zt MIT "Not Admitted"

Admitting such a small percentage of the applicant pool means that we unfortunately have to turn away many, many incredible students. For those of you who fall into this category, this is an open forum for you to talk.

The author has filed this entry in the "The Selection Process: Application Reading, Committee, And Decisions" section; check it out for further reading on this topic.
Responses To This Entry:
(Please note that comments are closed after 30 days to reduce spam.)

First!

Posted by: ebsb on December 15, 2007 11:49 AM

I'm pretty sure I'm rejected... we'll see.

Posted by: Amit on December 15, 2007 11:52 AM

dont speak such nonsense. give it 7 minutes eh?

Posted by: Anonymous on December 15, 2007 11:54 AM

yep rejected

Posted by: Amit on December 15, 2007 11:54 AM

HIGH FIVE!!

Posted by: ariel on December 15, 2007 12:05 PM

:(

Posted by: R on December 15, 2007 12:09 PM

i've never wanted anything so badly in my life. i'm apologize for not being a genius/prodigy child who can look at a problem and immediately know the answer. i have to work hard for everything. i kind of knew, but still, i cried terribly. MIT embodies everything i want to be. anyways, save the world guys.

Posted by: elana marie on December 15, 2007 12:14 PM

I think I'm still in stunned disbelief... :/
I was expecting to be deferred.

Posted by: Daniel_Friedenbach on December 15, 2007 12:19 PM

Where do I go to complain about the reviewing process? I would just be bummed if I was rejected for all virtue. Now I'm just pissed that my tran is STILL not processed, even on the day the decisions are released.

Posted by: Justin on December 15, 2007 12:24 PM

Being a prodigy doens't mean you'll get in either. One man's prodigy is another man's "so what?"

Posted by: ariel on December 15, 2007 12:24 PM

Yep. Same here, Elana.

I kind of thought most of the students got deferred. So, is it a minority that gets flat out rejected? It seems entirely possible, which means getting my Caltech/MIT rejections a day apart (literally) was probably the worst two-day stroke of luck in my life. I don't think I've ever succeeded at doing things that are against the odds two days in a row in my life before. A pity it had to be the rejection odds.

Yeah. I guess it's a good lesson for the real world. Dreams... don't really happen, not to most people. Good job on those few who got in (though I'm guessing none of them will read this, as they're too busy enjoying the dream). Good job, too, to those who were deferred; you still have a grand chance.

As for me, I think I'll go email my EC to tell her thank-you.

Aaron

PS: People, take heart in the fact that (though our high school performance apparently sucks) we've got 4 years of learning before we try again. Grad schools, doctorates, here I come. My goal is to be a professor, and this is only a minor (okay, tire-deflating, 2000 meters tall, and made of razor blades) setback on that road. This rejection doesn't change who we are, it just makes us more cognizant of the fact that we aren't (in the opinions of the admissions board) all that smart in comparison.

Posted by: I'm still going to be a doctorate on December 15, 2007 12:24 PM

Well guys, at least no we know. God works in mysterious ways, he probably has something better up his sleeve anyway.

Posted by: Lex on December 15, 2007 12:30 PM

looks like its back to work on some more college essays.

Posted by: Anonymous on December 15, 2007 12:42 PM

hey, i know you may not want to hear this, but wherever you go to college, it may not be where you want, but it'll be where you were supposed to go. A door closes, and a window opens.

Posted by: job on December 15, 2007 12:46 PM

Hey Guys,

I'm not sure if this is worded well enough, but this is my sincere effort to help, with some wisdom from my teacher...

At the beginning of the year, my English teacher told us a little about the admissions process... He explained that admissions officers are there to try to find a set of people who fit into what that school is, who would be happy there, and who could achieve their best there. (I'm sure you guys have some schools in mind where you KNOW you'd be unhappy.) He told us a story, of a student from a few years ago. She was completely in love with this one school, and SURE she would get in. She had even stayed there over the summer, and the people she met on campus thought she would get in. She didn't. So she pestered the admissions office, until finally, finally, they gave in. After the first year, she was Miserable. M-I-S-E-R-A-B-L-E.

My point is, admissions officers aren't there to try to decide the value of who you are. So it doesn't mean the admissions board doesn't think you're smart, or that you're not amazing... You are! You all are. (I mean, really, you all should be so proud of the accomplishments that you've made.) They just think that MIT might not be the best place for you, and you'll be happier at a different school.

Always be proud of who you are, and what you can accomplish. No matter where you end up, YOU can change the world. It's Your spirit that does that, not just a school.

Posted by: Wishing You the Best on December 15, 2007 12:48 PM

Hey Guys,

I know this sucks a lot, and you're going to hear this way too often, but it's all going to work out in the end. Most people end up loving the college they go to and they realize their first choice doesn't look so good anymore. My best friend's first choice was NYU, and now she's really, really thankful she's at Wellesley--not that NYU is a bad school, but she wouldn't fit in AT ALL. So maybe that's you, the person who could certainly manage all the work but would be unhappy here. Make it your mission to thrive during the next four years, no matter where you end up. Going to college is what you make of it!

Oh, and be glad you guys get friendly, nice rejection letters. Princeton's are really, really blunt. They suck.

Posted by: milena '11 on December 15, 2007 12:52 PM

I'm pretty sure if you applied to MIT you'll get in somewhere. Yes, I love MIT, but really there are many opportunities to have a great college experience (in terms of skills gained, learning, and just fun) in so many places besides MIT. I wish you all the best of luck.

@doctorate: Don't give up; being a professor seems like a great idea! (Of course don't hold a grudge against the institute). Our 3.091 (intro to solid state chemistry) was making a remark about how he didn't go here, and was better for it (I don't recall what he said exactly). This is a famous prof, teaching a class with hundreds and hundreds of people in it.

You can still get an exceptional education at nearly any college. It usually all depends on how much you want to learn, and how much work you put in. Remember grad school! Even if you opt-out of grad school, let it be for something awesome.

@elena: I'm by no means a prodigy. I still feel like I'm playing with numbers (in Physics) in the same way an klutz plays with fire--dangerously. There is a huge population of slightly above average hard workers at MIT--of course there are prodigies and geniuses too, but MIT focuses more on one being well-balanced rather than one-sided. If you keep trying hard, wherever you go, I'm sure you'll end up great in the end.

Keep a positive face on things! Rejection from MIT is far from the apocalypse.

Posted by: Michael McCanna on December 15, 2007 12:53 PM

Hey how do you know if you were rejected or defered?
I went to the site.

Posted by: Sudipta on December 15, 2007 12:56 PM

And by somewhere, I meant somewhere awesome!

Posted by: Michael McCanna on December 15, 2007 12:56 PM

It sucks, but theres always other schools.

Posted by: Chris on December 15, 2007 01:02 PM

@Sudipta - I'm pretty sure "unable to offer you admission" means you're rejected...

The annoying thing is that I was hoping my 2380 SAT would at least balance out my GPA (below average for MIT), and I thought I had some good extracurriculurs and had a very well-written essay... The good news is that I've moved onto the second stage of grieving because I'm very angry now! >:(

Posted by: Daniel_Friedenbach on December 15, 2007 01:07 PM

@Daniel_Friedenbach: !)@%^(./\|`~*&@>,.[]}{)

I too can post random collections of punctuation!

Posted by: sad panda on December 15, 2007 01:10 PM

sorry guys. but think of it like this. maybe MIT wasn't the best place for you and maybe if you had gone you would have hated it. I hope you all find some place that you will love as much as you thought you would have loved MIT.

Posted by: Anonymous on December 15, 2007 01:41 PM

sad panda??SAD PANDA????lol..nice retort though!

Posted by: ronald on December 15, 2007 01:56 PM

What is wrong? Sad Panda is my actual first name. It is pronounced "Sayed Pundah". Or do you think you are better than the Taiwanese?!

Posted by: sad panda on December 15, 2007 02:08 PM

"Good job on those few who got in (though I'm guessing none of them will read this, as they're too busy enjoying the dream)." -- quoted from "I'm still going to be a doctorate" above.

That is not true. I came here first, as soon after my decision.

I suppose this is from a different perspective and some of you will probably hate me for repeating what a lot of other people have said, but truly and sincerely, all of you guys--no matter what the decision--are AWESOME people. Awesome people who I hope to meet one day.

Think for a moment, how many people in each school can say, "I applied to MIT," with pride. As MIT admissions said, this year was one of the most competitive applicant pools--so whatever the decision was/is/will be, you are still among the top of the top, and I know this will never change.

I hope all of you find a school where you will be happy, and may the spirit of MIT watch over you all in your successes.

Who knows, maybe you will end up as a MIT professor or a Tubemaker for the future ity-bitty EA-ers!

Very Best of Luck to all.

Ty

PS
DRAGONS and PHYSICS
ALL THE WAY!!

Posted by: Anon9 on December 15, 2007 02:10 PM

oh well at lease i wont be freezing to death there =p
I will use the following 4 yrs to get my self warm jackets.
AND I WILL BE BACK FOR MASTER !!!!!!

Posted by: Stephanie on December 15, 2007 02:11 PM

w/e I'll just apply somewhere else.

Posted by: Adrian on December 15, 2007 02:12 PM

@Anon9: Hopefully no one aims to be just a tubemaker.

Posted by: Anon on December 15, 2007 02:13 PM

Sad Panda comes from: http://southpark.comedycentral.com/videos.jhtml?videoId=103574&episodeId=103572

blame my floormate for taking so long to find it.

Sorry for trolling. There, you happy now Steve?

Posted by: sad panda on December 15, 2007 02:18 PM

oh yeah, now he tells me to include an "R-rated disclaimer" right after I post.

Posted by: sad panda on December 15, 2007 02:18 PM

@I'm still going to be a doctorate:

Good attitude in most of your thought, less so in the dreams don't happen concept. Even though it worked out for me, the process is really fickle.. I probably mostly got in because I got in contact with an awesome EC who really liked me and worked hard to make the adcoms know it.Dreams can still work out.. and if you persevere you will probably still get into a great college. If you really love MIT, you can always try for transfer. And like you say, you are still going on to other degrees.. so while its not the same, you could still go here for grad school.

Best of luck to all of you with your other schools!!

Posted by: donaldGuy '12 on December 15, 2007 02:18 PM

Aaron is right.

I may not have come here immediately after learning my decision, but I know that everyone here, everyone who applied, and everyone who wants this, is an amazing group of people. So what if not MIT? There are a thousand schools out there who would be blessed to have students like you all that are willing to work.

And as MIT says, students have to find and initiate the opportunity and fortunately, those opportunities can be found anywhere. Just wait a few months, and I'm sure many of you, if not all, will find the "IT" school. And then fall in love all over again.

Until then, just make the most of what you have and never stop dreaming.

~A dream is a wish your heart makes.

Posted by: Shubhi on December 15, 2007 02:40 PM

MIT was probably THE #1 choice for me since it as someone wrote earlier truly embodies everything I am and want to be. When I applied I was actually expecting to be deferred but..may be not. I think I know the reason for my rejection- one tiny screw up!
Congratulations to anyone who got in (especially my friend who I am truly happy for) and everyone who got deferred- good luck on round 2!
In the mean time I am going go look for schools I really don't want to go to.

Posted by: Alex on December 15, 2007 02:59 PM

"In the mean time I am going go look for schools I really don't want to go to."

I know what you mean.

Posted by: ? on December 15, 2007 03:59 PM

This is hard to hear or accept right now, but a rejection from MIT is not a judgment on your value as a person or as a scholar. It simply means that, in the admissions officers' eyes, you would be happier attending college somewhere besides MIT.

Is that cruel? Maybe. But in the long run, I think you'll find that they are right. Don't give up your dreams simply because of this. Getting into college is important - but why should you let it define your entire life, all your dreams, from this point forward? Take the time to mourn, to scream, to come to grips with the decision. And then, get back on your feet and do what you all do best -

Fight for your dreams. :)

Posted by: Paul on December 15, 2007 04:24 PM

As usual, I second Paul's advice. =P Be who you are and have a wonderful experience an another university. Keep MIT in mind for grad school!

Posted by: Hawkins on December 15, 2007 05:14 PM

at*

Posted by: Hawkins on December 15, 2007 05:20 PM

I too want to second what Paul said.

Don't take rejection personally. It's not the end of the world. Don't think that rejection will make your life infinitely worse - and don't think getting into MIT would've made it infinitely better! What matters most is that you take advantage of whatever opportunities you get. When I first came to MIT, I was miserable for a good while - but when I finally started taking advantage of what was around me, I became happy. And you can do that, too, wherever you go.

Not being admitted doesn't mean you're a poor student, a bad person, or anything else - heck, to apply, you must've been great. It just means, at this moment, you're not the match they're looking for. Try again in 4 years. Or maybe you'll decide MIT's not for you. Whatever the case may be, go on and live a great life. This is just a minor setback.

Posted by: Hunter '11 on December 15, 2007 07:06 PM

I did not apply to MIT. I applied to Brown. I haven't even considered applying to MIT because I have no clue what their anthropology program is like.

Brown admission people suck.

I had letters from the Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island, the Mayor of Providence (who went there with JFK Jr), Richard Bushman, and five Brown faculty members. I STILL got rejected! Twice! Plus, Vartan Gregorian called and tried to get me in. Didn't happen.

I guess, at this point, I'm humoring myself that my emotions and desire to attend Brown count.

However, I know this probably isn't the board to post crap about Brown, so I won't go on anymore. I just posted because Brown admission doesn't have their own. Maybe their too busy drinking out of their pilsner glasses in a building walled with rich mahogany discussing Hillary Clinton's next visit to the Watson Institute to create a new page. Or, maybe their just d-bags.

I'll go with the latter.

Posted by: Nic Rossi on December 15, 2007 08:03 PM

I have two things to say in response to Nic's post that I think would be good advice for everyone.

One, if you think you're going to major in X, you'll probably change to closely-related Y. I changed from 20 to 10B (or maybe 7). Pretty close, right? And yet had I chosen to focus ONLY on biological engineering programs I probably wouldn't have applied to MIT's because it's so new - but then, I would've missed out on MIT only to change my major. Whether you've wanted to be X since you were 6 or 16, keep in mind that it may change and you need to be flexible.

Two, letters of recommendation are important. Get them from people who really, really know you - names aren't as important as what they have to say about you. And you have to stand on your own merit, too.

Posted by: Hunter '11 on December 15, 2007 08:48 PM

Hello Everyone,
Each of you are a beautiful star. Stars need to be sprinkled around our planet. MIT is just a compilation of some of the stars. Please, help the universe by finding that other compilation of stars that makes life on Earth so beautiful. The college that will make you shine brighter is out there, embrace it!

Posted by: intleyes on December 15, 2007 09:03 PM

*bad words*
Well, see you in four years. :/

Posted by: lizarbs on December 15, 2007 10:30 PM

*bad words*
Well, see you in four years. :/

Posted by: lizarbs on December 15, 2007 10:30 PM

Ouch, so sorry 'bout that. No need to repeat those words twice. :D

Posted by: lizarbs on December 15, 2007 10:35 PM

Nic Rossi-
Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH has an AWESOME anthropology program and would probably snatch you up if you're grades were good enough to be considered at Brown. Prove them wrong by excelling where you do go.