Chance for MIT

Colleges and Universities A-Z Massachusetts Institute of Technology
1

<p>Hey everybody. It's the usual "Do I stand a chance?" or "What are my chances at getting into so and so" type of thread... </p>

<p>So I'm a junior in high school, starting my second semester. I come from the rural towns of Illinois with really no head way into this world. My three older siblings have all tampered with drugs, two of them having served some time in jail and in prison. My mom went a good high school in Pennsylvania, but dropped out as a junior and has been basically a waiter her entire life. Just now is she going to a CC to become a nurse. My dad on the other hand is a truck driver whom has been not a significant part of my life: hanging out on a weekend every now and then. Not to mention my mom has seven children, the older of which have moved out a little while ago. (Oldest is 27). So as you can tell, I haven't had the greatest of upbringings, but that's just a little back story to my life.</p>

<p>Now, for the education part of this, just know over half the people in my town(s) are pot-heads. The rest our mainly average and just get by. I'm sorta like a shiny penny in a pond of rocks. I've seen posts about people getting awards, being part of competitions, winning and being the best of the best and yadda yadda. I don't have any of those opportunities from where I'm from. My town has 800 people in it. I'm assuming this would hinder my chances at getting into MIT or Caltech for that matter. I've tried to use up every possible resource at my disposal to get ahead with what I've been given.</p>

<p>I just recently took the ACT and got a 33 composite, 30 English, 35 Math, 32 Reading, 34 Science, and 8 in writing. Now I know that isn't the best and people have gotten in with less, but I figure anything could help me. My backwards school has its head in its ass. The guys don't care about grades and worry more about college football than anything. It's more worried about kids causing trouble and tardies than actually preparing us for college. We like to call it prison. </p>

<p>As a freshmen, I took all the classes offered to me, World History, English I, Biology, Geometry, Band (I play trombone and am pretty good at piano), PE, Speech, and Health. I finished with a class rank of 5, having a horde of girls in front of me who over-do it in extra credit. I was bored with school already. So, during the summer, I took trigonometry at the local community college and managed to get 104% in it. It was pretty easy.</p>

<p>Come Sophomore year, I start off with everybody thinking I'm a "Frickin' genius" just because I did that. Hope that better cements the position I'm in. As I know I'm not a genius, I ended up taking College Algebra first semester and Calculus I (I'm assuming that's the equivalent to AP Calc AB), getting an A in both. The teacher was terrible. I took two sciences, wanting to take three, but couldn't fit it into my schedule. Got an A in Anatomy and Physiology, once again, absolutely terrible teacher. Then got an A in Chemisty, and another terrible teacher, thank god she retired. So I'm sitting at straight A's for my two years in highschool, having pushed my class rank to number three. (Out of 73 kids, remember, it's based on GPA, not the rigor of the classes). </p>

<p>Now for my Junior year. I took an online Statistics course through the CC. It wasn't hard at all. The only reason I got a high B in the class was because 1) I never once spoke to the "instructor", nor did she reply to my emails 2) I didn't a chance to see any of my tests to find out what I was not doing right. So basically it was self taught. I'm currently taking 1 AP class, Biology. (Only one offered at our school) and two other sciences, Chemistry II and Physics II. (I skipped our Algebra II and Physics I). The Chem and Physics are taught by the same guy fresh out of college and intended them to be of AP difficulty so we could take the AP class. So technically I'm taking the only three AP classes offered by my high school. </p>

<p>I know this post has been a drag and wouldn't expect most of you to read through it, but if you've made it this far, I appreciate the time spent. (: Now, the second semester is starting, and I'm going to be taking Calc BC at the CC, during school hours. The idiotic school ran out of math classes for me to take and won't pay for the class nor my gas to go out and take the class. My family can barely afford it, yet we can afford some nice phones... (WTH?) Anyways, after I finished that class, I intend to take the AP tests for the following: AB Calc, BC Calc, Physics B, Stats, Biology, and Chemistry. Nothing has been done by a kid in my school like this. That sums up my Junior year. </p>

<p>To be brief for my Senior year, the new science teacher wants to do an independent study with me. Including E and M, Mechanics, and organic chemistry. I intend to take Diff. EQ fall of 2012 and Calc 3 in the spring for my math courses. I also intend to take AP History if the school intends to offer it. College English is on my list too. Since, jumping back to my junior year, I have three periods of the day where I have no classes and it worked out perfectly that was when Calc BC was offered, I must drive to college 3 times a week. I moved the class I would have taken in that allotted time period to my senior year, having it be Consumer's Education. That sums up my Senior year.</p>

<p>I'm a member of the National Honors Society. That probably means absolutely nothing because it's a complete waste of my time because we do absolutely nothing. I participate in band as I have said. I intend to take the SAT tests sometime my Senior year and hope to score well on them.</p>

<p>I'm not above average, I just like to push myself and succeed. I do believe I am creative, visual, and independent. The only push I've had my entire life was from my dad saying I need to get a good college education. Otherwise, it's been just all me. Of course, it's nice to feel dominant to your peers. </p>

<p>So... concluding this drab nonsense... Do I have a chance... Well, I know I have a chance... but I'd like some opinions... I would love to get out of this state, Illinois if one doesn't remember, and go to an amazing college. Given my circumstances... Oh lordy...</p>

2

<p>If your income is below 60k, then definitely look at applying through Questbridge. You have an interesting story, undoubtedly. Good on you for working hard and staying out of trouble :-). I would recommend taking your SAT in May or June this year and then again in your senior year, if you want. Don’t leave your scores up to one time taking it.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

3

<p>Bobvonbobby,</p>

<p>Are you sure you do not want go to Yale or Penn and major in creative writing? You have a nice writing style (think Gary Shteyngart). But back to MIT. As I am sure you know, it is a crap shoot for almost anyone, but your story is amazing in many respects and there is nothing glaring that stands out as a major negative. Still, you are just a junior and doing well on the AP exams (I assume you are going to take three of them in May), especially Calculus b/c, will show MIT you are well equipped to handle the math. Two suggestions: any chance you could take the Physics C AP rather than Physics B (will look more impressive to MIT) and the ACT again or the SAT to try and improve your score, which is good as it stands. Good luck.</p>

4

<p>Muck,</p>

<p>I’m positive I do not want to go to any college other than one focused on Science and Math. I seriously call English and Writing my Achille’s heel. My mom on the other hand, she thinks I excel at everything I do. Which, technically I do, cause practically everybody around me is no competition. There is nothing I enjoy more than figuring out how things work. The entire course of trigonometry intrigued me beyond belief. Then there is physics, which is probably not my strongest suit, yet is something I’ve looked forward to since I was in middle school. Thanks for bringing up Physics C AP, for I forgot to mention it myself. Yes. I’m planning on taking the test next year after I finish up my independent studies. As they say, colleges want us to take the most rigorous of courses. Thanks for the support! Much appreciate an outside source other than my mom. Haha. (:</p>

5

<p>I second muckdogs’ comment on your writing - it’s quite entertaining.</p>

<p>But otherwise, I would say just keep doing what you’re doing. I also did the dual-enrollment pathway as my high school offerings were limited, and it worked out for me :). And, it sounds like my life has been way easier than yours, so your case is much more impressive anyways.</p>

<p>Use your essays to tell your story. You write well, so I’m sure they’ll come out well. The one thing I would suggest is to maybe layoff on the people around you a bit as you write. I come from a small town too (though not as small as yours), and I understand that it can be a bit stifling at times. But, in my opinion (which you should take with a grain of salt, as I really have no credibility), it’s best to focus on what you have learned from your circumstances rather than what - and especially who - you thought sucked about them.</p>

6

<p>Consider taking courses online via Stanford’s EPGY in addition to the CC classes. They offer AP classes and university level math (such as multivariable calc, diff eq, etc). It will give you more opportunities to expand your knowledge. Also, coming in Spring of 2012 (sometime soon), MIT is releasing their own online courses, search up MITx. Other than that, you obviously took the most rigorous courses offered to you.
Your ECs are too weak. Even if you have perfect SAT scores, it will be rough. Here are some suggestions even though it may be a little late.

  1. Start a math club at your school. Then sign your club up to compete in the AMC.
  2. Try to start and LEAD a community project. What does your town need? Get donations from major and minor stores in your town. Post your goals on Craigslist, etc. Get the word out about how you want to help your community. Be realistic though, obviously, trying to gather donations to start a full size library may be on the ridiculous side. In my town, group of kids helped create a skate park from donations from supermarkets and people in the community. </p>

<p>Just do something YOU love. Don’t do things just to impress colleges. </p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

7

<p>Im a junior, so my opinion doesnt count, but if I were an admissions officer and I read the essay you just put up (not intended to be derogatory) I’d accept you in a heartbeat.
I personally did not grow under your circumstances, but I lived on the other side (similar to ur classmates at school) and adopted a… party lifestyle… so I see that you have worked hard to avoid that crap. i dont know whether the admissions officers would feel the same, but I seriously see that you have potential, having lived the lifestyle u avoided. (kudos to u)</p>

<p>id suggest what jdroidxw said, and start a club or 2.
Definetly a math club if ur school doesnt have one. It seems to be ur favorite subject from my point of view (same here lol).
Community service wouldnt hurt, but that may be life risking in ur area no offense intended.
I feel that if you can put your story in an essay format within the wordlimits (id assume thats what colleges do, but Im a junior so forgive me if Im wrong) you would get in pretty well, and fin aid is something you should seriously apply for.</p>

8

<p>Don’t worry about it. I know that MIT specifically takes context into account when evaluating applications. A student in your circumstances is certainly not expected to be involved in the same amount of extracurriculars and AP classes, as say, a student who goes to an expensive boarding school. </p>

<p>In the meantime, all you can do is challenge yourself. Cultivate a hobby or a passion, and show MIT why you love to do what you do. Make opportunities for yourself, and don’t wait for them to come to you. Obviously, it’s going to be hard, but you seem to have demonstrated yourself as a conscientious worker.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>