<p>There are lots of ways of standing out in your MIT application beyond participating and doing well on the AMC/AIME/USAMO. Many admitted students never participated in the AMC even when their school offered the test. Many students show passion for science or engineering by working on research (supervised or not), participating in science fairs or even tinkering in their garages. You would be surprised to find how many applicants to MIT did not take part in any official competitions of any kind and were admitted. </p>
<p>Beyond strong academics some demonstrated interest in the sciences obviously helps: MIT is after all the Massachusetts Institute of "Technology". With so many strong applicants MIT is especially looking at applicants who can contribute to the culture of innovation at MIT. That is a very broad mission. An increasing number of MIT students are interested in the life sciences, both in research and clinical medicine. Less than half now major in enginering, and only 40% of women. Others are interested in economics and business. Focus on standing out in your own area of interest, not on some model of the "typical" MIT applicant who doesn't really exist. As Mollie had suggested, in your application, through your essays and list of ECs try to answer the question "Why should MIT pick me?"</p>
<p>An applicant with uniqueness, vibrancy and a quirky way of looking
at everything is always going to be more appealing compared to
a single dimensional applicant...? </p>
<p>An AIME score or anything else along those lines can be like GPA,
you need to show improvement with time....If you make it to the
next level...cool but that in itself does not add to your dimensions.</p>
<p>Make your area of interest as unique as possible....focus on it like
cellardweller is pointing out.</p>
<p>Adcoms are omniscient, you will be unable to get one over them, so
you might as well be yourself and focus on what you will bring to MIT
that no other AIME-taking, USNCO-cracking, USAPO-dunking fellow
applicant is going to do.
;)</p>
<p>Even an AIME QUALIFICATION is something nice to put on your application. I heard an admissions officer say that an AIME qualification is more impressive and noteworthy of 800 on the math section of the SAT</p>
<p>I heard this from an admissions officer, and it made sense. I mean, at my school there are only like 4-5 AIME qualifiers ayear, and maybe like 15 800's on Math SAT. An 800 doesn't really demonstrate incredible mathematical ability, but ability to not make a mistake, where as AIME requires at the very least high level of mathematical abiltiy (and by high, I mean with respect to the general population).</p>
<p>Mr. cellardweller, personally, I believe that your perspective on this matter is incorrect, describing the AIME as something that "does show a certain ability for mathematical puzzle solving, not much else." is simply not accurate. The AIME itself is a very high level assessment that tests one's knowledge and problem solving abilities, and fyi, the AIME does not contain just basic Algebra and Geometry problems...It contains everything from Algebra through Trigonometry and Calculus concepts can be used to solve many of the problems. Now a score of 8 or 10 is decent, but there is always something about taking the real exam...on practice exams I scored around 11-13, but during the real test I scored around a 9-10...most people consistently score higher on the unofficial or practice AIMEs and AMCs than they do on the real deal.</p>
<p>HeWhoDreams, as far as college acceptance goes, the AIME score will not guarantee you a spot at a high level college such as MIT, but certainly will help. There is nothing wrong about doing well on national level tests. An USAMO qualification will further support your case, and all of the USAMO qualifiers I have known have ended up at HYPS and MIT. Furthermore, the USAMO is the most prestigious Olympiad as it begins with well over half a million of the most talented students in the country, whereas, the others (Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Informatics) only have a few thousand. Although, a high GPA and SAT score are essential, an USAMO qualification would most definitely put you in contention for acceptance.</p>
<p>"While I was good in math in college, I was nowhere near their level. Still, 30 years later, I still get an 8 to 10 on the AIME under timed conditions. Is it an indicator that I have the talent to become a good mathematician? Hardly! It just shows that I am just very good at logical puzzles."</p>
<p>-- The AIME is more than just logical puzzles. (the last few problems can be Olympiad-level problems --> you have to be somewhat creative to solve them... you cannot just memorize an algorithm like for rubik's cubes/sudoku's and solve #13-15's). </p>
<p>That being said, I do agree that if you prepare for AIME a lot, you can probably get a pretty high score. But being able to put many hours into doing old AIME/USAMO problems requires a strong interest in math and determination.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Is it an indicator that I have the talent to become a good mathematician? Hardly! It just shows that I am just very good at logical puzzles.
<p>BTW I don't think it's a good idea to compete in AMC/AIME/USAMO series ONLY for college purposes... I have qualified twice for USAMO and it didn't really help me that much(rejected from Caltech, Duke, and Cornell this year).</p>
<p>no, unless he/she had a 134 on the 12 (i know not possible score but lets just say)
or was a sophmore or below and got a 132 on the 10
but it will still help. i hope.</p>