esrosedotblog

INTERVIEW DAY

Another kid who has applied to MIT. I am the "Educational Counsellor" here. Meaning that I am the only look at MIT that these kids will ever get unless they go to Boston or perhaps attend the one regional meeting we have led by the Admissions people on their US tour.

Today's interview was not the best. The kid doesn't fit. It is hard to conclude that but harder to do the work to assure myself that what I am concluding is true.

I feel bad about the recommendation I gave but not as bad as I would feel if he went there and got dumped.

They tell us that we need to detach from the results. One kid that I recommended not be accepted was. I know why that is the case now. He had the stuff but he didn't interview well. Too much coaching by the guidance counsellors. It always shows.

But I got to know him when he was admitted and I know that he was actually a good admit. We kept in touch for awhile and he was doing well.

Not a chance in this case. No activities at his school. A loner. Mid level grades which is not actually my department. And he was 15 minutes late for the interview. He lives one "city" over.(In Riverside County CA, we have all cities, big little, whatever.)

So it is a bit of a downer but there has to be balance of low and high quality from the mix and I get to see that. It helps me know the sharp ones when I see them and helps me actually not feel bad when I see one who is going to be a washout because I just saved him and MIT a lot of trouble if they agree with me.

Still, he is just a kid who doesn't quite get it yet.

Labels: MIT