<p>I'm a Quebec high school student in grade 11 and I'm looking forward to apply to MIT in a few years. My main concern is that throughout my high school years until now I have been living with so many family problems (probably never going to end) and have never really got to perform well at school. Over here in Quebec, high school ends early (grade 11) and then we go to CEGEP (2 year post-secondary insitution). I have been diagnosed with Bipolar disorder, OCD and anxiety disorder and I'm expecting a great change once I move on to CEGEP (I'll be 17) and hopefully by then I can manage and settle for myself to be able to properly study, get great grades and do lots of extracurricular activities and other stuff that I've never really got the chance to do. So I'm wondering how much of my high school years would affect admission to universities like MIT? I'm definitely hoping to completely change my whole "profile" as I move to CEGEP by hopefully doing well in my studies and do a lot of activities.</p>
<p>I’m definitely considering other options as well. I’m mainly interested in astronomy/physics. MIT is just among many other “great” universities that I wish to apply though I’m not sure if I even stand a chance…</p>
<p>Well suppose I apply to some other universities instead of MIT, my high school grades at best are pretty average and I’m sure I won’t be doing any extracurricular activities or stuff before I actually start CEGEP…I’m just so afraid of the overall application process and how I will be evaluated …I’m really counting to do way better and improve everything once I start cegep…</p>
<p>You are obviously focused on school, that is all it takes.
Just work your butt off, and it will pay off.</p>
<p>And the admissions process at plenty of state engineering schools is nothing to be afraid of. You don’t have to have an app like all of these other kids on college confidential, a hard working kid with an “average” app will go along ways in these types of schools.</p>
<p>The freshman year at MIT has a reputation for being brutal. Will you be ready for that? MIT also has terrific graduate student programs – some of which are surely assistantships (ie, they pay you to be there instead of you paying them). What if you targeted MIT for your Master’s or Phd?</p>
<p>What are other decent colleges for physics/astronomy? I’m still insecure about this whole application thing and my current academic profile. Can I make up for it (in CEGEP - with better grades and more involvement in school/community)? </p>
<p>Also can I explain the poor grades by explaining them about my family issues and/or mood disorders that I’ve been diagnosed with and how it has been a problem for my studies and overall performance during the last few years? </p>
<p>I really do look forward to be and do a lot better than what I am right now and hopefully get a boost later in cegep so that my application looks decent enough…</p>
<p>You need to do a lot more research. I know one of the Arizona schools is huge in astronomy (University of Arizona??). There’s lots of strong physics departments.<br>
The most exclusive schools are going to have plenty of applicants who have NO poor grades – so be honest that you are a long shot for them and look around so you understand the full range of options available elsewhere. Meanwhile, work hard – conquering your challenges has you come out ahead no matter where the sheepskin is from. </p>
<p>Too often we see students and parents focus only on the top dozen schools (because they’ve heard of them) and they don’t take time to look around to find other programs that may be more affordable, more accessible and, sometimes, even better quality (smaller classes, more interactive projects). It’s a bit like me visiting Yellowknife and thinking I know Canada. . . .</p>