How do I start to prepare for MIT or other colleges in middle school

Hi, I’m a 7th grader and I’m really interested in science and math so universities like MIT are just the right type. I’m actually even taking a undergraduate course on math at my state university and starting calculas in two years. So I was thinking if there are ways to prepare when I’m not in high school? Thanks

Just keep on your rigorous academic course but still the same enjoy being a kid! Do fun stuff just for fun, not to prepare for college.

If you’re really into math, AMC 8, 10 and 12 can be super fun if you’re into problem solving outside the box, and there’s some really interesting summer math camps that will keep you challenged (e.g., PROMYS). Just look for fun activities like these that will keep you engaged. Once you get into high school, there may be a lot more activities that you can pursue.

Please do not take offense, but adulthood is forever cherish being a kid. Enjoy the time because its a once in a lifetime opportunity. While you are obviously vwry bright there is more to life than what college you go to.

It is way too early to think about specific colleges (especially the hyper-competitive ones). You haven’t started HS and you don’t have any standardized tests. You also need to recognize that middle and high school should each be an experience in and of itself – a time of learning and growth and not just a college application prep experience.

The people I have seen most hurt by the college process are ones who decide on one “dream school” and then don’t get in. With a current acceptance rate of well under 10% there is nothing you can do to assure you get into MIT down the road. The school has to turn down many extremely well qualified candidates.

You appear to be very bright academically. And It is great to take school seriously and know that college will be on your horizon. But as a middle school student it is too early to start planning for specific colleges. I would highly recommend that you get off of CC until your junior year of HS.

For now you should focus on:
–Working hard, learning, and doing as well as you can in the most challenging curriculum you can manage.
–When the time comes study for standardized tests.
–Become involved in activities you care about, particularly during HS, and work towards making meaningful contributions to those activities.
–Enjoying spending time with your family and friends.

When the time comes asses your academic stats (including GPA, standardized tests, course rigor) as well as your financial needs and apply to a wide range of reach, match, and safety schools that appear affordable (you will have to run a net price calculator for each school you consider) and that you would be happy to attend. You need to expand your horizons and recognize that there are many wonderful schools out there where you can have a great 4 year experience and get where you want to go in life.

MIT has about 1,100 freshmen this year, but some are from outside the US. We might guess about 1,000 freshman from the US. According to google there are 26,407 public high schools in the US, and approximately 37,000 high schools in total (including private schools). Therefore there just aren’t even close to enough spots at MIT for just the one top student from each high school to go to MIT.

However, there are thousands of universities and colleges in the US and hundreds that are very good schools for very good students. Most of these have very good programs in science and math.

I think that the best ways to prepare to go to a very good university is to do well in your classes. Pay attention in class and keep ahead in your homework. Also, participate in activities that you find interesting, and have some fun.

Somewhere around about three years from now will be a good time to start thinking about what you want in a university. You should consider a range of universities and colleges and be aware that no one university is the right school for every student, and that no school is perfect either.

Agree with all of the above. Do well academically, pursue outside interests for their own sake, enjoy being a kid and develop as a good person, and have a great life regardless of where you get in to college.

@EpicGuy100, my S1 is also in the 7th grade, with similar math acceleration to yours. He’s also interested in MIT - mainly because every time he comes up with a creative engineering/design idea, he finds out that people at MIT are working on something similar. Besides STEM activities he is a talented artist, classical guitarist, rock climbs, SCUBA dives, and does complex design/fabrication projects - because he loves them, not because they will necessarily help with college. Even if they hurt his admissions chances he’d still do them. I’ve told him not to think about colleges, and that if he keeps his interests up and does well academically he will have a great life. I would say the same to you.

Thanks for the info I’ll keep this in mind!:slight_smile:

There are plenty of schools besides MIT where a student interested in math & technology can thrive – Caltech, Harvey Mudd, Rose-Hulman, RPI, WPI, Michigan Tech, Georgia Tech, Case Western – and a lot more, but you get the idea. Don’t get fixated on one school because it is the school known by the average person on the street. Employers and grad schools know that talented graduates come from a lot more places than one school.

The advice above is good. Focus on academics first. Pick ECs you love – some (but no need for all) should probably be STEM related if you think you want a major in that area. My kid who just graduated with a physics degree was involved in FIRST Robotics, US biology Olympiad, 4H (science projects, mostly wildlife biology – although she did try to make a battery out of pond mud once), Quiz Bowl, fencing, and school creative writing club. Other than doing well in school (taking the highest level of math & science offered at your school) and in ECs you like, don’t worry any more about college until middle of sophomore year.

Right. Part of why it’s “way too early to think about specific colleges” is you only know a few names you’ve heard of.

Great STEM colleges like an open mind and willingness to try different approaches (that’s key in scientific inquiry/research, right?,) as well as collaborative skills. You could aim for that a little now, now, different activities, not just stem, see what clicks - and enjoy youeself. In other words, grow as an individual. In hs, you can ramp this up.

good advice up top