<p>oh man. but you must remeber one thing, someone else can write you an essay but you have to get awards and scores all by yourself. So essays cant be that important</p>
<p>Student A - </p>
<p>Writing Score: 710
SUPER BRILLIANT ESSAY</p>
<p>Student B -</p>
<p>Writing Score: 500
EXCELLENT UNBELIEVEABLE ESSAY FROM AN INTERNTIONAL APPLICANT</p>
<hr>
<p>They can easily detect fraud, balac.</p>
<p>IMO Essays are reaally very important, but like Matt said : "Some of the applicants we accepted EA had brilliant essays while some didnt"</p>
<p>Just goes to show how subjective the process is and that no part of your application is looked at individually, the adcoms are interested in the whole package. So the safest route would be to write essays which reveal something about you, its your opportunity to show them your charisma. So do it well.</p>
<p>Hello has some valid points there - the whole package is what counts.</p>
<p>Also, check Ben's post:</p>
<p>[link</a>]</p>
<p>But folks, where do you get such international awards? I don't see any opportunity for them...I don't even no where to look for at my school. Just one question - what is an excellent GPA? Are 10 Bs out of 20 As a disappointing fact? I don't know what marks people from all over the world have.... any idea?</p>
<p>international awards: there are loads: IMO (math olympiad), chemistry/physics/biology olympiad, astronomy olympiad, and loads of other international olympiads in other subjects. But I consider its way too late to prepare for these during HS. Most of the winners constantly trained and worked hard at their young age. Well there are sometimes prodigies with unexplanable abilities. </p>
<p>For GPA, 10B's out of 20A's doesnt sound too good. Its tuff for US citizens to get in to top notch Uni's with straight As. Imagine how tough it will be for a international. The majority have stellar GPAs like straight As, or just 2 or 3 Bs throughout their HS.</p>
<p>Representing your country in RSI (Research Science Institute) at MIT/Caltech, as well as being at least a finalist in national science fairs, or winning prizes at like ISEF are supposed to help too. In fact, sometimes i think internationals are just admitted because they're really unique, or super passionate about something that MIT values. That latter attribute of course, is pretty rare for most applicants I think.</p>
<p>The interview's supposed to be a factor too right, unless of course yours was waived?</p>
<p>thx nomad! but im not so sure..
i hope they don't think i'm not a "tech" student</p>
<p>The point is that even intls with IMO, IOI, IPhO and ICho awards dont get into MIT/Caltech!!</p>
<p>But you can get into MIT without an olympiad while Caltech will throw your app away if you don't have one. Sad but true.</p>
<p>Ahhh exacly my point, getting into Caltech is indeed more screwed up than getting into MIT, also Caltech is not need blind to intl students.</p>
<p>
That my friend is very difficult, but I hope we both get accepted since we deserve it ;)</p>
<p>btw do you have any idea how many Indian Rickoids and Olympiad participants are there this year?? :D</p>
<p>I knew nothing about either of these before the application process.
As about the number of applicants, I think at least ~150 Indians (though it's a wild guess).</p>
<p>We had Olympiad prelims at school in 8th grade but a little disagreement led us 4-5 students ("The Mercury Squad!") to rebuke all future olympiad registrations.</p>
<p>Couple that with the fact that I'm not international Olympiad level at any of the subjects except Informatics (and that has been introduced only this year, when I'm out of school).</p>
<p>So yes, I'm hoping against hope to get in without an IPhO or IMO medal!</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Nope, that's not true at all.</p>
<p>yes it is, olympiad medals or RSI.</p>
<p>How would a world-renowned school like Caltech toss an application away because it doesn't include great summer programs or olympaid medals?</p>
<p>Your speculations aren't rational at all.</p>
<p>However, this might be the case when you're applying for aid.</p>
<p>int'ls have a very slim chance of getting in MIT/Caltech without Int'l Olympiad medals or outstanding research</p>
<p>Wow guys - don't get carried away with the stereotypes.</p>
<p>You really need to convey passion throughout your application - that's true - however, this might not be the case if you have an olympiad medal.</p>
<p>They certainly WON'T turn down applications just because of the lack of distinctions.</p>
<p>Again, supplements aren't required by both but they certainly can show your passion outside the classroom.</p>
<p>Don't get carried away - hope for the best.</p>
<p>For RSI 2003, there were about 5.. or maybe 6 indians if I remember...</p>
<p>But then before CC got revamped, I remember there was this korean girl who had no research experience or olympiads whatsoever, but got in - she was the top of her class though. I think they sometimes take in internationals to add on to the diversity of the college... so if you're smart, love science and from an interesting country where there are very few applicants, I guess you'll stand a higher chance of being admitted!</p>