<p>Another thing I just remembered, regarding our high school acceptances.
Every year we get around 10 admits into Stanford, 4-5 into caltech, 3-5 into yale, 1-2 into harvard, and nearly 100 into both Berkeley AND UCLA. A couple into the rest of the ivies every year.</p>
<p>Year before this recently graduated one, our school had around 6 into MIT, but not even one matriculated. This year we got 2. Is this because MIT thought "well, none of them are gonna matriculate anyways, might as well not accept that many" or is it just coincidence? (Overall, this past graduated year had a lot less well rounded students, and a lot more science/mathematically stronger students, hence 6-7 into caltech and 4-5 into EECS Berkeley) If it isn't just coincidence, would this hurt me?</p>
<p>firefox:glad to see that you've lightened up on the "REJECTED" attitude.
A little off topic, but the fact is that I'm not expecting to get into all of my ideal colleges. Lol if that were the case then no one would go to anything other than top ivies, given the choice. Thank you for your constructive reply.
In regards to "achievements" I'm entering siemens and intel, though that's really not saying much. However, kids from previous years who have gone to my school and followed my mentor have all gotten at least semi-finalist siemens. One kid that just graduated got finalist for Intel: immediately accepted into MIT though his grades were, to be honest, crap.</p>
<p>Can anyone tell me about how heavily the adcom weighs essays, recs, and interviews? Because I am very confident in my abilities in these areas. Also, no one has replied yet as to the challenge of my schedule and to the passion vs achievement aspect of ECs.</p>
<p>Also, can I have some people's opinions on the acceptance distribution question in my last post please?</p>
<p>I notice you've participated in AIME for many years, so how'd you do each year. A high score on the AIME, even if you do not qualify for the USAMO, is still rather beneficial.</p>
<p>I think I replied to this earlier, but again can't hurt: I did not so well I think, got 6 and 7 if I remember correctly. Above the average (2?), but nothing to be proud about.</p>
<p>I think it'd still be good to list on your application, especially if you're gonna write AIME participant. I got a 10 and almost made it to the next round, but there are too many good math people in this world :-)</p>
<p>I'd agree that your EC AWARDS will sway your admission decision because you have the GPA and test scores. From the people I've known who've gotten into MIT and CalTech, I'd recommend that you be very creative on your application. Demonstrate your love for engineering or w/e. I believe that, at Caltech, you have to get ur application through an admissions person, a faculty member, and a student.</p>
<p>I knew someone from my school who was a USAMO qualifier and Siemens finalist and did some other things with math and who only maintained a 3.0 GPA. He got into MIT and was rejected from one of the top Ivies. So, assuming you really want to get into MIT or Caltech, devote your best efforts and time this summer to your Intel/Siemens research project because becoming a semifinalist in one of those nearly guarantees your admission. I don't know what your topic/area is but hopefully you're researching something that you are academically familiar with--preferably, your strong area. Don't worry too much about how much time you have left until the competition, for some winners and finalists often complete their projects in one month at RSI (but with the indispensable assistance of field experts and mentors, of course).</p>
<p>Even if you don't have stellar achievements in Orchestra or Golf, you've apparently devoted considerable time and passion to both, and both affect your life greatly. Therefore, in your essay or interview (which you should use to explain to the university all the concerns you've expressed to the CC community), elaborate on either or both of those activities and how they make "you" unique.</p>
<p>Thanks a lot for replying again!
My research project is in the field of physical chemistry, which happens to cover both of my strong science areas (bio is a no-no for me, dislike memorizing straight up, not that I'm bad at it). Also, the calculations are all done using computers and servers, etc, so that's highly pertinent to my interests also. Since this whole Internship thing is a required aspect of my school's Tech program (along with compsci classes and philosophy, theory of knowledge classes), I couldn't opt out of it even if I wanted to (and I certainly don't want to). I'm required at least 150 hours over the summer, ranging anywhere from 4-8 hours a day. I am going to, and have already, put in much more than that amount of time, so dedication is something I won't lack in this endeavor.
I feel like I'm badgering people, but can anyone shed light on my posed questions in previous posts?</p>
<p>Thanks again for all the feedback and advice.</p>
<p>I think it's important to say that MIT looks for different applicants every year; a person who gets in one year may not the next. The adcom is looking to bring variety to the community. Don't become discouraged if you get rejected or w/e, but I'd say you have a better chance than a lot of applicants.</p>
<p>efrem I think you are the kind of mind-numbingly math-science centric person that MIT and Caltech are looking for, and you will undoubtedly go somewhere great even if you don't get into either. Too bad you don't have a life...</p>
<p>maybe, if you're super creative (are you creative?) on essays, etc. and show your personality that way. because that's what sets you apart, unless you're a crazy, crazy genius.</p>
<p>Lol I'm nowhere near a tenth of genius.
Creativity, now that I have.
I'm definitely one of the top essay writers, speech/presentation givers in our school, so I'm hoping that'll help me. Plus, I'm outgoing and sociable, so I hope the interviews will go well.</p>
<p>Recs I'm not at all worried about, they'll be superb.</p>
<p>If you're really social and extroverted, why would you want to go to Cal Tech? None of their students hides the fact that Cal Tech allows no time for social activity, non-academic ECs..</p>
<p>Carnegie Mellon, Stanford, Berkeley, and even Penn have good routes to undergrad engineering...</p>
<p>lmao that might be true, but I have no idea what type of person padfoot is.
What I do know though, is that a couple alums that went caltech (undergrad) -> MIT regretted it, and wished they'd gone MIT -> Caltech, because MIT seems more socially-diverse and has a better college experience, while Caltech, at least to them, seemed to be much more individually based and isolated.
Regardless, my overwhelmingly first choice is still MIT :P</p>