MIT ESSAYS THAT WORKED!!

‘I am an enthusiastic foodie’

This is the first in a series of MIT application essays submitted by students who were later
admitted to the Institute. The following prompt is from the 2013-14 admissions season.

Prompt

We know you lead a busy life, full of activities, many of which are required of you. Tell us
about something you do simply for the pleasure of it. This isn’t a trick question. We want to
see how you bring balance to your life. (100 words)

Response

I am an enthusiastic foodie. I subscribe to my favorite food blogs, anxious for new recipes,
and I research exotic fruits and vegetables.

Armed with knowledge but little experience, I experiment in my own kitchen. As the simple
ingredients combine in harmony and delicious smells waft through my apartment, I am eager
to test the final dish. Though the end result is not always perfect, I enjoy every step of
preparing food.

—Elaine Lin ’18

‘At heart, I am Chinese’

This is part of a series of MIT application essays submitted by students who were later
admitted to the Institute. The following prompts are from the 2014-15 admissions season.

Prompt

Describe the world you come from; for example, your family, clubs, school, community, city,
or town. How has that world shaped your dreams and aspirations? (200-250)

Response

I am completely Chinese. My parents are Chinese and I was born in China. However, as first
generation immigrants, my family and I have been immersed in the French Canadian culture
of Montreal and the American culture of Kansas City. I spent a measly five months in China
after my birth, a seemingly short eight years in Montreal, and an even shorter nine years in
Overland Park. At heart, I am Chinese like my background, but my childhood is colored by
French influences and my adolescence is completely painted with the exuberant American
character. As a result, a lot of my life has been categorized by my three countries and
cultures: the languages I speak, the habits I have, and the aspirations I dream.

My college track, as of right now, is to double major in economics and mathematics while
also minoring in French, but my ultimate goal is to make a positive and memorable impact on
the world. Every subject field has a direct lineation to my different cultures, and the most
obvious is my interest in French. While it may sound silly, I feel beautiful when speaking
such a beautiful language, and I aim to further develop my linguistic foundation through a
minor and studying abroad. My love for mathematics is most primarily rooted in my Chinese
culture, as my father’s enthusiasm about little mathematical tricks is contagious. Finally, the
opportunities and the boldness I find in American culture are best epitomized in its economic
landmark: Wall Street.

Prompt

Tell us about the most significant challenge you’ve faced or something important that didn’t
go according to plan. How did you manage the situation? (200-250)

Response

Math had always been the easy, simple subject for me until calculus suddenly turned math
into a terribly fascinating new world for me to explore. My paradigm regarding the seemingly
rigid discipline shifted from indifference to a desire to learn how the puzzle pieces of the
world clicked and fitted together. I hoped to spread that sentiment by establishing Mu Alpha
Theta at my school, a chartering process that I expected to last at most two months.

That preconceived notion could not have been further from the truth. After an arduous month
involving hours of research, several phone calls, and admittedly, some pestering, I gained
approval to start the chartering process in the second semester of my junior year.
Immediately, I wrote the charter application, bylaws, supplementary materials, and student
application for the math department to review. Unfortunately, as each error was traded in
with another, I realized that my predicted timeframe was an over-optimistic dream. The lag
was attributed to the lack of cohesive communication and initiative; I kept pushing my
responsibilities to the next week until there was no more time left. Consequently, I took
greater measures to accomplish my goals by setting hard deadlines for myself and
approaching the math teachers more frequently for feedback.

After seven months, the math department and I have just finished the application process and
are reviewing the candidates. Seeing my passion manifest into a tangible organization excites
me, and I hope that it does the same for my school’s community.

—Judy Wang ’19

Dancing after a double surgery

Editor’s note: This is part of a series of MIT application essays submitted by students who
were later admitted to the Institute. The following prompts are from the 2016-17 admissions
season.

Prompt

We know you lead a busy life, full of activities, many of which are required of you. Tell us
about something you do for the pleasure of it. (100 words or fewer)
Response

I love putting on makeup. There is something extraordinarily satisfying about choosing

different colors and textures to put on my face exactly how I please.

In addition to daily swoops of eyeliner, I also enjoy technical special effects makeup. For the
horror-themed dress up day during homecoming last year, I woke up at 5 a.m. to put on a
“creepy doll” makeup look of my own design, created entirely out of liquid latex, toilet paper,
eyeshadow, and fake blood.

Whether terrifying or not, makeup is a relaxing and creative way for me to express myself.

Prompt

At MIT, we seek to develop in each member of our community the ability and passion to
work collaboratively for the betterment of humankind. How have you improved the lives of
others in your community? (This could be one person or many, at school or at home, in your
neighborhood or your state, etc.) (200-250 words)

Response

Matsuyo wrapped her aged hands around mine. She had been uncommunicative and unable to
feed herself for some time. Slowly, she began mouthing along as I sang “Aki-no-yuuhi,” a
traditional Japanese melody. This simple song about foliage in the setting sun had finally
broken through the fog of her dementia.

The care managers told me that, from then on, Matsuyo became more alert and began feeding
herself again. I am so thankful that I could break down this barrier with my Japanese and
music abilities.

Matsuyo is one of the residents living at Sunrise Senior Living: I have spent over 400 hours
volunteering there. My responsibilities at Sunrise include spending one-on-one time with
residents and leading group activities such as exercise, current events, meditation, flower
arrangement, sing-alongs, baking, and gardening. I also began a weekly “Summer Arts and
Crafts with Grace” activity and taught crocheting, sculpting, painting, and jewelry making. I
sometimes give violin concerts as well. The residents and staff at Sunrise got to know me so
well that Sunrise offered me a job (which I unfortunately could not take), and one of the
residents, Mama T, refers to me as her granddaughter.

Volunteering has made me appreciate that members of my community are indeed my family,
and family members look out for and support each other. Not only was I given the
opportunity to enrich these residents’ lives, but they also in turn greatly enriched mine, in the
infinitely rewarding moments involving something as simple as a Japanese melody.

Prompt

Tell us about the most significant challenge you’ve faced or something important that didn’t
go according to plan. How did you manage the situation? (200-250 words)

Response
Theatergoers watching my high school’s spring musical “Anything Goes” may have noticed
one eager and aptly-named Angel Grace smiling from under her blonde 30s wig and tap
dancing her way through the entire show. However, they were oblivious to the physical and
mental exhaustion this energetic performer endured to achieve that place onstage.

I was born with hyperpronated ankles which causes chronic foot pain. After fruitless physical
therapy sessions, my doctors recommended surgery. Not one to miss any school, I elected to
have both surgeries the summer before my junior year, only fourteen days apart.

Thus, I spent my entire summer on the couch, nauseous, frustrated, and elevating both ankles
above heart level at all times. When school started, I was just starting to use crutches to move
around clumsily.

A few weeks after the beginning of school, our choreographer started weekly after-school tap
workshops in preparation for “Anything Goes” in the spring. Immediately, I made up my
mind to go. While everyone clicked out their time steps and shuffle off to buffaloes, I sat in a
chair in my ace bandages and orthopedic shoes, frustrated, humiliated, and trying to mimic
their movements. I was a complete novice, but slowly, slowly, I learned how to tap.

After an entire semester of hard work, the “Anything Goes” cast list was posted, and I
received a featured tap role. Throughout the show, Angel Grace’s heels clicked the stage with
well-practiced precision, her upturned face glowing with elation and triumph.

—Grace Kuffner ’20

I love meeting random people

Prompt

We know you lead a busy life, full of activities, many of which are required of you. Tell us
about something you do for the pleasure of it. (100 words or fewer)

Response

“I forgot my pick-up line; you’re really cute. Hi.” I love meeting random people. I’ve found
an unexpected compliment can make someone’s day, and random conversation can be
rejuvenating to anyone. If I feel social anxiety, I find overcoming it is exhilarating.
Sometimes, I’ll walk around the local Walmart just to say “hi” to everyone. I’ve realized
many people are interesting and social, eliminating my prejudices. I now easily approach
people to discuss ideas. At robotics competitions, I talk to everyone and learn from them.
Through meeting random others, my appreciation of people and their stories has surged.

—Kevin Palisoc ’18

Marching to a different beat

Prompt
Please tell us more about your cultural background and identity in the space below. (100
words)

Response

My genes are over 99 percent identical to every other Homo Sapiens. I live in a progressive
meditation community in Fairfield, Iowa, that is rich in eastern philosophy. I did not grow up
in a particularly religious household, but my parents have been interested in New Age
phenomena for as long as I can remember. I was not directly exposed, however, until I moved
to Fairfield. Fortunately, my skepticism was met with love, bliss, reason and direct
experience of the development of consciousness. A diverse, global community has gathered
in Fairfield, for the wonderful lives these principles and meditation create.

Prompt

We know you lead a busy life, full of activities, many of which are required of you. Tell us
about something you do simply for the pleasure of it. (100 words or fewer)

Response

Well, last night I went sledding with a bunch of friends then we came back to my house two
thirds frozen and jumped in my hot tub and listened to music. Then we jumped out half naked
and made snow angels before sprinting back to the warmth of the water. Fun night.

I also really love meditation. The daily experiences I have are unlike anything else in my life.
They vary widely, so it’s always interesting and fun, yet they are consistently blissful and
rejuvenating. My meditation allows me to enter activity with vigor and joy for life!

Prompt

Tell us about the most significant challenge you’ve faced or something important that didn’t
go according to plan. How did you manage the situation? (200-250 words)

Response

Choosing between continuing my traditional high school education and diverging from the
beaten path to pursue what I thought would bring greater knowledge, skill, and bliss was
probably the most difficult choice I have ever made. The conflict between what I felt and
rationally knew to be right, and what society was telling me to do, was enormous. Many
people thought my judgement was poor, and I at times had doubts. I felt like I was throwing
away everything I had worked hard for since I was a kindergartener, by breaking the system.
I have yet to be admitted to any colleges, so I still do not know the full consequences of my
actions, but I do know that regardless, choosing to leave is one of the best decisions I have
ever made. If I had not broken off to gain the knowledge and experience I needed, I would
not be the person I am today, and I feel fantastic. I gained so much so quickly, that I soon
knew that I had made the right choice. Before I left my school, however, I was still carrying
the dogma of and attachment to an educational system that was not serving me or humanity.
Marching to the beat of a different drummer is not easy for anyone, especially someone who
has investments in the current song. Fortunately, eastern philosophy and meditation assisted
me in letting go, and as soon as I did follow my heart, great things happened.
—Laser Nite ’18

‘My love for people is the best part of myself’

This is part of a series of MIT application essays submitted by students who were later
admitted to the Institute. The following prompts are from the 2014-15 admissions season.

Prompt

We know you lead a busy life, full of activities, many of which are required of you. Tell us
about something you do for the pleasure of it. (100)

Response

Thankfully, I don’t have the attention span or the tolerance to invest time into an undertaking
that I don’t find worthwhile and fun. While I am involved in numerous activities ranging
from violin to debate, I never expected to look forward to my four-hour shifts as a waitress at
a retirement home. I have a community of grandparents who recognize me as “Smiley Judy”
and a family of coworkers who relish the food with me after Sunday brunch. Along with the
fast-paced table juggling, the silly and serious interactions I have at my workplace are my
ultimate source of pleasure.

Prompt

Although you may not yet know what you want to major in, which department or program at
MIT appeals to you and why? (100)

Response

Some of my hardest decisions take place in the booth of a restaurant, so choosing a major has
been an absolutely agonizing process for me. I fancied subject areas from English to
chemistry, but I finally (hesitantly) decided on double majoring in mathematics and
economics and minoring in French. My most concrete interest, mathematics, originates from
my introduction to calculus and the realization that the breadth and depth of the mathematical
world extend beyond straight numerical calculations. I believe that MIT’s superior
mathematics program will add unimaginably new dimensions to this magical realm that I
have only just discovered.

Prompt

What attribute of your personality are you most proud of, and how has it impacted your life
so far? This could be your creativity, effective leadership, sense of humor, integrity, or
anything else you’d like to tell us about. (200-250)

Response

My love for people is the best part about myself. There is no better feeling than the happiness
I find in meeting new people and creating connections with them. My extroverted personality
is the root of much of my success in leadership, presentations, and networking. I naturally
reach out to people, and as a result, I am able to accomplish projects like establishing a
mentoring program for the French Honor Society and a threefold increase in membership for
the Asian American Club. However, my outgoing personality made the most memorable
impact at the “Conversation with Michelle Obama,” an event for which I was nominated to
attend. Through Google Hangout, several American cities were able to connect to Michelle
Obama in South Africa. When the Kansas City group was asked about technology integration
in education, the students all froze underneath the limelight. In a burst of courage, I blurted a
couple of words and consequently received the microphone to continue. At that moment, it
didn’t matter that there were thousands of people around the world including Michelle
Obama listening; it was just me and my string of thoughts. I was the only person in Kansas
City to speak that day.

I distinguish myself with my enthusiasm, and I easily see myself thriving as a part of the
tight-knit community, the risk-taking hacking culture, and the passionately nerdy student
population of MIT. After all, I still keep in touch with my lime-green carded tour guide.

—Judy Wang ’19

Refer this after reading: https://www.apstudynotes.org/mit/