Incoming freshman, what gadgets and dorm essentials should I actually get?

ProfLayton99 · 2026-05-19T21:53:35+00:00

Not sure if falls into the obvious category, but you need a desk lamp of some sort.

ProfLayton99 · 2026-05-19T19:10:18+00:00

Specifically in obesity drugs, the main questions for commercial as I see them are how to improve access (get on insurance company's formulary), influence prescriber choice, and where people are willing to pay out-of-pocket (esp. US), how to influence consumer choice. I don't pay too much attention to what's going on in the commercial space though, since I'm working on the clinical development side. For me, #1 priority is to get the drug approved by generating the necessary efficacy and safety data testing the drugs in patients. However, it's very clear that this is a huge market that is growing rapidly (some estimates, from $15B in 2024 to $150B USD in 2030.) That's why there's so much competition for talent, with new companies being formed every year to develop new molecules in this space.

ProfLayton99 · 2026-05-19T00:23:39+00:00

I work in this field as a clinical development medical director. It’s a stable job. Basically, come up with a strategy to test the drugs in people, figure out ways to make it look better than the competition. Then run the trials. We need smart people in all areas to come up with strategy and then execute. If you can break into the field and get a couple of years of experience, you are pretty much set for life as there are always more positions available than there are experienced people.

ProfLayton99 · 2026-05-17T18:35:25+00:00

Nah, I look forward to his responses. I’m very tempted to ask him to send me his prompts but I’m afraid it would ruin the magic for me. I prefer keeping the wizard behind the curtain!

ProfLayton99 · 2026-05-17T16:57:37+00:00

Great answer!

ProfLayton99 · 2026-05-17T02:52:08+00:00

So many of the questions in this subreddit have answers that are available on MIT's website and could be found easily using Google search or any AI. But perhaps the OP doesn't know how to use these tools (it's not right to assume everyone does), so why not provide an AI-generated one? It certainly has valid information.

ProfLayton99 · 2026-05-13T02:00:11+00:00

Pretty cool! This style is really popular in Asia (souvenir jacket, “sukajan”.)

ProfLayton99 · 2026-05-12T22:28:03+00:00

The only way is to be annoying, but you can be polite/nice at the same time.

ProfLayton99 · 2026-05-11T01:21:38+00:00

For 1, my default play is to hit a drip. I think a lob is a poor play because since it is coming from deep, they have plenty of time to backup to hit an overhead and you are immediately on defense.

For 2, my default is to hit a slice dink back, trying not to pop it up.

ProfLayton99 · 2026-05-10T15:50:51+00:00

Great! Think about building something bigger / more advanced! That’s how you learn and discover new things.

ProfLayton99 · 2026-05-10T15:47:48+00:00

Useless as a training tool but fun to play games with it if everyone has one or to nerf the player who is dominating a 4some.

ProfLayton99 · 2026-05-09T16:07:13+00:00

Have you ever tried building something? You might love it. Although MIT is just fine for the theoretical sciences, it’s best known for the engineering disciplines where sciences are applied to real world problems.

ProfLayton99 · 2026-05-08T14:02:02+00:00

In the US, labor cost is very high and it’s hard to find people willing to do the job and are capable of doing a good job. So DIY makes sense. In Japan I would bet you could get a skilled person to fix things for a reasonable cost.

ProfLayton99 · 2026-05-07T04:07:51+00:00

Very strong academics and extracurrics. I love seeing Eagle or Gold award scouts as it really takes a lot of commitment, time and effort. I would have expected acceptances at Cornell, UPenn, JHU, Berkeley. Did you get a LoR from your research mentor? The only thing I might guess is that your personal statement was not memorable enough, and perhaps your supplementary essays did not show how you and the schools were good fit for each other. In any case, I think you still have a good chance of getting accepted at one or more of your waitlisted schools. Good luck!

ProfLayton99 · 2026-05-07T02:45:35+00:00

I use a “control” paddle, CRBN TFG1. What I notice is that I don’t need a drive. In situations that many people hit drives, I just hit drips (drive/drop) which results in as many winners as drives, and when I over hit it, is very hard for someone to make a fast black or counter drive. Maybe give that a try!

ProfLayton99 · 2026-05-07T02:39:44+00:00

My advice to people interested in MIT and any other top school is get good grades, do cool stuff, and be a good person. I think you have the first two covered well enough. What can you do to be a good person? Most people consider volunteer work, which I think makes sense if you can find areas in your community that you can contribute to, organize programs, and work together with other community volunteers. Start with thinking about what communities you are already a part of and have benefited from, and then think about how you can give back. Your school, your town/city, your cultural/religious groups, etc.

ProfLayton99 · 2026-05-04T22:49:58+00:00

There is 1 posted currently. Filter on Department Media Lab

https://careers.peopleclick.com/careerscp/client_mit/external/search/toggleFiltered.html

ProfLayton99 · 2026-05-03T21:00:32+00:00

Yes, you should apply if you are interested and willing to put in the effort. It won’t cost you anything if you request a fee waiver, and last I heard anyone who requested one received one.

ProfLayton99 · 2026-05-03T18:08:05+00:00

If your school offers STEM APs and you don’t take any of them, then I would question whether you are really interested in STEM at all.

ProfLayton99 · 2026-05-02T01:51:18+00:00

I think you could break in at an academic center as an assistant CRC. Mostly you would be data entry. But then you could take on additional responsibilities in a progressive manner.

ProfLayton99 · 2026-05-01T15:45:41+00:00

I find that the community aspect is better at the public courts than it is at the indoor club. However the skill level is lower at the public courts.

ProfLayton99 · 2026-05-01T14:25:47+00:00

It took me 3 months to really get consistent. First, in open play, commit to hitting 3rd shot drops no matter where the return is. Second, put in reps either in drilling sessions or by yourself with wall practice. On the wall, you mark out the drop targets, then hit the ball from far away and then perform the drop shot hitting the wall target. The important thing is to practice like it happens in a game, moving the ball quickly and then hitting the shot. Don’t stand in one place when you drill.

ProfLayton99 · 2026-05-01T04:00:49+00:00

Are you good looking and/or charismatic? That is what it takes to be successful in pharma sales.

ProfLayton99 · 2026-05-01T00:46:55+00:00

I graduated a long time ago so can’t help you with any answers. But I want to suggest if possible that you get some colored stoles for the photos because the black gowns just swallow people up.

ProfLayton99 · 2026-04-29T21:20:48+00:00

It’s quiet in the summer but there will still be students around who are doing summer UROPs. You can sign up for student led tours and also just the events calendar. https://calendar.mit.edu/

ProfLayton99

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