Can I get into MIT with Minimal Activites

Colleges and Universities A-Z Massachusetts Institute of Technology
1

Hello users,
As stated my extracurriculars are quite minimal. I used to do tennis year round since 8 to about the end of 10th grade at which point I just played for my school and more for fun than competitive tournaments. I did (and do) however play the first singles position since freshmen year and am the current captain. Other than that I joined some clubs (math team, chess, service club) in 10th grade but didnt do much in them (didnt have time before). I made it to state for chess if that counts. I have also done some volunteering. Other than that I have decent stats:
1560 sat super with 800 math 760 reading
36 act composite
800 math 2 and physics subject test
5 ap classes with all 5 except one four in english
4.55 gpa weighted, 4.0 unweighted

I interned last year over summer at a professional company and actually did work that got put in their project as well.

First gen.

Parents had violent divorce

I am also a questbridge scholar (low income) if that helps, but I didnt get in through the match.

Lately I have just been looking at some of the other posts for the high level schools and ivies and see all these people with crazy extracurriculars to which I cant even compare to so thats been making me wonder if I even have a chance at these top schools. I just never knew you needed professional research and to be captain of several things to get in; I always assumed good grades and tests scores and you’ll get in. And honestly even if I knew I wouldnt know where to look for these. I just want to know if I am wasting my time or should even get my hopes up in applying to these top schools. Thanks for reading.

Edit: I was never really that good at tennis. I was decent but the area is insane so I never got anywere. At sectionals each year I played the first seed so my chances at state where NIL

2

I read this back and realized I sound like a what are my chances. Read the first paragraph and the last non edit (the other big paragraph) to skip the stats. Sorry!

3

Just a hint: be sure to read the MIT admission blogs. They discuss much, spell it out well. You need to try to understand what matters to different colleges, especially those with massive competition. It’s more than stats.

4

I’d say you have as good a chance as anyone else. Please definitely apply to any and all schools you aspire to, making sure to keep some safeties in hand.

Admissions officers will evaluate your overall profile, extracurriculars and achievements in the context of your family background. It may be easy to get intimidated by the long list of achievements of others, but that should not deter you. Your life story and personal challenges seem to be unique. Your stats are very impressive, considering you may have received minimum adult guidance on the “right” things to do. The details about your life that you think are insignificant about you could become very deep and moving essays. Good luck! I’d love to hear how things went.