If you received a waitlist decision from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, or MIT, you’re probably pretty disappointed, frustrated, and confused. A waitlist decision is a tough spot to be. It’s not a no, but it’s also very far from a yes. We’re here to help.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, or MIT, is widely considered one of the best universities in the world, especially for STEM subjects. It is also one of the hardest universities in the world to get into. You may have experienced this, by being rejected when you applied as a senior in high school, or by simply deciding not to even apply because you didn’t think you even had a chance of getting in. Or it wasn’t even a decision to not apply and MIT wasn’t on your radar in high school. Whatever the reason, if you have decided that MIT is actually where you need to be you are, my friend, in for an uphill battle.

If you are reading this post, things didn’t go to plan. You’ve been rejected EA by MIT, and you may not be sure what to do next. We’ve got you, but first let’s talk big picture.

Being deferred is never satisfying because it isn’t a conclusion. It’s not a no, and you’re still in the running. But it’s also far from a yes. In this post, we’re going to help you bounce back from a deferral. First, let’s run the numbers.