Comment by throwaway7819 | Hacker News Reader

Comment by throwaway7819 | Hacker News Reader

Some postscripts:

P.S. — I started programming when I was fairly young (about 10 years ago), and I've spent hours each day since then programming, reading blogs, and poring over books (SICP, Let Over Lambda, etc.). I'm especially passionate about OSS, and I've contributed to a number of projects of varying ilk over the years. Academically, I've worked really hard in school (while maintaining a balanced social life, of course). I particularly enjoy mathematics (I’ve taken up through Linear Algebra) and the sciences (I'm taking AP Physics II, AP Bio, and AP Chem this year). I understand that I’ve been very lucky, and want to make the most of my situation so that I may one day make the opportunities I’ve had access to more readily accessible

P.P.S. — I’m using a throwaway because, aside from this being a fairly personal matter, I've been active on HN for quite a while. A couple years ago, an open source project I started got a lot of traction on HN. Through HN, I have learned a lot from the blogs, books, and projects that have surfaced over the years. Needless to say, I wouldn't be in the position that I am today without your support, so thank you!

P.P.P.S — If you’d like to reach out privately, feel free to email

    mit-dilemma@pm.me

as I realize your replies may be, well, a bit personal.

You've studied hard - but what do you want to do? What do you want to do with your life once you're done with school?

School isn't end-all, be-all of life. I'm a martial artist. Many people look at the martial arts and think obtaining black belt is the goal. Here's the secret - obtaining black belt is the start. Now you're ready to study the art!

It's the same with school. Getting degrees isn't the goal, it's the beginning. The beginning of what? That's up to you!

You already know you can learn on your own, so you should have learned by now you don't need school to learn. Your internships are going to be the most important thing you do - that's where the doors are going to be opened.

I would love to read your take after few years. Maybe you can do a Tell HN after 10 years.

I'm not from the US, so I cannot give any direct practical advice. But, all I can say is, if you choose to go to MIT, just make sure that it is not the only worthy accomplishment in your whole life. Most people from prestigious institutions tend to say they they graduated from XXX/YYY as the only thing worth mentioning about them. While not bad, if that is the only worthy thing to share, then those prestigious schools are not great after all ...

Whatever you decide, all the best.

> I would love to read your take after few years. Maybe you can do a Tell HN after 10 years.

That's a great idea. I'll reveal the contents of this hash to prove that the person who posts in 10 years is indeed who I am:

    af6fd692d9f831fe08801a24db27137edf2fd12ce9a6cbe62a23b0696b077dcb

> But, all I can say is, if you choose to go to MIT, just make sure that it is not the only worthy accomplishment in your whole life.

Even if I decided to go to MIT today, I'd still probably say that some of the OSS work I've done is something I'm more proud of than having gotten into MIT. That said, I hope that in 10 years neither of those things is what I'm most proud of.

I'd also cast my vote for MIT. If you're reading SICP and LOL then you're not going to have any problem paying off the student loans. So don't let worrying about money hold you back. Choose the school with the lower acceptance rate. Some knowledge can only be learned by socialization with smart successful people. If being a big fish in a small pond is what you want, then you'll be an even bigger fish if you do that after you graduate the best possible school.

You have an impressive resume. Kudos!

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