MIT Media Lab Fall 2013

[Xerxes]

Any news for this years' round?

Edited February 14, 2013 by Xerxes

[OGTuring]

I have an interview next week with Macro Connections.

[schummelpilz]

I was unpleasantly surprised during my interview when they told me that you are not accepted straight away into the PhD program. Instead, everyone has to do a Masters (even if you already have one) and then reapply, i.e. you can't be sure about PhD admission. I wish I had known that before applying.

[smmmu]

What now? That's... unusual. Do they give people funding for the Masters then?

[Oscar99]

I haven't heard anything back yet. Have all interview invites been sent out, or is it different for different research groups? 

[schummelpilz]

What now? That's... unusual. Do they give people funding for the Masters then?

Honestly, I did not think of that question but I would assume so. I was very disappointed since I already have a Masters and had hopes of doing a PhD there.

Also, I can't say whether that is a general statement. There is always the possibilty that this is what the professor wanted to tell me.

[smmmu]

Well, many PhD programmes in the US make you get a Masters on the way, but I've never heard of a programme where you then have to apply again for the rest of the PhD. I briefly contemplated applying for Media Lab, but it looks like I made the right decision not to

[OGTuring]

I've heard that the reason they make you do a Masters there first is that they are financially risk-adverse: since each group takes no more than a handful of students each year, they don't want to make a PhD commitment before seeing your work as a masters student.  They also prefer students that already have a masters (before coming to the Media Lab in the first place) for the same reason.  They want to know that you're mature and serious.

 

Yes, all students are fully funded.  I've seen offers >2000/month. 

[jazzrain]

Does anybody interview scheduled for Master Degree in MIT Media Lab 2013/Fall?

[Oscar99]

Still waiting... 

[jazzrain]

Thanks for your answer. It looks little bit different schedule comparing to last year admission when students get to be contacted 1st-2nd week of Feb.

[Oscar99]

Very possible. It seems that two people earlier in this form thread have already attended interviews. It may very well depend on each research groups however. Who knows? I do know that typically MIT notifies applicants of admission around March 14 (Pi day), so if we are getting an interview, we will be notified relatively soon, or else the outcome looks bleek. 

[Stressica]

I applied to Lifelong Kindergarten and Civic Media. No word on my end, either. I can see in analytics that my portfolio has not been accessed, which makes me think I was filtered out quite early. Interestingly Chris Peterson recently wrote an article about the problems analytics pose to the admissions process. I don't want to infer too much, but it's hard not to at this point in February. :*) Pair analytics with admissions forums like this one, and we the applicants really do accept a great deal about where we stand prior to official notice.

 

Aaah, in any case, I am glad I applied. Good luck to everyone. You're not alone.

[jazzrain]

Crossing fingers!

Edited February 21, 2013 by jazzrain

[mimuc]

Did my interview today. I was pretty nervous. I think it didn't go well at all.

[JWW]

Mimuc - Congratulations! Could you elaborate on your experience? Which group/PI did you interview with?

Edited February 26, 2013 by JWW

[Stressica]

Did my interview today. I was pretty nervous. I think it didn't go well at all.

 

Aaaw, I'm sorry to hear that mimuc. I'm sure they know that students are nervous. I can't imagine they would have interviewed you if they weren't seriously considering you. Hold in there.

[kmcool]

is there any news?

[mimuc]

After my interview the PI said that the results will be sent in 10 to 15 days. Apparently there are, on average, only 2 spots for each research group. 

[JWW]

Thanks so much, Mimuc, for sharing your insight. Best of luck to you.

[mimuc]

Any news guys?

[OGTuring]

Got an email this morning notifying me that I've been waitlisted.  Was interviewed three weeks ago.

[Oscar99]

I have been rejected, as expected ( no interview ). Oh well! I am off to a much better program in my field! Good luck to all!