Pi, Pie, and Writing
Julia Freer
I help sustainability-minded manufacturers position themselves as the industry leaders they know they can be | Consultant | Author | Speaker
Today, March 14, is Pi day, and I’m hosting a meeting of the Seattle Chapter of the Nonfiction Authors Association. I don’t usually bring snacks or treats to the meeting, but last night I baked a pie. It just felt right.
This isn’t a meeting of mathematicians, engineers, or scientists. My guests are more likely to have majored in English than math. But eating pie to celebrate Pi day only makes sense in English. The custom doesn’t translate well into other languages.
2014 was the first year that Pi day held a personal meaning for me. This is the day when high-achieving high school seniors find out whether they have been admitted to MIT. In October 2013 my older son applied to MIT early admission and got deferred. That meant that he had to wait until March 14 to learn his fate. He was crushed when he learned that he was waitlisted. He was clearly perfectly qualified to attend MIT, but for reasons we will never know, the admissions committee awarded those coveted few spots to other students.
What seemed at the time to be a horrible blow was a blessing in disguise. In two months my son will graduate from Harvey Mudd College with a B.S. in math. I am so proud of him, and Mudd has been a perfect choice. I’m glad he didn’t get into MIT. He could have done well there, but I don’t think he would have thrived and found his people the same way he has at Mudd. The collaborative environment is something special. I should know. In April I will be returning to campus for alumni weekend to celebrate my 30th reunion. I graduated the year that physicist Larry Shaw invented Pi day celebrations.
To all those aspiring high school seniors: If MIT granted you admission, congratulations! If not, rest assured that in time the disappointment will fade. I hope you will blossom at whatever college is the best fit for you.
To all those aspiring nonfiction authors: If you’re in Seattle, come to this afternoon’s meeting. Learn about tools and strategies to organize your book, gain inspiration from authors who have traveled this road, and enjoy some delicious pie!