GPA

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hi

I was wondering:

  1. Is an unweighted GPA of 3.90 competitive for schools like MIT? (Not guaranteed admission or anything -I realise that-, but is there a point in applying with a score like this?)
  2. How does the admissions officer assess international qualifications? I am having a hard time evaluating whether or not I can compete with other applicants.
  3. If my grades are average (MIT standard), to what degree can near-perfect SAT subject test scores compensate for this?

If you want to know, my grades are (1 to 6, where 6 is best):
15 x grade 5
9 x grade 6 (maths, psychology level 1 and 2, chemistry level 1 and 2, biology level 2, geography, ethics, history)

Thank you very much.

-vildeung

2
  1. Yes. It's beyond the point where GPA will matter.
  2. Internationals face tougher competition than domestic applicants. Schools like MIT will take 1-2 students a year from small- to mid-sized countries (China/India and other populous countries usually have more admits as they have a far larger applicant pool).
  3. Depends. I don't know this system very well. Perfect/near-perfect scores are par for the course at MIT, so don't get your hopes up.
3

Are your grades IB? if so, don’t try and convert them to a 4.0 GPA- the admissions officers know that scale. MIT gives course credit for many subjects with scores of 6 and/or 7.

As for whether super-high SAT scores will compensate, be aware that the *average/i SATs for Math is 750-800; for CR 690-790 and Writing 700-790. In other words, ‘near perfect’ puts you in the middle of the pack.

But remember: MIT means it when they say they want a whole person not just impressive stats!