Hi, I am an anonymous high school MIT applicant.
Just received my most recent SAT Subject Tests:
SAT Math II - 650
SAT Physics - 520
MIT truly means a lot, and personally, it’s a place that resonates with me.
These are the results of my first and last SAT Subject test I have taken, and I’ve done poorly on them. Of course, it’s difficult to tell how they will affect my application due to billions of other factors, but I want to hear some brutally honest opinions on how things can possibly go about.
Just a little more information:
I’m from a low-income asian household in California.
My school is very poor in terms of academic performance (over 50% perform far below average on state tests)
I plan to major in Computation and Cognition, an interdisciplinary course that focuses on A.I. and neuroscience.
I’ve taken the most rigorous course possible at my school, and have received 3-4 B’s in my course history.
My SAT score is in the mid 1400s, and I’ll be taking another next month to aim for a 1500+
AP scores are average, being 3s, 4s, and few 5s.
The most impressive parts of my application are probably my essays and extracurriculars.
It’s also been two years since I last took a physics course.
Now, I understand that these must be sent, since they are the only subject tests I’ve taken, but is there anything I can do?
What was your score on the math part of the regular SAT? How are your grades in math up to this point? If all A’s, are these high A’s or low A’s?
Frankly your SAT subject tests make it look as if MIT is simply not the right school for you. Fortunately there are many other very good universities for you to consider.
Submit your highest math and your highest science scores.
“Chancing” somebody who has already submitted their application is counterproductive and meaningless. The only purposes that the exercise have are to help students determine whether their colleges are reaches, matches, or safeties, and to help them determine which colleges to pally ED, and to which ones they shouldn’t bother applying.
You’ve already applied, and nothing we write will make a difference, except stress you even more.
Leave this website and either finish with th rest of your applications, or find something else to do which is more productive, like looking at cats on the internet.
Only come back if you are looking to assemble the rest of your college list, or to update us on admissions decisions, if you so feel inclined.
Lol this happened to me too (not as extreme). I took the bio one after only two months of ap bio and then poured all my energy into that, that my math suffered a little. I was planning on addressing it in the interview, but there’s nothing that can be done now so I’m trying not to worry about it. Best of luck to you
MIT has an acceptance rate of under 10%. Per the common data set MIT deems standardized test scores to be “important” in making admission decisions. I expect your SAT II scores will be a notable negative in your application.
By all means apply to MIT and give it your best shot but be certain to have match and safety schools that appear affordable (run net price calculators) and that you would be excited to attend.
Can you reconsider taking the SAT again and instead retake the subject tests in December? It sounds like your SAT scores have passed the thresh hold of above 700 that MIT is looking for. You need to bring your subject tests closer to 700. And consider taking Math I too; maybe you’ll do much better on that one. MIT uses these scores to help them figure out if you’ll be able to handle the rigorous coarse load at MIT. And your scores won’t leave them confident in that regard. Even if you’re exceptional in many ways, they do not want to accept anyone who will struggle to the point of not being able to pass the very difficult classes. They wouldn’t be doing you or them a favor if they accept you, but the work load is not manageable for you. Try again. My daughter took her subject tests once more and went from getting deferred to getting accepted. We believe it was from bringing her science score up. Good luck!