How should I approach the MIT college essays using tips from College Essay Guy?

MIT’s essays are definitely unique, and the College Essay Guy’s focus on specificity and self-reflection is a strong match for what MIT is looking for. One approach that works particularly well is using the "deep dive" method: instead of trying to summarize all your engineering experiences, focus in on one project, moment of failure, or even a quirky hobby that reveals your mindset and problem-solving approach.

For example, in the main MIT prompt about how you bring diverse perspectives or solve problems, rather than generalizing with “I love robotics and I’m a team player,” try describing a particular challenge you faced—like debugging an unexpected error in your code at 2 a.m.—and how you handled it. Did you find a creative workaround or learn from an outrageous mistake? What did that experience teach you about how you handle uncertainty or collaborate with others? This gets at the authenticity the College Essay Guy recommends.

The "Essence Objects" exercise from College Essay Guy, where you list objects that represent you, can also help you brainstorm unexpected angles. Say you list a bent paperclip that you always fiddle with while brainstorming solutions; you could use that humble object as a doorway into a story about persisting through design obstacles or thinking outside the box.

Many applicants worry about sounding cliché, especially when writing about STEM. To avoid that, stay away from generic phrases like “I am passionate about physics” or “I’ve always loved building things." Instead, show your passion in action. Think about a very specific memory: the moment you realized a design flaw in your engineering project, or the emotion you felt when your prototype failed and you had to go back to square one. MIT wants to see your process, not just your successes.

As a quick example, a successful MIT applicant I know used the “Montage” essay technique to link together short vignettes—each representing a different side of his love for tinkering. One section described helping his neighbor repair an old refrigerator with random household items, which both set him apart and subtly showed community impact and problem solving.

Finally, make sure to tailor at least one essay to why MIT uniquely fits your style—not just as a STEM powerhouse, but maybe because of their maker culture, residential communities, or open collaboration ethos. Show what you will offer MIT and what you are excited to learn from them.

If you keep your details personal and fresh, and focus your stories around small but telling moments, you’ll avoid sounding generic while still letting your authentic self come through.