<p>I'm taking biomedical engineering at a state 4-year college starting in the fall. In the meantime, I've been doing tons of research on where i'm heading after I earn my Bachelor's degree. I'm fine with staying in my state college and being hired for work close to where I live, but if there's a chance (which there always is) that I can aim for something better then I'm going to do it. MIT, from what I've read, seems like a paradise for those who are interested in math and science. The problem is, I can't afford it unless I get a full scholarship or something close to full payment of the school. I plan on joining clubs and performing community service like I already do, but I know everything pretty much rests on the grades I receive. I've been hearing that a 3.9 GPA after four years can land me one of those scholarships I desperately desire to go to MIT. That sounds very, very difficult. Is there anything I need to know about MIT or the difficult feat I wish to accomplish before I start college?</p>
<p>Actually, graduate students in science and engineering are routinely supported by full financial aid packages plus a stipend -- they're paid to be graduate students, and they don't have to pay the school anything.</p>
<p>The biological engineering department's website says
[quote=<a href="http://web.mit.edu/be/education/finaid.htm">http://web.mit.edu/be/education/finaid.htm</a>]
All applicants to the Biological Engineering graduate programs are considered for full financial support regardless of personal resources or citizenship... the support provided by such appointments usually includes full or partial tuition and a stipend.
[/quote]
This isn't unusual, nor is it any special scholarship; full funding is pretty routine for science and engineering PhD programs.</p>
<p>Graduate admissions in science and engineering are based primarily on grades, GRE scores, faculty recommendations, and (paramountly) research experience. Joining clubs and performing community service may fulfill you personally, but they will not help you get into graduate school.</p>
<p>molliebatmit--- would starting a club that turns into a department's official club be anything that could help me get into a grad school like MIT?</p>
<p>
[quote]
would starting a club that turns into a department's official club be anything that could help me get into a grad school like MIT?
[/quote]
that is the sort of thing that helps you when you apply to college, but does not have any effect at all when you apply to grad school. Grads schools don't care about "well-rounded" or "contributes to the community". You would be better off getting involved in whatever undergraduate research opportunities there are at your school.</p>