Hey guys, I’m currently an international student whose been aiming for MIT for a very long time. To give you whatever brief academic background I can, I’m an A student (A+ in science and math subjects). Unfortunately, that’s all I can give you, I’m waiting on my SAT mark and plan on taking the remaining of my externals at the end of this year and next year.
My problem however is ECs. They are keeping me up at night. I have almost none. The thing is, where I live, you don’t really get an opportunity to found a club, do research, become an ambassador, or become an olympiad. There are little to no I can do in my school that really convey my passion in a meaningful way. As generic as this might sound, I seriously have a passion for math/technology, and I really want to pursue this along others in a university of MIT’s calibre. The problem is, how can I convey to those admission officers the serious love I have for science, when others apply to them with long lists of the research they’ve done or the medal they’ve earned?
That’s the thing, I’ve looked for ages for a math/computer club around me, and I am finding nothing. To give you an idea of my location, I’m an Indian living Dubai, UAE. The only thing I’ve found in my vicinity is a robotics club. But that’s about it. And unfortunately, that wont cut it for MIT.
I mean I obviously don’t know for a fact, but it is for sure that they receive a thousands of applications with my academics or higher with ECs that blow mine out of the window with the amount of passion and dedication they demonstrate. So I feel applying with a single good EC and a few trivial ones will hurt me. What do you think?
In the city of Dubai, you should have a great library. Read as much as you can in your area of interest. You could also reach out the the MIT Club of Dubai and meet alumni. Take some free college courses online with MIT Open Course . Also join the robotics club if it interests you. Robotics clubs will teach you engineering skills and you can assess if this is the right career for you. If you like music, MIT Admissions has an optional a Music portfolio to show off your talent. MIT asks for a music tape and a music teacher recommendation and this is evaluated by a music professor. I don’t think you need a math club to get admitted to MIT. You do need to demonstrate initiative.
If you are very motivated to get an undergraduate education in the USA:
Make a list of about ten US universities that are good for your area of interest, do not over focus on MIT, as they only admit 10% foreign nationals to the UNDERGRADUATE class, if you are not a US citizen or US permanent resident. U of Illinois, Carnegie Mellon and U of Southern Cal and other fine US universities have a higher quota for foreign nationals in their undergraduate classes. It will increase your chances to focus on a list of schools.
Are there any universities that you could reach out to in order to do research during the summer or after school? It’s challenging but you’re going to have to make your own opportunities.
Coloradomama, I never knew there was an MIT group in Dubai where I could meet alumni, perhaps I should reach out to one and discuss my options.
Falcon1, that’s the thing, I’ve reached out to plenty with no response. The universities here are still pretty backwards, and probably don’t provide research opportunities.
I guess I’ll just read as much as I can, take MIT’s online courses, keep looking for research opportunities, and meet an alumni to discuss what could be done.
If anyone has any more input or suggestions, it would be greatly appreciated.
Indeed, you don’t need a school club or anything to excel at math/tech. Look up what competitions/research are available. There is a lot you can do just over the internet.