Step-by-step guide for a successful MIT Grad School application A detailed breakdown of each application component Tips for getting effective rec letters A game plan for writing a winning essay Common application mistakes and how to avoid them Dear Reader, I want to tell you exactly why I wrote this book. First off, I know how much work goes into applying to grad school, and I remember the extreme amount of foresight and perfection required by MIT. There are significant goals to surpass, and I want to put them in sharp focus to help improve your aim. Secondly, doing all the steps isn't enough - not with a school like MIT. You don't just have to do it well, you have to do it better than everybody else. Knowing exactly how the application committee is going to look at you will help you present yourself under ideal conditions. Nobody at MIT knows you, and - if I learned anything from my experience - it's important to prove yourself as a future MIT graduate. I want to ensure your efforts are well-invested and highly effective. Finally, I wanted to create a guide that doesn't WASTE your time. I'm not stating the obvious, nor am I reiterating the same old junk. I've treated it as if my present self could give my former self all the answers. Sure, I can't tell you which bubbles to fill in, since the application process isn't a test; however, I can let you know what to focus on, how to populate your application with MIT grad gold and how to polish the entire package to an accept-me luster. This book provides the truth - and nothing but the truth. I've given you a pair of X-ray glasses, use them to peer into the application process, and remember each and every detail - everything matters! Improve your chances as a candidate by asking the right questions, providing the best answers and investing your time in fruitful activities. This book will show you how to prove you belong at MIT. Don't propose yourself as a great fit, illustrate your trajectory and highlight the fact that MIT is the education you need to achieve your greatest ambitions. I'll teach you how to sharpen your strengths and polish your imperfections. For example, do you know how to earn effective recommendation letters and how you should ask for them? Do you know how to spend your summers, and why it matters? Do you know how an over-inflated resume could weaken your credentials? Do you know how to make your application jump ahead of the competition? Do you know what the admissions board wants to hear? Do you know what impresses them? Do you know how to strengthen your transcript's worst weaknesses? In the end, I'm glad I completed the process - I'm not sure I could handle it a second time around! But, that's not to say I didn't enjoy the challenge. Applying to MIT grad school is an unforgettable experience, and getting in will boost you into the upper echelons of personal and professional success. I hope you find my book helpful as you prepare for applying to MIT. Good luck! Junjay Tan CHAPTER OUTLINE Chapter 1: Applying To MIT Top 10 Tips To Make Your Application Stand Out MIT Graduate Application Breakdown Chapter 2: GRE Prep How To Study For The New GRE Chapter 3: Extracurriculars The 1 Extracurricular You MUST Have To Get Into MIT Research Publications 101: Undergrad Edition Chapter 4: Personal Statements The 3 Questions You Must Answer In Your Personal Statement Chapter 5: Recommendation Letters The 5 W's Of Great Recommendations Chapter 6: Academics Essential Information About MIT Grad School MIT Classes: The Real Deal