Black Guy/MIT, Do I have a Chance?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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<p>I'm a junior. Black, male, first-gen status. I also reside in VA. I had some issues as a freshman so I'm a bit worried about the application process. So I need some expert advice on my chances.
Freshman Year: 2.75 GPA, 2 Unweighted Honors Courses.
Sophomore Year: 3.57 GPA, 2 Unweighted Honors Courses.
Junior Year(Current): Business/Finance A, Spanish 3 B, Physics Honors A. AP Macroeconomics B, AP Microeconomics A, AP English Language B+, PreCalculus Honors B+, US VA History A
Unweighted GPA:3.714 Weighted GPA:3.857 My school doesn't weight honors.
So my cumulative GPA is going to be low because of freshman year: 3.3
However my school does not rank its students.</p>

<p>EC's: National Business Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of America (Vice President), Science Honor Society, Freshman Basketball (Captain), JV Basketball (Co-Captain), Winter Varsity Track & Field, Spring Varsity Track & Field, DECA, Junior Math Team, Senior Math Team, AAU Basketball, Travel Soccer. Teach Kindergarten Sunday School every week. Volunteer at local library. I will probably gain more leadership positions as a Senior.
I have excellent recs, from the hardest teachers at my school. My essay will be above average explaining freshman year troubles.</p>

<p>SAT's: 2100 (going to improve to at least 2200) Math:720, WR:710, CR:670. I still have to take Math Level 2, Physics, and maybe Literature.
I will probably major in Finance while minoring in something Science related.
Schools I plan on Applying to: MIT, UVA, UPenn, VTech, James Madison, William & Mary, Boston U, Northeastern, Cornell, Boston College, Fordham. I wasn't even thinking of applying until I received a letter from Bryan G. Nance (Director of Minority Recruitment) stating their interest. I know it's not a guarantee but do I have a chance? Thanks</p>

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<p>Bryan Nance is awesome! I hope you actually get to meet him at some point.</p>

<p>Your freshman year GPA is dragging you down and could certainly hurt. If you can explain it, that definitely helps. It might make a good "overcoming failure" essay. But if your teachers or counselor who are writing recs can explain it too, that might be even better. Student claims sound more believable when they are backed up.</p>

<p>There are a lot of first-gens at MIT - more than top-level colleges usually have, though I don't remember the actual numbers. You would be in good company.</p>

<p>Your dedication to sports is a sign of certain character traits MIT looks for (e.g. work ethic, discipline). You don't really need more leadership positions, though if you're motivated to obtain more, more power to you.</p>

<p>Don't worry about the weighted/unweighted GPA thing. Most colleges, including MIT, will recalculate your GPA according to their own scale, because there are too many different scales out there otherwise.</p>

<p>You're certainly not a sure thing, but I don't think you're out of the pool either. Keep doing well in classes, get very strong recs, and do very well on the SAT IIs.</p>

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<p>more opinions on whether i should apply to MIT would be nice</p>

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<p>Yes, I think you should apply. But don't waste your essay "explaining your freshman year troubles." That could be handled in a section for additional information, or your guidance counselor could explain how you have gone beyond the problems of your freshman year.</p>

<p>Instead, use the essay to highlight positive aspects of your accomplishments and interests--give them a reason to admit you.</p>

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<p>Added comment: Actually, I guess the MIT application may have a section where it would fit, to write about your freshman year. But still, I think you should put the emphasis on how you bounced back from a difficult situation.</p>