Over the past 5 years, I’ve read >1,000 letters of recommendation to grad programs in MIT - mostly EECS, Media Lab, and MechE. Since it's letter-writing season, here is some concrete advice for anyone writing letters based on my experience In nutshell:

1- Letters of recommendations matter A LOT
2- Deeper letters go *much* further
3- It’s important to give reference points if you have any

I'll elaborate in this long thread

The semester is about to start, so here are 10 (non-exhaustive) tips for new professors (esp in STEM). I've picked them up by experimenting in the classroom + co-teaching with superstars. They made my teaching experience fulfilling & resulted in (near-)perfect course evals at MIT 1- Be kind to students. This one is really simple but goes a long way. In class, office hours, emails/Piazza/Slack.

Since my previous thread on PhD admissions has been widely shared, I've gotten a number of questions. So, I'd like to make few clarifications, esp that some elements of my previous tweet felt discouraging, whereas my goal is to increase transparency & access to information

1/12 For some people, it sounded like you need a perfect GPA with a letter from a Turning awardee to get into a Ph.D. program. Let me start by saying that is certainly not the case

2/12

I've been serving on grad admissions committees at MIT for 5 years - in EECS and Media Lab

If you want to get into a PhD at a place like MIT, here's a thread with some advice based on my observations

1/13 1. Grades do matter, especially in courses that are important for your chosen field

2. Research matters, even more than grades

3. Publications matter, but letters of recommendation matter even more

4. Your statement of purpose should be the cherry on top of the cake

2/13