Admissions blog serves as a window into MIT’s admissions process. authored by Sasha Brown, MIT News Office, the blog post, which appeared on August 15, 2006, features a caption.

Ben Jones, serving as the communications manager at MIT Admissions, offers insight into the often-stressful admissions process. Having personally navigated the application journey, he maintains a unique connection to each applicant's aspirations, particularly regarding MIT's pursuit. Over the years, he has processed hundreds upon hundreds of applications, with approximately 13% of his top candidates securing admission. To these, he makes promises, often sharing them with senior staff, while understanding that committee decisions are final. Despite this, he underscores the importance of the human element in his role, stating that without personal connections, he couldn't fulfill his job responsibilities. He often remarks to applicants, "If your aspiration of attending MIT didn't align with mine on some personal level, then why am I committed to this?" This sentiment drives his dedication to fostering meaningful interactions during the admissions process.

Personalizing the admissions process has been a key priority, and Dr. Jones plays a significant role in fostering connections within this community. By maintaining an open blog, he bridges the gap between applicants and the admissions officers evaluating their applications at various institutions. This blog, which he updates frequently, offers a unique perspective on the admissions process, his experiences, and his professional journey. Dr. Jones, who began blogging about music in 1997, found that blogging could foster a sense of community, an idea that later inspired MIT to initiate its admissions blogs. Initially placed in a less prominent location on the MIT admissions website, these blogs gained significant traction, leading Jones to move them to a more prominent position. The admissions blogs, written by officers and current students, serve as an effective platform to connect applicants with the admissions process, helping them feel more engaged and informed. High school students, in particular, often find these blogs to be a valuable resource in their application journey.

Mark Jones, a professor at MIT, writes blogs for prospective students to share insights about the school. He found that his blog posts often received hundreds of comments in the feedback section, with students frequently veering off-topic discussions. Jones was particularly impressed by the sense of community that developed among applicants through these interactions. He noted that in 2005, during his first Campus Preview Weekend, applicants who shared their experiences through blogs were already acquainted with one another. This year, an unprecedented number of current MIT students applied to blog about their experiences for prospective applicants. Jones emphasized that while the winning applicants needed to have something meaningful to say, they also had to be familiar with blogging and mindful of the time it required. He stressed that students should avoid offending anyone and ensure their posts stayed relevant to MIT. MIT’s admissions blogging has become so popular that other schools are now incorporating similar features. Jones and his colleague Matthew McGann have been invited to speak at conferences across the country, sharing their experiences with admissions blogging. Jones expressed no objection to speaking at these events.

MIT Admissions is focused on connecting students with colleges that best match their interests and goals. By encouraging participation from more schools, admissions blogging enhances the process of finding the ideal college for prospective students. Additionally, MIT’s culture emphasizes openness and knowledge sharing. Jones, who is involved in this effort, strives to be as open and honest as possible with prospective students, ensuring transparency in the admissions process.

Faculty members from various schools at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) were honored recently for their contributions to research, teaching, and service. Specifically, professors in the School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, the MIT School of Engineering, the MIT Sloan School of Management, the School of Science, and the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing were awarded tenured positions. MIT continues to support its faculty through its Office of the Vice President for Research, which funds groundbreaking initiatives across all its schools. The MIT News Office manages news about these developments and other updates on the MIT News homepage. For more information, visit the MIT News website or follow MIT news updates through RSS feeds and social media platforms. MIT is committed to advancing knowledge and innovation for the betterment of society.

News is prepared from public university announcements for general guidance. Policies change frequently; confirm current details with each university admissions office.