<p>My GPA is a 3.955 UW, and I'm in the top quintile of my class. I will have taken 7 APs by the time I graduate. Scored two 4s in APUSH (after 1 sem.) and Bio.</p>
<p>My main extracurricular is rowing. I'm the team captain, and I have several nationally-respected results. Additionally, I'm a recruit at MIT, and have gone on a recruiting visit.</p>
<p>Also, I have done over 100 hours of community service. This has been mainly at a camp for disabled children. The second-largest proportion has been completed at food banks. I'm part of an environmental club at school.</p>
<p>Do I have any chances of getting in? I don't have any USAMO, Intel, etc. I'd just like a fair chance. My intended major is BioE or CS. If it means anything, I will be very likely applying EA.</p>
<p>If MIT isn't right for me, or if you have any suggestions about where else to apply, please, let me know.</p>
<p>No, you do not need national awards to get into MIT. However, your scores are really low for MIT; you should retake it to get a 34+ on math. What do you want to major in?</p>
<p>Your odds are not as bad as Calendar makes it out to be. Though they are not great. You are a white male, men have a much lower chance of getting in then women and the same with being white vs. a URM. Your ACT is fine (if I remember correctly it is within their averages) and the same with your grades. The issue I see is the ECs. Each year they get thousands of applicants with great grades and scores, what sets you apart? If you can somehow relate rowing to something that would be appealing to MIT I think that would help you. I know I use math and science without realizing it all the time (I just realized this past week how much chemistry is involved in golf course upkeep when I was explaining some stuff to the kids I coach). If you can do that and stick it in your essay I think that might help a bit.</p>
<p>ACT math is actually pretty good for an athlete. Take it one more time and really focus on the science and math. If you hit 34 on both, you’re probably in. I’d say you have a pretty good shot, as long as your teacher recs are glowing.
Also, see if your like Duke/Johns Hopkins. Duke has a great bio department, but its kind of cut off from a big city and Johns Hopkins has probably one of the best engineering schools in the world, and is pretty close to DC if you want that city environment. Also, Carnegie Mellon would probably be a match for you, and its 2 minutes from Pittsburgh.</p>
<p>My brother took robotics at MIT and I’m from Mass. It’s very difficult to get in. To be honest, I think your scores are low. Sorry
Chance me back?</p>
<p>First of all, the ACT scores aren’t incredible, but, they aren’t horrible either.</p>
<p>Nice GPA, but, maybe too few APs (but, this shouldn’t matter as long as you took what your school could offer).</p>
<p>As for ECs, I understand rowing, but, there’s nothing that shows passion for engineering. You really need to have a zeal and burning desire to do something in engineering. I’m not saying that you don’t have it, its just that your application doesn’t show it.</p>
<p>Would I apply? Yes. Would it be a safety/reach? No.</p>
<p>@engarde It’s not that my application won’t show it - I have experience shadowing various professions, etc - it’s that I chose not to post it. I though this would be more a numbers game at first. I was hoping that I’d pass the initial screening. Also, safety and reach are polar opposites. I think you meant match.</p>
<p>Yes, this is the hardest course possible at my school. I think we have about 2 APs I didn’t take (including Calc AB - I’m taking BC).</p>
<p>Maybe I should add that I’m a fluent speaker of Polish, and that I’m a first gen American.</p>
<p>I’m not completely familiar with how competitive the process is for recruits, but your stats look pretty good to me. There’s a little room for improvement in your math score, and your lack of awards could also be a little detrimental, but I think it’s really a luck of the draw type deal. You’re odds are definitely not as bad as the first poster painted them out to be. I think you stand a decent shot.</p>
<p>Yes, but MIT does not consider composites scores. If they did, they would superscore (which would equal a 33). They only look at highest subsections. </p>
<p>I JUST got my ACT writing score. My combined is a 32, with a 9 essay.</p>
<p>Your GPA and your athletic achievements are solid, and your ACT score is not bad either. I think you have a decent chance if you show them in your essay how science and math are important to you. Really show them passion. Best of luck!</p>
<p>Your scores are a little low… MIT is soo competitive, and the top top students from across the country apply there. I would retake the SAT and ACT, and really study/practice the tests beforehand. Good luck!!</p>
<p>For a school like MIT though, achievements and accomplishments matter more than what you say on an essay. You really need to show that you’ve done well in these subjects. Anyone can say they have a passion in something, few can prove it. And those few go to MIT. You won’t be going to MIT sir.</p>
<p>You guys really don’t know what happens in the admissions office so don’t tell him he won’t get in. MIT is not all about international awards and super high test scores. They like to see people recover from serious adversity or unfavorable backgrounds. I know a guy low SATs 1840 and no money whatsoever but to everyones surprise he got in. Just have something that makes you stand out from the crowd. Most people would just tell you anything to get chance backs. But if you don’t have any of those then your chances are indeed very low. Increase your ACT to at least a 34.</p>