Bad GPA, do I still have a chance?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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<p>I was wondering if I still have a chance at MIT. I have a "low" GPA for MIT, around a 80-90 and a class rank around 30-40 out of 353. I'm still a sophomore. I seriously don't have time to keep up with all of my school work. I have a job (computer related) to help pay the bills at home (4 PM-8 PM), do research (Majority of my Summer), and do volunteer work 2-3 times a week at the local cancer center which I do at usually 11 AM to 3 AM (minimal sleep these days) and is something I take very personally. I'm very dedicated to my research which has to do with computational oncology and is something that I want to pursue and I hope that shows as my true passion to the folks in admissions @ MIT. </p>

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<p><a href=“Reminder: No one, not even me, can give you an accurate chance at MIT! - Massachusetts Institute of Technology - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/massachusetts-institute-technology/939227-reminder-no-one-not-even-me-can-give-you-an-accurate-chance-at-mit-p1.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>While there may seem to be a minimum GPA to get into MIT, “the only way to have a 0% chance is to not apply.” From reading the decisions threads, it is apparent that even those with a high GPA can still get rejected. </p>

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<p>It sounds to me like you needing to work to pay your bills is interfering with your schoolwork. Is that correct?</p>

<p>You absolutely do have a chance. Not a high one (no one has a high chance). But if I’m interpreting you correctly, then you should absolutely talk about your work/schoolwork situation. </p>

<p>Your scores and rank also don’t sound abysmal. You’re top 10% and sound like you have an A/B average. I think with your circumstances, it’s definitely possible to get admitted.</p>

<p>As nvruseaim mentioned, you’ll only have a 0% chance if you don’t try.</p>

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<p>The benefits of sleep are just beginning to be understood, but there have been recent reports that lack of sleep it may permanently damage the brain. It is known that lack of sleep during the teenage years stunts growth; no one knows what it does to cognitive development. I would stop doing volunteer work at this hour. Frankly, it doesn’t sound like you really have the time for this volunteer work during the academic year.</p>

<p>Ask yourself this question: what would you be doing now in order to prepare yourself to be a cancer researcher in 15 years? Is the volunteer work helping or hurting this goal?</p>

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<p>To be honest, if you prioritize things over schoolwork, it may be that you don’t have a chance. </p>

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<p>^ I disagree. Entirely depends on your situation in life and how much education you can get under the circumstances.</p>

<p>I do agree that it might be worth dropping volunteering.</p>

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<p>My GPA was not that great, and neither was my rank. Make sure you stay in the top 10%. Do what you think is right and do the things that you are passionate about. If the volunteering is something you are passionate about then keep volunteering. Just be you.</p>