I’ve done some research in the net for some time, after which I’ve come up with the following doubts:
What is the difference between ACT and SAT? Also, what is a PSAT?
What minimum marks Ivy Leagues and Elite Schools want/require in SAT for an international student?
In an AP exam, how many subjects can I take? Please do explain the AP.
I have been reading a lot of advertisements and articles about coaching classes like UnivQuest and Jumbotree these days. As they say on their website, apart from SAT preparation, they also provide some application building course and all. Do I need to enrol in these?
What are the scholarships available?
What are the extra-curriculars on which they mainly focus on?
Which science/maths competition/scholarship will you recommend to increase my chances of getting there?
How are “essays” and “letter of recommendations” helpful?
Is there anything important, I forgot, which can increase my odds in getting there? If so, then please do let me know.
@TheCompNerd did you participate in IJSO or any olympiads? because it is very difficult with sub 90% marks to get into HYPSM and Oxbridge Have a minimum requirement of 9.8 cgpa
There is no set of activities that will increase your odds. Institutions will easily know what you did just for the sake of getting in to university, and what you did by following your passion.
Mostly different content and timing. You can take either of them, it doesn’t matter which one. The PSAT does not apply to you, so don’t bother.
There are no “minimum marks”. It’s not like India, where you can gain admission by fulfilling a set list of criteria.
As many as you want. AP are exams which you can take to skip out of introductory classes in college.
No. I tried UnivQuest once. They aren’t good. Stay away from coaching classes.
Google them.
Whatever you’re interested in.
The Olympiads, and only if you achieve something significant. Simply participating won’t help.
They reveal a lot about the applicant.
You forgot to cure cancer. However, all joking aside, there isn’t much to do. Study hard, do what you’re interested in, and hope for the best.
Yes I agree, what’s there actually in SAT to be taught? I mean the maths is not tough enough. But they say about preparing the college application? Where can I get some help for preparing my college application?
Can you tell me what is an EC and CR?
I’ve been watching people using these type of abbreviations in many posts and blogs.
And also do you have any suggestions for me to do or focus on? Don’t you?
I know there’s no specific ‘formula’ and probability plays a key role here, but still, for assurance. :3
Moreover, do you know any of the present MIT undergraduates from India? Can you tell me, how can I contact with any one of them?
There are many websites and books on this, or you could ask a college counselor, for example.
EC = extra-curricular
CR = critical reading section of the SAT
As an MIT student, I can’t (and shouldn’t) really tell you any specific activities to pursue. Having something that stands out, e.g. gold medal at an International olympiad, or publishing a paper, or very active volunteer work can help though.
I will answer straight to the point. I’m a current 12th grader who will be applying to colleges this year. Maybe this answer can help you:
Crush school.
Get the highest marks possible. Always take the most rigorous course available to you. If possible, shift to the IB board after your 10th grade. Do not take the APs unless they are offered at your school or you want to graduate early. Remember: Failure here will automatically disqualify you from the race, especially when you are competing with people from a country like India.
Do what you love and try to become the best at it.
Nobody can suggest you what you should do. Even if you are some sort of a Bach+Terrence Tao sort of prodigy but hate math and music and instead, love cricket, play cricket and become the best in India. Basically, do something that you are passionate about and excel in it. Dont do something just for the sake of getting in to XYZ college. Adcomms will see right through it.
SAT, Subject tests, etc.
Start early. Try to get them over by the end of the first half of 12th grade. Score above 2200 on SAT 1 (or, 34 and above on the ACT) to be on the safe side academically. Also, Indians tend to perform well on the ACT, so do check out that option too.
A note on Olympiads: It is a good idea to take them. Try to reach the nationals of at least one Olympiad. But, don’t think that performing well here will automatically get you an acceptance. This year alone, 3 medallists and 3 non medallists(participants, though) were rejected at MIT from India alone (I also remember reading about a Korean perfect scorer at the IMO get rejected at MIT on AoPS).
A vvv important note: It seems that you are new to the game. At first,everyone gets swayed away by MIT, Harvard and the likes. Two years back, I too was in a same position like you. Day dreaming about the MIT acceptance will not get you anywhere. Start at this moment. Aim to be a person who everybody reveres, not a person who got into MIT.
Also, as you move further down the line, there will be times when you feel that you cannot do anything right. Don’t let those moments get you. Personally, I was not even clown college quality in 10th grade. But I turned it around. Right now, I have performed well in the olympiads, published research, captained sports teams, started a national level organization and even interned at top institutes and a startup. What I mean to say is, never get disheartened by the fact that you did not do something on a particular day. There will always be 10x people better than you. But if you work hard enough, you can certainly be among the top 1% in India (this is the point when you will become a highly competitive applicant at the universities that you mentioned).
Finally, make a proper college list. There are over 5000 colleges in the US. You have a lot or choices. Don’t be the stupid kid who only applies to Ivy leagues. Broaden your horizons. Make a balanced list of safeties, matches and reaches.
This is the end of this post. Thanks for giving me an opportunity to brag a bit about myself :-p
I know quite a few undergrads from India at MIT. However, if your intentions are to contact them, ask for their stats and emulate them, it is a bad idea.
Just a note for everybody who thinks that an olympiad medal/participation will get you into MIT:
In 2014, only 2 members of the Indian IMO team got into MIT. Ofcourse, everybody did get the interview.
In the same year, only one person from India's IOI team made it.
Nobody from the IBO, IChO, IPhO and IOL teams made it.
^What they said.
Listen to what they’ve said. DO SOMETHING THAT INSPIRES YOU! You want suggestions? Cure cancer. Eradicate pollution. Publish a research paper. Become a math genius. Create the successor to Facebook. Become a MUN prodigy.
Do these sound interesting? No, of course not. That’s because you may not like them. Do the things you love. Astronomy? Find ECs in that field. Biology? Research into the field, find ECs, compete in the IBO.
Also, expanding on what mumbai98 said, it would be a good idea to shift to the IB or A level curriculum. I’m in the A levels, and I assume @mumbai98 is in IB.
@DarkEclipse Nah. I’m studying in the state board. I had the option of shifting to the IB board, but I did not. IB board is also advantageous in the sense that it will allow you to apply to top colleges in Europe without any extra hassles (as is the case with CBSE). I still regret not shifting to the IB board.
“I just wanna know, ahead of the SATs, TOEFL and AP, what are the ‘essentials’…”
For these schools, test scores are essential. Although your 9th grade year may put you out of the running, altogether.
"Yeah. I’m listing out some other prestigious schools for a backup "
That’s a joke, right? None of these schools is a “backup.” They all require top test score, top grades, great extracurriculars, great recommendations, and great essays. And then, some good fortune.
