<p>I don't think 120 and 5 mean much to a school like Caltech or MIT
I mean they recieve apps from so many USAMO qualifiers.
I've got 120+ three years(2 AMC10 and 1 AMC12) straight and 5 this year on the AIME... not too hard</p>
<p>I wouldn't worry about retaking the SAT. Makes more sense to spend time making your application stand out. Your involvement in debate, writing, and editting is probably unusual in the MIT applicant pool. I would play that up. You have some nice achievements there, showing leadership (editor), etc. If you can enter a writing contest and win a prize, that would help. Or, if you can get something published, anything. Or, do some freelance writing and editting for a magazine. You are a good MIT candidate. Making sure that your application is pulled together well (great essays, recommendations, interview), and highlighting your writing and communications ability is a good plan.</p>
<p>thank you very much. I will try over the next year to write for some essay contests, and hopefully, will win ate least 1.</p>
<p>i was hoping aime qualification might mean a little more at a non-tech school, like vanderbilt or something</p>
<p>MIT is an intense place. </p>
<p>Therefore, I think that mathwiz should show MIT what he/she is intense, passionate about. To show that he/she can fit at MIT.</p>
<p>I don't think that he/she should be doing ECs for the the sole or primary purpose of enhancing an application; I think he/she should be doing ECs out of love, for the purpose that he/she loves them. Whatever those ECs may be. </p>
<p>And I think he/she should consider writing an essay that conveys to MIT his/her passion and intensity for one or more of those ECs.</p>
<p>Everyone has to have safety schools.
What would be a good safety in the N.E area for me?
any ideas?</p>
<p>Boston University?</p>
<p>Northeastern, Worchester Polytechnic (you will probably get merit aid), and UMass Lowell. BU is good, too, and you may get merit aid there.</p>
<p>Hi guys, I too want to go to MIT, not just because of the prestige, but because I really love math and science and MIT has some of the best programs/facilities for scientific research. I'm really nervous because I've been reading these crazy "how to" guides for IVY leagues, and they say that if you just do this (they post 10 pages of ECs and perfect SAT scores), you're sure to get in. So, could anyone tell me what are my chances and how I can best improve them? Here are my stats:</p>
<p>GPA: 4.0 unweighted
Class rank: 1/250
APs:
freshman year: Calc AB-5, Euro-5
Sophomore year:World-5, Bio-5, Calc BC-5, Art History-5, Spanish Language-4
Junior year (this is this year, so scores will be available only in July, but I am anticipating 4s and 5s for most): US History, English Language, Statistics, psychology, physics, spanish literature, environmental science
Senior year I hope to take 7 additional APs, but will not go into detail about what these are. </p>
<p>I have also taken numerous community college classes in Trig, chemistry, physics, web page design. Next year I will take multivariable calculus and differential equations at a community college. All the science classes included lab experience.</p>
<p>SAT scores
SAT I 2380; math--780, Crit. Reading--800, writing--800 (isn't it ironic that my lowest was math and I'm applying to MIT of all places; hope that won't hurt me)
SAT II--math IIC-800, bio m--770, spanish--790, world history--800</p>
<p>ECs
volunteering--240 hours at a library and 250 hours at an animal shelter (my favorite EC, I love animals)
Russian school--attended for 10 years
MESA--regional 2nd place winner
Calculus Club president
Astrophysics club secretary
NHS
homeroom representative--a minor leadership position</p>
<p>Awards:
National Honor Roll
PSAT National Merit Scholar
USC Russian Language Olympiad--2nd place
I already said this, but also MESA regional 2nd place winner</p>
<p>Programs--I'm from LA, so I attended many UCLA-sponsored programs in math/science/literature. </p>
<p>essay: since I live in a very multicultural family, with members from the former Soviet Union and Latin America as well as American-born, I will talk about the influence of all these cultures in my life and what I have learned as a result. </p>
<p>Sorry about the extra-long post. Any feedback and advice would be GREATLY appreciated.</p>
<p>You have a great shot. Please, do not worry about the 780 in math. You sound like an interesting person. The Russian connections and volunteer work will look good. It looks good that you have such a concentration in the animal volunteer work, the library work, and Russian. Just present yourself well and they will want you.</p>
<p>why are posting in someone else's post? why don't u make ur own?</p>
<p>OneMom, thank you for your feedback. </p>
<p>i<3brianjoubert2, I'm sorry. That was my first post on college confidential. I'm still pretty new to this adn didn't know it is considered bad etiquette to "post in someone else's post." I'll start my own. Thanks.</p>
<p>I really dont care if you post in my post</p>
<p>mithopeful:
FROM WHAT I HAVE BEEN TOLD - It is very hard to impress a school like MIT in the mathematic sphere, because there are always many supergenious applicants such as USAMO and IMO participents, Physics bowl country winners, etc. who will beat just about anyone. But, you can impress them with your motivation and aptitude in other areas. To top that, show them that your "down to earth" and NORMAL, as opposed to most of the science geeks at your high school whose only friends are other science geeks. So showing that your good all around (which your SAT scores def. help) and boasting your community service (which I def. dont have bc i get out of school after 7 PM!!!!!!) will really help your chances.</p>
<p>GOOD LUCK and hope to see you in MA</p>
<p>Hi,
what's USAMO and IMO? Do they have these in California?
Thanks</p>
<p>its USAMO is the United States of America Mathematics Olympiad, the third test determining the United States team that will participate in the IMO (international mathematics Olympiad)
250 or so out of 125,000 make the usamo and i think 12 make the IMO (although only 6 participate)</p>
<p>Bump......</p>
<p>Hey you guys, </p>
<p>The MIT admissions stats for this year have been posted. You can view them at my.mit.edu. On the right side of the page you will see Matt's admissions blog. Click the latest entry.</p>
<p>For MIT i wouldnt worry about admissions, if they like you youll get in, if they dont theyll reject you. Admission there is very competitive so id just write the best essays you can and not really worry about it too much...thats my advice.</p>
<p>MIT accepts recs from soph year?</p>
<p>I took a sr. level course AP Physics in soph year. My teacher from soph year is also the robotics counselor.</p>