Hello folks, I live in Sweden, I am 16 years old and I started my first year in high school on August this year. I am going to study 25 subjects which are mandatory. Of these 25 subjects there are 4 math subjects. I received my final grade in the first Math course today and it turned out to be a “below average grade” simply a ‘D’. We studied this first course for 4 and and a half months and after a final exam I got a “D” as my final grade for that course for the rest of my high school years. Also this was the only subject I received a final grade on for this term, I am going to get my final grade in all other subjects at the end of this first school year which is in june 2019.
For the next upcoming terms I am going to study the rest of the 3 math subjects throughout my upcoming high school years.
The Swedish grading system is different from the american grading system since we don’t have anything like ‘A+’ or ‘A-’ our grading system is layed out like this: A-F, where ‘A’ corresponds to the highest possible grade in every subject and ‘F’ corresponds to failed a subject, to pass any subject in the swedish high school you must have at least an E in a subject.
By june 2019 I will have completed the first year of high school. There are in total 3 years of high school here in Sweden. Each year is divided into two terms, fall (Aug-Dec) and spring (Jan-Jun). I have 5 terms left and since we study different math subjects every year there is no way that I will ever be able to do better or retake the first math course that I’ve already received a final grade on.
Since there is no way on earth that I can change this or retake this course I know that I have to work extremely harder in the upcoming mathematical subjects, but the odds for me to get an interview at MIT when I turn 18 is already dead. I am planning on taking the SAT and I am also studying with an SAT prep book but no matter how well my other grades may turn out and no matter how high my total SAT score may be, even if I apply to MIT for 2021 they will reject me because have a ‘D’ on a math subject when looking at my high school grade transcript, right?
Or is there still any chance for me if I work harder and push it to the limit with that being said I mean that if I do excellent on all other subjects including the 3 math subjects I have left for the 5 remaining terms, hence study hard and prepare to take the SAT so that I can improve my SAT score to a 1560?
Anyone here have any experience or know if there’s still a chance for me to apply for MIT for the year 2021 despite having at the moment a “D” in one subject? Like what are the odds of someone who has a ‘D’ in one math subject to get admitted to MIT?
I would be so thankful for any advice and answers.
No idea what the Swedish system is like. But I do recall reading on the MIT web site that it is expected that students receive an A in every math and science class in high school. I was surprised to read that on a website but it was in black and white. Maybe to keep people from applying with no chances? Perhaps you can search their web site. It may have been under athletics as I was looking at a specific sport. I would seriously doubt that if you receive a D in an early high school math class that you would be a likely candidate for MIT. I’m sure there is someone on this board who can tell you an exception story. But most MIT students have natural math/science abilities. They are studying well above the normal level. When they get to MIT there are other students like them (often for the first time). There are lots of other schools in the US. You should think about MIT later in the process maybe when you are a Junior and have the appropriate stats to know where you would stand relative to other candidates.
Be aware that MIT admissions is familiar with foreign grading. Many users here are not, so prepare yourself for bad advice.
That said, a D in Sweden does not correspond to and American D; it’s closer to an American B (or B -), so, no, the grade will not eliminate you from the competition. Be aware though, that most applicants to MIT have near-perfect math grades and that admissions is particularly competitive for international applicants.
That shouldn’t be surprising. STEM-focused schools have much tighter distribution in terms of academic qualification. After all, there aren’t many soft majors to hide behind. If there’s any deficiency in one’s academic record, there better be some very convincing reason and remedy for it.
Oh, I see. Still thank you so much for your response. Those 25 subjects that I mentioned earlier also includes some important STEM-subjects. I have a list of the upcoming STEM-subjects, that I am going to study starting from next year (Jan-Jun):
*Mathematics 2
*Physics 1
*Technology A
*Computer and Wireless Communication
From 2019, starting my 2nd high school year (jun-dec):
*Mathematics 3
*Physics 2
*Chemistry
*Technology B
*Programming 1
The thing is that I am highly interested in math and I really enjoy exploring math beyond the frames, however I feel like in class things work very well but on exams I know exactly how to answer all the questions, but it takes a lot of time for me to explain it. I could just write the answer out but I would get 0 pts for doing that in an exam, I struggle to show the way I solved a problem with text. But I am still practising and I keep trying till I understand how to work out a problem quickly and efficiently.
Aside from those STEM-subjects, I’m also in Music class, I am currently stuying Musical Production 1 which is also a subject where I will get a final grade on when I’m finished with Yr 1 in June 2019, hence I am going to continue music studies in Yr 2 and where I will study the subject Musical Production 2.
I do have some esthetic characteristics, I enjoy singing, perform, and make my own music (we do not have any bands or any such thing in my school, so it’s kinda sad)
The Student Council in my school has decided to start most of the extra curricular activities by Jan 2019. I have already spoken with my Tech teacher about a Rocket project that I am willing start in Tech and Physics.
I would just like to conclude this that I am interested Calculus and physics related subjects, but it certainely feels like that no one finds in me.
You need to be near the top in Sweden. It is hard for anyone here to evaluate Swedish grades. You also want to have close to 800 on the math SAT and math and science SAT subject tests.
It’s actually very important to be able to verbalize your thoughts on how to solve problems because it shows that you truly understood the material. You seem to possess that skill. However, mathematics is the language of science. You need to learn how to elegantly, precisely, and concisely express your ideas in this language, without too much fluff on exams. Those who score your exams are the ones who know the subject well and you need to speak their language.
Why do you want to apply to MIT? MIT is one of the academically most difficult universities in the world. Nearly half of the students there had a perfect score on the SAT Math exam. That is the sort of student you would be competing with in courses that go at something like twice the pace that you are used to, with a massive homework load and very difficult tests and exams.
I agree with @skieurope that MIT admissions will understand the Swedish high school grading system, and that I and most others on CC do not. @skieurope is also correct that most applicants “have near-perfect math grades”. Most applicants will have been at or near the top of their high school in math, and not too far from the top of their high school overall.
Yeh, if you not in the top 1/5 of 1% or so in Sweden, you don’t have much of a chance. Anyway, you need to put up US test scores. If you can get 800 or so on the math SAT and the math and physics subject tests, then go ahead and apply.
I see, It’s definitely extremely competetive. I know that I wont score that high at all on the first SAT Math + SAT subject test. So I will keep trying and keep practising until I am close to a really adequate score close to 1600. I understand that I will have re take the SAT several times in order to improve.
Although the road is not looking too well ahead at the moment, I have decided to already start with Mathematics 2 now on christmas break.
Your responses are actually a wake up call for me and I am so grateful for all the responses I really appreciate that you point out the difficulties and the extreme challenge that I am going to face if I choose to apply for a top tier American university.
I now really understand how much it takes to be in the top percentile of students that universities are willing to admit.
Even though the advices weren’t some type of eye opener, I now feel like I realize how hard I actually have to have to work.
My teacher adviced me to go on lectures about introduction to advanced mathematics and study help at KTH University in Stockholm. I don’t live too far from there so I am looking forward to learn something new and make use of it in the math lessons. It will take a lot more then what I have mentioned above but I must start somwhere and since I actually don’t have too much time left, I better start right now.
Many of you asked me why I prefer MIT, when MIT dosen’t even know that I exist, the answer is simply that many relatives from my mother’s side have studied in top universites, one of them actually went to MIT. Personally I myself have always veen interested in how mass transportation vechiles function as a tool in society trains. I became also very interested when it comes to how infrastructure is built and maintained in our world. Since I have always been interested in engineering since I was a kid I found my interest in engineerinfmg after playing with LEGOs. Combining my interests with advanced knowledge in every corner could potentially guide me to my goal, nevertheless I need to practice a lot when it comes the academic part, then if everything goes well I can start combining my ideas with the knowledge to make something out of it.
But anyways I really appreciate your responses, very helpful
I see, it seems difficult but your advices were still helpful enough. It brought somewhat hope in my eyes. Well I guess I better start working hard now.
I suspect you asked abou the interview because you’d like an admit. As a freshman, don’t even target a college until you read what they have to say. Where do they state you don’t get an interview without solid A grades?
Make that times 100 for MIT, which has amazing admissions blogs. You can’t form a strategy wihout savvy and can’t be savvy without being properly informed. Again, this is much more than hard work. Many more goals to meet.
I don’t know how international interviews are handled as I am in the US. However, as an EC, I get a list of those who have completed their applications and use that to schedule interviews. No grades are ever provided to me, just whether they have completed their part of the application.
I was an international student when I was at MIT (now a US permanent resident and on the Educational Council).
So let’s see. I’ve looked up a bit on syllabus, grading, and curriculum. I’ll assume that you are on the Swedish gymnasium, upper secondary school.
So, in no particular order.
There are five on the Educational Council in Sweden. I could contact you if you want, to see what the process is for interviews for your country.
by and large, for international admissions, it is HIGHLY competitive, like top students of every nation. The top fraction of the top percentage is no joke.
It’s not just for STEM subjects (which are of particular scrutiny) – you have to be a great student, and you have to be particularly awesome at STEM. While there’s this myth going around that one has to participate in some olympiad or international science fair or have some significant well-recognized honor (which is false), you will run into a lot of these people at MIT.
retaking courses to earn better grades isn't an option.
That demonstrates you need TWO attempts to master material, not one.
your courseload does have to be rigorous, challenging, and demonstrate curiosity.
(As well, you should find normal classes to be easy / you seek out to challenge yourself / you can self-study.)
you should be somewhere in the top few students in your school and usually (unless you went to a private school or magnet school or something equivalent) you are the top student in one and preferably more than one STEM discipline.
you aren't just good in academics. You are able to maintain flawless academics while balancing exploring extracurriculars and interests (and hobbies).
This allows you to express your interests and passions as well as gives you some ideas of how you might contribute to the MIT community.
It’s not good enough to “just want to do engineering.”
for internationals who didn't do their secondary schooling in English (e.g., Australia, UK, New Zealand, Canada, etc.), you do have to take the TOEFL or if you prefer, you can do the SAT I ERW section.
I do keep in contact with the EC's in my parent's city (where I grew up). They are constantly expressing frustration about the extremely low admit rate, and how many great candidates aren't admitted.
agapetos; what you said also applies to domestic applicants except for the TOEFL requirements and the admit rate, while still very small, is better for domestic students.
FYI; it seems that the myth about having to compete in some kind of competition for international students just won’t go away. I have interviewed several international applicants who were studying in the US. Three of those have been admitted; one did compete in some kind of competition, and did well but not win. The other two did not do any kind of competition.
You need to put up Swedish exam scores and US scores. I would assume MIT and other top US schools are much more competitive than anything in Sweden, which is relatively small. If you have a really strong record by the time you apply, you might consider other top US schools than MIT. These places are also really expensive, unless you are low income, which would probably make them even harder to get into You might consider English schools, Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, and Imperial, which are also probably more competitive than anywhere in Sweden. They would not be as expensive, and you would not need ECs for them.
