How important are test scores?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Massachusetts Institute of Technology
1

<p>Since MIT is a more tech-based school, I would assume they would care more about test scores and other quantitative data than some peer institutions. Since I have good scores but middling ECs, I want to maximize my chances of getting into a college where I would be happy; one of these colleges is MIT. Could someone tell me if these scores would give me a good chance of admission at MIT, or if I would have a better chance elsewhere? I'd also like to go to Princeton, Harvard, or Stanford and I am trying to figure out where to apply early to maximize my chances.</p>

<p>White male, religious school
ACT: 36 composite, 35 Eng, 35 Math, 36 Reading, 36 Science, 8 Essay
AMC: ~85.5 (just barely didn't qualify)
Chem Olympiad, local: 57/60 National: didn't even get honors
GPA, unweighted: 4.0 wGPA: no idea
Rank: 1/~330, but don't know how my school reports this, if at all</p>

<p>Some AP Classes:
Art History:4</p>

<p>Statistics (self-study): Probably a 4
English Comp: Probably a 5
Chemistry: Almost definitely a 5
US History: Probably a 5</p>

<p>Physics C: Mechanics and the EM tests
Biology
Calc BC
Lit
Comp Sci A
Spanish Lang</p>

<p>My ECs/awards are good but not great. Mostly just academic team awards (state titles, national qualifying but doing poorly at the national tourneys), boy scout awards, and a few clubs. Leadership in many of them, but nothing eye-grabbing. I could potentially be a Siemens/Intel Semifinalist but that is tentative and not a chicken I will count before it hatches. An internship.</p>

<p>I think I can write quirky, witty, and overall interesting essays if given the space and prompt to do so. This might help me more at other schools, though.</p>

<p>I realize this looks like a chance thread, and it kinda is. I just want to go to some of these selective schools and know, out of the ones I listed, I can only apply to one early. If it helps, MIT is my favorite, Princeton my second, with Harvard and Stanford somewhat distant thirds.</p>

2

<p>Oh yeah, my SATI score was not as good as my ACT (800Cr, 760M, 710W with a 7 essay)=2270 so I don’t plan on submitting it. SAT IIs: M2:800 Chemistry: 780-800 USH: 750-800, Spanish w/ listening: currently only a 700, can’t raise it before I apply early, but can raise it before regular apps.</p>

3

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<p>They are more analytical about the process, but there is a human element. Test scores could be considered a necessary condition, but not a sufficient condition. More than enough students apply with high enough test scores to succeed (necessary condition). From that pool, they select who they want for whatever reasons - the human element. This is where the disadvantaged student with marginal scores that has overcome significant obstacles has a better chance than the advantaged student with top scores who otherwise does not stand out.</p>

4

<p>Okay, so my grades do not significantly increase my chances over someone with the same EC’s and awards but with, say, a 3.8 and a 34? After you pass a threshold, quantitative data doesn’t matter as much? I guess I better nail those research competitions, then.</p>

5

<p>I was accepted EA to MIT, then later Stanford this year with 2050 on my SAT. 32 on my ACT and 800 on both Math II and Biology M. So don’t worry about your scores. You look fine.</p>

6

<p>See, I don’t know your other circumstances. You might have a demographic hook, talent, skill, or story that really piqued their interests. I am just a boring white kid with nothing truly remarkable with the possible exception of my scores, which still might be pretty common.</p>

<p>I guess I’m just worrying a lot because I know I REALLY, REALLY want to go to MIT and also know that some of the applicants who look pretty good on paper don’t get in. I’d be really happy at some other schools, too, so I want to get in to at least one of them. I’m just worried that these scores won’t be enough.</p>

7

<p>The reason grades/scores matter to MIT is to make sure you’re qualified/would be able to handle the work. You certainly meet that mark.</p>

<p>So what you want to prove to the admissions people is passion. Passion for math/science, passion for music, passion for volunteering, passion for art; whatever it’s for, the admissions people want to see what happens when you find something you love and dedicate yourself to it. That’s why ECs, sports, research competitions, and Olympiads matter. My advice is just to dedicate yourself to something you love and hope for the best. Maybe it’ll happen and maybe it won’t, but either way, you’ll come away proud of your dedication and accomplishments.</p>

8

<p>Well I’m Asian with no awards, no athletics, just a board member of a nonprofit, which is still common among the applicant pool. I’m not sure how I got in but I’m sure that my test score didn’t keep me out.</p>

9

<p>Thank you all for your help. However, my main question remains: will these scores increase my chances at MIT over HPS?</p>

10

<p>It’s not completely clear, but I think your question is if it makes sense to apply to MIT early or to apply to one of HPS early. And you wonder if your scores will help you in your early application to any one of those schools. If that is your question, then it almost certainly will not increase your chances at MIT by applying early. In addition it is debatable that applying early to HPS will help your chances at one of those schools either, but I think it is more likely to help you there.</p>

<p>In my son’s case his top two schools were MIT and Princeton. He decided to apply early to Princeton in the hope that would help him. It didn’t. He was deferred and ultimately rejected. He applied at MIT in the regular round and was accepted. It is probable he still would have chosen MIT over Princeton if he got into both, but that really can’t be known.</p>

<p>Your scores give you a chance at all those schools, but I don’t think those scores along with an early application will make much of a difference. Good luck to you whatever you decide.</p>

11

<p>Dangitdang - just curious. What kind of classes, EC, and other activities have you taken during high school that you think made a difference from other to get accepted at MIT and Stanford? By the way congrat!</p>

12

<p>

It’s unlikely. If your scores are good enough (and they are), MIT doesn’t really take into consideration how good they are. Put another way, your chances at MIT would be the same if the remainder of your application were identical, but you had a 34 composite ACT score. </p>

<p>Plenty of people with profiles like yours are admitted every year. You certainly shouldn’t feel that your test scores are the only thing you have going for you.</p>

13

<p>Seems like at Princeton, EA gives more of an edge than at MIT.</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/massachusetts-institute-technology/1381283-early-action-vs-regular-decision.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/massachusetts-institute-technology/1381283-early-action-vs-regular-decision.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>List your desired schools in order of preference. Then either:</p>

<p>1) Apply to the top school on the list that has non-binding EA; or
2) Apply to all the schools on the list that have non-single choice EA.</p>

<p>Then you either get: 1) The best chance at the school you want most (no regrets); or 2) the best chance at the most schools (best chance at getting into a college of choice).</p>

<p>Let’s say that you applied to Stanford Single Choice EA, and MIT RD. How will you feel if you don’t get into MIT?</p>

14

<p>The more I think about it, the more I think it would be beneficial to apply to Princeton SCEA. I’m right on the edge of no aid/some aid so I’d have longer to negotiate a financial plan, which is supposedly a better and more generous process there than anywhere else. Also, it seems like the advantage of applying EA to MIT is minimal, even given my scores. I don’t like Harvard as much as the other two (and probably won’t get in. No huge awards/service, no extraordinary talent, no hooks, no connections), and I’m really considering not applying to Stanford at all because my family doesn’t want me so far away in case of emergency and because travel would be quite expensive. </p>

<p>Just thought I’d make an update. Thank you all for your help, and don’t think applying SCEA to Princeton means I don’t want to go to MIT. It’s still my #1, I’m just trying to maximize my chances.</p>

15

<p>huehue…</p>

<p>That’s what my son did. He applied SCEA to Princeton and was accepted. He actually didn’t know MIT was his favorite until he made the decision to attend near the May 1st deadline. I think MIT EA isn’t that big of an edge over regular admissions, but the other schools you mentioned, particularly Princeton, do accept a good deal more than they do RA.</p>

16

<p>In past years, MIT has accepted something like 10-20% EA and more towards 5-10% RA, but that is due to a more competitive applicant pool. In the early cycle, there are more highly motivated/organized students applying with MIT as their absolute first choice, and that leads to there being a VERY competitive applicant pool at that point. That’s also why something like 80% of EA applicants are deferred.</p>

<p>I don’t think it truly gives you any kind of an edge. If it is your first choice – or if you’d like to apply to a few schools EA, not SCEA – then go for it. I applied to MIT and Caltech EA, but I finished all my other 9 applications by November anyway…so by the time Dec 15 arrived and I got accepted to MIT, I’d already paid for all those other applications…aggh still frustrating :p</p>