<p>Japanese-American student in highly competitive school in New England.</p>
<p>I'll start off with a little disclaimer: I have no illusions. I know my academic performance is probably subpar for MIT, but it would be phenomenal if I got in, and I'd like to know realistically what my chances are.</p>
<p>First off.
SAT: 1590/2340
SAT II's:
Math Level 2:800 in middle school,
Math Level 1:770 in middle school
Biology M: 790
French: 780
AP's:
Chem-5
Physics C: Mechanics-5
USH- 5
World History-5
French-5
Calc BC-5
Stat-5
Lang-5
(National AP Scholar)</p>
<p>GPA:
Yes. This is why I think I'm screwed.
3.65/4.39
School doesn't rank.
A lot of my B's are in math and science courses....</p>
<p>EC's:
I have good EC's, mostly participation in science and math competitions (I medalled at National Science Olympiad). I conducted research with a professor at an Ivy League medical school (publication is pending). I also have leadership in STEM and humanities clubs. </p>
<p>Why I think I'm unique:
There are a few factors which I think help distinguish me. For one, I REALLY love French. I'm taking an undergrad course in French at Brown University. I am also pretty advanced in math, having exhausted my school's math curriculum by sophomore year (the highest course at my school is linear algebra). I have an awesome rec from my research mentor, and I know I can articulate why I want to go to MIT.</p>
<p>GPA can be explained perhaps because you were taking the math/science courses a few years before your age group took them (was there any thought to you moving into college sooner). SATs, AP scores, and science olympiad results show that you are very strong in math/science (regardless of the fact you might have gotten a B in calculus as a soph; I assume you took multi as a junior and linear as a senior). Curriculum very rigorous and well beyond even the typical MIT candidate. Love of French a bonus as MIT values the liberal arts and has a fairly extensive core. Same with research and publishing an article with a professor. </p>
<p>What decile are you in? Even schools that do not rank usually report deciles and, in any event, since you attend a prestigious school in NE it is likely MIT has a pretty good idea what student grades look like there. Also, do you have an upward trend in grades.? Math/ science B’s probably explainable if happened in advanced classes frosh and sop year. But if you kept getting B"s junior year in these courses (when more mature) that might cause admissions to think twice. </p>
<p>Assuming you are in the top decile and have an upward academic trend, I think you have a 50/50 (low reach) shot at MIT.</p>
<p>I am sorry, I misspoke. By “several B’s in science and math”, I meant to say that most were in science. I got 1 B in math, out of the 5 math courses I took in high school (summer courses included).</p>
<p>Thanks for your kind words! However, I fear you may have misinterpreted what I said. I took multi and linear as a sophomore (I got an A in both courses, too).</p>
<p>At most schools you’ll be absolutely fine. You have the chance to get admitted and even good money from several tech-based schools.</p>
<p>As for MIT: Yeah, the GPA is the kicker. You still have a chance though. I think they will like you because of your high score in your French Lit Subject Test</p>
<p>I have to admit, though your GPA is low, you have taken a curriculum that most people could never say they took, and that means a lot. Also, all those 5’s on AP tests and 770+s on Subject Tests speak volumes about your intelligence. I’d say you have a decent shot (I can’t say good, since I don’t think anybody has a GOOD shot at getting in). Good luck to you!</p>
<p>Class of 2015
Went to an elite HS
3 Asian kids applied to MIT that year.</p>
<p>Kid1: 2400 and multiple 800s and 4.0 and national award
Kid2: 36 and multiple 800s and 4.0 and average ECs
Kid3: 2380 and multiple 800s and 3.96 and good ECs</p>
<p>I think your GPA severely compromises your chances at MIT. I myself would like to think that great APs and SAT scores and curriculum makes up for even one blemish on a transcript. How good are your ECs? Performance in contests, particularly olympiads? Math is pretty good, but is slightly meaningless without any contest backup (although in some cases it is fine, especially when you’re not advertising yourself as a math-focused student). A good result on the biology olympiad (finalist) for example would highly boost your chances. </p>
<p>Assuming no other contest achievements or ECs from the ones you specified, you have an average shot at MIT (how good is the research?). Again, your grades are mediocre - barring those, I would say that you would have a good (but still very far from guaranteed) chance.</p>