Chances?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Massachusetts Institute of Technology
1

<p>I'm a Sophomore in High School this school year, and am planning on applying Senior year. I am female and a Russian immigrant, and have lived in the US since age five.</p>

<p>Classes taken and grades:
(In 7th grade I was in a special program at a magnet school in Chicago.)
7th grade:
Honors Environmental Science: A
Honors Intro to Comp Sci: A</p>

<p>(Here I moved to PA and transferred to a new school.)
8th grade:
Advanced Geometry: A
Advanced Bio 1: A</p>

<p>9th grade:
Advanced Chemistry 1: A
Advanced Zoology: B
Advanced Honors World History 1: A
Advanced Honors English 9: A
Advanced Algebra 2: A
Phys Ed 9: A
Health 1: A
Spanish 2: A
AP Computer Science: A</p>

<p>10th grade (currently, with likely grades):
AP Statistics: A
Advanced Chemistry 2: B
Advanced Honors PreCalc: A
Advanced World History 2: A
Advanced Microbiology: A
Advanced Genetics: A
Advanced Honors English 10: A
Phys Ed 10: A
Spanish 3: A</p>

<p>In 11th grade, I'm planning on taking:
Spanish 4
Phys Ed 11
Health 2
AP BC Calc
AP Physics C
AP English 11
AP US History
Hopefully a Chem or Bio course at Penn State</p>

<p>In 12th grade, I'll be taking:
AP European History
AP English 12
Advanced Topics (Math)
Phys Ed 12</p>

<p>I'm planning on getting an internship at a Penn State lab for 12 grade, since I won't be taking many classes, or perhaps taking classes at Penn State.</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
Science Olympiad: grades 9 and 10, VERY dedicated, will have captain position in grade 12; 5 hours a week, every week of the school year until May-ish
Slalom Kayaking: grades 9 and 10, 0-15 hours a week
Piano: I've been taking classes since age 6
Math Club: grade 10
Technology Student Association: grade 10
Knowledge Masters: grade 10
Science Bowl: grade 10
Speech and Debate: grade 9
Odyssey of the Mind: grade 9</p>

<p>I don't know my rank, but I'm in the top 10% of my class and am farthest ahead in science (no one else in my class has taken Chemistry 1 in their Freshman year). I'm in the most advanced possible classes in all subjects except History, in which I am taking the second to most advanced course this year because it conflicted with Chem 2 and could not be scheduled.</p>

<p>Random Interests:
I've bred frogs since age seven, and love frogs with a passion.
One of the few things that interest me more than frogs are math and science, especially biology, chemistry, and computer science.
I love reading and writing, and have won various writing competitions.
I enjoy kayaking, canoing, camping, hiking, jogging, and just being outside.
I really enjoy programming, especially in Java, and have been writing programs just for the fun of it since seventh grade. I also enjoy web design.</p>

<p>What would you say are my chances of being accepted to MIT if I continue on my planned course, and what improvements should I make to better my chances?</p>

2

<p>You are on the right track, but it's too early to say anything more than that. I'd say, keep doing what you're doing, get good SAT scores, etc.</p>

3

<p>Thank you!
About how much do B's hurt my chances of getting in?</p>

4

<p>mit is less draconian about grades than Caltech, but I wouldn't get any more in math or science.</p>

5

<p>write an essay about the frog stuff-that would make you stand out I think</p>

6

<p>collegealum314: Thanks, I'll try to bring my Math and Science grades up then.
I gather then from what you've told me that I have a significantly better chance of getting into MIT than Caltech. What school did you go to?</p>

<p>niceilike: Thanks, that's a great idea. :D</p>

7

<p>
[quote]
About how much do B's hurt my chances of getting in?

[/quote]
</p>

<p><em>laughs</em> All of the 7 Bs I got in high school were in sci/tech subjects - 6 in math and 1 in computer science. I still got in. I wouldn't recommend doing that, though. A few Bs will not hurt you in an otherwise excellent application, but you should try to minimize them of course.</p>