<p>Well this is really my 1st time in these boards but ill just get right to the point. I live in the Syosset district of NY which is known for its top scores on all the standerized tests we take here. When I was little I was always interested in computers and I knew I wanted to be in MIT since I was in the 4th grade. Well in 7th grade I didn't really try to my fullest extent and I never got any honors for the 8th grade term. Well this year I got all honors for 9th grade except in science because I will be taking the earth science taken as an honors course in 8th grade at 9th grade anyway. I know science is a very important factor at MIT so I know I will be trying to get honors for the 10th grade but I will be like a year behind all the students that did take honors in 8th grade and I was wondering if I do even have a chance for MIT . I know it kinda seems way to early to even think about college but I am just really curious whether I will even be considerated by their admission officers. Thanks.</p>
<p>Do not worry about science for 9th, you will always have the opportunity to add honors science in 10th if you decide it is right for you. Also, if science turns out to be a passion for you you can add aditional science courses for electives.</p>
<p>Just enjoy your Hs experience, try your best and explore what you love.</p>
<p>good luck!</p>
<p>Alright thanks. That really sounds most assuring to me =]</p>
<p>I think for science or math at MIT you need to stay not only with the top group at your high school, but be at the head of it. If that is what you wish to study, and where you want to go, doing extra work to accomplish this should be natural for you and also a pleasure. You can take a class over the summer to catch up on your position with your more academic classmates, and for fun. For a school like that you need to have taken the most rigorous course load available at your high school by the time you apply. Getting on the most rigorous track early is wise. I don't think you are thinking too soon about this at all. Have a blast in high school by working your tail off and challenging yourself. Good luck! :-)</p>
<p>Ahh thanks for the reply! I will actually check in if my school does offer a summer earth science class so I can take bio next year. Or if that isn't available I guess I will just pile myself upon textbooks and start reading to ace earth science next year.</p>
<p>I totally agree: Take Earth Science in summer school if you can. My son took geometry the summer before 9th grade in order to advance a year and it was well worth it.</p>
<p>You know, I'm actually a senior at Syosset right now.</p>
<p>I'm not sure if you can get exempted by taking a summer course (but if you can, then go for it). If you can't, then take 2 sciences in senior year if it's that important to you (Physics B and Bio/Chem, it cannot be Physics C). If you end up taking Bio in 9th grade, then you'll only be taking 1 science in 12th grade as opposed to do. But as posted before, just enjoy yourself and good things will come to you.</p>
<p>The math sequence is also extremely important - there's a course called Math Theory for juniors and Calc BC for seniors. There are only 50 kids who take Theory and 25 who take BC each year. And it just seems like all the top kids end up there. Half the class goes to Ivies and the other half go to other top schools like Emory and Duke. But this still way too early to worry about that. You'll figure things out for yourself.</p>
<p>Oh thats really cool. I guess everything will just click in once I go to the high school next year.</p>
<p>Keep in mind many of the top schools don't even really count your fresh year gpa! Is science your favorie subject?? Again you will have many options to add science , and if taking over the summer, why not do it sophmore year when colleges would actually look at it?</p>
<p>Math is my most favriote subject over science and then follows science.</p>
<p>I'm admitted into MIT and yet our school only offers 5 APs and isn't a school that traditionally sends a lot of students to HYPSMC anyway. Probably your high school is more competitive than mine - but my point is, when colleges evaluate your application, they are not looking for a full AP courseload necessarily, but rather how you have made use of the resources available to you. </p>
<p>Just keep in mind to stay at the top of your class in terms of math and science for the next 4 years. One course in freshman year will not make a difference, but if you are going to fall behind in the sequence of courses, then try to find other methods of advancing. But you DO NOT have to be in ALL of the top classes to get into MIT - what you do need is a "most demanding courseload" (which means your courseload (sum of all the classes) should be the top in your graduating year). Keep these points in mind, and follow Edwardz's suggestions. </p>
<p>You do not have to be the most amazing person alive to get into MIT. MIT looks for passion, not just outstanding scores and academic record (although that is generally a prerequisite).</p>
<p>Thanks oasis. So in summary try to take the most difficult course as possible and aim for an A in the course? And to reply to the part of saying that I will be behind everyone in my class in freshman year since I will be taking earth science next year while the honors students are taking biology, if I get moved up to honors for the 10th grade which will definetly happen, I will be with 9th graders taking biology. I really don't think there is anyway around this unless taking a summer course so I will be with the rest of my class but that isn't likely. My friend who is in the 8th grade with me but takes 9th grade math + science says I don't have to take science in the 12th grade if I don't want to but if I want I can take AP Physics which I actually wan't to take.</p>
<p>a 13-14 year old should not be worrying about college. you'll still got 4 more years, relax man!</p>
<p>Yeah but theres nothing wrong to be ahead of everyone :P I really wan't to get the best classes as possible for admission there!</p>
<p>An eighth grader shouldn't be worrying about college, but an eighth grader should be aware of what colleges want, and it sound like the OP is doing exactly that.</p>
<p>I still recommend taking Earth Science this summer, if you can. College DO care about your freshman grades -- it's not like they throw them out -- and they DO care about which courses you're taking. So if you can advance to Bio with the rest of the Honors kids, that's what you should do.</p>
<p>Another question: In our school system, the kids who go straight into Bio in 9th grade never even take Earth Science at all. Is it truly necessary for you to even take the course? Since you did well in eighth grade science, can't you just get your science teacher to recommend you for Bio?</p>
<p>Yes I am forced to take Earth Science next year sadly. I already asked my teacher a week or two ago and he said there is no possible way around it.</p>
<p>In my middle school, we take integrated Earth science/Environmental foundations Honors in 8th grade, and Bio in 9th.</p>
<p>I'm really not sure if I can take 2 science courses in the 12th grade to catch up to the science I fell behind in. If thats possible then I can feel reassured and wont be all tense anymore to know that.</p>
<p>You are a very motivated person - no matter what happens I know you will be successful.</p>