A Few Q's

Colleges and Universities A-Z Massachusetts Institute of Technology
1

<p>So, all of my boxes (other than midyear report) are checked in my to-do list on the MIT site. I was wondering when admissions decisions come and what the importance of the midyear report is (since if it is important, it might be in my favor since I'm applying as a junior and have As in my IB classes). </p>

<p>Also, how do I stand as a competitive applicant? </p>

<p>Few Quick Stats (important stuff)</p>

<p>ACT: 34, 35 math, 34 english, 34 science, 31 reading</p>

<p>SAT I: 2200, 800 math, 680 reading, 720 writing</p>

<p>SAT II: 800 math II, 760 Physics</p>

<p>Class Rank: 1/146ish, GPA weighted: 4.83/5, GPA unweighted: 4/4</p>

<p>Class President fr and soph years, USA(J)MO qualifier (only one in 80 mile radius ever), 2 time AIME, Metroplex Math Circle Assistant, Key Club President this year, Copy Editor for Newspaper, Math/Science/Comp Sci team, state champion in TMSCA math, numbersense, and calculator contests</p>

<p>essays were not stellar but they did demonstrate my character and goals well (eagerness for an open world and to make education more accessible to all)</p>

<p>Thanks,
and good luck to all other Apps, hope I can see you at the Institute someday :)</p>

2

<p>If you applied early, you’ll hear back mid-December. You’re a competitive applicant as far as scores and activities go. Since you’re a junior, them having some IB grades probably would’ve been better - but I’d wager it likely that you’d get deferred EA and they’ll have your grades to make RA decisions.</p>

<p>Having strong essays is important, as are rec’s and an interview (which you didn’t mention?) - it’s unclear what you mean by “not stellar”.</p>

3

<p>Alright, let me clarify, and thanks for the response!
My essays are not stellar as they aren’t as clever as some of the other applicants. They’re good, though, in that they clearly portray the type of person I am. (Generally laid back, sociable, active in society, strong efforts toward helping society) My recommendations will be top-notch as I am the best math student my math teacher has had, and we have more of a peer relationship in which we both help each other learn more mathematics, and I am one of the top writers my English teacher has, and among the other top writers in my class, I am more laid back, accept when I am wrong, and don’t grub for a few points like some of the other students who care more about grades than knowledge. I also have a recommendation from a professor at UTD, Titu Andreescu, who knows me quite well (I help at math circle every weekend and I have been to 4 of his 3-week long summer programs) and who is quite well known (Former Romanian Minister of Education, creator of several olympiad level mathematics texts–and I mean like 30+, and was once the coach for the USA IMO team and director of the AMC contests).
I think all of these teachers and mentors have depict me in a straight forward manner, and I believe they all have very good things to say about me as I do them. So, I am guessing my recs will be like top 1 or 2%.</p>

4

<p>Hey, I know Titu! He’s the man. He used to be my old math team coach back when his beard wasn’t gray.</p>

<p>Btw, your record is great. You should get in. I don’t know if you will though. Either way, don’t change how you approach your classes in college.</p>

5

<p>Thanks! Titu’s command of problems excites me. I hope that someday I can be as good as what I do as he is. His knowledge is amazing, and I love that he has dedicated his life to spreading it.</p>

<p>Also: My interview went great. I think I impressed my interviewer, and he was quite awesome, so I hope I can keep in contact with him after the admissions process is over.</p>