In this episode, MIT sophomore Stone Smith shares how he turned a deferral into a full acceptance—and how he’s navigating life as an aerospace engineering major, lacrosse player, and fraternity brother at one of the most demanding schools in the world.

We dive into the academic pressure of MIT’s pass/fail system, the challenges of an accelerated coding course, and the reality of managing sports, research, and social life all at once. Stone also talks about his work on a rocket team, his involvement in a NASA challenge, and the importance of showing genuine passion in college applications.

If you're curious about what it really takes to succeed—and stay grounded—at MIT, this episode is for you.