Chance with a Q or two.

Colleges and Universities A-Z Massachusetts Institute of Technology
1

<p>Well my counselor seems to have shifted her attention to a kid who just got a 7 on his IB math exam, who has probably never done an EC in his life. And wishes to use her contact at MIT to endorse that student, rather than help other people. Like me...</p>

<p>This is sort of a chance thread, so here's my profile.</p>

<p>I'm an Indian male.
Testing:
27 composite on ACT (30 math. 26 science) I plan to retake.
510R, 610M, 510W 9Essay SAT. I plan to retake.
4 on IB Math SL (3 on psych if it matters)
GPA: ~4.3W, 3.7UW
Rank 10 (of ~335, 97% percentile).</p>

<p>I have registered for my subject tests, have yet to take them.</p>

<p>EC's:
I am president of NHS. I participate in Yearbook, Speech team, Landmines, Youth 4 Uganda (previous two are international organizations that assist education in Africa).</p>

<p>I am on my schools varsity lacrosse team (senior year).</p>

<p>I've been in a few Math competitions from our school district but never AMC or such.
I always forget other ECs, but that's me.</p>

<p>Here's some questions:</p>

<p>1.) I finished calculus in my Junior year (my school doesn't organize by AB/BC). I am not needed to take a math class in my senior year, but my IB coordinator encourages I take one at my community college.
Does me taking another year of math change anything? I plan on taking my major as Computer Science/Programming, and don't see the long-term use of continuing with math classes.</p>

<p>2.) Chance me please...?</p>

<p>3.) How intense is the computer science field at MIT? Does anyone know what sort of things you can expect?</p>

2

<p>I’d recommend taking another year of math. Also, if you <em>really</em> don’t want to take any more math, MIT might not be the place for you. As a computer science major at MIT you’re going to need a decent amount of math classes…</p>

3

<p>Unless you pull your objective stats up, your odds are pretty slim.</p>

4

<p>[MIT</a> Course Catalogue: Course 6-1, 6-2, 6-3](<a href=“http://web.mit.edu/catalogue/degre.engin.ch6.shtml]MIT”>http://web.mit.edu/catalogue/degre.engin.ch6.shtml)</p>

<p>You’ll definitely need to take Differential Equations and Probabilistic Systems Analysis (along with single and multivariable calculus, which are required of all students). Other course 6 classes build on the math of these classes, so if you have no interest in math, you may wish to reconsider.</p>

<p>MIT Admissions likes to see 700s on SATs.</p>

5

<p>Oh don’t get me wrong, I love math and science.
I may have mis phrased that, pardon me.
I meant, since my major is more centralized around computers, I was wondering what sort of impact taking further math is. I’ve already decided to take calculus 2 (or maybe calculus based physics)</p>

<p>Also, could you tell me why my chances are slim?
I understand you guys wouldn’t be able to judge my essays, but is having a 610 math THAT much of a no-no? I’m just not the greatest at tests :&lt;/p>

<p>Clarify on “objective stats” please?</p>

6

<p>I understood you, but it seems you don’t understand me. You’ll already need to take two math classes coming to MIT, and you’ll need another two classes to do a major in Course 6. Additionally, Course 6 builds classes from those math classes, so you won’t be able to just forget about math after you finish all four of your required pure-math classes.</p>

7

<p>Its not impossible to get in with 600s on the SATs, but its usually considered safer to have 700+ (and low 500s is pretty rare, although not unheard of).</p>

8

<p>Honestly, those test scores will eliminate you pretty early on as an applicant. I know how harsh this seems but as an indian applying to MIT there will be tons of people with 2300+ SAT scores and ec’s better than yours. Unless you’ve invented an anti-griavity device or have some amazing hook a sub 1700 sat score will get you put in the rejection pile(most people say that my 710 is way sub-par). I’d look at some other engineering schools(georgia tech for ex.)</p>

9

<p>Piper: I understand, thanks.</p>

<p>So would you say that’s it my score that would get me denied? It seems that this reason is what everyone seems to be agreeing on. </p>

<p>Thanks for the replies by the way.</p>

10

<p>I think that level of harshness is more warranted for the extremely-difficult internationals admission. Firstmate - You’re Indian but a US citizen/resident, correct? (I’m assuming because NHS is a US thing, I think.)</p>

<p>Note, I don’t think people are saying you’re a shoo-in for MIT and the scores are the only thing holding you back. Even if you brought up those scores, you’d be middle-of-the-pack and it could go either way.</p>