<p>Congrats on your acceptance. I’m just wondering, what are your ECs/awards/research experience?</p>
<p>Hi.</p>
<p>Thank you for the congrats :)</p>
<p>I can understand why you want to hear about my distinctions, but I’m going to be honest with you and say that I’m not really an outstanding person. I think I have a terrible personality; I have absolutely no tact, a knack for ALWAYS telling annoying, unfunny, and sometimes offensive jokes, and I even have some unintentional arrogance (Ive been trying to work on that though). Now, I’m not trying to put myself down. I understand everyone has negative qualities, and I’m just trying to paint a reasonable picture of myself. On the plus side, I am a decent human being; I always try to do the right thing (never cheat, try to be nice, etc.) and am very hard working.</p>
<p>I go to a real bad public school. In fact, in it’s 60 or 70 year history, I am the first student to be accepted to MIT. I went through the public school system and wasn’t a spectacular student growing up, in consequence, I am really bad at simple stuff like arithmetic and spelling (I studied for the Writing SAT II so my grammar is now better).</p>
<p>Why did I get in?</p>
<p>I’m going to be honest–because I honestly wanted it and REALLY worked for it. </p>
<p>Since middle school, I have always wanted to go to MIT. Admittedly, I wasn’t a spectacular student (even though I may have thought I was). The only thing I had going for me was a strong interest and knowledge in computers.</p>
<p>When I got to high school, I knew what my goal was. It was at that point when I decided I would set out to accomplish it. I would dedicate myself to that goal. I wouldn’t let anything stand in my way.</p>
<p>I sucked at math. Really. I didn’t know arithmetic, I didn’t know fractions, I didn’t know algebra; I didnt even know how to divide with a calculator. I struggled through freshman algebra, yet due to the quality of my schools curriculum, I still managed an A. Sophomore year, I realized that the school curriculum couldn’t help me. I then began my independent study in math. I found a REALLY good Algebra 2 book (College Algebra Stewart, Redlin, et. al.). I then discovered that everyones brain is VERY different and how easy things are to understand when they are described in a way that your brain likes. Within 2 terms, I finished Algebra 2 and Precalculus. During the next term, I did geometry. I then took the Math IIc and scored a 780 – this was the first time I ever did well on a standardized test (before I got proficient or so on MCAS and the like).</p>
<p>Before my SAT II test, my PSAT score was something like 550 Math 560 Verbal 520 Writing. So I worked. Instead of admitting it was impossible, as most people would have done and have done, I continued pressing hard. I studied math so much that it became a hobby. Junior year? 680 math, 540 verbal, 540 writing. I then studied hard for the Writing SAT II and scored a 650. I continued studying and got a 770, shocking the hell out of myself. At that point, I realized that ANYONE can score well on standardized tests, provided one knows the test and the test material well enough.</p>
<p>Junior year, I bit off more than I could chew. I took all of my school’s AP classes (Calc, Enviro. Sci., US Hist., and English). I worked VERY hard, sacrificing anything that resembled a high school social life (on week days at least). I ended up scoring a 5/5 on the BC test, a 4 on the APES test, a 4 on APUS, and a 3 on Eng, all of which are certainly out of the ballpark for my school (I was the first kid to take the BC Exam; the first kid to score above a 3 on any AP math test too).</p>
<p>I took the SAT Is with some studying Junior year and scored a 1310 (700 Math 610 Verbal). I was convinced I must have mis-sequenced, so I registered the month after and scored a 1360 (730 Math 630 Verbal). I was now humbled. But, I again continued with determination.</p>
<p>After a summer of studying (NOT every night. I took about 15 real practice tests and read the Grammatix.com study guide and studied about 400 vocab. words), I retook the SATs in my Senior year. I scored a 1490 (720 Math 770 Verbal), yielding a combined 730 Math 770 Verbal.</p>
<p>Now, in the meanwhile, I have been running a computer repair/consulting business for a few years. I also have been teaching programming. I got REALLY good recommendations from my football coach/track coach (I am a captain of both, due to my dedication to said sports)/ APES/Bio/Marine Eco and from someone with whom I worked on a web programming project who works at Harvard.</p>
<p>Also, when I asked for advertisement for my business, the local newspaper wrote an article on me detailing most of this. In the article, it mentioned how I REALLY want to go to MIT. I sent that in with my application.</p>
<p>Now, I’m just trying to answer your question. I really am not trying to brag. Believe me, when compared to my future classmates (oh geeze!) I am TOTALLY humbled.</p>
<p>So besides answering your question what is my point? DO NOT EVER BACK DOWN FROM YOUR DREAMS. Anything, ANYTHING is accomplishable. Just make sure that you work as hard as you can and adhere to a moral way of life. If you truly want it, you will get it. That is something of which I am convinced.</p>
<p>Underclassmen readers who aspire as I once did, take this message as the truth. Three years ago, I was a moronic, stereotypical football player ignorant in every way of math and science. If you really want it, DO NOT be scared to work for it (whatever it may be). And work for it as hard as you possibly can. Finally, and most importantly, do not let any of the obstacles that will present themselves cause you to lose hope or give up. That is why a lot of people never accomplish their dreams.</p>
<p>Well, I’m rambling now. I hope someone gets something out of this. Good luck to all of you, I hope I am in CC company next year :)</p>
<p>Wow. What an awesome story!</p>
<p>Wow, you should be so proud, that’s an amazing accomplishment.</p>
<p>I, on the other hand, come from a completely different perspective. I just lived out my high school life, and found myself SOMEHOW with a big envelope from MIT. I need to learn a thing or two from you if I’m going to succeed in this school!!</p>
<p>Im completly humbled. You completly deserved getting in, congrats!</p>
<p>I wish I was that focused, if I had a machine I would go back in time and make myself focused! I would also make myself invent dvds :)</p>
<p>If I was an admissions officer, I would’ve admitted you too, emmittisgod! :)</p>
<p>Geez, MIT sure made the right decision in accepting you. Good Work!</p>
<p>that’s a great story! I think that a lot of people can learn from it, including myself.</p>
<p>Thanks for the kind words all :)</p>
<p>Good luck to all those still awaiting/applying.</p>
<p>To those deferred and even rejected, don’t let those obstacles diminish your hope!</p>
<p>wow emmitt…i’m highly inspired by your story. best wishes in the future!</p>
<p>It was heartwarming to read about, raised my hopes, well i used to be more into computers and programming four/five years ago…but for the past three two four years i have been reduced to more of a graphic designer…it feels really odd nowadays…you give me a code and i could modify or polish it, but if someone asks to write each and every line of code…the keyboard starts repelling the fingers…
Well, i am more of an activist for ICTs and Technology and their application in the public sector, have been working for som time with World Summiton on Information Society youth caucus…There is a big problem when you start studying humanities with greater interest after previously having a tech background…Dont know how will be the transition backwards…hope it will be intersting…Congrats Jeremy and hope i atleast come close to going to MIT 
with my sloppy grades in math, chem, last year…i stand prety much at the bottom of the international pool!
If not know, i will make sure i at least get in their four years later…well any one got a clue what will be his/or her plans after MIT? job? research, or further study…or…</p>
<p>hEY YOU prospective CS majors…can anyone work out of a way to avoid all the important emails from the universities pass out the inbox and get into the bulk, or junk folder…i found 3 of them in the bulk folder of Yahoo…any aspiring spammer? …</p>