<p>I didn’t.</p>
<p>The vast majority of applicants and admits have not done formal research. Most admits, however, do fit most of [these</a> qualities](<a href=“http://www.mitadmissions.org/topics/pulse/the_match_between_you_and_mit/match_game.shtml"]these”>http://www.mitadmissions.org/topics/pulse/the_match_between_you_and_mit/match_game.shtml)</p>
<p>I’m led to believe that most admits have ‘something’ that makes them stand out against other applicants, though. It certainly helps if you do.</p>