So there is no way that I am ever going to waste my time applying to any top schools as a high school student. My GPA is 3.55. It is like that because I have pretty much had to work my entire high school career (often 35-40 weeks) supporting my family of 5 since my dad has a gambling issue. So obviously my ECs are lacking and my GPA is horrible. I should add that is has gotten WAY worse this year. I have not yet taken the actual SATs, but my score is 183 on the PSAT. I am a junior in case that was not already indicated. It is my dream to go to MIT, but sometimes one has to put their dream on hold. I only self study calculus in my spare time and I am almost finished. I plan to test out of it at the end of summer vacation. So my summer vacation is obviously going to be spent doing more math like really getting into multivariable calculus and working a lot of hours at a fast food place. I love math, it’s my life. But I think I need to stick it out a community college for two years or so because I legitimately have no chances at any of my dream schools, especially not MIT since they (along with the other schools) are look for people with perfect stats and accomplishments. So I am just asking, how competitive is it to transfer to MIT from community college? Do you know anyone who has done so successfully? What do I need to do in community college to have even a miniscule chance of gaining admission to MIT? I just really want to be an astrophysicist and I know MIT can help me in getting there. Sorry, I’m the typical annoying junior. This guy in my school just got into MIT and he’s the first person to get into MIT in 9 years. I love MIT XD
Transfer would be pretty challenging, especially because they may look at high school GPA. Your best bet is to do CC + transfer for your state flagship and do well there. Then do MIT for grad school.
Have you ever thought about just applying? I mean, your story is very touching and unique as you had to basically work to keep your family afloat so of course you would not have as much time as other people to study.
Yes your chances are slim, but it’s still a possibility that you get in.
If you don’t get in and go to CC, you need to demonstrate your ambitions in math, what you plan to do, and how the current facilities/resources at your CC are not enough for you to achieve your endeavors. (Actually I’m not sure if this applies to 2 year colleges) Transferring into MIT is still a very low shot, even lower than its undergrad admissions, so basically you have to be outstanding to get in.
Study very hard in college and impress the teachers. I think transfers look at rec letters? If so, coupled along with your unique experiences, you should have a decent shot. Realistically though, aiming to go to MIT for grad school is probably the better bet. Transfer admissions are just way too selective.
@rdeng2614 Thank you so much for the insightful post (“thank you so much for inflating my ego”). I guess it wouldn’t hurt to apply. But I am not exaggerating when I talk about my GPA being horrible. I’m not one of those people that label a 3.8 GPA as the end of their life. I did horribly in everything. I have taken SAT practice texts and have gotten 2100+ on them. But I obviously need to take the actual test. I guess I have thought of applying. But I find that I am thinking of another generic rejection letter. I just don’t know how many more rejections I can take. I guess I will apply. Do you think further enriching my mind with more math and science over the summer will prove to them that I am capable of graduating from their institution or any institution for that matter? I just need to teach myself more over the summer to make up for this year anyway. It’s just something I need to do.
Don’t set MIT as your lone goal for a math and science education. There are plenty of other schools that have good math and science programs. I think you’re still capable of graduating from most of the institutions in the US.
Even when you’re in CC, continue to explore other options. Don’t let MIT be the only goal for you, look at some other schools, as if you have the attitude of MIT or bust then you will probably (92%~ the reject rate) be disappointed.
Don’t let one school define the way you do things.