“Nick’s main attitude to east coast society is fascination.” How far, and in what ways do you agree with this statement?

In â€Å"The Great Gatsby† the sentiments of the fundamental characters are regularly hard to work out, and this vagueness proceeds with the character of Nick. In any case, I accept that the sentiment of â€Å"fascination† could be taken in two distinct manners †positive and negative. It could imply that Nick is enchanted and spellbound completely by what he sees, or intrigued in that he is astonished by how phony or shallow the individuals can be on the East Coast. All through the novel, Nick's considerations and sentiments change oftentimes, contingent upon the circumstance he is in and the individuals that he is with, and this is the reason it is hard to attempt to set up what his primary inclination is as it shifts to such an extent. I will take a gander at the primary concerns in the book where the East Coast society is unmistakably appeared, and attempt to build up Nick's fundamental disposition and how Fitzgerald presents his contemplations and sentiments to us. One of the essential spots where Fitzgerald shows the general public to us is when Nick meets Tom and Daisy. While portraying Daisy's voice, Nick words expressions, for example, â€Å"low, thrilling†, and considers it a â€Å"exhilarating ripple†. I accept that this kind of depiction, which happens much of the time at whatever point Nick discusses Daisy, show his interest in a positive path with the East Coast world. The words â€Å"thrilling† and â€Å"exhilarating† suggest that Nick is nearly entranced by her as they are so emotive, something which I accept remains constant for the general public in general †it shows up as though Nick is placed in something of a daze by its excitement. I trust Fitzgerald picked Nick to have this response to Daisy since it goes some approach to demonstrating his emotions towards the East Coast. This is on the grounds that Fitzgerald drives the peruser to accept that Daisy should speak to the individuals and the general public on the east coast overall †by making her pretty, to some degree gullible and to some degree bogus, Fitzgerald can show Nick's emotions about the circumstance all in all through one character. I accept that this part of the novel shows basically the interest on Nick's part. In spite of the fact that the peruser gets the feeling that Nick is hypnotized by this world, Fitzgerald makes us question this because of the way that he has kept in touch with a portion of Nick's portrayal. For instance, while portraying Daisy and her peculiarities, Nick describes â€Å"That was a way she had. † This statement infers that Nick understands that Daisy isn't the manner by which she introduces herself to be, and nearly realizes that she's genuinely manipulative in the manner she acts. There are various instances of this all through; Nick clarifies that Daisy has â€Å"an crazy, beguiling little laugh†, and the word â€Å"absurd† again infers that he sees it excessively enchanting as genuine. I accept that Fitzgerald needed Nick's emotions to be vague †these remarks add to the feeling that if the peruser removes the surface fascination, Nick is really interested by the erroneousness of the general public around him instead of intrigued in wonder. Thusly, I would state that Nick's principle feeling here would likewise be interest †however not similarly as the interest with Daisy and her appearance as I accept that to be to a greater degree a surface interest. While I accept these negative remarks to be an indication of Nick's assimilation in this world, it is straightforward why a few perusers could accept them as indications of far and away hatred. Adding to this view would be the way that Fitzgerald makes Nick sound deriding and now and then snide towards Daisy. A case of this is the point at which he says â€Å"That's the reason I came over tonight† in light of Daisy's inquiry concerning the narrative of the steward's nose. The mockery is plainly obvious in that answer, and it has a demeanor of joke to it additionally as the peruser understands that Daisy is maybe not the most splendid of individuals. Fitzgerald has guaranteed that the peruser realizes that Nick has understood this likewise, and along these lines, it is anything but difficult to feel that he is taunting Daisy as he most likely is aware she won't comprehend the mockery in his reaction. This would make the feeling that Nick holds Daisy and the way of life as a rule in hatred and would consequently conflict with the explanation that Nick is for the most part entranced by this world. Nonetheless, I accept that a considerable lot of Nick's snide remarks are really him attempting to be interesting, as I don't accept that he would be equipped for being dreadful to Daisy as he is so hypnotized by her. I additionally accept that this fits with Nick's impression of the entire society, because of the way that I think Fitzgerald implied Daisy to speak to the East Coast overall. Another principle circumstance in the novel where we see Nick's opinion of the general public is up to and during Gatsby's gatherings. Likewise to his portrayal of Daisy, toward the start of Chapter 3 Nick gives us a long depiction of everything about the gatherings. The portrayal is extremely definite, for instance the â€Å"spiced prepared hams, swarmed against servings of mixed greens of harlequin structures and cake pigs and turkeys charmed to a dim gold†. The detail in the portrayal implies that Fitzgerald has made the feeling that Nick is savoring depicting what he sees, and again that he is attracted by the excess and excellence of what he can see. This adds to this feeling Nick's principle disposition. Likewise, Fitzgerald utilizes parcels words that make things sound supernatural in the depiction, for instance â€Å"bewitched†, â€Å"gold† and â€Å"floating†. These words make the inclination in the perusers' psyches that Nick is charmed by what he is seeing †as though he is set in a type of daze by the style, all things considered, Once more, I accept this can be connected to how he feels about Daisy †Nick is placed in very nearly a stupor by her looks and her voice, and it's as though just the odd negative idea can sneak past that. Once more, Fitzgerald makes Nick's actual emotions hard to find out, as he places in words into the depiction that are exceptionally vague in their significance. They make the peruser uncertain of Nick's reality in his words, as the manner in which they are taken completely relies upon the individual peruser's perspective. A case of this is the expression â€Å"A bar with a genuine metal rail was set up†. Here, the word â€Å"real† is the thing that makes the peruser uncertain, as it could simply be taken similarly as everything else †Nick is portraying everything in sight with detail and relish. Be that as it may, it could likewise be taken as ridiculing, on the grounds that â€Å"real† seems as though Nick could be ridiculing those individuals who care about and are really interested by the legitimacy of the metal rail. The principal perspective, this is certified marvel from Nick, would add to the main translation of interest, as it would exhibit a genuine enthusiasm for the lavishness of the general public that they would have the option to manage the cost of and anticipate something to that effect. Anyway I accept that the second perspective, the joke, would likewise add to a demeanor of interest †however the second translation of the word; the implying that includes Nick being captivated by the shallowness and realism of the individuals and the general public when all is said in done. This is on the grounds that the general public in the East is significantly more worried about belongings and appearances than Nick would have been utilized to in the Midwest, where family would have been substantially more significant. Taking everything into account, in making such exceptional depiction, I trust Fitzgerald causes the peruser to feel that Nick's primary inclination here is interest, yet leaves us unsure with regards to what think. Another part of the gatherings that makes a comparative issue is the means by which Fitzgerald makes exchange and discussion during the gatherings. At the point when Nick is conversing with the two young ladies, the way that the portrayal during the exchange between discourse is put makes Nick sound conceivably deriding †the reiteration, for instance â€Å"It was for Lucille, too† sounds ridiculing and as though Nick feels that the discussion he is encircled by is fake and that no one there is extremely person. This would obviously be a reflection on society there all in all and would conflict with the announcement in the title. Another chance is that Fitzgerald needs the peruser to feel that Nick feels better than the individuals around him, as is rehashing names and adages so as to make humor †to be taunting in an all the more carefree way. This understanding would not especially bolster the view that Nick is intrigued by society either. Nonetheless, another translation would be that Fitzgerald needs us to feel that Nick is so up to speed in the discussion that he is basically recording everything since he feels it is all truly fascinating, or that he is too engaged to even think about filtering what is being said. This third perspective on the portrayal by Fitzgerald would clearly bolster the explanation that Nick is intrigued by the general public. This is the view that I would take, because of the way that different viewpoints set in the novel now by Fitzgerald bolster it †for instance â€Å"A thrill disregarded all of us† and â€Å"We all turned and searched for Gatsby†. These sentences show that Fitzgerald needs us to see that Nick feels remembered for this discussion and is captivated by it, thus adds to the view that Nick's principle mentality is interest. A comparative impact is accomplished by the manner by which Fitzgerald structures the portrayal here †when Nick is depicting what he sees, he composes arrangements of the things. Fitzgerald has organized these not in a familiar, abstract route yet by putting an overwhelming redundancy of the word â€Å"and† in the middle of each new expansion to the rundown. This causes Nick to appear to be nearly overpowered by what he sees †as though he is excessively entranced by everything to attempt to structure anything reasonably. It likewise gives the peruser the feeling that the items

Leadership Example

Authority Example Authority †Case Study Example Authority al Affiliation: Leadership Summary Obama had the option to utilize his own intrigue to win the general decisions. To many, he isa pioneer who rouses want to the persecuted and less lucky in the general public. He is an appealling pioneer who has had the option to explore his way up regardless of the presence of effective individuals both in the associations and the general public on the loose. So as to comprehend inside and out Obama as a charming pioneer, an examination was led with the point of researching the talk of allure mostly in articles that were composed a half year before his political race. The outcomes showed that the media assumed a critical job in making an excited air around Obama. His alluring attributes were worked around him as an individual with significant accentuation being on his biography, character, and conduct. Basic AnalysisElections in United States are firmly challenged with individuals taking a gander at individual belief systems. Be that as it may, in this political decision, there was a preoccupation from the standard. For a long time, underestimated bunches particularly blacks and non-locals felt that on the off chance that one of their own was in the rudder of intensity, they were probably going to be perceived. In any case, Barrack Obama had the option to make a connection between the locals and non locals. His practices, characters, and biography roused both the mistreated and the nearby populace. What's more, many took a gander at him as a moving pioneer. By the by, his charming authority when he was a congressperson of Illinois caused individuals to feel that he has great administration abilities that can direct the nation ahead. ImplicationsOne of the significant ramifications of appealling qualities is that Obama had the option to make sure about votes from the two locals and non-locals. Furthermore, he has made would like to all individuals independent of their economic wellbeing, strict foundation, and race. T his has assumed a critical job in joining individuals in the nation. Authority Example Authority †Article Example Emily A. S.(2007) Taking obligation. http www.what-are-acceptable administration skills.com/article-on-initiative aptitudes 08.html INTRODUCTION The article is tied in with assuming individual liability in any association for progress. At whatever point a troublesome circumstance comes we feel that we are casualty and begin reviling the things that are past our control.The essayist is of the view that the champs don’t have this mentality. Rather than being casualty the champs discover approach to push ahead, regardless of how hard the circumstance is. This is the thing that the moral duty is.FINDINGSThe creator found that by assuming individual liability for the things anyone can have a constructive outcome in life regarding achievement. He shows this by giving the case of offer young lady who didn’t have the correct shoe size for the creator however as opposed to stating sorry he guided the creator for different shops where he can discover one, even she called those to ensure which one has this size to help creator. By assuming individual liability she made one steadfast client. In troublesome circumstances stead of accusing we ought to pose inquiry how we can improve this circumstance as opposed to trusting that others will come and salvage us. Creator thinks about the representatives, supervisors, colleagues’ clients by relating the case of that deal young lady. By assuming individual liability we can make numerous dependable clients regardless of whether we are not deals person.CRITIQUEThe authorhas masterminded the data in intelligent request where there are a few focuses which are very solid. These are as follows:â€Å"To trust you must choose between limited options is to turn into a â€Å"victim† with no control†.Yes more often than not individuals imagine that simple arrangement is to escape the circumstance by defending our rationale that it’s not my obligation or issue. At the point when we make our self-casu alty, we escape the circumstance yet the things are not adjusted on the grounds that we imagine that things are not under our control.â€Å"Stop whimpering or rationalizing why it’s not working out. At this moment, assume individual liability for moving things toward the path you need them to go.†The creator is mentioning that as opposed to accusing and reasons we ought to invest our energy in scanning for arrangement. So this relates on the off chance that we assume the individual liability as opposed to being casualty to push things ahead we can make the difference.The article is short yet there are less raw numbers. There are no realities that can bolster the central matter and on account of this the article summons less.Beside thesethings there are a few focuses in the article that need more explanation:â€Å"She didn't need to do what she did, but since she assumed individual liability for fulfilling my necessities, she has now created an unwavering customer.â₠¬ Although model is acceptable yet it doesn't unmistakably identifies with the subject. In the event that it wasn’t her activity yet she attempted to do it, can she generally do it? So would it be a good idea for us to consistently help other people past the cutoff to make them our dependable clients? The model ought to be increasingly elaborative to clarify the idea of being casualty as opposed to assuming individual liability. Administration Example Administration †Coursework Example Administration March 20, Leadership, the demonstration or procedure of affecting individuals towards aggregate destinations, is a significant component in a hierarchical set up. There are numerous authority styles and possibility hypothesis recommends that one administration style may suit a given circumstance than are other initiative styles. In light of the hypothesis, gives that relate to utilization of power, unmotivated representatives, and inner defilement would require distinctive administration styles to determine. Dictator initiative style would be best in settling utilization of power issues. The administration approach centers around control along a hierarchical structure, start to finish, and depends on faithfulness to power. It can along these lines start or control gives that identify with power through a request that supporters must comply. Dictator initiative spotlights on prompt desires, such as controlling the utilization of power issues, and not conduct impacts on adherents, however this distinguishes its shortcoming (Nevarez and Wood, 2010).Transformational administration style, which centers around strengthening and inspiration among different issues, would be the most reasonable for affecting unmotivated faculty. The administration approach recognizes followers’ necessities and possibilities, engages supporters, and addresses their issues towards inspiration. Addressing recognized needs, for example, fitness for execution would expand self-esteem, while offering compensations for execution would start uplifting disposition to start inspiration among the work force (Nevarez and Wood, 2010). Fathoming kinds of inward defilement would anyway require transformational initiative, an unforeseen methodology that depends on positive or negative inspiration. Numerous variables, for example, money related and social elements influence want to take part in debasement and incorporating factors that check inspiration to defilement, for example, adequate compensation, awards for non-degenerate faculty, and discipline against degenerate work force would help (Nevarez and Wood, 2010). Dictator initiative would in this manner settle utilization of power issues while transformational authority would resolve unmotivated staff issue and value-based administration would resolve inside debasement issues.ReferencesNevarez, C. what's more, Wood, J. (2010). Junior college initiative and organization: Theory, practice, and change. New York, NY: Peter Lang.

Employee Engagement in the Oil & Gas Sector Essay

1. Presentation As indicated by Aon Hewitt (2012), representative commitment alludes to the â€Å"state of enthusiastic and scholarly contribution that propels workers to accomplish their best work through assessment of employees’ level of commitment comparative with the organisation’s antecedents† (p.5). Scarlett (2010) characterizes representative commitment as â€Å"the quantifiable level of an employee’s positive or negative enthusiastic connection to their activity, associates and association that significantly impacts their readiness to learn and perform at the workplace†. White (2011) anyway expresses that â€Å"employee commitment speaks to an arrangement of most extreme employment fulfillment with greatest occupation contribution† (p.5). Changed measurements show that worker commitment is a relevant angle in upgrading an organisation’s efficiency. Beddoes (2011) states that commitment levels are settling all around with a 58% expansion in 2011 when contrasted with 56% in 2010, with the best levels experienced in Asia Pacific and Europe. After the monetary emergency, commitment levels slacked yet financial markers show expanding improvement somewhere in the range of 2009 and 2010 around the world (Aon Hewitt, 2012). Minton (n.d.) states that four out of ten representatives are not locked in converting into 58% drew in and 42% incompletely or completely withdrew, with inspirational components, profession advancement openings, worker acknowledgment and the organisation’s notoriety playing a significant contributory factor to the outcomes. This examination has built up the accompanying destinations (1) ID of representative commitment levels/models, (2) recognizable proof of worker commitment drivers. (3) Identification of powerful approaches to connect with representatives, (4) focal points acknowledged by having a drawn in work power. 2. Commitment Model/Levels Aon Hewitt (2012) characterize commitment model as â€Å"a model that decides worker commitment levels in the association through looking at employees’ level of commitment towards the association in the connection to the set hierarchical antecedents† (p.5). This model expresses that commitment in one’s work or association is an individual decision yet consistently affected by bunch affiliations, created by the representatives, mental and conduct limit in regards to the association. The administration especially human asset administrators should consolidate, support and build up the model’s segments while relating with the representatives. The model fuses three primary segments (1) ‘Say component’ that supports the administration and workers to think and compliment the association and its exercises to partners, potential representatives and customers. (2) ‘Stay component’ that urges the representatives to consistently want to be a piece of the organization through empowering acknowledgment, examination, collaboration and group building exercises accordingly decreasing worker turnover and empowering potential representatives and customers (Schneider, White and Paul 1998). (3) ‘Strive component’ that energizes development of a hierarchical culture that empowers difficult work and accomplishment of achievement, in this way improving contribution of additional exertion from representatives which thusly upgrades duty and expanded profitability. Consolidation of the above model prompts increasingly connected with workers, which lead to expanded quality conveyance, customer fulfillment a nd deals, which in the end prompts expanded proficiency (Organ, Posdakoff and Mackenzie 2006). 3. Commitment Drivers Sijts and Crim (2006) characterize commitment drivers as variables that expansion representative commitment in association through compelling administration of commitment levels. These drivers distinguish potential improvement regions in the association relating to worker commitment. These drivers are interrelated in this manner work as one. Commitment drivers in this way assist the board with recognizing lacking zones that restrict worker potential, in this manner upgrading center around progress endeavors that improve profitability through expanded representative responsibility (Organ, Posdakoff and MacKenzie 2006). 3.1 Quality of Work Life Nature of work life alludes to formation of a workplace whereby employees’ exercises are organized through execution of work structure exercises that regard the exercises less standard in this manner all the more compensating to the representatives (Sigy, Efraty, Siegel and Lee 2001). It in this way includes formation of a helpful physical condition through profiting the necessary assets fundamental for work execution, for example, appropriate security dress and gear subsequently upgrading efficiency and commitment. It additionally includes improvement of a work-life balance arrangement, which empowers representatives to obviously characterize and isolate their work and public activities hence upgrading development of an all-adjusted worker, which upgrades commitment prompting expanded profitability (Richard and Deci 2000). 3.2 Company Practices The organisation’s rehearses incredibly add to worker commitment levels. Combination of intuitive human asset arrangements upgrades representative inclusion in dynamic, which in turns inspires them along these lines improving worker commitment (Aon Hewitt 2012). Presentation of powerful administration execution strategies will upgrade formation of proficient execution the executives and examination frameworks, which will perceive employees’ work input along these lines expanding their commitment prompting expanded profitability (Cook, 2008). Broad brand arrangement through expanded promoting and publicizing will upgrade commitment, as representatives will see the association as a drawn out endeavor as it has exhibited congruity of activities (Payne 2012). Expanding and created authoritative notoriety will improve commitment, as representatives will be more quiet to work in a legitimate association along these lines exhibiting its progression and professional stability. Improvement of a decent variety culture identifying with the organisation’s exercises and work of different people concerning race or sexual orientation, will upgrade commitment, as it will kill any events or fears of separation. As per Hynes (2012), production of a successful correspondence framework and structure will guarantee that any significant data relating to representatives work exercises or government assistance are opportune transferred along these lines improving development and advancement of work interrelationships which upgrade proficiency and viability of activities. 3.3 Total Rewards Associations ought to obviously layout its prize structure, as this will add to the commitment or separation of workers. Away from of employees’ expected compensation and advantages bundle will upgrade clear comprehension about the compensation bundle consequently improving commitment (Harter, Schmidt and Theodore 2012). The oil and gas area ought to likewise unmistakably specify frameworks used to decide acknowledgment installments in regards to reward assignment. 3.4 Opportunities To viably improve representative commitment, associations in the oil and gas area ought to plainly diagram profession openings accessible to workers who need to additionally propel their vocations inside the association with respect to advancements and moves that add to vocation advancement. Associations should likewise diagram the accessible learning and advancement openings inside the association (Richard and Deci 2000). Such open doors could incorporate sponsorships, study leave and arrangement of work-study recompenses. 3.5 People Individuals associated with the administration, operational and end-client parts of the association greatly affect employees’ commitment. Associations ought to in this way improve production of an appropriate work structure and culture that will upgrade powerful participation and correspondence among the executives, representatives and clients (Aon Hewitt, 2012).This will thusly improve advancement of interrelationships, prompting expanded proficiency and viability through expanded worker commitment. 3.6 Work Activities An organisation’s work structure can add to either commitment or withdrawal of representatives inside the association. Advancement of a detailed and definitive work structure will upgrade away from of work assignments, work forms, arrangement of vital assets, henceforth furnishing the representatives with a feeling of achievement through compelling and productive execution of designated work (Sahoo and Mishra 2012). This will hence prompt expanded worker commitment. 4. Approaches to Engage Employees Representative commitment is fundamental to associations in the oil and gas segment as it upgrades proficiency and adequacy through expanded creation. Joining of different angles has been recognized as potential approaches to expand representative commitment. These angles incorporate (1) Enhancement of worker vocation openings by making profession way for representatives through preparing them in anticipation of their next profession job by production of parallel development openings (Aon Hewitt, 2012). (2) Increasing representative acknowledgment through giving them input with respect to their work exercises and how to enhance them by giving the vital fortifications and furthermore remunerating them for function admirably done (Cook, 2008). (3) The board ought to endeavor to draw in the representatives more with the association through its vision, strategic targets by disclosing to them why the business is the most attractive by offering a convincing suggestion, prize and work experience structure in this way upgrading the organisation’s notoriety as the most favored manager (Payne, 2012). (4) Creation of a drawing in correspondence structure through upgrade of corporate correspondence which will speak to workers passionate, conduct, mental and social angles in this way improving promise to the association (Hynes, 2012). (5) Increased administration of representative execution as workers will be viably remunerated for their endeavors accordingly upgrading worker commitment. (6) P

The link between psychology and resistance to change Essay

The connection among brain research and protection from change - Essay Example Protection from authoritative change for the most part originates from the individuals inside the association. This has been depicted as â€Å"psychological and authoritative response† that originates from the mentality of individuals independent of the idea of progress (Bovey and Hede, 2001). There are different reasons that have been distinguished which add to protection from change with respect to representatives. The most well-known variables that have been distinguished as contributing elements fuelling obstruction are deficient association of workers in the change the board, incapable procedure of correspondence and insufficient information about change. The greatest indication of protection from change happens through articulation of complaints, lower proficiency, forceful demeanor towards higher administration and decrease of yield of the association. So as to comprehend the idea of protection from transform it is imperative to comprehend hierarchical change. Hierarchical change can be characterized as an adjustment to the changing condition with a target of improving the presentation. There are two wide kinds of hierarchical change which can happen the first can be characterized as first request change and the subsequent one is key or progressive change. In the previous one the fundamental system of the association stays unaltered yet in the second one the essential structure changes. The soonest notice of opposition was seen in the article distributed by Lewin (1947cited in Gravenhorst, 2003) and the ensuing works distributed in the idea of gathering elements. Crafted by Coch and French (1948cited in Gravenhorst, 2003) had acquainted the possibility of obstruction with hierarchical change yet rather than appropriately revealing insight into the idea they had rather presented it as an inspirational issue. Crafted by Watson (1969) had recognized that there are numerous phases in which the representatives express their protection from change. The principal stage is portrayed by

The Undecideds and the Order of the Phoenix

The Undecideds and the Order of the Phoenix The fifth in a series With less than a week until the May 1st postmark deadline for your college decision, I figure now is as good a time as any to the students who are still undecided: How can we help you make your decision? What more would you like to know about MIT? What are your lingering concerns? Etc. Anonymous asked, How do I go about requesting an extension for May 1? I have not received my financial aid information yet and I wanted to know before I decided. Anon, and everyone else in this situation, MIT Admissions is willing to give an extension on the May 1 deadline for financial aid-related reasons. If you would like an extension, you can either email our office at admissions at mit dot edu or call us during business hours at (617) 253-4791. We want to ensure that you make the best, most informed choice you can, especially when it comes to something as important as finances. Caroline asked, Can professors teach? Call me naive, but I didnt even *think* about this at a top university, but when I visited Caltech, they said that about 80% of the profs cant teach well!! Theyre brilliant, of course, in research/academics but I like being taught for $45,000 a year. Is the situation the same at MIT? I was, on the whole, very happy with my teachers at MIT. (Also, for the record, I dont believe that 80% of Caltechs professors cant teach.) Many of MITs teachers are truly excellent, some are good, and, yes, some are bad. The benefit of living in a mixed-year (not freshman) dorm is that there are lots of upperclassmen around to help advise you as to which classes and which professors are great, and which you might want to steer clear of. Also, there are online guides (available only to the MIT community) that evaluate MITs professors; for example, Eric Lander rated a 6.7 out of 7 for teaching 7.012: Introductory Biology, and Don Sadoway rated a 6.3 for 3.091 : Intro to Solid-State Chemistry. A quick perusal of the evaluations makes me think that the mean/median is in the mid-5s, with the great teachers getting in the 6s and the, well, worse teachers getting 4s and below. So, you want to only have great professors? Ask around, check the course evaluations, and youll do just fine. Yesterday, Anonymous and Jwal asked about food, especially in regard to GMO, healthy/organic food, and gluten-free food. Yesterday afternoon I talked with Ward Ganger, operations Manager for the Office of Campus Dining. He told me lots of good stuff, stuff that made even me happier about MIT dining. But first, we talked about the politics of GMO: the US, unlike the EU, has no regulations about GMO. This makes it extremely difficult for us to know what is GMO and what is not. He added that many college dining programs struggle with this. MIT Dining does its best to seek out organic and other wholesomely-raised food in many instances, doing its best in this regulation-free environment. All fish that are served on campus are wild caught, not farm raised. In addition to regular milk (which, though theres no way to be sure, probably is GMO), theres organic milk offered, which is much more likely to be untampered with. The best news is about the relationships between chefs and students, especially in the residential dining halls. Not only will dorm dining chefs tailor individual dishes to your needs, they are also quite open to suggestions for dishes and ingredients. Ward called this standard meaning, it is routine for these great relationships between chef and student to spring up. And the residences also have a student committee to discuss dining issues and suggest improvements. Ward says hes happy to discuss dining issues further with anyone would would like; his phone number is (617) 253-2706. Anonymous wrote, Matt, you said that admitted students who send their complete forms accepting the offer will receive a reply. What about international students? Is this reply an e-mail, sent through snail mail or DHL? Im told the Records Office puts an Air Mail stamp on the post card. Anonymous had two questions: 1. Im committed to studying over extra-curricular activities (personally I believe academics > all, and as long as theres studying to be done I dont let anything distract me). Is there then opportunity for endless study at MIT? Because Ive always taken the hardest path in High School, doing the toughest courses and reading every required material (and sometimes a bit more), and Im slightly worried if MITs academic work is limited only by myself, I may never keep this up.2. Its written in the CalTech website how students studying Biology find themselves doing questions which Physics majors do in other universities. Just how tough is MIT? If I score 800s in all my SAT IIs, will it be easy to acclimatize? Is it normal to require hours upon hours of work to understand a concept / finish an assignment? 1. I do think that, to some extent, there is opportunity for endless study at MIT, and that MITs work is only limited by yourself. Ack! But, dont fear. The biggest lesson of freshman year at MIT is time management in all senses of the phrase. The upperclassmen in your dorm will be of great help with this. People who come to MIT pretty quickly learn how to balance academics/research, fun, and, well, sleep. I am very confident that you, too, will learn this, and everything will be fine. 2. MIT is meant to be a challenging place. Thats why people come here to see what theyre really capable of. I for one think college would be pretty boring if people werent really pushed academically. As for acclimatization, we only admit students who we honestly believe can not only get by here but also really thrive. Most everyone comes to MIT like you a bit afraid of the work but nearly everyone succeeds in their freshman year and goes on to graduate. You can do it. And how many hours does it take to do a problem set or understand a concept? It depends. Sometimes everything clicks, sometimes it takes much more time. But by working collaboratively with your peers, being very attentive in lecture and recitation, and seeking out help when you need it, youll be able to succeed and balance all that you hope to do. Christine wrote, Hi, I sent in my letter about two weeks ago but have yet to receive my return postcard. Im getting kinda worried because May 1 is drawing nearshould I call and ask Admissions whether theyve gotten it? Hi Christine, I cant check on it myself since I dont know which of the several Christines you are, but you can absolutely feel free to call the Admissions Office to check on things. Mergen 10 wrote, Hello! I sent my admission reply form to MIT about ten days ago by EMS (Express Mail Service). I am wondering if it reached MIT. Yes! You are officially a part of the Class of 2010. Daniel P 10 wrote, Just wanted to verify that my response form was received. Yes! You, too, are officially a part of the Class of 2010. Elliot wrote, I have one week to decide between MIT and Stanford. This will be a very hard decision to make since I do not know everything about both schools. I was fortunate enough to visit MITs campus and meet its people. All I need to know from MIT is my financial aid award. Could you please look into this? As for Stanford, I unfortunately cannot visit their campus because my state math competition conflicted with their Admit Weekend and I will not have much luck arranging a trip this week. I am afraid of making a premature decision given that I learned much more about MIT than Stanford. As of now, MIT is my personal favorite for a seemingly unfair reason. Do you have any advice for someone who is deciding between a school that he/she has never visited (and cannot visit in the immediate future) and another school he/she got to know very well? Elliot, for financial aid, see the email I sent you. And as for Stanford, well, youve got two great choices, and probably cant go wrong either way. To get to know Stanford better, Id check out their student blogs (both the ones on the Admit site and maybe some on LiveJournal/Xanga); call the Admissions Office and ask them to have a student with similar interests to you contact you; and ask some of the alumni of your school who have chosen Stanford (and MIT) why they made the choice they did, and what their advice is for you. Good luck with your choice! Serdar wrote, I havent recieved my financial aid package yet. Can you e-mail it to me? Thank you. Yes! The Financial Aid Office is on the case. akgirl asked, Is it possible to post receipt of acceptances on individual myMIT sites? Financial aid does this and such notification would reduce the stress level given the inconsistencies of mail service in various parts of the world. Youre absolutely right. At your suggestion, we have asked to have this implemented next year. (We may even call it The Official akgirl Enrollment Form Viewer ;) ) Anonymous wrote, Matt, seconding what akgirl said, could it be possible for international students to track the progress of theirs I-20. I know there is a similar option in the International Students Office Website but we have to make a formal request of revision and according to the ISO it may take up to two weeks to receive response. It would be nicer if we could just know. After all, we international are not complete sure if we will be able to attend until we have a visa seal on our passports, arent we? Anon, the visa process is handled completely by the International Students Office and not by Admissions. You should send any suggestions, ideas, or questions to them at iso-help at mit dot edu. I also get the sense you are very worried about getting your visa. This is completely understandable, especially in the current political climate, but I assure you that our International Students Office is extremely good at what they do. In each of the past two years, the ISO tells me, there have been exactly 0 visa problems for our incoming freshmen. Every one of them got a visa and came to MIT and the US without a problem. So you can relax a little bit. I hope this is helpful! Courtney wrote, As someone whos not firmly a science/math/tech/engineering/econ major (or, for that matter, not firmly anything at all), its been reassuring to hear the affirmation of the humanities programs at MIT. Im deciding between MIT and Princeton right now, and I think a big factor in my decision will be about cross-registering at MIT. I dont want to say that MITs English departments are subpar or anything, but theres something to be said about liberal arts colleges courses. How easy/common/accepted is it to cross-register at Harvard? I hope this question doesnt come off the wrong way; Im mostly leaning towards MIT, but just want to ensure I get the full college exploration experience. As a MIT alum who cross registered at Harvard, I can tell you that it was extremely easy to cross register, and is very accepted on campus. The trickiest part of cross-registration is arranging your schedule, since 1) you have to allow time to get to the other school, and 2) the other schools have somewhat different schedules. Beyond that, the process is simple and great. While I love MIT with all my heart, Im glad I took the opportunity to take a course at Harvard, and wish I had also made the time for myself to do one at Wellesley (or invent a time machine so I could have participated in the Cambridge-MIT exchange). Evelyn wrote, I have to ask! HOW ARE THE PARTIES AT MIT and WHAT IS THE SOCIAL SCENE LIKE?! Im a party animal (if you will) and I have to know. The thought of locking myself in my room for days on end doesnt exactly appeal to me. I need to go out and have fun. Hi Evelyn, this is quite the common question. Im going to have some folks help me out with this one expect a phone call soon from an MIT student familiar with the social scene, and Ive also pasted in a response from one of my favorite students, Monica 08. But first, my quick take: the social scene is varied. Theres everything from Friday night blowout parties to Friday night DD. The structure of the MIT residence system and the MIT social scene is such that everyone from the introvert to the extrovert, the geek to the party animal, can really enjoy themselves here. Looking back at my freshman year, I didnt have much interest in big parties, more of an interest in just hanging out with my friends, eating, playing games, doing intramural sports, watching X-Files or Buffy the Vampire Slayer but yes, even I got to a toga party my freshman year =) Monica 08 adds, You can always find a party at MIT whether it be a few people in a dorm (or a huge dorm party), a group going out to a club in Boston, or hundreds of people in a fraternity. In fact, other more social colleges in Boston (BU, for example) are known to rely on MIT fraternity parties for their weekend fun. The parties themselves are quite diverse from jello wrestling to 80s parties to salsa/merengue to hip-hop to a battle of the bands I can go on forever. The extent of MITs social scene is definitely a surprise to newcomers on campus a very pleasant surprise :) Ill answer more questions tomorrow from undecided students; Im holding the remainder for the forthcoming Questions Omnibus. In the meantime, go enjoy Ben Jerrys Free Cone Day!