Do I have a chance in hell?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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<p>ok so first off, i just would like to know if anyone thinks i have a chance, semi-chance, or no chance of getting into MIT. it is my dream school, so be as brutally honest as possible. give me any advice that you can. please im desperate xD.</p>

<p>SAT breakdown highest scores: Math 670, Reading 650, Writing 640 : 1960</p>

<p>SAT 2s: Math 2 690, Physics 590 (gunna retake both in January)</p>

<p>GPA/Rank: 3.9 7/158 (top 5%)</p>

<p>AP Scores: World History 4, US History 3, Taking AP Micro, AP Bio, and AP English Lit this year</p>

<p>EC: Taekwondo (3-4 times a week for 2 hours a day), Job as a Tutor (2 times a week, 7 hours a week) Pre-Med program at my school (once a week, 2.5 hours a week), Math Club (meet throughout the year), TDF Open Doors Program (meet throughout the year)</p>

<p>Awards: National Honor Society(at my school we have to show leadership in order to become part of NHS), School Honor Roll, 2nd Place in New York State in Catholic Math League, Outward Bound Pinnacle Scholarship, EIL Outbound Ambassador Scholarship Recipient, National Hispanic Recognition Program</p>

<p>Senior Courseload: Most Rigorous possible, my school offers about 7 APs only</p>

<p>Recommendations: Pretty Good, both teachers have known me since i was a freshman and believe in me </p>

<p>Community Service: Tutor at my former Elementary School (3 hours a day, 3 times a week)</p>

<p>Background Info: Hispanic Male; born and raised in the South Bronx; limited resources lol; income bracket <$20,000; single-parent home; first-generation</p>

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<p>bumpppppppppp</p>

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<p>Apply, and see how it goes. The only way of definitely not getting in is by not applying.</p>

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<p>You would normally have zero chance in my opinion, but given affirmative action and the clamor at universities for “diversity”, you never know.</p>

<p>You might actually be doing yourself a disservice even if you should happen to get in, because you would be competing against some of the most brilliant minds in the whole country, in difficult fields like engineering.</p>

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<p>Scores definitely don’t look up to MIT levels but everyone has somewhat of a chance and our grades look good</p>

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<p>For those who read floridadad55’s post - </p>

<p><a href=“http://26.media.■■■■■■■■■■/tumblr_lj5ilv7zpg1qbftoao1_500.jpg[/url]”>http://26.media.■■■■■■■■■■/tumblr_lj5ilv7zpg1qbftoao1_500.jpg&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Thought you ought to know.</p>

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<p>I strongly disagree with FloridaDad. Top colleges want diversity, yes, but the people they accept are still of very high caliber.</p>

<p>Your scores are low (especially since it’s math and physics) and your extracurriculars are weak. But while your chances at MIT may be low, you still have great shots at other wonderful engineering schools.</p>

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<p>Or by scoring <1500 on the SAT I or likewise a <15 ACT, straight 400s on SAT Subject Tests, and having no ECs or awards.</p>

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<p>Given your circumstances (1st gen, low income, single parent household), I think your grades, rigor, and awards are actually pretty impressive, and your ECs aren’t bad. I think people are comparing you to the typical upper middle class, private or top public school students who post here. Your SAT scores are low, but that is somewhat expected. Try to improve your SAT 2’s as much as possible, and definitely apply. I think you have a chance.</p>

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<p>I apologize to everyone, but I need to vent a little.</p>

<p>

The second part is the most HORRIBLE statement I have EVER seen. Being against affirmative action/diversity is one thing. This… this is just mean beyond words.
I truly hope that you either have a bad sense of humor or that you are indeed a ■■■■■.
Thank you. </p>

<p>And, I don’t mean to start a flame war (or any war) or anything like that. But that above kinda really disgusted me for some reason. How can you even say something like this to a person? How would you feel if someone said that to you?</p>

<p>BTW, hopelesskid… I’m going to sound like sparknotes advertiser… but if you don’t have any resources, but you have access to the internet I found them to be of great help for getting a good score in SAT Physics, only having prepared for less than two weeks :slight_smile: Unless you already used them… (a bit of an unasked-for advice I know :stuck_out_tongue: But I really really think they’re great, especially that it’s for free ^^ Because, IMHO, simply knowing Physics is not enough to “pass” the test considering how important it is to be fast. One has to prepare at least some… )</p>

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<p>Reality check - 1) no one here has anything more than an opinion (including me). Note that I did not use the adjective “informed”. Caveat emptor.
2) By their overall admission statistics, your SAT scores are too low - see [Test</a> Requirements & Scores for Massachusetts Institute of Technology](<a href=“http://www.collegeview.com/schools/massachusetts-institute-of-technology/testscores]Test”>http://www.collegeview.com/schools/massachusetts-institute-of-technology/testscores).
3) Check with your HS guidance office on school and system-wide stats for students in general and particularly those of similar demographics as yours. The only authoritative opinion would be MIT’s admissions office, but they probably aren’t talking. I am confident, however, that regardless of how much on-campus diversity they seek (where diversity is defined internationally), they are looking for top-calibre students with a passion for science and technology. Who may be from the South Bronx as easily as, say, a private school in Westechseter or Connecticut.<br>
4) MIT is a reach school for EVERYONE. Admission is hyper-competitive (approaching single digit percentages) and even the students with 4.0+ GPA and 2300+ SATs are not shoe-ins. They look at much more than the raw numbers.
5) fd55 may or may not be ■■■■■■■■. However, an MIT education has been likened to trying to take a drink of water from a fire hydrant (or maybe the outflow from $NAME<em>OF</em>SOME<em>ENORMOUS</em>DAM). Aka “EVERYONE here is SMART!”. (Which does not mean it can’t be fun)
6) I can immediately think of several schools in NY State with strong science/engineering programs that I’d keep them in my “read more” pile if I was reviewing resumes for job candidates. If those tuition levels are tolerable, add some of the neighboring state’s flagship public sci/tech schools.<br>
7) Don’t underrate your in-state system. I am not familiar enough with SUNY to say if a particular campus is good bad or indifferent re: science and engineering. A strong undergraduate record there is a fine basis for future employment or graduate work (if that’s in your plans) at MIT or it’s peers.</p>

<p>It really comes down to your interest and level of passion in science/engineering. Only you can decide if it’s worth the shot. And don’t focus on one school, no matter what their reuptation. You can commence a rewarding career in the field with an education from any of many different schools - it’s more what you put into it than the name on the diploma (although the name will certainly help). MIT does not have a monopoly on a quality STEM education. Good luck.</p>

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<p>The fact that someone would say this…</p>

<p>Disclaimer: My opinion is just that: a very unqualified opinion. </p>

<p>OP: I’d say that your unique situation (Hispanic, low income, probably not very good school) may cancel out your low SAT score (for MIT), but take a look at the EA decisions thread - I’m warning you, it isn’t very encouraging - to keep things realistic.</p>

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<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/13625821-post66.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/13625821-post66.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Although her essays and recommendations seem awesome, her scores are lower than yours. Yes, she worked in cancer research, and her research mentor wrote a beautiful recommendation, but I’m sure you can write awesome essays and get an additional recommendation from the teachers where you’re volunteering at, since it looks like you love teaching children, and that’s great!</p>

<p>It’s your dream school, you just have to show them why you think that is. You DO have a “semi-chance.”</p>

<p>(I’m just another applicant, btw)</p>