<p>The problem is not of MIT will take you, the problem is that you up against kids that are very dedicated to Math and Science, not just smart kids. How will you stand out among them? I do not think they look for Geniuses but all the kids from my kid school that got into MIT did the hardest level in Math and Physics available to them and earned top scores. MIT is not an easy school. Exams are difficult and pace is fast. You have to fit in that environment to do well.</p>
<p>Definitely wouldn’t say any of those Physics, Science, or Math competitions are a necessity for applying or getting in. I never did any of them because they just weren’t my thing, but I got in. MIT, though you’ve heard this a million times, REALLY doesn’t want one type of student. I have a passion for math and science, but my extracurriculars were always more in the way of student government, art, and english. I thought that might hurt me initially, but in the end I think it might have been what got me in (imagine reading a million essays about math contests). Just make sure your application is a true reflection of your personality and your interests. I have always thought that I was “normal” (I go to concerts, hang out with my friends on weekends and weeknights, was elected student body president, have many non-academic hobbies, have never been to the moon, etc.), so I would have to answer that normal people DO get into MIT. Also, if you want to feel better, you might want to put less stock in what people are saying on college confidential. Only the people with the best stats or most dramatic stories will usually post here and it will be a blow to your confidence no matter what. Just focus on your own application and let the admissions process decide because there is LITERALLY no other way to find out if you got in.</p>