Guide to the Student Application

Please note: this page is NOT the application itself! It merely describes what the application contains. The actual application is an online form available here. For additional information, see Applying for Junction.

Guide to the Junction 2014 Student Application

Your application is our chance to get to know you and, hopefully, place you in a class that you’ll think is awesome this summer. Please read all instructions on the application carefully. If you have any questions or even just want to say hi, feel free to e-mail us.

Please note that admission to Junction classes is somewhat selective. Former Junction students, admitted MIT pre-freshmen, children of MIT faculty or staff, and siblings of MIT students do not receive any advantage or special treatment in the application process. Thus, every student must submit a high-quality application in order to be considered for a spot, regardless of past association with Junction or MIT.

There are five parts to the application:

Additionally, you may find the following helpful:

Part A: The Really Easy Stuff

This is where you tell us your basic biographical and contact information. Most of these fields will automatically be filled in for you based on the profile you create when you register an account. (If you already have an account on our website, you don't need to register a new one.)

In addition, we ask for your current grade level and academic experience (specifically, whether you have taken courses in chemistry, biology, and algebra) in order to get a sense of your preparedness for Junction. Junction classes are taught at the college level, and some of them do assume knowledge of topics usually taught in high school; additionally, succeeding at the program requires social maturity, thoughtfulness, and study skills. However, we will not automatically disqualify you based on your age, grade, or academic background.

We do not ask for your high school transcript, test scores, or teacher recommendations.

Part B: Short Response and Creativity Question

These free response questions are meant to help us get to know you. As part of the application, you are asked to respond to the following questions:

  • Describe a time when you learned something from a peer. What made this experience memorable? (recommended length ~200 words)

  • Many websites on the Internet use CAPTCHA or similar methods to determine whether users are real humans or computer programs. However, such systems are not always accurate or effective.

    Write or send us anything of your choice to convince us that you are not a robot.

Don't spend too much time overthinking these questions or your answers to them -- there is not one "right" answer, but rather many valid ways to approach them. See below for tips for writing good answers to free response questions.

Part C: First Choice Core Course (and Part D: Second Choice Core Course)

When you apply for Junction, you are applying for the specific core class you wish to take at the program. You may apply for up to two core classes; if you are not admitted to your first choice class, we will consider your application for your second choice.

Descriptions of the core classes for summer 2014 can be found on the 2014 Core Classes page. Click on a class for a longer description and information about prerequisites and applying for that class.

For each core class you are interested in, the application asks you the following questions:

  • Whether you meet the prerequisites for the course (although we do take this into account, choosing "no" will not disqualify you).
  • Any experience you have relevant to the course (be liberal; if you think it might be relevant but you're not sure, it probably is).
  • Why do you want to take this course?
  • Please respond to the specific application question(s) for that course.

The prerequisites, relevant experience, and course-specific application questions for each course can be found by clicking through on the 2014 Core Classes page.

See below for tips on writing good answers to free response questions.

Part E: Anything else?

If you have anything else you want to add, you can tell us in this section, though we aren't looking for anything in particular.

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Tips for Free-Response Questions

Here are some tips for writing good answers to free-response questions:

  • Take your time to respond to the questions thoughtfully.

  • Write a good amount. If your answer is only a few sentences, it's almost certainly not substantial enough. However, there's no need to write an 800-word essay either (unless, of course, the question explicitly asks you to). If no other guideline is mentioned, anything from one long paragraph to three short paragraphs is usually appropriate.

  • Check your spelling and grammar. You won't be rejected for spelling and grammar mistakes alone, but using correct spelling and grammar makes your application look well-polished and tells readers that you care to make a good impression. Consider writing a first draft of your responses, putting it down for a few days, and then revising before submitting the final version.

  • Don't feel like you necessarily have to write about dramatic or life-changing events. Many good responses describe simple, everyday situations, but get their strength from doing so in an insightful way.

  • Do showcase your best qualities, but be honest, and be yourself, not who you think we want you to be. Weird or kooky is totally fine; the people reading your application can be pretty unusual themselves. But “normal” is fine as well!

  • We're primarily looking for mature, thoughtful students who love learning and are excited about the classes they're applying for. You can tell us about awards or competitions you've won if they were meaningful to you, but this probably isn't an effective way to impress us. Your best chances at a spot in the program are earned by writing a well-thought-out application; as long as you are prepared for the class you want to take, your prior grades and accomplishments will neither help nor hurt you.

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See Also



Last modified on March 25, 2014 at 06:04 p.m.