Undergraduate / Something went out not like I expected [4]

Tell us about the most significant challenge you've faced or something that didn't go according to plan. How did you manage the situation? (200-250 words)*

Autodidactism (self-education)

In 2012, my parents decided that it was time for us to leave Qatar and move to Egypt.It wasn't easy for me to live apart from my father, and I never thought that after spending there 13 years of my life, the storms could take me to my motherland, Egypt, but it happened. I lived in a countryside where people's mindset and tradition were the polar opposite of mines.

I attended school for the first two months; teachers were consistently following the method of indoctrination in teaching students. Compelling me to learn from their notes and to solve LOTS of past papers. Furthermore, their notes contained whole texts which had no technical relevance to the syllabus.To the point, where many of my friends traveled to Cairo and Alexandria specifically to enroll in courses provided by more qualified teachers. Unfortunately, I had no accommodation at that time in Cairo, so I decided to purchase the necessary textbooks for each subject I registered for to start my self-studying journey; It took a while to convince my parents at first, but they finally respected my decision and encouraged me all the way. I self-studied throughout my years in high school. Although there were plenty of resources to refer to on the internet, it took me a tremendous amount of time to sort out the ones that served my needs and eliminate other resources that were either too simple or too sophisticated. At days I progressed, some speedily, some steadily, some with pauses. Having misconceptions was regularly common, I struggled many times with not finding a resource that could unravel the knots of certain topics. However, I ended up scoring good marks on most of the subjects

Undergraduate / How helping others helps you? MIT essay [5]

At MIT, we bring people together to better the lives of others. MIT students work to improve to their communities in different ways, from tackling the world's biggest challenges to being a good friend. Describe one way in which you have contributed to your community, whether in your family, the classroom, your neighborhood, etc. (200-250 words)*

useful answers - not only taking but giving

During high school, I personally depended mostly on my personal study the most. With it, I loved to teach and answer people's questions not for money but as something voluntary. So, I joined a website called Openstudy which helped guide users who were staying late at night burning the midnight oil working on problem sets, maybe watching a video lecture like I did too and they have their doubts and who will they turn to? Open study bridges that gap by connecting people studying the same things so that you can talk to each other and help each other. As an independent learner, I wanted to give help as well, it's nice to feel that you are not alone when you are cramming for a Math exam. I think it's easy to deliver lectures to people in a playlist of videos, but what's really hard was to scale the help you get, the small discussion, the 1 on 1 help that you may get a prestigious school or university. Many of whom I have contributed to have scored high grades through the better understanding of the topic, they have developed by my guidance. Usually, I don't straight give away the answers to a user, but I ask them to post their exact doubt regarding their question and start together from this point with the process of learning. Throughout my time in open study, I have earned a total of 732 medals on my quality of my answers.

Undergraduate / My dream school. The spirits of MIT's community is unlike anywhere else [5]

How does MIT align with your goals (e.g., academic, personal, career, extracurricular, etc.)? (200-250 words)*

"One Last Chance"

There are major problems in this world that needed to be solved, and the quest for finding answers is one of the primary conditions for having a good life. However, a journey like that requires companions, living ones and not dead companions who are concerned with trivialities. The spirits of MIT's community is unlike anywhere else. One of the most interesting facts about MIT is that there is a Chemistry Club open to chemistry majors, other students, with interest in chemistry, and faculty members. With faculty members providing an encouraging environment by reflecting their enthusiasm and motivation towards students telling them about a research project they were involved in.

The chemical engineering program at MIT covers a breadth of concentrations and knowledge of the kind of depth expected to address the world's' challenges in health, energy, and other areas and allows students to choose from these various concentrations his/her area of interest rather than being offered a single major without any concentration. I value the freedom of choice available at MIT, to have control over the choices which shape my future instead of restraining me from pursuing my passion. I also think that with several concentrations, I will have enormous flexibility during my years of study.

Undergraduate / "One Last Chance"- Transfer essay for MIT [3]

Please discuss why you are considering transferring from your current college or university. (200-250 words)*

chance to gain experience

Everyone has their own interests, but I always find myself residing inside a bubble because the people surrounding me are concerned with trivialities, in this way, it's difficult to form new friendships. The university I am attending does not run enough clubs in which people of common interests could join to share experiences and ideas with each other through deep conversations.

During my two years as an undergraduate student at I have recognized that they put far greater emphasis on the theoretical part of science subjects which personally I resolutely disagree with such method of teaching. Illustrating my point, I will tell you a little story, this semester I am taking inorganic chemistry and unfortunately I did not stand a chance of applying my knowledge in any of the experiments; I was not satisfied with just checking demonstrations done by the teacher assistant because I was seeking individuality when working with lab equipment. Given the practice and experience of using lab equipment, I believe will be able to know what setup I will use when designing a lab experiment in my further years of study.

On my previous semester, my professor offered me an opportunity to work with him and a group of graduate students on a research project to prepare nanoparticles. However, I had to get an approval to my proposal by the head of the department of chemical engineering. My request was declined because he can't trust me to use chemicals and he insisted that no undergraduate student will engage in such projects unless he/she are in their final year of undergraduate studies. I was more sad than angry at that moment because I did not get the chance to gain experience at an earlier stage of my life and the potential to make a difference.

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