Is it even worth applying to MIT without demonstrated interest in STEM, even though student has perfect scores in STEM classes, AP tests and SAT subject tests.
high iq?
I don’t mean literally, just whole picture showing signs of higher intelligence.
*Bump.
The commonly cited “Applying Sideways” essay (http://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/applying_sideways) seems to imply that the student’s “passion” doesn’t have to be related to STEM:
Do not despair. I had perfect stats but only one EC relating to STEM. Though the EC was quite unique and prestigious, it was my only thing outside of school related to STEM. I ended up getting waitlisted at Caltech. As for MIT, we will see tomorrow. As long as you demonstrate a strong interest through your essays, you will be a viable candidate.
@SugarlessCandy:
Why does your child want to apply to MIT? And more important, why isn’t he or she the one asking these questions?
I ask that very sincerely.
It’s less about a demonstrated interest in STEM, and more about with a strong academic profile, will the adcoms conclude he/she would be a good fit for MIT?
MIT adcoms are quite experienced at determining a “less than ideal match” for applicants who aren’t in the driver’s seat.
She isn’t posting on forums/relying on strangers kind of person, she is looking at college websites, talking to her GC, teachers and seniors who are applying.
Her calculus BC teacher suggested MIT, he thinks her analytical approach to problem solving can be used well at places like MIT & Caltech.
My questions are more for educating myself about issues or colleges she is thinking about and be able to understand the process.
You’re too preoccupied with IQ. It’s meaningless in this scenario.
Stop obsession over IQ, it reeks of elitism
Okay, I don’t want to sound rude, but from past threads, you seem to have an odd obsession with IQ: no school would ever have access to you IQ at the time of application. They don’t want that information.
Why do you even know your kid’s IQ? How high IS you kids IQ? Just so you know, the COGAT is not an IQ test. It is a test of learned reasoning abilities.
98% of MIT applicants would probably score ~130+, but I doubt even ten percent have ever been tested. Its expensive, and unless you have a learning disability, not necessary.
The only time I could even think of that a school would ever know is if you submitted testing to apply for accommodations.
High IQ is totally irrelevant, coming from someone who has one. They don’t care, and when you think about it, being in the top 2% only makes you 1/50, that’s not terribly uncommon. In most academic settings it’s likely lower 1/30, 1/20?
How much you’ve posted about IQ in threads weirds me out a little bit. It puts off a sense of superiority that won’t help with admissions. The thing above about ‘a sense of higher intelligence doesn’t help’ thinking you’re just gifted will hurt you when something is hard.
Mention IQ, or act like you think you’re SO smart? Probably won’t get in.
High stats, no stem ECs?
- mit says very clearly on the application site that they don’t care if your ECs are stem related.
Let’s take a step back. The competition is fierce for tippy tops, to begin with. Given a choice among the thousands with stats and rigor, apparently bright personalities, would you choose the ones who “claim” an interest in stem or those who pursued it, including outside just their classes, who can keep up with their peers in terms of experiences, the application of the knowledge, not just the class learning and std tests?
OP, you’ve played your cards pretty close, just spilling details in dribs. Wanna tell us what she is involved with? Is it really nothing related to math/science? Or are you assuming “demonstrated interest” means she cured cancer?
TT adcoms don’t guess, they don’t fill in the blanks for a kid. They don’t just say, “Well, she’s bright and really, really wants to major in this.” Not when there are so many others lined up who can hit the ground running. The “sideways” thing is an extra aspect.
You’ve got to start digging into what these colleges, themselves, look for. They aren’t looking for snowflakes, the beloved of family and friends.
And sure, some get by with less. But exceptions are, by their nature, rare. This applies to all fiercely competitive colleges.
This was just a simple question as D told me that her teacher encouraged her to to consider MIT. D isn’t even sure she is going to keep it on her list or not. I just wanted to know if it’s even worth paying the application fee as she has no STEM ECs. I’m not suggesting that they should shove more qualified applicants to the side and select her.
That’s… random. I was trying to respond last night, and nothing would go through, so I tried shorter messages, and it still didn’t work, and they suddenly all popped out. Oh well.
It happened to me a couple of times and I recently read another thread where OP’s page just kept reloading so she was posting from her kid’s account. Darn Russian hackers! 