Chances at MIT ?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

First of all, please note that I am currently a junior but am applying early to MIT. I don’t have the necessary credits to graduate early, so I may be dropping out of high school if admitted. Thanks for any feedback or advice!

Male, Asian
-GPA 4.0/4.0 UW 5.897/6.000 W
-Rank 2 out of 582
-SAT:Taking in November EleGiggle
-SAT II: Math II: 800; Physics: pending, but likely did not perform so well (<750)
-APs: Freshman: Computer Science (5); Sophomore: Biology (5), Physics I (5), Chinese (5), Calculus BC (5)

Current Course load: AP Physics C, Computer Science Independent Studies, AP Chemistry, AP Statistics, AP Physics II, Multivariable Calculus, AP Lang & Comp

ECs (years include current):
-3 yrs Mu Alpha Theta/Math Club (Historian/Treasurer)
-3 yrs Computer Science Club (Lead Advanced Coach)
-3 yrs JETS/Science Bowl (top team or “varsity” I suppose, if any significance)
-2 yrs Science National Honor Society - tutor other students in bio/chem/physics

Volunteering: Primarily tutor other students in mathematics. Also volunteer on weekly basis (~2 hours) at local middle school to help with contest math club. Also do random stuff here and there, but nothing else on a very consistent basis.

Research: Conducted some math research this summer. Possibility of paper being published in coming years (Based on history of the mentor and his previous teams). Siemens Regional Finalist for the work. (Also have a question, should I submit research supplement for this, or would it be unnecessary?)

Recs:
Computer Science Teacher - turns out it’s pretty good !!
Sophomore English Teacher - should be pretty decent
Counselor Rec - most likely average ?

Essays: Only time will tell

Interview: Went pretty ok

Notable Achievements:
-AMC 8 PERFECT SCORE (AMC 10 perfect score as well, but 8 < 10 4Head)
-AIME Score: 12
-3 time USAJMO qualifier
-Mathleague state champion

  • (also Mathcounts state champion of competitive state in 8th grade, but middle school lol)
    -USACO silver FailFish
    -Siemens Regional Finalist
    -AP Scholar with distinction
    -Hearthstone Legend Player PogChamp

Extra stuff (not sure if even helpful at all):
No longer play piano/cello competitively, but still enjoy messing around for a nontrivial amount of time on a daily basis
Love to run, unfortunately do not run for the school due to detrimental GPA
Basic iOS app development knowledge, have a few small personal apps, but nothing on significant on app store or anything

2

Since 10 > 8, I would mention the AMC 10 perfect score but not the AMC 8 (MIT provides a spot on its app to list AMC and AIME scores).

I can understand not running for the school (e.g. on a team), but for detrimental GPA?

For research, I don’t really know, but if you think it’s significant and will likely be published soon, I say add it.

I think you have a decent chance, but admissions at MIT (and any other top school) is highly unpredictable.

3

I find it particularly hard to “chance” the OP given that he is applying early and will not graduate. I don’t know how MIT will view that. He also has no SAT I scores to date. SAT II’s and APs so far are fine, as is GPA and curricular rigor. ECs seem dominated by STEM-related activities. He is also an Asian male. The OP is clearly extremely bright, but I don’t know how far that will take him in comparison to the rest of MIT’s ultra-talented applicant pool.

4

Will MIT admit you without a high school diploma?

5

@“aunt bea” MIT doesn’t require its applicants to have a high school diploma.

http://web.mit.edu/ir/cds/2012/c.html

6

Why would your counselor rec be only average? Even if they don’t care about your AMC & AIME scores, you are #2 in your class and are a Sieman’s Regional Finalist, which gets attention for the school.

MIT emphasizes that they want a class of individuals who

and that they want to see

.

So it will be interesting to see how they see you. OP, please come back & let us know how it goes.