Re: I'm an MIT Admissions Officer. Ask me Questions!
 

So, I just got waitlisted at a couple of colleges. What have other people done in the past, that have boosted them to the top/allowed them to be eventually accepted? I think I'll send an updated list of my activities, grades, and maybe another letter recommendation or two. What else have you seen/heard that someone else has done that has worked? Also, what is too much? I don't want to overload the admissions office with possibly useless information, especially after they've had to read a couple thousand applications.

Re: I'm an MIT Admissions Officer. Ask me Questions!
 

First of all, thank you so much for offering yourself like this, I just found and read this thread and it has taught me a lot about MIT and the admissions process in general. That being said I still have two questions, one about admissions and the other about MIT in general.

First, I have seen that what MIT really cares about is the character and passions of the applicant, which makes sense. But what I was wondering is how to convey in an application that you are passionate about something. For example, I'm passionate about robotics and science (i.e. FIRST) and music (especially in choirs). However, other than listed every choir and musical thing I've ever done, and listing my leadership on my FIRST team. How do I demonstrate that I go above and beyond an average choir member or how do I show that I'm not just a "leader to impress colleges", but that I really do care and do everything I can do better those programs.

Second, I am interested in many different forms of engineering, and I'm sure many others have this problem. I was wondering what MIT does with the students that can't decide what major they wish to pursue.

Thank you for all the help so far and for any further answers you can give me. :D