move on to your essays. If you get a chance, read my previous post dated August 16, 2005 entitled, ’ÄúShould I include my ethnicity on the MIT Application?’Äù I think it’Äôll help to answer your question.

Sebastian,

I'm glad to hear of your passion for learning. Feel free to send me an email off line and we'll talk.

April, George and others defered,

I'm really proud of you, Seriously. This is why I am in this job. I don't know what the regular pool looks like, but I know the what kind of student it takes to be successful at MIT. It takes Persistence & Perseverance! Keep it up!

Justin,

Good Question.
"While on the topic of minority admission, does MIT consider that it may have over admitted URM's? 27% may not seen like much but it is definitely a greater percentage than URM's have in overall society."

Here are a couple of conter-points.
1. We admitted 27% URM's (under represented minorities) EA.
2. EA admits make up only 1/3 of the total number of admits.
3. Not everyone admitted will choose MIT (Yeah, I find that hard to belive also!)
4. The 27% includes African Amerians, Latina/o's and Native Americans. So, there is even diversity in our diversity.

Given these facts, I don't believe that we've stacked the deck, so to speak.

THANKS MR. NANCE!!!!!!

thanks for clearing up the affirmative action issue..i hope i didn't come across as against it..i was just a victim of what i see as "reverse rascism" and it still hurts sometimes...

April,

I didn't mean to imply that you said minorities are a bad thing. I definitely don't think that.

good!

Do you only get a flat enveloppe if you're not accepted ? is the tube only for those accepted ?

yuppers...tubes for the accepted...envelopes for everyone else(including me :( )

Lucky for u guys!!!!!
i'm getting quite jealous
plus it's difficult when u are an international student.
has any one got tips!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i'm desperate

Lookin' mighty sharp there, Nancester. :)

Nance Nance Revolution meets Nanta Claus!

I think the new look suits you man.
Anyway, getting in feels great but also humbling. It also reminds me that i have little time left to leave my mark before the shore wipes my print again.

love the beard ;D

I have a couple questions about the MITES application and Ben says you're on the admissions committee...

One question is if you think a hobby such as BMX Biking is a possible topic for this required essay:
Essay 2: Which one of your extracurricular or volunteer activities is most important to you and why?

Or do they specifically mean school-related?

Another thing is when I heard about MITES, it was too late to sign up for the December SAT. I would like to send them SAT scores because I just got my PSAT back and I know that I can do better than that now. I'm signed up for the January SAT 1, but I won't have the scores back by the Feb. 3 application deadline. Is there anything I can do or should I just send my mediocre PSAT scores (54CR 67M 65W - 186 SI - 89th %tile)

Thanks a bunch.

I got accepted on 12/12. :) I think I'll remember that forever. I got the tube at my post office and ran with it all the way out to my car, where I sat in disbelief and laughed (I mean LAUGHED) for about five minutes. Perhaps "cackled" would describe it better. I hadn't expected to get in, and it ended up being probably the best day of my life.

As for the first choice issue -- even before this, when people asked about my top schools, I told them that I grouped my potential colleges into two distinct categories: "MIT" and "Not MIT." It's not an exaggeration -- I liked a few other schools, but MIT was the only one I LOVED. I am thrilled beyond anything I could have imagined, and as long as I receive enough aid (I think I will, since MIT is generous, my mother is disabled, my family's income is less than 70K/year, and I have an older sister in college as well), it will be a no-brainer.

In short, I'm almost certainly Cambridge-bound. (And not for Harvard.)

hi every one: merry christamas and happy newyear

I am mohan an international applicant. I dont know either about SAT or toefl untill I completed my 12th.In june or july i came to know of sat and descided to take a chance for this year as these may lead to a brilliant future although I recieved admissions in the local universities. My scores in maths level II c, physics,chem 720/660/700. my score in toefl is 247. I am taking my SAT in jan as my scores in nov are very poor. I am sure that i would recieve a very good score in this sat, because last SAT is taken with just a 15 days preperation and toefl with a 10 day prep and these tests are totally of new shape of what I had been taking all these years. Please tell me whether the score in toefl and sat II will help me? I cannot again afford to take toefl as time is a factor.
Thanking you

Einstein wasn't Einstein because he was Jewish.
Bryan Nance isn't Bryan Nance because he is African American (or black or colored or whatever politically correct term)

I'd say this Jon has been PWNED like the one on Ben's blog (r they the same?)

Merry Christmas to all!
Happy New Year too
esp to Bryan. I hope he will receive his New Year's bundle of joy very soon and post some pics.
=))

Thank you for the card.
Merry Christmas!

Hi!

Just a little question I wanted to ask you:

I just inmigrated to the US with my family, and I dont have a high school diplomma from any US school. I'm planning on taking APs and enrolling on a shool for that pourpose (Calc AB, Calc BC, Physics C and maybe Art or Lit)I'll be taking the SATs and also the TOEFL. The idea is to prove I am a qualified student for MIT, but i'm not sure id I really need a High School diplomma. Should I just take the APs? (I'm sure I would get outstanding grades)

Also, maybe I could just enroll in some college's program for summer or simple courses while I wait for the EA deadline 2006. What would be better? PLease help me.

Thanks!

Sebastian

hey bryan, we'd like to share an online conversation we had with you :-)

s19: hey, we might go to the smae schooll
cia: mit man
cia: lets go to mit
cia: who cares about snobby harvard and snobby princeton
cia: their architecutre makes me wanna go to sleep
s19: :DDDDDD
s19: mits the wellrounded one
s19: just look at their dome
cia: dome+stata center
cia: cant get more wellrounded than that
s19: definelty NOT
cia: some mit admissions person should read this conversation
s19: WE SHOUDL POST
s19: IT
s19: ON THEI R BLOG
cia: LOLLL
cia: OMG YEAH!

a haiku for you

there's a guy named Nance
he happened to go to France
in his underpants

^ Won't Mr. Nance love that one. ;)

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY....................

Happy New Year!

getting deferred is depressing...

Chrissie: "Be not afraid, only believe" ?

Congratulations to all admited students in early action. My name is Juan Jhong Chung. I am from Peru, so as an international student I can only apply to Regular Action. By this time I have already send all the materials and credentials requested for admission. I'm really nervous about the desision that will arrive on mid-march and very excited when reading your stories. Sometimes I dream of being "TUBED" and sometimes I have nigthmares with a letter rejecting me. However, all you guys are amazing!!!!!!!!!!! and it would be a great pleasure to meet you. You and Nance have helped me a lot during this process. I hope I have as much chance as you of being admitted to MIT. I will tell you my story:
I am from Ica a small city south of Peru. You may know where is Peru but not where is Ica. There is no much chance for a great education. There are no US system High Schools. I am first student in my class. Here in Peru I am considered a good student. I have been admitted to 4 "top" national universities but... when I take the SATs I wasn't so good I got 660/670 (Math2c/BiologyM).I got 257 for TOEFL. Both are far away from the average scores of admitted students last year. This is a question for those who were admitted: what are your scores, do you think I have a chance?? What I have heard is that International admission is very hard because there are thousands of students applying each year!! I have applied to other 3 colleges in US but of course MIT is my first choice. And again thank you all!!!! and thank you Nance for the blog!!! They are an excellent way for sharing experiences, comments, anything. Everything is so useful. I feel me very happy when I read that you have been admitted.

Hey guys !!!....Congrats to all those admitted ^^
Well, in my case, I come from Puerto Rico. Here's my story :)

I study in a residential school **only one in PR that I know of**. Only one hundred and fifty students are admitted annually (let's just say that my graduating class only holds 54 students ^^ **we're not that many

well...our high school has this bad habit of brainwashing students into staying in Puerto Rico to pursue their college studies, instead of providing us with more resources than those we've had available over the past few years; nevertheless, when I entered this high school, I wasn’Äôt sure as to what it was I was planning on doing with my life once I graduated...until I discovered MIT !!!! **SOUNDS VERY CLICHE...but its true ^^

well...I'm 16 years old and decided to graduate early by taking over ten courses per semester **not an easy task ** and loosing a lot of my sleep ...(challenge I accomplished) :)

hehe ...well...by the time I realized I was soon to be graduating, I noticed I had to get in touch with all of the college applications I had to fill and send.

That’Äôs when all of the students at my high school realized they had to go take the SAT's and meet the requirements of the colleges they were applying to.

We all seemed to be excited’Ķ Until...our SAT scores arrived O.0

Completely devastated I was :(

My scores were humiliating ...I felt betrayed...upset...sad...desperate and helpless /._.\

My scores were as follow : 530 writing, 480 math, 480 reading.

I really don’Äôt know why it didn’Äôt work out for me on the SAT's ...once I took them and saw my scores...I realized that SAT's don't really say much about a person's abilities of understanding and/or either the quality as a student that one is .

We're only two students in my high school that share a 4.00 GPA...I have succeeded in all of my science and math courses **to the point where I took Biology, Chemistry and Scientific investigation, all in the same year **not to mention Algebra 2 and Geometry **this was in tenth grade by the way :)

Most of the students in my high school got approximately the same score I did...**I'm not quite sure if it all has to do with the different process of teaching school's in Puerto Rico have or something ** We're planning on taking the SAT on January**this, after studying our butts off for it ...lol.. and hope MIT can consider them.

oh yeah..and that’Äôs another thing..lol..we're basically in this residential high school most of the year, and we have almost no chances of finding other alternatives for preparing ourselves for tests like these, besides ..well..learning for ourselves :)

I'm not trying to look like a smarty...hehe trust me ...I would love to be called anything but that...lol..I'm just so worried that the college of my dreams will simply reject me for my SAT scores...lol..and I was so confident about everything that I didn't even apply to a single college in Puerto Rico ...**or what some call a safe college anywhere else..hehe

well..I guess I might be in a lot of trouble...but if anyone..anyone at all...who gets a chance to read this...and can somehow let me know whether my GPA, extracurricular activities and essays can still...land me a space in MIT...I would appreciate it ...a lot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

thanks Amalchi ^^

oh..btw...the email is hippykid7@hotmail.com **works as my msn messenger too **anyone can add me .. :)

congrats to all again ^^

Amalchi,

I'd like to remark only one logical fallacy in your post: you don't need to take the SAT reasoning test as a foreign applicant.

Csaba,

U see, the are a few reasons why we (students in Puerto Rico), had the obligation to take the SAT in order to apply to colleges in the U.S

First of all, Puerto Rican’Äôs are (as you may all know), U.S citizens, which means we have the same requirements as every other U.S citizen that applies to any college within the United States **correct me if I'm wrong please :)

Second of all, We have the right as "foreign language speakers," to take the TOEFL so this one can be taken into consideration when evaluating our *critical reading* section of the SAT ....***here's the thing :

Since late September, the TOEFL, hasn't been offered in Puerto Rico, so students have felt obliged to take the SAT, without having the TOEFL to back us up ...

Since our native language is Spanish and not English, most of us were considering taking the TOEFL in order to balance out our SAT scores and show that we do understand the language **even though some of us might have not done as well as others on the SAT itself.

this is the reason why many of us have been a little worried these past few months...hopefully all of this will be taken into consideration when evaluating our applications.

ok. how were your sat2 scores?

Csaba,

well...it didn't quite go that well with them either

Math 1 510, Biology M 550 and Spanish 780

I'm sure I can raise the SAT 1 scores this January **studied like crazy for that math section ...**things seem so basic...that I simply didn't catch them at first hand...

It all goes down to the SAT's as you can notice .. /._.\

Amalchi,

Just try focusing more on the next test. And I am unsure whether or not you are allowed to take the sat2 in Spanish as that's your mother tongue. Not to nitpick but to help. I'm sure Nance has lots to do now.

Csaba,

hey well..I appreciate you commenting back...and **research tells me it was ok for me to take the spanish version of the SAT **hopefully I wasn't lied to....and dozens of other Puerto Rican applicants who took the spanish version also ..:)

oh, and ...I just got this letter in the mail a few days ago, that I was nominated for the NSMA **National Science Merit Award...have you heard of this Scholarship Foundation before ?..and if so, do you believe it will somehow help to let colleges know that I have recieved this one? ... How would I do so now that my application has already been sent to their respective colleges?

If you know something ...please let me know ^^

thanks for everything Csaba ^^

I heard about National Merit stuff, congrats! I'm sure that will help your application (but you'll have to report it yourself, how would the Sch.F. know where you are applying). But if you stay under at least 1900-2100 in SAT, it will be very hard for you to be admitted (albeit not impossible). I'm just trying to be frank here; I have no interest whatsoever in demoralizing you as I am a foreign applicant so we are therefore not rivals in admission per se (they have a quota for international applicants so they treat us separately). But if you have the NSMA stuff, I am **positive** you can do a whole lot better on the SAT. Just relax and repeat "it would be cool if i succeeded but it wouldn't be the end of the world if i didn't". It works for me. :)

hahaha....I'll definetly take your advice on that one :)

and yeah...up to this point...it all comes down to the SAT's ...**worst case scenario...I end up not being admitted and feeling obligated to spend another year in high school **since I'm graduating early anyway, would not hurt to spend another year in the circumscribed box where I've been living for the past two years **meaning my high school ^^ hehe

well these are my plans...I'f I stay another year in high school, I'll be taking calculus courses in a near by university we have in the same city my high school is at. I would also study on my own for some AP tests I would like to take next year ***I'd be done with physics and Chemistry so...I would have enoooough time for those...and of course...work on a scientific investigation **been there, done that ..but would love to be there again ^^

hahaha...wanna hear something funny? ...

my last scientific investigation involved using urine as a fertilizer substitute ^^ people went crazy over it :) **had lots of fun

so yeah...I agree with you ^^ awesome if it happens and well, you can allways try again if it doesn't :)

where do you come from by the way Csaba? :)

I am from a small town in Romania (about 200k people), Oradea. MIT has been my dream for a few years :) I love Physics, but I didn't get to do many experiments or research. You see, contests here place emphasis much on theory than experiments. I am afraid that this aspect might hurt my application. But I am also sure everything will work out fine in the end. I remember that this issue is actually two-sided: they have to like me and I have to like them. Now perhaps they'll say "this guy wouldn't like things at MIT for one reason or another; we are not a very good match". Cause at the end of the day, despite every effort they would make (blogs, on campus visits, what not), how things *are* at MIT is known only by MIT staff and actual students :) So I am sure that even if they reject me, it will only be for my best! Of course I would be sad, but I will keep this aspect in my mind. It is not a question of "good enough" it is also "MIT enough". :)

Let's see... Juan, my personal belief is that the SATs give the admission officers a way to compare you to the standard of the rest of the incoming class. However, I think what matters more to them is that they know you'll challenge yourself beyond your comfort zone. That is where the rest of your application comes in. So SATs aren't, as is the common myth, the only admission factor availble to them. If it were, like Matt once said, MIT would be an unbelievably dull place.

It's cool to see that you're top in your class. Lots of people who post here are tops in their classes too. Well, the thing that makes me different is that I'm nowhere in that standard. But for me, being in Vancouver for over a month now, and being without family (they've returned to Singapore) for two weeks now, I've really had to go beyond my comfort zone and explore what Vancouver is like. I've had to find a job on my own, find courses to keep studying, and essentially, I have to find ways to make myself disciplined and focused. It's really cool as a learning journey to try to stay alone in a foreign land (well, it's home for me, but equally foreign since I've not been here for a while).

wow Romania ^^

Well, in my case, I live in a tiny over-populated island in the caribbean ( will surpass 7 million habitants in a few.) What I love the most is chemistry and Biology....hmm..actually..I love sciences period. I'm in love with them **not to mention writing :)

I'm taking Physics this present year ...!!!

In my case, my teacher pays a lot of emphazis on laboratories **she says she does not believe what she cannot see, so every theory learned in class must also be performed on laboratory assignments ...**which makes the class a lot more interesting and easier to understand ... :) *and you kiddo...who loves physics..haha that would make your day ;)

In my case...For some reason..when there's something I can't see...I tend to be more drawn to it. Take for example the human cell, or bacteria, viruses... they've all captivated me throught my years of study...their functions, organeles...it all seems fascinating to me :)

I wanted to cite something that I think was very interesting regarding the education of sciences in Latin America. Has anyone here read 'Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!'? It's written by Nobel Laureate Richard Feynman, an alumni of MIT 1939. In one part of the autobiography, the 10 months before Feynman became the professor of theoretical physics at Caltech, he visited Brazil as a professor. The things he said were very interesting. The teaching of science there, as he describes it, focused upon knowing, regurgitating, and the perfection of exercises versus a dynamic and creative approach toward problem solving. Students could recite volumes of information, but found immense difficulty applying it. Over 4 decades have passed, and I hope that Feynman's efforts to change the way science is taught in Brazil (and probably the rest of Latin America) have been actualized. And so, I ask to Amalchi, is the teaching still like this? Because that might perhaps explain a high GPA, but a lower score on a reasoning (problem-solving I'd say) test like the SAT. Of course, this is a question, I'm not making any assertions of any kind, just curious. I also want to add that it's absolutely awesome that you're receiving the best education you can in a place where education is more difficult to come by than in the US. If you do manage to come to the United States for study at any school, I'm sure you'll have a fantastic time. Well, best of luck in your studies and your SAT. Take care!

By the way, that book I mentioned - Awesome. Feynman is a genius on all levels, including author, and quite the role model for a fun-loving physicist. I heartily recommend it :-P

Ooh this is embarassing, I was rereading the past posts and I realized it was PR, Puerto Rico, not PERU. Hahaha... my bad. Oh well, I guess Puerto Rico is still kinda Latin America, and I think my comments apply to others coming from Central/South America. Sorry!