Chances at MIT and Academic Pathway

Colleges and Universities A-Z Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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<p>Hey everyone at CC! I need a couple of advices:</p>

<p>Hi everyone, recently I'm having deciding what to do with my Senior year and my future applications in college. My dilemma is that I don't know what to do to make a school like MIT/Caltech show them that I stand out and I really want to go there as a physics, math, or electrical engineering major. Currently I've taken Calculus BC already (7th grade), Calculus 3/Statistics at a nearby college in 8th, AP statistics in 9th grade and more. I"m currently taking independent study in my school by going to that nearby college to continue taking courses and I have already completed DFQ, Linear Algebra, Proofs, Calc 3, Special topics, graph theory, number theory, mathematical statistics, Advance Calc 1 (soon) and more. So what should I do next? I plan to take Physics B/C next year. I guess I will try and apply to SSP or RSI too as my research program and hopefully get in.... My family is fairly poor so anything above the $5000 budget line for a summer camp is kind of out of the question... As most of the time I'm running on scholarship or financial aid. I applied to Davidson Fellow but was rejected due to a lack of research project but the application person said that once I have something he'll be glad to put me in. I'm part of the CTY JHU group too if that helps...</p>

<p>The sad part of me currently is that even though math is my strongest area, my GPA in school isn't so great... Its between 3.3 - 3.5 but its a well-known ranked school in my state. But if I was ranked in GPA weighted, I would guess top 20% for sure. I plan to become president of math club as my top priority, VP in robotics club if possible, and more. I really challenge myself but I feel like the people who get 4.0s, excellent leadership roles, and such are way more superior than what I have... I'm planning to take Micro, Macro and Physics B/C. So that I will end up with around 12-14 APs after my senior year. Also, there's a possiblity that my parents will make me quit some clubs to focus on academics but then I have a high possibility of becoming an officer..Would that be better? Right now my problem is this:
1) Should I play a JV sport (not likely for varsity)
2) What math class should I specifically take or just stick to taking more classes
3) Besides raising my grades as high as possible, what is unique to you all?
4) Should I spend some time tutoring, putting in my time in community service? My parents say that honestly its a waste of time and that my grades/other things will fall if I do.
5) What else can I do?</p>

<p>Last year, I knew 4 seniors that got into MIT (3 guys and 1 girl) so I guess my school is somewhat good...If that helps with anything..</p>

<p>I really appreciate different point of views, so that's why I decided to try this for the first time... I'll add more stuff as people answer some things for me..Thanks!</p>

<p>Also, I understand that MIT's application is all about passion for your dream, uniqueness, and much much more. But if I had to describe my personality then I would have to say.. I do what I have to do but I don't burn out myself in workload, and also I don't tell or showoff anything so I'm a modest person in real life. I enjoy what I have and what is given to me. MIT has always been one of my dream schools and I'm going to give it a try (by applying) no matter what.</p>

<p>Also, my parents said that math competitions aren't my type of thing because:
1) Its VERY VERY time consuming to become nationall or internationally ranked
2) Personal experiences with my parents is that... One that is good at competitions aren't necessary good at other things.. Meaning they want me to do well in English and History too
But I still take the AMC 10/12 and recently I got the highest score for AMC 10 in my school.</p>

<p>So please if you have any ideas, I would greatly take it into consideration. </p>

<p>&everything I posted here is true..</p>

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<p>Sigh… Since I’m not getting any answers… How do I delete this thread?</p>

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<p>I"m from California, LA area by the way so yea… and currently I play Intermural basketball only. I got 130 on the AMC 10 by the way and I’m caucasian</p>

<p>Edit<em>: Apparently my grade is 3.7 to my academic counselor this year so I’ll probably be able to get 3.8</em> average by the end of high school</p>

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<p>So probably AP Spanish, AP B/C, AP stat, AP World history, AP Micro/Macro, AP Physics B/C, AP Chemistry, AP Biology, AP Art history, and AP Music theory/AP English Lit.</p>

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<p>Do you love math? If so, what do you want to learn next? What else do you want to learn? What do you spend your time doing outside of school? What do you <em>want</em> to do besides academics? Why did you think your gpa was so low and then found out it was much higher? Are there some subjects you struggle with? Does being low income interfere with things that you’ve wanted to do?</p>

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<p>@Sbjdorlo, I do love math in the way that I find it fun and interesting but I’m not sure what the right pathway is for me right now… Outside of school I usually go do ECs, or simply study or take a bit of break (sleep due to exhaustion)… My gpa was low due to heavy loaded throughout the years of high school because I was simply challenging and follow what I thought was right (but maybe not). There aren’t any particular subject in school that I struggle with as there all pretty straight forward, but the main thing is that my grades tend to be in the Bs-B+ range because of piled up work everyday…Making me not able to spend more time editing an essay or like study a bit more on other things. Yes, I guess low income interferes with my learning because my family barely has money to pay for camps that I’m interested in, tutoring , and much more.</p>

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<p>@prototyped - I am the parent of a MIT alum. Demonstrated passion is very important. I think it is great that you have participated in the AMC examinations. Since you are a 10th grader I would set a goal to qualify for the AIME next year. I appreciate and respect the fact that you are low income. Many of MIT students are low income. I know of at least one case where the family could not contribute financially and the child excelled so do not let that discourage you. What are your plans for the summer?</p>

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<p>@hsmom, Thanks for replying :smiley: I’m not quite sure yet but I think I’m going to SMP at a nearby college or take summer classes… But personally I’m not that into AIME sadly because I don’t even do so good in it… I just take it because the math club wants me to since I’m the smartest math student in my class(not boasting off but theres only couple guys/girls that take BC) and just honestly no one in the history of the school besides me is taking college classes. People always tell me that I should participate in ARML, USAMO but that competition math pathway was stopped when I had other priorities to do first.</p>

<p>Also, for low income… My parents together make less than 75k$, I know U of Chicago has this policy that they will financially support you if its that less…And for me it is that case</p>

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<p>So any suggestions would be great… Since this thread is not deletable… :/</p>

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<p>Wow…I think most people would kill for those math stats. Holy Jesus. Calc BC in 7th grade?! Oh Jesus. Well, as I have found, from older siblings going to college; you need to find a passion. something that you truly love and WANT to spend your time doing. MIT will see a true passion and admire that.</p>

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<p>Yea I had some major self study there to get that score^. I was pretty much the nerd in middle school but I still had a nice social life so Im grateful for the support people had been given me</p>

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<p>@SoCalSpticus I mean it’s really hard to say for me because I know that being in such a high level math, one must have somewhat of a interest in it but honestly Im not entirely sure I’m going to be a mathematician but maybe a physicist :stuck_out_tongue: because there’s a saying that a physicist can be good at mathematician but a good mathematical can’t be good a good physicists</p>

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<p>Thanks everyone so far for taking the time, I appreciate the replies :slight_smile: hopefully I can keep it up this year&get in :x</p>

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<p>@Prototyped
It certainly looks like you love Math but have you ever thought about sharing your knowledge and mentoring other kids particularly underprivileged/inner city kids…I think that will be a great use of your time and is a better fit for what MIT is all about. However you should only do this if that is something you are passionate about… At MIT, it is not all about grades …might be for Caltech but not at MIT…
You do not have to go to expensive summer camps or participate in Math and Science Olympiads or be in a sport to be accepted into MIT. MIT is looking for a well balanced, well rounded class(perfect class rather than the perfect candidate), and there’s no point in competing in that category if as you said it is not your thing.
One last thing…read the article [The</a> Match Between You And MIT | MIT Admissions](<a href=“http://mitadmissions.org/apply/process/match]The”>What we look for | MIT Admissions)
This article should give you a pretty good idea as to whether you are a great match for MIT or not.</p>

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<p>^MITConcernedMom has a great suggestion about teaching underpriveleged kids.</p>

<p>I probably would have enjoyed doing this, but it didn’t occur to me. These days it’s hard to get in without community service of some kind, but it’s best to choose something which you enjoy doing anyway.</p>

<p>If you are computer-oriented, you could also volunteer your services for some community organization or something like that.</p>

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<p>@prototyped</p>

<p>Hi, I’m starting at MIT in the fall. I’m not math-oriented (I’m a chemistry major) and do not have nearly the number of accolades you already do, but here’s my 2 cents:</p>

<p>You clearly have a very strong math and science background in regards to your courses and testing. Taking college classes in your area of interest is definitely helpful.</p>

<p>At a certain level, your score is enough. For example, a 2300+ on the SAT is great and is really only significantly surpassed by a 2400. I got a 2320 on my first try, and I knew I wasn’t going to get a perfect score, so that was good enough for me. Same goes with AP tests: Always aim for 5s, but a 3/4 isn’t going to kill you. GPA: I’m not sure how MIT calculates your HS weighted GPA, but of course, aim for all As. At the same time, a B is not the end of the world.</p>

<p>Community service is not a waste of time; in fact, it gives you valuable experiences to write about in your essays. I feel that MIT adcoms take great consideration into application essays because they can see what kind of potential you have. Notice I said potential, not past accomplishments. In your essays, you need to demonstrate that you’re passionate about multiple things (which is why I say volunteerism is valuable - consider starting your own math/science/robotics academy for underprivileged children, etc.) and that you’re hard-working.</p>

<p>Tutoring is great if it’s volunteerism, but I did it strictly for pay.</p>

<p>Join a sport if you believe you have the potential to excel in it. For example, I was MVP of my swim team.</p>

<p>In general, I’d spend less time worrying about becoming Intel Semifinalist or something of the sort because it’s not the deciding factor. In high school, I never did research, never did a science competition (I chose honor band over SciOly), but was passionate/accomplished in the activities I did choose to do (anatomy, flute/band, swimming) and conveyed that in my essays.</p>

<p>Anyways, I’m done rambling. I hope this helped :)</p>

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<p>Thanks to everyone for replying. I understand the that GPAs should be raised as high as possible, sports should be played only if they are things that I simply enjoy, SATs/ACTs should be 35+ (or as high as possible) </p>

<p>I’m thinking about making the first Science Olympiad club in my school’'s 60 year of existence and hope we will go to states or something :P</p>

<p>But is there anything else I can show to them besides te essay and a list of achievements&#s?</p>

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<p>&i read the article :slight_smile:
I know i would love being at MIT if I had get in</p>

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<p>Please excuse the implicit snideness of this question, but I have to ask: Why were you not able to compute your unweighted GPA, when you are so far advanced in math?</p>

<p>Or did your counselor give you your weighted GPA?</p>

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<p>^you sound pretty ignorant… Our school doesn’t provide us a grade book, so I can’t check grades unless it’s with the teacher or counselor for grades. I just checked shortly after talking to her (after this thread)</p>

<p>As for the advancement for math lol… If you don’t believe i can do partial differential, differential equations, or just anything in linear algebra easily so feel free to try and hit me up a problem for non believers</p>

<p>And it’s weighted</p>