| Transcript
for the Math
Jam "MIT Admissions Math Jam"
on Oct 21. |
| Math Jam hosted by MattMcGannMIT
(Matt McGann ). |
rrusczyk19:33:09
Greetings and welcome to today's Massachusetts Institute of Technology Math Jam!
rrusczyk19:33:18
Before I introduce our special guests, I would like to briefly explain our classroom to those who have not previously attended a Math Jam or online class.
rrusczyk19:33:30
Only the moderators have the ability to send private messages in the classroom. Sometimes they will use these to privately respond to your comments.
rrusczyk19:34:04
There are likely to be a lot of questions. Please be patient -- the moderators will be answering questions as quickly as they can, but it may take some time for them to get to yours. Also, your question may not necessarily be selected to be answered; please do not take this personally, as we only have a finite amount of time and there may be a lot of questions, so some may not get taken. Please only ask your question once.
rrusczyk19:34:18
In addition, there may be a delay between when your question appears and when it is answered -- please be patient and give our guests time to type in thorough answers.
rrusczyk19:34:30
Now let me introduce our special guests from MIT.
draca19:34:32
Hello, and good evening. I'm sure I am speaking for everyone here when I say thank you very much for taking time to talk with us. We really appreciate it.
rrusczyk19:34:43
We at AoPS appreciate it very much as well!
rrusczyk19:35:02
Matt McGann is the Associate Director of Admissions at MIT. Not only is Matt one of the people who reads applications and decides who is admitted, he is also an MIT alumnus (class of 2000), so he can likely answer a lot of your questions about undergraduate life at MIT. Matt's home page is http://www.mitadmissions.org/Matt.shtml.
rrusczyk19:35:18
Kiran Kedlaya is an Associate Professor of Mathematics at MIT. His research is in arithmetic algebraic geometry and algebraic number theory. Prof. Kedlaya is a former IMO medalist (several times), a Putnam winner (several times) and serves on the AoPS Foundation Board of Directors. His home page is http://www.mit.edu/~kedlaya/.
rrusczyk19:35:26
At this time I will turn the floor over to Matt and Kiran.
MattMcGannMIT19:35:37
Good evening! Thanks for coming out to the 5th annual MIT Math Jam on AOPS. I'm glad you could make it.
MattMcGannMIT19:35:49
Prof. Kedlaya & I will begin fielding questions in just a moment. (format: Name / Grade / State-or-Country: Question; e.g. Matt / 12 / NY: How awesome is MIT?)
MattMcGannMIT19:36:00
First, note that over the course of the past 4 years, Prof. Kedlaya & I have answered many questions. The answer to one of your questions may be in a previous Math Jam transcript:
MattMcGannMIT19:36:11
2008 MIT Math Jam: http://www.artofproblemsolving.com/Community/AoPS_Y_MJ_Transcripts.php?mj_id=243
MattMcGannMIT19:36:21
2007 MIT Math Jam:
http://www.artofproblemsolving.com/Community/AoPS_Y_MJ_Transcripts.php?mj_id=217
MattMcGannMIT19:36:28
2006 MIT Math Jam:
http://www.artofproblemsolving.com/Community/AoPS_Y_MJ_Transcripts.php?mj_id=167
MattMcGannMIT19:36:35
2005 MIT Math Jam:
http://www.artofproblemsolving.com/Community/AoPS_Y_MJ_Transcripts.php?mj_id=114
MattMcGannMIT19:36:42
Also, the answers to many questions can be found either at the MIT homepage:
http://web.mit.edu
MattMcGannMIT19:36:49
...or on the MIT Admissions homepage:
http://www.mitadmissions.org
MattMcGannMIT19:36:57
...or on the Math Department homepage:
http://math.mit.edu/
MattMcGannMIT19:37:04
And now, we'd like to field some questions.
MattMcGannMIT19:37:10
I'd like to meet you with your question, so if you could preface your question with your name, grade, and location, that would be great.
MattMcGannMIT19:37:15
For example:
MattMcGannMIT19:37:21
Matt / 12 / NY: How awesome is MIT?
MattMcGannMIT19:37:31
Please be patient; we will get to as many questions as we can.
kedlaya19:37:36
Excellent example, I should say.
MattMcGannMIT19:37:53
Anything you'd like to add before we start, Prof. Kedlaya?
kedlaya19:38:18
No, I think you pretty much covered it. Let's start taking some questions.
aopsuser219:40:13
Amit/middle schooler parent/FL - Other than AOPS, what do you recommend a middle schooler to take on - as extra which can help them plan for a future at MIT? e.g. online EPGY courses?, SIG summer programs?
MattMcGannMIT19:40:16
I agree that AOPS is an excellent place to explore math & problem solving in middle and high school. As for what else, there are many things, from formal programs to informal tinkering to just reading that would be excellent uses of time. What is best really can vary from student to student and situation to situation.
bulutcocuk19:40:47
Deniz / 10 / NC: Do you have a pure computer science major?
kedlaya19:41:36
Absolutely! It is the most popular major at MIT. I think about 25% of students graduate from MIT with either a pure CS degree or a joint degree between CS and another subject (math being a popular combination).
hasan444419:43:26
Hassan Al-Sibyani / 11 / Saudi Arabia: Hello, I can guess that international admission process is so competitive; so I would like to know what others factors (other than school GPA) that MIT take it in consideration the most among other factors. Please give an answer :)
MattMcGannMIT19:43:29
Hi Hassan. The MIT admissions process -- like most of the selective universities in the States -- in a holistic and subjective process, not simply based on exam results. At MIT, we certainly will begin by looking for academic excellence (this can be measured by classes/grades; exams; projects; research; math competitions; and much more). We also look for the students who will...
joeislittle19:44:32
Joseph / 12 / NY: How is the Putnam seminar for undergraduates run? What qualifications would be necessary to sign up for it as a freshman?
kedlaya19:44:33
The Putnam seminar is primarily intended for freshmen. It alternates between lectures (by Richard Stanley, myself, and other faculty) highlighting useful techniques, and presentations of homework problems by the students in the seminar. Most students in the seminar have done well on the USAMO (honorable mention and/or MOSP qualifier) or some international equivalent.
MattMcGannMIT19:44:40
...best take advantage of the MIT community. What is mean is, who will take advantage of the residential community life? Who will be the students who take advantage of the research opportunities? Who will live out the MIT mission of creating a better future?
MattMcGannMIT19:45:55
For us to determine this, we will look not just at your SAT scores, but also your activities, essays, recommendation letters, awards & achievements, interview, and more.
MattMcGannMIT19:46:12
(And yes, we have interviewers in Saudi Arabia, and most places across the world)
AIME15USAMO19:47:11
Chinthan / 9 / WI: why do you need our name, grade and state?
MattMcGannMIT19:47:13
I like when I get a small amount of context (age & geography). It also seems friendlier to me :)
anand.oza19:48:00
Anand / 12 / MD: How awesome is MIT?
MattMcGannMIT19:48:01
...I guess I set myself up for that one ;) How's this: Very.
MathTwo19:48:42
Alexander Whatley/ 7/ Texas: Has MIT ever turned down any IMO medalists?
kedlaya19:48:44
Probably so; the IMO is not a "magic ticket" into MIT, since no such ticket exists. As Matt said just above, admissions is a holistic process, and no one factor will get you in (or keep you out)...
kedlaya19:49:18
... That having been said, though, an IMO result is definitely one factor that will get your application noticed, which is good. And I suspect that with Matt in admissions, that is more true at MIT than at some of our competitors.
gldnrto19:50:07
Dominic / 9 / TX : What are the most common majors at MIT? What do you consider your university's best major to be?
MattMcGannMIT19:50:09
Hi Dominic. The three most popular majors at MIT are Electrical Engineering/Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, and Biology. Every math, science, engineering, and social science major at MIT -- everything from Aeronautics to Urban Planning -- is considered among the best in the world.
csl82419:51:44
Carmela / 16 / Philippines: In admitting students, do you still consider what they want for a major? e.g., if the student wants to major in Chemical Engineering, is his/her aptitude in Chemistry and Math higher on the list of requirements than let's say, if he/she wants to take up Computer Science?
MattMcGannMIT19:51:48
Hi Carmela. At MIT, we do not admit directly into a major. Every freshman is admitted as "undeclared." At the end of the freshman year, students may choose any major they want, without any additional entry requirements. (And shortly thereafter, students may add a second major)
MattMcGannMIT19:52:16
So no, it is not easier to get in as a ChemE or CS major or Literature major.
kedlaya19:52:21
For starters, some of the world's best computer scientists, not just on the faculty but regularly teaching undergraduate classes. For instance, Ron Rivest, the R in RSA. (Or Erik Demaine, for those who know about him.)
bl.html19:52:24
Blake / 10 / NY: What is unique about the computer science program, that other universities might not have?
kedlaya19:52:36
(sorry, Blake, your answer is above your question rather than beneath it)
mathkid9519:53:15
Shankar/14/PA: My school does not do the AMC. Will that decrease my chances of admission?
MattMcGannMIT19:53:18
Not at all. (Though you've got lots of time -- convince a math teacher to start it up!)
Lazarus19:54:58
Daesun /12 / NJ: What is the ROTC program like at MIT?
MattMcGannMIT19:55:00
Hi Daesun. ROTC -- the Reserve Officers Training Corps -- is a part of MIT. We offer Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine ROTC on campus. Students from other Boston-area universities, including Tufts, Harvard, and Wellesley, congregate at MIT for ROTC; MIT could be considered the "capital" of Boston ROTC. I recommend you get in touch with the folks at the MIT branch you are interested in.
garfielddisco12319:55:03
Felix/12/OK How are you guys now involved with MIT (like MIT major, or something like I teach there)?
kedlaya19:55:05
Felix: as for me, I teach in the math department, anything from freshman calculus to undergraduate courses to graduate courses. I also advise both undergraduates (math majors) and graduate students (PhD candidates writing theses under my supervision). I also supervise undergraduate research projects, organize research seminars, etc. There's a lot going on!
MattMcGannMIT19:56:51
...and I am an Admissions Officer, and also a graduate of MIT.
Rohan.Shah19:57:00
Rohan / 8 / PA: What are the job prospects if you get a Math degree at MIT? Are there other variants of Math which are available?
kedlaya19:57:02
There are a lot of career directions possible with an MIT math degree. Of course pursuing an academic career in math, or a nearby field (computer science, physics, and nowadays biology) is an option. But our students also go into IT, finance, law, you name it.
kedlaya19:57:28
Followup to Felix: I should have also mentioned that I got my PhD from MIT (in 2000). I've been on the faculty since 2003.
draca19:59:01
Jessica / 14 / CT: According to some of the blogs I've read, MIT students either have to give up their friends, or their sleep to survive. How true is this?
MattMcGannMIT19:59:03
Hi Jessica. It is true that MIT is a rigorous school, but the idea that students have to give up their friends is pretty ridiculous. Most MIT students lead well-rounded lives, not just studying and researching, but also doing music, sports, dance, going to parties or theater productions, etc. It is the outside the classroom fun, combined with the exciting classroom- and lab-based work...
MattMcGannMIT19:59:18
...that leads to a bit less sleep than you might be used to in high school :)
MattMcGannMIT19:59:50
I don't know what blogs you're reading, but I'd recommend checking out those on our website: http://www.mitadmissions.org
joeislittle20:00:30
Joseph / 12 / NY: Can freshman cross enroll in Harvard's Math 55?
kedlaya20:00:33
Joseph: before answering, let me explain to everyone else that Harvard's Math 55 is a fairly hard-core course for freshman, which (usually) covers multivariable calculus, linear algebra, and often some other topics the professor decided to include. MIT has no such course; our freshmen are advised simply to enter the math major at the appropriate course for their background...
kedlaya20:02:01
... Just as MIT students can cross register for Harvard classes in general, they can technically cross register for Math 55, BUT: this requires permission from MIT which is almost never granted. As I said, we prefer our students to go directly into the appropriate undergraduate courses for them; in some cases, those turn out to be pretty advanced!
Vuntic20:02:36
Ben / 11th / TN: In what ways is it more difficult for homeschoolers to get in to MIT?
MattMcGannMIT20:02:43
Hi Ben. It is not more difficult for homeschooled students to get into MIT. We have a pretty happy community of homeschooled students at MIT. On the admissions side, we look for the same things -- with the same application -- for homeschoolers that we do from everyone else.
stinstin20:03:33
Austin / 11 / WA: How much extra work is a double degree in math and computer science compared to just a CS major?
kedlaya20:03:34
Austin: not that much, really. The math major is pretty flexible, and there are a number of courses that count for both math and CS: algorithms, complexity theory, and so on.
MattMcGannMIT20:04:02
You may also want to check out http://mitadmissions.org/topics/apply/homeschooled_applicants_helpful_tips/index.shtml
joeislittle20:04:42
Joseph / 12 / NY: Do you have a "muggle quidditch" team?
MattMcGannMIT20:04:44
Yes! (It just started this term, I'm told)
MattMcGannMIT20:05:47
Austin: You may also be interested in the MIT program 18C, "Math with Computer Science" http://web.mit.edu/catalog/degre.scien.ch18c.html
maxedoutnoob20:08:11
Tony/ 11/New Jersey: Could you talk about MIT's financial aid?
MattMcGannMIT20:08:14
Yes. I could not have attended MIT without its very generous financial aid offerings. MIT will meet every student's full financial need -- the average (need-based) scholarship last year was upwards of $30,000/year (you're AOPSers, so I don't need to explain to you about average) MIT is very, very generous in its aid offerings, and most students on campus are on aid.
MattMcGannMIT20:08:16
See http://web.mit.edu/sfs/financial_aid/index.html
turak20:09:02
Sarah / 9 / CA: Why is MIT better than other colleges with strong math programs?
MattMcGannMIT20:09:03
There is also a "financial aid calculator" which can help you & your family get a reasonable estimate of what it might cost your family for you to attend MIT (for most of our students, it will be much less than the "sticker price")
kedlaya20:09:04
Sarah: there are several things I think MIT has going for it. The students are incredibly good, so you'll probably learn just as much (or more!) from your classmates as from your professors. The department is big enough that there are many courses to choose from, but not so big that you'll get lost in the crowd...
kedlaya20:09:49
... Plus we have a lot of faculty who are not just great mathematicians, but who genuinely enjoy sharing their love of their subject with students. Not just in class, but in other ways like supervising undergraduate research projects.
csl82420:09:52
Carmela / 16 /Philippines: Does applying for financial aid affect the admissions process?
MattMcGannMIT20:09:54
No. MIT is need blind (and meets full financial need) for all students, foreign and domestic.
kedlaya20:10:38
But the best way to explain why our math department is so successful is probably to come visit and talk to a few of our undergraduates, and get a sense of the kind of energy they have.
mathking12320:11:23
Does MIT offer any merit-based scholarships to exeptional students who happen not to be in need?
MattMcGannMIT20:11:25
No, though students admitted to MIT are often great candidates for other outside scholarships based on merit. MIT, though, only provides aid based on need -- and for those with need, we will ensure that finances are not a barrier to your attendance.
maximusjesse20:12:34
Jesse/11/GA: I have a friend who told me MIT has the highest suicide rates in the nation for colleges. Is this true?
MattMcGannMIT20:12:37
That has absolutely no basis in fact. MIT students on the whole are happy, healthy people.
patrish20:12:49
Mark / 15 / MT: Does MIT have a "declared" religion? I know there are some Christian colleges out there. Are you one of them? Also, how will the other students react to know that someone is "X" religion? I realize that everyone has their beliefs, but how open are the students?
steelforce200420:14:01
Nikhil/9/PA: Would you suggest participating in Math and Science competitions to get into MIT?
kedlaya20:14:03
Nikhil: I wouldn't suggest them specifically for that purpose. But if participating in competitions helps you find your passion for math (say), then that would definitely be beneficial!
MattMcGannMIT20:14:35
No. Many students at MIT are religious, but it has no impact on admission. The community is accepting of many belief systems. At MIT, there are clubs for many Christian denominations, from Catholic to Baptist to Mormon and beyond (I think there are 30+ Christian groups alone), a large and active Hillel, a Hindu Students Group, Buddhist Students, Pagan Students, Muslim Students, Athiest Students
kedlaya20:14:51
not to mention the Flying Spaghetti Monster.
dragon9620:15:14
The Flying Spaghetti Monster?
MattMcGannMIT20:15:19
Yes, that too.
SonyWii20:15:37
What is that?
MattMcGannMIT20:15:44
Sorry -- you can Google ;)
kedlaya20:15:58
I only mention it to highlight that MIT students are often a pretty irreverent bunch...
Neil30z20:16:28
Indroneil/15/NY: Does MIT have any double major that combines theory and engineering, for example astrophysics and materials science and engineering?
MattMcGannMIT20:16:31
You can double major in anything you like at MIT (though doing those two would be quite difficult at any college, I would say)
skylord581620:16:36
hacks.mit.edu <- more proof
gldnrto20:16:59
Dominic / 9 / TX : Am I any less likely to gain admittance if I'm a white male?
MattMcGannMIT20:17:02
No.
draca20:17:04
Jessica / 14 / CT: Are any of the professors working on the ultra-cold atoms research taking on interns, or is that work to important for the unexperienced?
kedlaya20:17:06
Jessica: I don't know about them specifically, but MIT strongly encourages faculty to involve undergraduates in their research work through the UROP program, and many faculty (including myself) participate.
jjx120:17:07
Andrew/ 14/ Wisconsin- If you dad went to MIT, would that help you get accepted?
MattMcGannMIT20:17:10
No.
MattMcGannMIT20:18:01
(Longer answers for Dominic and Andrew -- we do not have legacy preference, and do not discriminate based on race or gender in admission)
MattMcGannMIT20:18:37
Jessica -- I've know a number of undergraduates (freshmen, even) who have worked in the Center for Ultra-Cold Atoms.
patrish20:18:37
Would prefer not to post personal info: What does MIT have in the way of Psychology/Social Science courses? I have looked and have not found much. It seems to be mostly a Math/Science base, but I would like some more information. Thank you.
kedlaya20:18:39
You may wish to check out the Sloan School of Management, which is where many of those courses are taught. As with most everything at MIT, it is world-class.
tskuzzy20:19:28
Chenyu / 12 / MD / Is starting a research project at MIT a competitive process, or are there always enough opportunities for everyone to engage in research of their interest?
kedlaya20:19:30
Chenyu: there are plenty of opportunities, so I wouldn't say it's a particularly competitive process.
draca20:19:54
Jessica / 14 / CT: Just to satisfy my silly curiousity, how popular is the anime club at MIT?
MattMcGannMIT20:19:56
It is one of the largest clubs at MIT (probably not quite as popular as, say, the Dance Troupe, but pretty popular) http://web.mit.edu/anime/www/index.shtml
IntellectMage20:20:21
John/12/FL: What is something that you would like to change about your experience at MIT (either by going back into the past or by currently changing some facet of the MIT experience)?
MattMcGannMIT20:20:38
I wish I had taken advantage of some of the many abroad opportunities at MIT. http://global.mit.edu/
darkdieuguerre20:20:47
Nick / 12 / MD: Do you often accept multiple students from a given high school?
MattMcGannMIT20:20:57
Yes. We have no quotas by high school.
diego62720:21:44
Diego / 8th/ Mexico: Are any of the proffesors working on string theory?
MattMcGannMIT20:21:48
Yes. See http://ctp.lns.mit.edu/research-strings.html
worthawholebean20:21:56
Patrick / 12 / CT: Harvard's Math 55 is well-known as quite possible the hardest class in the country. Does MIT have a comparable class, and how does placement work?
kedlaya20:21:57
Patrick: MIT does not have a comparable class, by deliberate choice. We advise our incoming students to start with whatever is appropriate for their background. In some cases, this means starting with a course in analysis, abstract algebra, combinatorics, etc.
Zzarkc-2020:22:36
Geoffrey/12/IN: Are we using the 2nd number in the name format to describe age or grade?
MattMcGannMIT20:22:42
Grade...
MattMcGannMIT20:23:02
(though for people who list "15" I've figured out that it is age)
joeislittle20:23:34
Joseph / 12 / NY: What are some undergraduate research opportunities in math?
kedlaya20:23:36
Joseph: the math department runs a summer program called SPUR which is a bit like RSI, but for undergraduates: undergrads do research projects supervised by graduate students. There are similar programs at other universities (usually called REU programs, for Research Experience for Undergraduates) that MIT students can apply to. You can also arrange a project directly with a faculty member...
kedlaya20:23:45
... through the UROP program, for either summer or term.
MattMcGannMIT20:24:37
Quick note: this is our 10-minute warning. We will try to field as many questions as we can in the next 10 minutes, but will not get to all of them...
Lazarus20:25:16
Daesun / 12 / NJ: How is the music scene around MIT?
kedlaya20:25:17
Daesun: many students are active in a musical group or activity. There is a symphony orchestra, a concert choir, a chamber chorus (which I have participated in as a faculty member!), a jazz band, a wind ensemble, several a capella groups, you name it. Not to mention musical theater, Gilbert & Sullivan, and so on.
maxedoutnoob20:25:52
Tony/ 11/New Jersey: Are all students eligible to apply for the MITES summer program?
MattMcGannMIT20:25:54
Current high school juniors can apply to any of MIT's summer programs (with the exception of the Women's Techology Program, which is only open to women, as you can guess). See a full list here: http://mitadmissions.org/topics/before/summer_programs/index.shtml
inquisitivity20:27:39
Philip/9/MI How many (or what percent of) courses are taught by graduate students or assistants?
kedlaya20:27:40
Philip: not that many. In the math department, a few courses (calculus, differential equations, linear algebra) are taught in a lecture-recitation format; that is, you have a large lecture from a faculty member, and discussion sections supervised by a graduate student, a postdoc, or sometimes another faculty member. Anything more advanced is taught by faculty.
karatemagic720:28:23
mom here - old enough! though my son is passionate about math, etc, I think social life on campus is key - are there general dining halls so the students can socialize during the day, and if not, just how DO most of the students socialize outside of their intense work schedules? Thanks
MattMcGannMIT20:28:25
MIT students work hard, but also have a lot of fun. I think our student blogs give a good view of student life: http://www.mitadmissions.org Also 400+ student groups http://web.mit.edu/asa/resources/group-list.html 33 varsity sports http://mitathletics.com/ and lots of interesting events http://events.mit.edu/ I had a fun MIT undergraduate experience!
artofproblem20:28:54
Albert Yang/7th/TX-What is the influence of Physical Education on application? I mean, I like the academic subjects, but PE, not so much...
kedlaya20:28:55
Albert: I don't think it has that much effect on the application, but do note that MIT does have a PE requirement for graduation. However, there are lots of fun ways to meet the PE requirement.
PowerOfPi20:29:43
Vahid / 8 / ND: Are there any online programs available?
MattMcGannMIT20:29:44
Yes, some of you may be interested in MIT OpenCourseWare http://ocw.mit.edu/
jjx120:30:34
Andrew Liu / 9th/ WI- Would not having a perfect GPA (4.0) exclude you from having a chance to get accepted to MIT?
MattMcGannMIT20:30:36
Absolutely not. You don't have to be perfect to get into MIT, just a good match.
PowerOfPi20:30:51
Vahid/Grade 8/ND: Is it possible to get a double degree between Mathematics and Engineering, more specifically, Electrical Engineering? If so, how hard is it and what is required?
kedlaya20:30:52
Vahid: in general, it is not hard to get a double major between math and something else, because the graduation requirements for math are pretty flexible--some courses will count for both. Math + EE is not as common as, say, Math + CS but it is not so unusual.
turak20:31:08
Sarah / 9 / CA Some "fun ways" to meet the PE requirement are?
MattMcGannMIT20:31:10
One legendary way is to go for the "Pirate Diploma" -- fencing, sailing, shooting, rowing.
Stokes9320:32:39
John/SC/11
I have been hearing some different opinions about how my “environment” will affect my chances of admission. I’m from a poor rural school; we have 1400 students, but only 4 AP classes; there is usually only one student a year with a 2000+ SAT score, etc.
MattMcGannMIT20:32:42
My (public) school had ~300 students and only 3 APs. We don't care what high school you attend, we care how you made the most of your opportunities. (And taking advantage of AOPS is a good way to go beyond your school's somewhat meager offerings!)
vfiroiu20:32:54
Vlad / 12 / MA: what are the possible/popular double majors/minors along with mathematics? And what kinds of research opportunities are available in these fields?
kedlaya20:32:55
Vlad: computer science and physics are probably the most common. However, there are lots of new opportunities in biology (and MIT is a leader in quantitative biology, with people like mathematician-turned-geneticist Eric Lander on the faculty), so we're starting to see more double majors that way.
whisk1620:33:26
How many of your students are from out of state?
MattMcGannMIT20:33:27
Almost everyone -- 92%, I think.
turak20:33:33
Sarah / 9 / CA: Coes that mean you have to be good at fencing, sailing, shooting, and rowing? :)
MattMcGannMIT20:33:54
Not at all ;) (Though we do have the national champion shooting team and a Division 1 Crew team)
MattMcGannMIT20:34:33
Okay, Prof. Kedlaya, one more answer each, and then we call it a night?
kedlaya20:34:48
That sounds about right. It's been a busy evening!
gldnrto20:38:52
Dominic / 9 / TX : What is the best thing that I, as a high school freshman, can do to increase my chances of getting into MIT?
MattMcGannMIT20:38:54
I would say, pursue the things that excite you with gusto. If that's math, don't just take the honors classes -- do AOPS, competitions, read journals, etc. If that's engineering, don't just take a physics class, build stuff! If it's music, keep it up. If it is biology, try out some research, red some journals, keep up with the excitement.
MattMcGannMIT20:39:29
There's no magic formula for admission. But if you keep up with the things that excite you, that can only help you out in the long run -- regardless of where you go to college.
AwesomeToad20:40:16
Beilin/8th/IN: If we had a question we didn't get answered here, where could we ask it? I am a little anxious to get my question answered...:')
jjx120:40:16
IF we have any more questions, can we email you or someone at MIT?
vfiroiu20:40:19
Vlad / 12 / MA: MIT seems to be very popular among math people (a few years ago, all 8 seniors on my ARML team went to MIT). Why do you think that is? (Why do math people like MIT, and why does MIT like math people?)
kedlaya20:40:20
Vlad: I can safely say that MIT likes math people because you all are really smart, talented, hard-working, and generally pretty interesting to have around. I think math people like MIT because it's a great place to share your passion with math (or many other things!) with people that are just as passionate as you are.
MattMcGannMIT20:41:13
Stop 1 is the MIT Admissions website, http://www.mitadmissions.org. Leave a comment on a relevant bog post. Or, call the office: 1-617-253-3400, we're happy to chat. Or come visit!
kedlaya20:42:00
For questions about the math major, the math department, or the like, feel free to drop me an email.
MattMcGannMIT20:42:06
And I try to hang out at the AOPS College board when I get a chance, so feel free to post a question there; hopefully I, or one of the many MIT undergrads who hang out around here, would be happy to answer questions.
MattMcGannMIT20:42:45
Thank you all for coming! Sorry we couldn't get to all of your questions, but I hope this was helpful and informative.
rrusczyk20:43:23
Thanks much to Matt and Kiran!
kedlaya20:43:56
And thanks to Richard for organizing this event for yet another year.
