Chance/MIT Undergrad Econ

Colleges and Universities A-Z Massachusetts Institute of Technology
1

<p>Hi, I would like to ask you to please evaluate my pre-resume(?)/application for MIT</p>

<p>Race: Asian
Gender: Male
Status: International Student
School: a private high school
Region: Massachusetts</p>

<p>(I know being an Asian + international is as competitive as it gets when it comes to MIT admissions :/ )</p>

<p>I am planning on majoring in Economics and Applied Mathematics. (My preference is Economics.)</p>

<p>I have been looking for non-tech schools such as Columbia, UChicago, or Harvard. I like math and science, but I am not planning on majoring in any pure science related subjects.</p>

<p>SATs: Not yet, but it is most likely to fall in the 2250-2400 range.
GPA: 4.08/4.30 (about top 1.5%)
APs: 11APs (EuroHistory, USHistory, EngLang, EngLit, Chem, PhysicsC, Chinese, Music Theory, Economics, CalcBC, STATS)
+ maybe Multivariable Calculus at Harvard Extension School or any online program.
SAT2's: Math2 (800), Chem and USHistory (taking in may)</p>

<p>I hold leadership positions in some clubs,
participate in Model United Nations club (have attended national/regional/international conferences),
School musicals, jazz band
Math team (qualified for states, if this would help,,?)
Habitat for humanity (about 400 hours, including both habitat for humanity USA and habitat organization in a foreign country)</p>

<p>During school year, I write essays on a newspaper about economics and philosophy. (paid intership)</p>

<p>For this summer, I have a paid internship at Morningstar Inc.(a stock data provider. headquarters is in Chicago) scheduled.</p>

<p>Chance me, please?</p>

<p>I will really appreciate your comments. Thanks!</p>

<p>P.S. Will having a non-pure-science major help me get into this particular school? People tend not to relate MIT to economics (even though Sloan is one of the best business schools in the states)</p>

2

<p>business =/= econ; though MIT is excellent at both.</p>

3

<p>yup. my b. economics is more macroecon, while finance is more microecon. MIT is good at both. The ultimate reason that I want to double major in Economics and Applied Mathematics at MIT is to be prepared for work, then a good Business School (preferably Sloan, Wharton, Kennedy)</p>

4

<p><em>flips coin</em></p>

<p>Heads.</p>

5

<p>The major you list on your application doesn’t affect your chances of admission, since most MIT students end up changing their major anyway. Listing something you’re passionate about is a good idea, though, especially if that passion shines through elsewhere in your application.</p>

<p>MIT is a toss up. No one can chance you until you get your decision next year, and the wave function is collapsed. Keep doing your best. If MIT doesn’t take you, someone else will, and you will continue being awesome regardless of where you end up.</p>

6

<p>Thanks. I am gearing towards some non-tech schools such as Columbia or harvard at this point. I do not think I will fit into the MIT atmosphere either. I was considering MIT as one of the schools I can “try” applying for. I am planning on Columbia early decision. </p>

<p>Any other tips you want to add?</p>

7

<p>As an international student, you are competing against 4000+ extremely qualified students for ~150 spots. You have to have something that /really/ stands out. It’s up to you to decide whether or not you have that. Your Morningstar internship sounds pretty impressive though (assuming you didn’t get it via connections). So definitely highlight that in your app and try to get the most out of it.</p>

<p>But personally, if you don’t want to study science/engineering, MIT isn’t the best place for you. You are required to take chemistry, biology and physics regardless (AP credits don’t count). As great of a school MIT is for economics, I heard they tend to cater to graduate students, which is the complete opposite for engineering majors. On the other hand, being at MIT makes you want to go into math/science/engineering, simply because we get the best education in the world in that area, so why not take advantage of it? If you want to go into finance, MIT > Columbia in the minds of most recruiters because we are much more quantitative (with the exception of maybe big IBs).</p>

<p>My two cents.</p>

8

<p>Thank you for your evaluation. I agree with you on that other schools maybe better choices than MIT.</p>

<p>With my kind of background, what other school would you recommend? I like math a lot, but more Econ than science</p>

<p>My top choices will be Stanford, Harvard, Columbia, Princeton and upenn. I think Columbia and upenn are comparably possible while Harvard Stanford and Princeton are “real reaches.”</p>

9

<p>

I recommend you apply to MIT anyway, if you think there’s any chance you might want to go here. People vary dramatically from dorm to dorm, floor to floor within a dorm, and within floors. There is no typical MIT student. If you get in, you can figure out for yourself whether or not you’d fit in, in person, at CPW. There’s really no other way to know.</p>