From Cambridge to You

From Cambridge to You Beginning on Wednesday, the Admissions Staff will go out across North America to meet with prospective applicants and parents in more than 70 cities. Its going to be exciting! It all starts this Wednesday with two meetings in New England: Jenny Rifken will be traveling to Portland, Maine, and Ill be off to Hartford, Connecticut. You can view the entire schedule and RSVP online. Following the Hartford meeting, Ill be heading out to the Bay Area, followed by a trip to the Rocky Mountains and finally the Great Plains. Heres my entire meeting schedule for the fall: Hartford, CTWednesday, September 6, 2006 at 7:00 p.m.Greater Hartford Academy of Math Science Sacramento, CASaturday, September 9, 2006 at 3:00 p.m.Mira Loma High School Cafeteria San Jose, CASunday, September 10, 2006 at 7:00 p.m.Double Tree Hotel San Jose San Francisco, CATuesday, September 12, 2006 at 7:30 p.m.Holiday Inn Golden Gateway Lafayette, CAWednesday, September 13, 2006 at 7:30 p.m.Acalanes High School Salt Lake City, UTTuesday, September 26, 2006 at 7:00 p.m.Bryant Intermediate School Denver, COWednesday, September 27, 2006 at 7:00 p.m.Embassy Suites Hotel Denver-Aurora Albuquerque, NMSaturday, September 30, 2006 at 2:00 p.m.Indian Pueblo Cultural Center Lincoln, NEThursday, October 12, 2006 at 7:00 p.m.The Cornhusker Hotel Kansas City, MOSunday, October 15, 2006 at 3:00 p.m.Kansas City Marriott Country Club Plaza If youre in one of these areas, I look forward to seeing you! And for the rest of you, say hello to my colleague who comes to your area. You might be wondering, what happens at these meetings? What should you expect? First, the admissions officer and the local Educational Counselors (MIT alumni interviewers, also known as ECs) will greet attendees at the door. If youve RSVPed (please do!), youll be able to check your name and go in; if you havent, well ask you to sign in. Well have some special publications and materials you can pick up as well. The meeting itself will last no longer than 90 minutes. Each admissions officers presentation varies somewhat, but will cover the same information. Well talk about MIT: academics, research, student life, Boston/Cambridge, MIT culture. What makes MIT different from other universities? How might you know whether or not MIT is a good match for you? We will of course talk about admissions, including the different application components, the deadlines, what makes an applicant competitive, how we make decisions on which students to admit. Well provide advice and tips wherever we can. Money and financial aid will be discussed. How do you apply for financial aid? Should you apply for it? What should I expect? Also, the local ECs will introduce themselves. Theyll talk about what MIT looks for in an interview and give you some advice. This is also a good chance for students to meet their interviewer face-to-face and to set up a time for their interview. We will always finish with an open QA. Well take as many questions as we can and do our best to answer every question fully. Ive found that even students and families who dont have any questions find it interesting and helpful to hear other peoples questions and the corresponding answer. Getting out on the road to meet you is one of our favorite times of the year. We look forward to seeing you!