<p>I'm a junior next year, planning on MIT or Caltech for an early admission. My GPA won't be anything impressive; I got straight As sophomore year but nothing was weighted. Next year I have at most 4 weighted (full +1 on GPA) and 2 unweighted; a significant step up but I should be fine, it's not anything I can't handle. My question is, given that my GPA won't be an impressive part of my application, how much weight should I give to GPA versus test scores and ECs? I know everything matters, and I shouldn't stop doing homework or anything, but my time is very limited, so I need to focus on some areas. I just took the Math II subject test after sophomore trig and I'm pretty confident in having gotten an 800, so there should be some strong areas in my application.</p>
<p>Also, in what ways can I integrate unofficial research into my application? So far I have that I could write an essay on a project or if I do good at a competition like Intel or Siemens I could list it as an EC -- is that right? Anything else?</p>
<p>I guess I'll add that ECs on my application will be competative debate (grades 9-12, with leadership position and probably notable accomplishments), working for a small consultant business (haven't gotten fired as of my first year, grade 10; not sure if I should stick with this next year for time issues), maybe peer tutoring for 11-12th grades (again would like feedback), and maybe science competitions if I do good (or should I put that I participated regardless?). If I really need to list other stuff I have scouts (since forever but I quit grade 10, a little leadership but nothing impressive), marching band (grade 9 only), and dragon boat racing (grade 10 only). Advice on what I should and shouldn't put on an MIT/Caltech-type application would be appreciated.</p>
<p>Note that I'm really looking to try for technology-oriented institutes, so I'm not very concerned with what would get me into Harvard or anything of that sort.</p>
<p>Thanks,
Daniel</p>
<p>Do not worry about about your GPA if you can keep up that trend. There really is no GPA that will "impress" admissions because ~4.0's UW is so commonplace, so you'll have to let your other application pieces shine. You can also send your abstracts for your projects if you would like to show how much work you put into the project despite it being unofficial research. For EC's I only recommend putting stuff that shows continuity and passion, as there are only 5 slots (from what I remember).</p>
<p>What you really need to look good is concentrate on is doing well on the things you enjoy doing, not choosing things to do well on because they make you look good.</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies. Didn't know the applications were flexible like that, glad to hear it.</p>
<p>Any advice on which ECs to pursue would be really helpful. My main two will be competative debate and innovative (hopefully competative) research projects, but that's only two. I'll probably keep the job to make three. I know numbers aren't everything, and my top two are things I am really passionate about, which is important, but should I try for more? Would peer tutoring junior/senior year help my chances?</p>
<p>@akdaddy:
I get what you're saying, but if I followed that to the extreme I'd be failing classes, spending all my time on debate and research projects. As with most people, I enjoy getting into good colleges. Anyway, none of my ECs are really things I dislike, I do enjoy some more than others but I wouldn't mind pursuing any of them.</p>
<p><em>Daniel</em>, he isn't suggesting you choose ECs to the detriment of classes: successfully achieving that balance is a sign that you can handle the sorts of pressures you'd see as an MIT student. If you've been mostly involved in debate, the job, and research, those are the things to list. There are only 5 slots on the application, but nothing says you are required to fill in all 5, especially if there aren't 5 activities you are truly committed to. (And I do know students who were accepted without filling in all 5 slots.) MIT admissions is not a "who has the most" contest, it's an evaluation of what you've done with the opportunities you've had, and how you've expressed what you're most passionate about. Many matriculating students will have filled in those blanks with things like research or math competitions or debate; many others will have filled in athletics or theatre or committed community service. That's what makes an MIT class whole.</p>
<p>If you are also interested in Caltech, you will need to post your query on the Caltech board here, too, since their admissions process and considerations differ from those of MIT.</p>
<p>Got it - thanks.</p>
<p>One more question. I got a really low freshman GPA, barely 3.0, under the impression that "freshman grades don't count." (Having been educated at a mediocre high school, unfortunately my sources of information weren't geared toward top schools.) My freshman/sophamore/junior GPA record will be roughly 3.0 > 4.0 > 4.5.</p>
<p>I know GPA isn't everything, and I'm sure mine won't be at all impressive, I'm just concerned with whether mine would be reasonable to the extent that I might be admitted based on other aspects of my application, which hopefully will be? Will pushing for the highest possible GPA junior year make much of a difference?</p>
<p>Thanks,
Daniel</p>
<p>Improve your GPA as much as possible (if you get straight A's you might surprise admission officers) and do great in every other part of your application. Be unique, and awesome</p>
<p>Allright, thanks I'll do my best.</p>
<p>If anything, the fact that your GPA has improved so much and so steadily over the course of your high school career will probably be taken as a sign of increasing maturity and dedication. If you're really worried, you can talk about it in an essay or something, perhaps discussing how you overcame the low expectations of your environment and beat the odds.</p>
<p>Also, see the post I just made on stats and admissions. ;)</p>