You end up with a very West-Campus-dominant Ring Committee, as I so tactfully pointed out in this entry (which, incidentally, was one of the only admissions blog entries removed from the admissions website). This sounds like a pretty good system, right? Turns out, if you want a Ring Committee that represents all the aspects of campus and represents a diverse spread of interests that includes an entire class, you can't do a blind application process. They picked our committee based solely on merit and not on name or reputation. The class of 2011 class council picks the Ring Committee and used a blind application process. It's a big job, not one to be taken lightly, and this year there was all sorts of controversy surrounding the committee chosen to do the job. They decide the symbols that go on the ring, they draft the artwork, they work with the ring manufacturers (Balfour), they plan the delivery and premiere, and basically control what sits on our right ring finger for the rest of our lives. The whole process begins when the student council of the then freshman class announces the opportunity to apply to be a member of the "Ring Committee." The Brass Rat Ring Committee is solely responsible for all things Brass Rat. The different symbols are what make each class's rings unique and special. Iconic symbols, class years, and hidden messages are all common.
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In addition to all of the traditional aspects, each year's Brass Rat has a degree of customization that is specific to that graduating class. On the bezel is a beaver, on the shanks are the class year and "MIT," usually accompanied by a picture of the great dome and the MIT seal. The whole "Brass Rat Process" is deep rooted in tradition, highly involved, very procedural, and not something to be taken lightly.Įach year the Brass Rat has the same fundamental design. MIT students receive their rings during their sophomore year at MIT. Just ask Tony Stark, he made sure to wear his to his charity benefit in the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Job interviews, presentations, and wine&dines are all wonderful Brass Rat flashing moments. The Brass Rat is the "I go/went to MIT" sign that is a must have for almost all students. The Brass Rat gets its name from the large beaver on the bezel (bezel = top of ring) and the "brass" color of the gold ring. There are really only three rings that matter out there, the Super Bowl ring, the West Point ring, and the Brass Rat. The "Brass Rat" is the nickname given to MIT's class ring, one of the most famous, iconic, and heavy finger decorations you can get. In fact, they had something more, they had Brass Rats.
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Everybody had the shirts, the hoodies, the folders, and the yadda yadda yadda. Once I got to MIT it lost a certain amount of the prestige, not because it was any less amazing, but because I wasn't one of 12 people in the whole state that attended, I was one of 12,000. I started wearing MIT t-shirts, hoodies, using MIT folders, yadda yadda yadda. When I got into MIT it was a moment of instant prestige.