Currently Freshman - What should I do to have a good chance to get into MIT?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Massachusetts Institute of Technology
1

I’m currently a freshman in high school.

My classes:
Spanish 2
Algebra 1
Gym/Pool
Honors Biology(Took Earth Science in middle School)
Global History/Geo
Design and Draw Production or DDP
English 9

EC
Crew(rowing)

And since school just started haven’t joined any clubs yet but plan to join -
Robotics
Science Olympiad
and some kind of student gov

I really want to go into computer science and I have been teaching my self the basics of
mostly c#,c++,Html5, and a little bit of css,javascript and python.

So I was wondering if anyone had some advice on what classes i should focus on/what kinda EC would look good.

2

banging my head harder and harder against the wall until it splits like a melon and from it emerges a SWARM OF BEES

3

There are a very large number of universities that have very strong computer science programs. If you end up with a degree in computer science from U.Mass Amherst, you are likely to find yourself working alongside someone who got their degree in computer science from MIT, and no one will care where either of you or anywhere else got your degrees.

In high school, pay attention in class and keep ahead in your homework. Take classes that you want to take. Participate in ECs that you want to participate in. Have some fun. When the time comes apply to a range of universities.

4

ok thanks for the advice :slight_smile:

5

@StudentDude

I still think that MITChris’ blog that he wrote 8 years ago is both still very relevant and it perfect for someone in your situation.
http://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/applying_sideways

6

wow thanks @jpm50 that really changed my view of things.

7

@StudentDude I’m glad to hear it, and apologies for my frustrated response earlier. There’s just been so many chance threads lately that it’s hard to see.

8

As mentioned in this thread, there are amazing CS programs, check out:- http://csrankings.org

Institution

1 ► Carnegie Mellon University

2 ► Massachusetts Institute of Technology
3 ► University of California - Berkeley

4 ► Stanford University
5 ► Univ. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
5 ► University of Michigan

7 ► Cornell University

8 ► University of Washington

9 ► Georgia Institute of Technology

10 ► University of California - San Diego
…

Browse their admissions webpage, to get basic understanding of their process.
Eg.,
https://admissions.berkeley.edu/freshmen-requirements
https://admission.enrollment.cmu.edu/pages/undergraduate-admission-requirements

Your school counsellor can provide you more specific/customized info.