Name: Kristin

Home State: Texas

HS GPA: 4.26 (I think... my report card got lost in the mail. Go figure.)

SAT/ACT Scores: SAT: 800CR, 740M, 800W; ACT: 35; SATII: Physics 730, Math II 800, Literature 800

How many schools did you apply to? 4

Which ones? University of Chicago, MIT, Rice, Texas A&M

Were you surprised by any of your admissions decisions? Yes! MIT's admission (especially early!) really knocked me out of my socks. I had utterly convinced myself I wouldn't get in. Rice's scholarship also shocked me - they spend so much time telling you that only super-amazing geniuses get their scholarships. I guess they're trying to stave off all of the angry letters from the moms of 2400-ers?

Did you apply early decision/early action to any schools? Are you happy with your decision? So my early applications policy was determined by two rules: one, I was going to apply early to as many schools as possible; and two, I was applying early to MIT. I was therefore limited to those schools with Early Action (UChicago and MIT), Rolling (Texas A&M), or some other crazy plan (Rice). I'm so glad I turned those apps in early, because not only was I not forced to go anywhere, but I even got my decisions back before most people sent off their applications! Applying Early Action whenever possible is just generally a good idea, because you have a very high chance of being either accepted or deferred, in which case your application is reviewed twice, which must be good! Plus, it shows you're excited about the school and that you can manage your time well!

Where did you get in? I got into everywhere I applied (woo, that's fun to say!).

Where will you be next fall? How excited are you? MIT!! I am excited out of my mind!! I am actually wearing my MIT sweatshirt as I am typing this, haha. I'm pretty nervous about how difficult it's going to be, but I'm confident that I'll survive, somehow.

Why did you choose the school you did? The easy answer is that I've been mildly obsessed with it since sophomore year. But I guess that then begs the question, why was I obsessed? I guess I love how challenging it is, yet how much fun the students have there. I love the hacks/pranks, I love the housing system, I love the city it's in, I love how friendly the students I've met are... it's just where I want to be!

What advice do you have for surviving the admissions process? Start thinking about it early! You don't have to start writing your essays, really, until maybe a month before (or two weeks...or one...), but it really helped me to know what schools I wanted to apply to waaay back in my junior year. I was pretty weirdly obsessed with college back then, but I think it paid off. I wasn't in the boat of "AAUUUGH where do I want to apply????" which eased my stress level considerably! Even if you don't know how to really differentiate colleges, just keep messing around - eventually you'll figure some things out. Hey, that's what I did, and I turned pretty good!

OH, also, don't set your heart on one school. Bad idea. If you find yourself doing it, HOLD IT! I myself was caught in this trap. But I recognized the problem soon enough to fix it. What you gotta do is try really, really hard to find another school that you love. I luckily found Harvey Mudd, which is an amazing school, so I don't think I would've been too heartbroken if I hadn't gotten into MIT. So many people become so, so bitter about their decisions because they were super-set on one school. So avoid depression and bitterness, and spread the love! Woo hoo!

And...

Thanks for reading my exclamation-point-riddled blog all year! I had a lot of fun, and I hoped you gleaned at least a tiny bit of wisdom from my many words. And REMEMBER: Life is fun! FUN, I say! Don't forget it!

Kristin