<p>As you've probably gathered from the title of the thread, I'm an international student considering MIT. However, I'm not sure what the standards are like for admittance for overseas applicants and what criteria are considered above all others. Keep in mind that I probably won't tailor my extra curriculars to please the admissions committee - I'm more interested in whether nor not I have a chance, and it's exceptionally hard to gauge that when I don't actually know anyone who attends the university. I haven't yet taken the SATs, but I've sat similar tests in Australia and attained high results... so hopefully I can reproduce those. In addition, as I've only just started contemplating studying overseas, I don't have time to prepare for the AP examinations - they clash with our own mid year assessments, but I do take some courses at university in conjunction with my year 12.</p>
<p>Anyway, to summarise all of this ramble, I'd just like an indication of how difficult it is to gain admission as an undergraduate student who doesn't have APs or similar American certificates to present. Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>I like the nickname
Considering the 10% admitted rate for US applicants and the 3% admitted rate for int’l, you know how difficult it is to gain admissions as an int’l applicant. Considering the large number of different ethnics from a large number of countries with different educational systems, you know how they make the choice :)</p>
<p>I know that only 4% of applicants are successful, but rather, I was wondering what the norm is for international students who make the cut. What are their results like? Do you have to be a science olympian, or can you just be shortlisted for the teams if you have other national competitions up your sleeve? What competitions/activities seem to be valued?</p>
<p>As I said, I’m not going to change what I’m doing… I’m just seeing if I have a chance.</p>
<p>@schrodingerscat: Read the profiles posted in the results threads and you may find some int’l applicants there You should also read MIT blog. From everything I’ve heard of MIT, there is no “cut-off” standard. You don’t have to take part in any competition at any level to get in. And if you want to join some, do it with your real joy, not because of the desire to gain admissions.
I guess you’re shortlisted for the team or something like that, right? :)</p>
<p>@edoardo: Important, as they indicated on the collegeboard.com website. I think it’s important because you must be at some level to survive in the challenging intellectual environment in MIT.</p>
<p>Ah, thanks. Yes, I guess I’m on the shortlist for one of the international science olympiad teams - 24 students are invited to the scholar school each year (I qualified for two sciences, but could only attend one) and from there the teams are chosen. We still have another exam to go before they select students, so nothing’s certain yet… it’s impossible to know whether we’ll get in or not! </p>
<p>I love all of the extra-curriculars that I do I’m just not sure if they’re good enough to be considered by MIT or other top overseas universities, but hopefully they’ll suffice.</p>
<p>@schrodingerscat: No try no chance. At least, if everything is like what you said, I guess you have a chance @kenhungkk: You are addicted to **O :D</p>
<p>@ schrodingerscat: There are even more I*Oers here in this post
@ MrPropapanda: Got a lot today, and my whole day is going to be spent at Victoria Park. My school is setting up a stall there. Gotta help the others out :)</p>
You should also read MIT blog. From everything I’ve heard of MIT, there is no “cut-off” standard. You don’t have to take part in any competition at any level to get in. And if you want to join some, do it with your real joy, not because of the desire to gain admissions.