Help: Want to get into MIT

Applying to College
1

<p>Hi,
Currently, I'm a sophomore nearing the end of my school year. I've really screwed up my first two years of high school (grade/academic-wise), to the point where most (if not all) people would consider it impossible for me to get into MIT, and yes, I have acknowledged that I probably won't get in as well. I didn't really know what I was doing, and had some troubles. But! I've finally got in the 'right' set of mind, and am very determined and motivated to at least try. I have two years to 'fix' this, I'm willing to try my hardest and to my full potential. I just don't know what to do, though. Advice? Suggestions? Help? Please? Thanks. :)</p>

<p>...
If you want to know what I meant by "screwed up my first two years of high school," I can explain if you need further details, and just ask if you want any more information.</p>

<p>EDIT:I wasn't sure what forum to put this in. So, I put it here.</p>

2

<p>Really you only have one year to correct this. Luckily, junior year is the most important.</p>

3

<p>Alright. What can I do, then?</p>

4

<p>What is your GPA and rank? Did you take the hardest classes your school offers?</p>

5

<p>Why do you idolize MIT so?</p>

6

<p>Currently, my GPA is 3. My freshman year it was around 2/ish. No, I’m not taking the hardest classes at the moment. Next year, my Junior year, I’m taking the hardest (math/science) classes. These:
AP Music Theory
AP Calculus
AP Chemistry
AP Physics
English 11
Economics
I have a passion for technology, and science… Or so it seems, to me. I feel like MIT would be the best place for me to pursue that. All the things that they do are, amazing.</p>

7

<p>Do the math and compare it to the MIT Common Data Set. (you can google this) You’ll see that someone with ~3.0 GPA is non-existent.</p>

<p>To even be viable at a place as selective as MIT, you need to be among the handful of topmost scholars in your HS.</p>

<p>Also, your fixation w/MIT is due to its name, not careful study of other colleges. Plz make an appt w/your guid counselor.</p>

8

<p>True, don’t idolize schools. When the time comes to research schools, fall in love with your backups! That way, if the worst happens, you feel less pain. I idolized MIT and when I got rejected it ruined the next month or so for me, soo trust Me on this, don’t idolize these top schools!</p>

9

<p>There are so many amazing schools out there. Do not be fixated on one college. Look around, see rankings, common data sets, rankings by subject. I’m sure you’ll find many schools that serve your purpose.</p>

<p>And if you are really in a right set of mind, I’m sure you will do well whichever undergrad institute you go to. After that, given you do well, you can get into a number of top graduate schools…even MiT, but that would be harder than most as MiT is apparently very incestuous during graduate school admissions. I’m digressing now.</p>

<p>In short: Look for more schools.</p>

10

<p>I’ve researched other colleges as well. MIT is just my ‘top’ unrealistic goal. Which goes along the lines of that one quote, “Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.” But, anyways… When colleges look at overall high school GPA, do they count in weighted GPAs?</p>

11

<p>Yeah. My “more realistic” goal is to try in one of the backup colleges, and then apply for the grad program at MIT.</p>

<p>EDIT:
And even if that, I may decide I want to change what I want to do. I’ve been really interested in computer science and electrical engineering for the past 2/ish years… But I’m starting to develop more interest in other things.</p>

12

<p>Perhaps a list of your other tech schools would help us determine the chances of acceptance . . . MIT might already be out of reach.</p>