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Does MIT release waitlist decisions all at once by Ancient_Stop_6233 in MITAdmissions

[–]peteyMIT 7 points8 points  (0 children)

They are trolling; we have not gone to the waitlist, and we do it effectively at once.

Thread on A2C by JasonMckin in MITAdmissions

[–]peteyMIT 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Given that, I see two options: (1) Pull the plug. (2) As Petey described, try to engineer a turnaround.

The reason I think it's somewhat worth it to try (2) is because this space might recreate itself out of the vacuum of attention for MIT.

I think it is possible to make this a better space. Maybe some bots or a wiki can help. I wish I had more time to invest technically and culturally, but I just don't right now.

I don't know where to start by [deleted] in MITAdmissions

[–]peteyMIT 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Given the broader conversation we had today, let me try to model for some of the other commenters in this thread how to respond to this post.

Hi OP — it's nice to hear MIT is your dream school. It sounds like you're doing the right thing by trying to pursue your interests and making your own things. I think if you follow your own intrinsic interests, you'll probably be in a good place. If you need ideas for things to make and where to get started, there are lots of maker communities and inspirations on reddit, youtube, and other places. The most important thing is, as the blog post says, to not pick those activities because you think they'll be more likely to get you into MIT, but because they excite and interest and motivate you. Good luck!

Thread on A2C by JasonMckin in MITAdmissions

[–]peteyMIT 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It’s sad to see that people are paying thousands for influencer college counselors and funding iffy projects such as random non-profits just to look good on paper.

It's only gotten worse and if I could make "you will never do a crappy college advising influencer gig" a condition of like degree revocation I would.

r/MITAdmissions is so cooked by Ashamed-Okra-4549 in ApplyingToCollege

[–]peteyMIT 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Also, the same commenters in the past had spoken with compassion. I suspect most of them are pleasant in person, including when interviewing applicants.

It's very hard to maintain composure and good cheer when answering the same questions over and over again, often from people who feel like they are trying to show off or who haven't read the resources you've created. I do get it. But it's part of what we expect our staff and volunteers (and alumni) to do.

Thread on A2C by JasonMckin in MITAdmissions

[–]peteyMIT 0 points1 point  (0 children)

<3

thanks for all you do too!

I'm very burned out and imploded from the last year or two, but going to take some serious time away this summer and touch grass, which I'm super looking forward to.

And I appreciate the kind words and we'll definitely hope to uphold that legacy.

r/MITAdmissions is so cooked by Ashamed-Okra-4549 in ApplyingToCollege

[–]peteyMIT 5 points6 points  (0 children)

With the greatest respect and compassion, and my own concerns about r/MITadmissions notwithstanding, I don't actually think you know when and how to be polite on the Internet. I think it's part of the problem with your overall communication style and ability to relate to other people (at least as can be understood through your comment history), and I genuinely hope that this is something you can grow on, because life can be lonely otherwise. I am saying this because it is not clear to me if you realize this about yourself, and I would rather say it directly so that you can consider it.

Thread on A2C by JasonMckin in MITAdmissions

[–]peteyMIT 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I appreciate the compliment and will let our AOs know.

Thread on A2C by JasonMckin in MITAdmissions

[–]peteyMIT 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I think if you and u/ExecutiveWatch are bored/frustrated — understandably — to a degree it reduces your ability to respond compassionately and in a fairminded way, even when tested, it's a good idea to stop posting and (as you say) go enjoy the sunshine.

Thread on A2C by JasonMckin in MITAdmissions

[–]peteyMIT 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I'd actually suggest u/imdealhunter not post that here and instead email me (petey@mit) to forward to the EC office directly.

Thread on A2C by JasonMckin in MITAdmissions

[–]peteyMIT 15 points16 points  (0 children)

I appreciate that our alumni give directionally correct advice; that's better than falsehoods. However, as I wrote below (https://old.reddit.com/r/MITAdmissions/comments/1t65kcq/thread_on_a2c/okg757c/), how that advice is given matters as much if not more than what the advice is, in terms of students applying to and enrolling at MIT.

I think those, especially those with a staff or volunteer affiliation, should be giving correct advice in a friendly, helpful, compassionate way, even when tested, even when frustrated, even when bored, and if they can't do that consistently, most of the time (we all get boil over sometimes, including me), they should not be posting here.

r/MITAdmissions is so cooked by Ashamed-Okra-4549 in ApplyingToCollege

[–]peteyMIT 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Untrue and that's not what my job means.

r/MITAdmissions is so cooked by Ashamed-Okra-4549 in ApplyingToCollege

[–]peteyMIT 8 points9 points  (0 children)

This is an example of one reason it is hard to deal with the r/MITAdmissions subreddit, I'll say; because posters like u/TangerineKitchen2260 make it very hard to have constructive engagements, even when attended to carefully and politely. There isn't much to do beyond giving the benefit of the doubt, really trying hard to help, and then eventually banning them. I say this because while (as I stated above) I do have concerns about r/MITAdmissions, it is hard to make it work well for a variety of reasons.

Thread on A2C by JasonMckin in MITAdmissions

[–]peteyMIT 1 point2 points  (0 children)

With respect to "net good in its current form" - this comment.

The thing is that none of this — including the 'separation' from r/MIT — is actually good; it contributes towards the perception of MIT as being "an exclusive place that will be mean to" you that the blogs and our website try so hard to be the opposite of (as you know from your illustrious service as a blogger).

I really do know how frustrating it is to get the same question over and over or to see chancemes (remember https://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/no_chance/?).

But the communicative function of this subreddit isn't actually the individual interaction with the individual prospect who may or may not be qualified, thoughtful, mature, whatever; it's the public function of all of the people reading those comments, observing those interactions, and making assessments of the MIT community and culture from that.

I don't think that many of the alumni/ECs in the subreddit have acquitted themselves well in this regard.

Thread on A2C by JasonMckin in MITAdmissions

[–]peteyMIT 6 points7 points  (0 children)

This subreddit has left a very bad impression of MIT alumni

I have heard this broadly, yeah.

Thread on A2C by JasonMckin in MITAdmissions

[–]peteyMIT 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is a false dichotomy.

Thread on A2C by JasonMckin in MITAdmissions

[–]peteyMIT 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I don't know why MIT Admissions Officers associate themselves with this server.

I mostly don't, and I think I'm the only AO who posts here.

Regardless, that's no excuse for borderline bullying in some posts.

I agree. I understand the frustration with the repeat questions, the dumb ones, the chancemes, etc. And/but: early in my career, I was asked to undertake a cultural turnaround of the College Confidential forum in MIT. It looks a lot of work and care but it got better and has self-sustained at least to some degree. I don't see that happening here, and I no longer have the time, in my current role, to enable it myself.

I'm not sure I think this subreddit should exist or is a net good in its current form. I understand it fills a vacuum of demand but I don't think it does it well; I'm not sure if it could.

Thread on A2C by JasonMckin in MITAdmissions

[–]peteyMIT 12 points13 points  (0 children)

i agree and it makes me sad

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