<p>Wow...I always thought I would never post on these forums....but then I just got two emails from colleges talking about their summer open houses, and an application for Harvard (already?!), so I'm like, "whoa....college time now!"</p>
<p>So yes, I am entering my senior year in the fall. As long as I can remember (well....since 7th grade), I've wanted to go to MIT. I know I will be applying EA, but I have some questions about my admissions....which will probably turn into a suggestions/chances thread....</p>
<p>In the fall, I'm taking all AP classes (Calc, Bio, Chem, English: Lit, Spanish) and Honors Psychology (because nothing else will fit in my schedule). I took 2 AP classes this year (US History, English: Comp and Writing) and got As in them (as well as in all my other classes), so I don't believe grades will be a problem.</p>
<p>Now, my worries lie in my extracurriculars. In high school, I haven't joined many clubs a)because I didn't have the time and b)I wasn't passionate about them. I was talking to a teacher at my school who just happens to have worked for MIT on admissions, and she told me that they value extracurriculars that show that you "use your mind" outside of the classroom. As for the activities that I pursued, most of them do not include using my mind. I'll have been in the Spring Musical for four years (which is my biggest after-school passion), holding the position of Treasurer last year, and hopefully next year, President or VP. I'll have done math team for 3 years, and Treasurer of National Honor Society for one year (you get in end of junior year, so its really only senior year). Other than that, I'll have some other little things to add to my application, such as an unofficial "Student IT" group (which really only consists of me and a friend), as I call it, that fixes teachers' computers since our official Technology Director came down with cancer and had to leave near the beginning of the year. Also, Library Docent for one year, Science Olympiad for one year, community service (which is a requirement for NHS), and probably peer tutoring.</p>
<p>I was considering doing a science competition or a summer program, but decided not two. For the science competitions, you seem to need some sort of connection with someone that works in a laboratory/work in the laboratory itself....these opportunities don't present themselves for me. And as for summer programs, they usually cost far too much money, and I need to work during the summer to earn money myself (my family isn't really in a financial pinch, but my parents do support 4 kids and 2 step-children, all of whom are teenagers).</p>
<p>So yes.....first, I apologize for this ridiculously long thread....and if I don't get any replies, I will fully understand. Otherwise, thanks in advance for any help/advice/etc!</p>