Some schools prohibit that we ask someone to edit (not give general advice) our essays. As an employee at MIT admissions office, do you think it's ok to ask people to edit our essays? And will you editing works violate the ethic codes? no offense, just curious....
at MIT, we do not have this rule. I expect perfection in every essay that I receive. Yes I do give some leniency to foreign speakers, but the adcom members definitely will look at communication skills - because as a graduate student you NEED to be able to communicate with them effectively on research. I actually expect that any MIT applicant would want to get into the school so much that the least they can do is ask MULTIPLE people or PROFESSIONALS to edit and advise them on how to improve their documents. Therefore, as an MIT employee, I do not see an ethical issue with this in terms of the applications to MIT.
I actually have not come across any schools before that prohibit editing. Probably because...students applying to those schools do not come to me or use my services. However, I have a strong feeling that those schools are also mainly targeted at American students, as opposed to international students.
From a legal standpoint - I would advise you follow the rules they give. The reason is...by applying and submitting everything, you are also agreeing to abide by their rules and that everything you submit is true and honest. If your English skills are bad but you submit a fantastic essay, and after you are admitted...they realize that you lied - this is a problem.
However, personally, I really do not believe in this rule. As students, we improve by making mistakes, getting advice, and fixing mistakes. Even at Harvard, most of my professors require a first draft and final version of the papers we write so that we can learn how to improve each paper with their editing and comments. Even if we think the first draft is already perfect...they will still find ways for us to improve it. All I can say is...editing and revisions have ALWAYS helped me.
Is it ethical...I don't feel comfortable answering this question because it is so subjective. I know what I would do; but I have my own set of influences and standards. I do not want to influence someone else in their decision on an ethical dilemma like this because either way...there are reasons for and against. This is a decision you need to make for yourself.
以下是引用tinaxueMIT在2009/10/24 0:14:00的发言： at MIT, we do not have this rule. I expect perfection in every essay that I receive. Yes I do give some leniency to foreign speakers, but the adcom members definitely will look at communication skills - because as a graduate student you NEED to be able to communicate with them effectively on research. I actually expect that any MIT applicant would want to get into the school so much that the least they can do is ask MULTIPLE people or PROFESSIONALS to edit and advise them on how to improve their documents. Therefore, as an MIT employee, I do not see an ethical issue with this in terms of the applications to MIT.
I actually have not come across any schools before that prohibit editing. Probably because...students applying to those schools do not come to me or use my services. However, I have a strong feeling that those schools are also mainly targeted at American students, as opposed to international students.
From a legal standpoint - I would advise you follow the rules they give. The reason is...by applying and submitting everything, you are also agreeing to abide by their rules and that everything you submit is true and honest. If your English skills are bad but you submit a fantastic essay, and after you are admitted...they realize that you lied - this is a problem.
However, personally, I really do not believe in this rule. As students, we improve by making mistakes, getting advice, and fixing mistakes. Even at Harvard, most of my professors require a first draft and final version of the papers we write so that we can learn how to improve each paper with their editing and comments. Even if we think the first draft is already perfect...they will still find ways for us to improve it. All I can say is...editing and revisions have ALWAYS helped me.
Is it ethical...I don't feel comfortable answering this question because it is so subjective. I know what I would do; but I have my own set of influences and standards. I do not want to influence someone else in their decision on an ethical dilemma like this because either way...there are reasons for and against. This is a decision you need to make for yourself.
thank you for your answers and advice.
ps. for those schools who prohibit editing, Yale is an example, if my memory is correct. Will you provide editing service to those who apply to MIT?
Yale...I see...That was not one of the schools I applied to because I was scared of the rumored "old money" reputation..so I did not know. Come to think of it, I have not helped anyone apply to Yale before. This is probably why.
yes I will provide editing services to those who apply to MIT. The reason is...I'm not helping you make up a fake story. I'm just helping you present yourself accurately. Everything in your document will still be true.
以下是引用tinaxueMIT在2009/10/24 1:09:00的发言： Yale...I see...That was not one of the schools I applied to because I was scared of the rumored "old money" reputation..so I did not know. Come to think of it, I have not helped anyone apply to Yale before. This is probably why.
yes I will provide editing services to those who apply to MIT. The reason is...I'm not helping you make up a fake story. I'm just helping you present yourself accurately. Everything in your document will still be true.
oh...sorry...well PSes are more general...and ESSAY addresses only one question and should therefore be more focused on answering the questions...This year one essay questions was ..If you had one day to live, what would you do....You cannot try to put the 5 elements in. Instead...show your values and what is really important to you.
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发表于 2009-10-23 23:40:00
