<p>Hello, I started this topic to ask questions about getting accepted into colleges and I have a long way to go. I am in 8th Grade and I am wondering what classes i should take in High School. I already have High School Credits.</p>
<p>In 7th Grade I hade:
-Algebra 1 Honors Gifted
-Spanish 1 Honors Gifted
* I have recieved A's the whole year.</p>
<p>8th Grade:
-Geometry Honors Gifted
-Spanish 2 Honors Gifted
*I have an A in both classes so far.</p>
<p>Awards:
In 7th Grade u had the highest GPA in: (I got an award for every class i took)
-Mathematics (Algebra)
-Language Arts
-Science
-Spanish
-Civics
-P.E/Art
-Lastly, took part in the 7th grade Duke University search (pretty much took the SAT's)</p>
<p>Programs:
Im in the International Baccalaureate (IB).</p>
<p>Clubs:
DFYIT
Cross-Country
Tennis
Track and Field</p>
<p>So far I think I am building a good profile. I just dont wanna crash later :S.
So please, post suggestions for me so that i can work on my profile. MIT is a college that
i really want to get into so if anyone can help me that would be great.</p>
<p>woah... i definately was not even thinking about colleges in eighth grade, but it's great you're thinking ahead.
the only suggestions i have would be to keep taking hard science and math courses, actually just take the hardest courses in general. stay involved in clubs that are related to what you want to major in and try to take up some leadership positions.</p>
<p>Scary: don't come back for about five years. Enjoy yourself and discovering new things to study. Don't focus on a "name" school for a long time -- those folks become verrrry odd.</p>
<p>I strongly recommend that you not model your high school career around getting into MIT because frankly... you can do everything you can that you think that you need to do, and still get rejected. Read the "not accepted" forum for those ~87% who got rejected on the MIT admissions blogs. Plenty did everything they could to get in, but didn't. I know several who did truly amazing things in high school, but MIT did not send them the fat envelope they likely deserved. Of course, I also know many people who got into MIT and turned it down as well. </p>
<p>It's a crapshoot, and I recommend taking courses and doing things that challenge and interest you, and when the day comes (junior year) focus on a group of colleges that fit your criteria. Never put all your eggs in one basket.</p>
<p>Like everyone else said, you are way too young to be here.</p>
<p>Even if you stayed, and worked your butt off, there would still be a possibility that MIT would reject you - so don't hope endlessly about one college!</p>
<p>if you're an 8th grader, quit obsessing over classes, grades, and test scores. If you're smart and deserve to get into MIT, those things will come naturally.</p>
<p>the most valuable thing you can do at this moment is to start pursuing something you're passionate in. don't try being president of 10 clubs when you don't really have an interest in any of them. pick one or two things, and get super-involved in them. if you start early, you'll be able to show colleges a greater depth and development of that passion that makes you a unique individual.</p>
<p>
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but MIT did not send them the fat envelope they likely deserved.
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</p>
<p>Going to MIT isn't a right for anyone not admitted. "Deserve" doesn't enter the equation.</p>
<p>
[quote]
if you're an 8th grader, quit obsessing over classes, grades, and test scores.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I disagree. I wish I had cared about where I ended up earlier than say junior year, but on the other hand I couldn't afford to go anywhere but state flagship U anyway so it's a bit of a moot point. Your preparation for where you end up starts in middle school if you're looking to go to a place like MIT.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Lastly, took part in the 7th grade Duke University search (pretty much took the SAT's)
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I'm just throwing out a number, but scoring at least 1000 or so would put you in the range by your senior year to get there (I scored a 1050 in 7th grade and ended up with a 1500, for example, but I'm not sure that most peoples' scores improve by that much). If it's lower, you got some elbow grease to put in, but DO NOT fall into the trap of just learning to take tests well because that won't get you where you want. You have to seriously think about what your interests are and just go for it. </p>
<p>Best of luck and never take your eye off the prize.</p>
<p>@gthopeful, i say not to care so much about grades and stuff now because the OP is right, you'll just burn out later. i put so much effort in middle school and the first three years of high school into academics often at the expense of pursuing my outside interests. now as a senior, my precious 4.0 for which i've worked so hard is currently in quite the precarious state. losing it first semester senior year would just totally suck, and it would all be my fault b/c i took on so many challenging classes and obsessed over getting perfect grades these last three years that i'm just really burned out right now and i just want to give up and stop trying. </p>
<p>i wish i'd slacked off a bit more in middle school when it didn't actually matter so that i'd have a greater store of motivation to use now.</p>
<p>yeah OP, keep in mind no one (in terms of colleges) really gives a hoot what you do in middle school so honestly don't bother trying yet, it's really high school that only matters unless you plan on graduating like multiple years early so you might as well wait a little before putting all your effort into school.</p>
<p>Its good that you are ambitious at a young age. What you could do right now is nurse a competitive advantage. Since you are an IB student, you should exploit all research oppurtunities you get. This is difficult in the 8th and 9th, but 10th, 11th and 12th are good times. Research looks very good on your resume, especially if backed by a published paper.</p>
<p>In MIT, math and science is obviosuly given preference. Try to improve your math and science skills from now on so that you can take Math and phy and possiblt chem as hl subjects in the 11th and 12th.</p>
<p>However, when all said and done, do whatever interests you and which you enjoy. You are way too young to start strategising. Go towards where your aptitude and interests take you.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I strongly recommend that you not model your high school career around getting into MIT because frankly... you can do everything you can that you think that you need to do, and still get rejected.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I agree with this (I am an MIT alum). For one thing, MIT doesn't particularly favor people who model their lives around trying to get into MIT. MIT wants people who are suitable for MIT by being themselves. I didn't model my high school life around getting into MIT, nor did I expect to get in.</p>
<p>Unlike some, I don't think 8th grade is too early to think about colleges (I certainly did, though what I wanted from college changed somewhat between 8th and 12th grade). However, I think what they are really telling you is that you are too young to let college admissions concerns rule your life. Which I sort of agree with (I would take it further and suggest that <em>nobody</em> should be letting college admissions concerns rule their life).</p>
<p>As far as concrete advice goes, you obviously want to develop your math and science skills (even if you don't want to be a sci/eng major, you will have to make it through the sci/eng core, and MIT will want to see that you can do that). You also want to do well in general (IB is a fine program for this). If you can do it, getting research experience is a plus (though many people get in without it). Do the ECs you like, not the ones that you think will impress MIT (though if those sets overlap, more power to you) - it tends to work out better in the end. Find some way to challenge yourself - I don't mean taking "hard" classes that you can still do well in with little to moderate effort, I mean do something, academic or otherwise, that is actually, seriously, difficult for you. MIT prizes resilience, and applicants who have never challenged themselves have trouble showing it and are considered risky to admit.</p>
<p>You can also read the MIT board here, which is pretty active. :)</p>
<p>Woah! Thanks for all the replies. I know i may seem young and frankly this will not rule my life but i just dont want to be one of those people that do things last minute or lets say start at Junior year.
I will take into consideration: (idk how to quote btw i dont think i have the option)</p>
<p>ABHIMANYUK:In MIT, math and science is obviosuly given preference. Try to improve your math and science skills from now on so that you can take Math and phy and possiblt chem as hl subjects in the 11th and 12th.</p>
<p>Your right and actually my Middle school doesnt have Biology so im taking it in the summer. Frankly I dont have much to do except my sports. Thanks, Ill keep this in mind.</p>
<p>Quote;
TheBlackLantern: Why waste your time on writing this message "if this is a joke, good one. haha" First it wasted like 3 minutes of your life. Next, It makes you look like a total arse. Lastly, I came here because of unanswered questions. So please save that S.P.A.M for something else just dont leave it on my topic.</p>
<p>Wow, middle school grades/accomplishments don't matter unless you have some extremely significant accomplishments. So just chill, experiment a bit, find out what you are good at, and come back here in two to three years...</p>
<p>bro your in 8th grade...get off of here...go have fun you have a year before you have to worry about this</p>
<p>and your dream college is going to change a thousand times, you can't just pick a school solely based on its reputation...aside from the fact that you wont be able to make a mature decision on what school you will want to go/what will be a fit for you in 4 years</p>
<p>being ambitious is good, but don't be the stereotypical kid who high school seniors love to bash, who clog up admissions offices</p>
<p>the one piece of advice i can give you, besides getting more friends and getting off of this site, is to get a solid foundation in math, i.e. algebra and geo, take some more prep courses and really get a year ahead (a solid year, and learn it well!)
youll be able to stay ahead of your math class, and continue to keep a distance (i.e. keep learning a year ahead, but again learn it very well!) if you do this it will make sciences course, and the SAT math a ****load easier (and math obv), and this will help for MIT
o btw, if you aren't cut out for MIT, it prob wont matter, chances up youll end up where you belong</p>
<p>for now, just try to take the hardest courses you can manage, and begin gathering material for the essays... and THEN just sit back and watch the rest of us who are actually applying this year freak out. (LOL!) that's pretty much all you <em>need</em> to do at the moment, because u still have 5 years...!</p>