The MIT waiting game

[lamarr04]

So, it seems like a fair number of the regular users on this site have applied to MIT. It is also apparent that many of these regular users are highly qualified applicants and thus already have good options on the table. This means there are probably quite a few of us who are now essentially twiddling our thumbs/holding our breaths/finding other ways to cope while we wait for an MIT call, before the majority of us will happily move on with our lives (at other schools)...

The purpose of this thread is to provide a healthy way to vent this anxious anticipation as the MIT calls start to go out.

[csld09]

Yeah, it's interesting to parse out the planetizen ratios (applications:admissions:enrollments) and to realize that one's chances are still better than a roll of a six-sided die, even if the mental image is of a Forbidden City. And while I'm no different that any other applicant and I hope they'll accept me, I imagine that instead of taking the most well-credentialed people they're taking the people they think will do best in their environment: very high-pressure, very open-ended, and designed for people who are ready to hit the ground running with some clearly-sketched out career goals and research intentions.

That said, I hope my decision to spray my application with Drakkar Noir pays off.

[rbolich]

Wait, so they're going to call if I get in?? That means I need to stalk my cell as well as my email... argh, the suspense!

[sunsetskylines]

Wait, so they're going to call if I get in?? That means I need to stalk my cell as well as my email... argh, the suspense!

Eye every call to see if it's a 617 number! I just about died the last one I got, but it was Harvard calling, not MIT.

Most people seem to get calls, but I've heard of a few who never got one or got an e-mail instead.

[Mauricio]

... very high-pressure, very open-ended, and designed for people who are ready to hit the ground running with some clearly-sketched out career goals and research intentions.

Is that in fact the environment and the expectations?

[csld09]

Well, that's what I gathered. It's got the smallest core curriculum of any program I checked out, and I took that to mean that they host students who need some elective latitude to realize their individual academic goals. You know, the whole "with freedom comes responsibility" thing, because you have to explain your reasoning for whatever choices you make.

[Rygor]

Yeah, it's interesting to parse out the planetizen ratios (applications:admissions:enrollments) and to realize that one's chances are still better than a roll of a six-sided die, even if the mental image is of a Forbidden City. And while I'm no different that any other applicant and I hope they'll accept me, I imagine that instead of taking the most well-credentialed people they're taking the people they think will do best in their environment: very high-pressure, very open-ended, and designed for people who are ready to hit the ground running with some clearly-sketched out career goals and research intentions.

That said, I hope my decision to spray my application with Drakkar Noir pays off.

Ooooh. Tough luck. I hear the admissions committee prefers Sex Panther.

[escarole]

Csld09 is correct: you need to have a very clear mission in your head because MIT gives you enough rope to hang yourself with in terms of flexibility. Just look up "IHTFP" and MIT - and know that the sentiment applies even to Course 11, although mostly due to frustration rather than actual dislike of the school. First semester is fairly constrained by core courses but the genie's out of the bottle thereafter. Part of the complication is the flexibility to take classes at Sloan, and any of the Harvard grad schools too. The logistics are annoying: invariably the most perfect combo of classes would involve being beamed from one campus to another, or at least previous career as a bike messenger.

Mauricio - PM me - I worked for 15 years, mostly in Asia, before coming to DUSP so I think I can fill you in on the profile of the more experienced students in the class if that will help. I saw that you were asking for people's stats. You can look up mine from last year's application forum if you are still interested.

[whyxbotherx]

haha, hello @escarole! Do you know who I am? I just figured out who you are

To others - feel free to PM me as well with your MIT-related questions

[escarole]

Posting the DUSP open house last Dec was something of a giveaway, whyxbotherx! I think it's pretty telling that BerkeleyMatt was on the forums last year too and still hangs out with us. (So that's a warning to other Cyburbia posters - you will actually meet other people from this forum in real life, and people do really remember each other from the open houses. Play nicely.)

[Mauricio]

...
Mauricio - PM me - I worked for 15 years, mostly in Asia, before coming to DUSP so I think I can fill you in on the profile of the more experienced students in the class if that will help. I saw that you were asking for people's stats. You can look up mine from last year's application forum if you are still interested.

Sure, but why not instead share it here for the benefit of many, rather than for the benefit of just one person. I am sure I am far from being the only person wanting to get into MIT...

[locomotivechase]

has anyone heard back? I'm assuming they've notified everyone who has been accepted at this point?

[csld09]

Ooooh. Tough luck. I hear the admissions committee prefers Sex Panther.

See, this is why I should've shelled out for the Planetizen guide. Man, where were you when I needed you?!?