Freshman and Sophomore Years of High School

Colleges and Universities A-Z Massachusetts Institute of Technology
1

<p>Is it still possible to get accepted to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (or any other top university) with my first two years of high school? Here are a list of things during my freshman and sophomore years of high school:</p>

<p>Freshman Year</p>

<p>Academics</p>

<ul>
<li>Two Honors Courses (Honors Chemistry and Honors Geometry) </li>
<li>Two Electives (Multimedia Design and Concert Band) </li>
<li>Maximum Number of Credits </li>
<li>Honors Community Service (50 Community Service Hours) </li>
<li>GPA - 2.95</li>
</ul>

<p>School Sports</p>

<ul>
<li>None</li>
</ul>

<p>Student Government</p>

<ul>
<li>Elected Ninth Grade Class Council Officer</li>
</ul>

<p>Extracurricular</p>

<ul>
<li>Volunteer at the Children’s Section of the Local Library </li>
<li>Judge in the Lower School Science Fair </li>
<li>Performed in the School Spring Drama Production </li>
<li>Member of Church Youth Group </li>
<li>Participated in the Day of Silence </li>
<li>Host at an School Information Session </li>
<li>Wrote and Acted for the School Drama Festival</li>
</ul>

<p>Sophomore Year (so far)</p>

<p>Academics</p>

<ul>
<li>Two Honors Courses (Honors Biology and Honors Algebra II) </li>
<li>One AP Course (AP World History) </li>
<li>Two Electives (Introduction to Computer Science and Concert Band) </li>
<li>Maximum Number of Credits </li>
<li>Honors Community Service (50 Community Service Hours) </li>
<li>GPA - 3.2 (as of the end of last quarter)</li>
</ul>

<p>School Sports</p>

<ul>
<li>Junior Varsity Cross Country </li>
<li>Junior Varsity Swimming </li>
<li>Junior Varsity Tennis</li>
</ul>

<p>Student Government</p>

<ul>
<li>Elected Tenth Grade Class Council Officer </li>
<li>Elected Student Council Secretary (Highest Student Council Position Available to a Sophomore)</li>
</ul>

<p>Extracurricular</p>

<ul>
<li>Volunteering at the Children’s Section of the Local Library </li>
<li>Performed in the Fall and Spring Drama Productions </li>
<li>Member of the Technical Crews for the Fall and Spring Drama Productions </li>
<li>Member of Church Youth Group </li>
<li>Active Junior State of America Member </li>
<li>Model United Nations Delegate </li>
<li>Participated in the Day of Silence </li>
<li>Wrote and Acted for the School Drama Festival </li>
<li>Staff Writer for the School Newspaper </li>
<li>Member of the Community Service Board</li>
</ul>

2

<p>It is highly unlikely unless you can bring your U.W g.p.a over 3.7. Then its still fairly unlikely but still possible.</p>

3

<p>Anything is possible. You certainly started off in a hole gradewise, but it may not matter if you can bring it up from now on. Do your best. </p>

<p>Your ECs don’t seem to give any indication that the STEM area is where you want to be. MIT will select applicants that have shown a desire for the STEM areas. They will also be looking at what have you done with the opportunities in the STEM areas, and not just opportunities that fall into your lap but those that you seek out.</p>

<p>You certainly have time to make yourself a reasonable candidate for MIT but it will take a lot of work on your part. If you go that route and don’t get admitted to MIT, then you will have made yourself a better applicant for many other good schools in the STEM area.</p>

4

<p>In addition to the list above, in my freshman year, I was a member of the Chess Team and the Ultimate Frisbee club. Also, in the summer between my freshman and sophomore years, I volunteered in a hospital’s messenger department. This year, I am also a member of the Chess Club, a member of the Future Business Leaders of America chapter, a host at multiple school open houses, and I also helped in the School Toy Drive. Over the summer, I intend on attending the Navy Sports Camp for swimming and go to Nicaragua for a mission trip. Also, I received a 184 on the PSAT.</p>

5

<p>… Bump…</p>

6

<p>I’m not an expert or anything but in my opinion you’re focusing all your energy on extracurriculars. Instead, I suggest making academics your top priority. Raise your GPA and increase your coarse rigor and you’ll have a better shot at being accepted</p>

7

<p>No it is not because at the very least you have not taken the required classes.</p>