<p>^ So, unless I’ve misunderstood what Olympiads are, you did those outside of your required classes/homework/etc. It’s certainly a very academic activity, but it is still something you did with your free time that you didn’t have to do.</p>
<p>Some MIT students did a wide variety of activities in high school, while others did mostly academic activities. Either is fine. MIT takes more than one type of person.</p>
<p>well i m not saying that i didn’t do anything … i was an and still am an active participator in most of the quizzes (both as quiz master and team leader) , dramas , songs ,etc. etc. etc. all i m saying is that i was not given a best performer certificate or any other achievement other than participation one in any of 'em … and yes as a matter of fact i really did those olympiads out of my regular course things and high school (and to be a little personal even out of my parent’s consent as they thought i wud be neglecting my school if i participated in these things) …</p>
<p>Well i wanted to ask something … one of my seniors was saying that until and unless i m having a “medal” in some international olypmiad my chances in gettin selected for MIT is nil … is it true ?? i mean not every second person achieve a medal in international olympiad due to some or the other reason … will this straight away kick me out of the league ???</p>
<p>There is no requirement that you have to have won a medal to be admitted to MIT, but you need to realize that admission to MIT is extremely selective, even more so for internationals. In general, MIT recognizes major academic awards from well known math and science competitions as significant factors for admission. Even though such “academic superstars” are not guaranteed admission to MIT they definitely get a boost in admission. It naturally follows that you will find a substantial number of the successful international applicants have been awarded recognized academic distinctions. You will compete for admission with some of the very best students not only from India but from across the world so you will need to stand out in major way to have a chance. </p>
<p>On the one hand you claim you actually have done very well at major math/science competitions such as IMO but then you state you actually have nothing to show for your participation! How do you then even know you did well?</p>
<p>@cellardweller</p>
<p>First of all thanks for that clear picture of competition i really needed it … And secondly i said that i did well on the fact that i got an International rank of 36 in the first round of IMO and was not able to go for the second round … i thought it was a good achievement since i even cleared quite a few national olympiads too !! … well then what wud u say ???</p>
<p>Does MIT only want “all-time-study” type of guys ?? … i mean do i have be a “nerd” if i want to get in MIT ??</p>
<p>^ They accept some, but not all of their class compose of those type of people.</p>
<p>And I think you already qualify for a nerd if you participated in IMO ;D haha</p>
<p>yeah but that’s the case isn’t it ??.. i participated … cleared the first level … but was not able to appear for international level … so do i still qualify for nerd ?? ;)</p>
<p>Heyy guys … i really want to have an interview by any means would be great for me … but i still know very less about it … i have read every information the admissions site has provided on interview but still i have doubts on what’s it gonna be all about … i mean the admissions site says it would be more or less a conversation type of a thing … if so how much does it affect my over all application ?? … and if it’s not gonna be like that how will it be ?? … will it be subject oriented ?? ( like the ones they have in olympiads in which they ask question which are way above ur level ??) or just a general interview ?? !!</p>