I normally dislike threads asking for chances at any top university, but my angst got the best of me and I am going to ask this anyway.
I have seen a lot of threads of some people saying they got into Caltech but not MIT and vise versa. From said threads I have gathered that Caltech does not consider URM (at least as much as MIT) in the application process.
For my particular situation I have the following:
- acceptance to Caltech
- am what you would consider URM (bodes well for MIT?)
- better essays on my Caltech app than MIT app
- more opportunity to display my research on MIT app (through creative portfolios)
So, I would like to know if any of my assumptions are incorrect and whether any insights to my chances can be offered.
Thanks 
There is no way to estimate your chances, except that they’re probably greater that an average applicant’s. Hang in there, only a few days left, and Caltech is an awesome school anyway.
Very random process for MIT. No one can ever predict. Congrats on the CalTech acceptance!
12 years ago 9 students at my son’s high school were accepted to MIT and 7 attended. Truly a unique year. Usually one accepted/ one attends. Unfortunately that’s too far in the past to be relevant. You have similar background to those accepted although I think 2 had Intel top 10 placements. I have always wondered about the interview and if it only eliminated students who were too immature to be on their own etc.
Two other students I know were accepted and attended: one took SATs once and had 1480. They don’t like students taking it over and over to get to 1500. Learning to take a test is my guess.
He was top 10 wrestler nationally which parents thought just showed how dedicated he was to his sport and his drive to succeed. Strong science background a given. At beginning of second year his professor called him to his office which worried him! Turns out he was #2 in the class in math and he wanted him to work under a professor. Wrote missing code to a revolutionary way to control heating/cooling systems. Stayed for MS, sold to large corporation and just became a millionaire.
Another student truly gifted in both science and math applied.
MIT freshmen professors meet about 6 weeks in to discuss the class of students to determine Any challenges and unusually strong students. One math professor said, ‘I have taught here 20 years and give a test the first several days to see where the class is and start teaching at the median. No one has gotten a 100% because they shouldn’t. This gifted student scored 100%’. The physics process noted similar results. At end of semester they decided to pull him from regular classes and teach him individually! Needless to say, he went on for a PhD at MIT 4 years later and is a professor at Harvard today. That’s 14 years ago.
Point? It’s hard to know exactly what they look for except for truly gifted students. How they sort that out is unknown.
As counselor I met Director of Admission at Cal Tech who felt there was certainly overlap in what they look for but trying to see who is likely truly gifted and would most benefit from their education was key. They have many fewer students so creating a class that will mesh is important but always want differing views to have new ideas floating to the top.
Good luck!
PS my son and an African American student from his class went to Georgia Tech.
PS my son and an African American student from his class went to Georgia Tech.
I think more than half of Caltech admits who also apply to MIT get rejected. Your URM status may help you on Pi Day.
Having Cal Tech as your back-up is a nice spot to be in, indeed. (and the weather is better)
Yes. I told my son, Caltech for UG, MIT for grad.
Of course, I was joking. His close friend, a year behind, did fine at MIT for UG, and a terrific school for grad.
Actually, it’s the other way around. MIT for undergrad. Caltech for grad if you have that option.
MIT and Caltech are different schools. They operate differently. So there’s no telling what happens on PI Day. It could mean both schools want the overall app in their class, or only one things so. Its only upto them, their goals for the class of '23, and their eval of you as the app.
Congrats on caltech.
As a personal anecdote, I know a kid who got in everywhere he applied to (ivies, MIT, caltech, UChicago, NU, stanford and so on) (class of '21 at MIT now), and Ik a kid who got into MIT and UNC chapel hill (as a safety) only when applied to stanford, caltech, 8 ivies, UChicago, NU and so on. (class of '22 at MIT now).
Its truly strange for top schools. Buckle up, hope for the best. It could go either way.
Potato42, are you from the Gem State? We are. My son was waitlisted at CalTech and accepted at MIT. He had a strong application and I’m sure his portfolio helped. So there’s one data point for you. He had an excellent experience there.
I think I am probably the only applicant from Mainland China who was accepted at Caltech during RD round. Anyway. Wish for the best & prepare for the worst. 21 hours left.
@rkelly5182 I hope it did not come out the wrong way. I am wondering if your DS was accepted to MIT and if so, what makes him pick GaTech over MIT?
Thank you all for the responses. As an update, I was accepted to MIT (another data point for those interested).
Congratulations! I hope you’ll decide to attend MIT. It’s a fantastic school.
Congratulations on getting accepted to MIT @Potato42
I hope you end up deciding to come here!
@gobears2023, no MIT admissions is not a random process. In fact it seems quite the opposite.
@lostaccount
I mean I think they are looking for a specific type of applicant, but it truly is quite impossible to predict who will get in. Take for example all the IMO participants you get rejected each year.
@GoBears2023
I agree, theres a good prediction, but since most of the motive is secretive, you never know