I need suggestions on IMPROVEMENTS

Colleges & Universities A-Z Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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<p>Below is what I put in the MIT Application, is there any way should I improve, or do I look one-dimensional?</p>

<p>International (Hong Kong - Asian), no financial aid</p>

<p>Doing something for the pleasure of it: Reading</p>

<p>Intended Major: Math</p>

<p>Creativity: Product design for Chinese New Year Fair</p>

<p>Activities outside class:
Math Olympiad
Joint School Math Society
Projects with friends
New Year Fair Stall
Non-varsity Sports</p>

<p>Summer Activities:
International Physics Olympiad Team Training
International Math Olympiad + Related Training
Summer Math Course at a local University
Travel
Volunteer Work
Regional Math Olympiad</p>

<p>World I come from: Tension between the MO circle, schoolmates and family</p>

<p>Significant Challenge: Time management between public exam and getting into IMO team</p>

<p>Scholastic distinction:
International Math Olympiad Silver
Asia Pacific Math Olympiad Silver
Regional Math Olympiad Silver
City Physics Olympiad Champion
Full science (Physics, Biology, Chemistry) subject prize</p>

<p>Leaving school early without a diploma due to a local Early Admission Scheme</p>

<p>SAT: CR 640, M 750, W 590 (Applying as international, so doesn't mind)</p>

<p>TOEFL iBT: 112</p>

<p>Sub Test: Phy 800, Math 2 800, Chem 800</p>

<p>Additional Essay: My craziness when doing math ;)</p>

<p>Would anybody mind to point out my weaknesses? If best, please tell me what way I can improve them (or whether I am already dead).</p>

<p>Indeed, one thing: I don't do any instruments or any form of music.</p>

2

<p>Just do what you really, really like to do. Don’t worry about what some adcom will think.</p>

3

<p>I’m just wondering why you wrote on ‘reading’ as something you do for the pleasure of it, when it would appear that mathematics is something you genuinely enjoy…reading is far too basic (i.e. it’s pretty much a given that MIT applicants enjoy reading…), whereas your tremendous credentials in mathematics really support your interest in it.</p>

<p>Also, what do you mean by “(Applying as international, so doesn’t mind)” - those scores are very low for applicants from HK, and as an international applicant you should have stronger credentials, if anything, than domestic applicants.The low CR and W are especially going to make MIT question whether or not you can communicate and write up to a sufficient standard, though your TOEFL is all right. If you can sit the December or January SAT you really should try to bring them up.</p>

<p>Don’t worry about the “doing music” part - far too many applicants put music down that it just looks trite; you clearly have a passion, which is what matters far more than a swag of different (and often superficial) ECs.</p>

<p>On the whole I would say you are a very strong applicant; best of luck.</p>

4

<p>@ EphermeralEternal: I agree. What about my online Diplomacy games? That is something which I enjoy.</p>

<p>Besides, I think I can push up my SAT score. I was in my best possible condition with the best possible set of question.</p>

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<p>“SAT: CR 640, M 750, W 590 (Applying as international, so doesn’t mind)”</p>

<p>Uhhh no the adcoms will mind. They might stop minding after you get 700+ on every section.</p>

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<p>The standard test scores do matter but only up to an extent. Focus on getting “yourself” described well through your essays. We can’t really tell if you will get in with your achievements because they also don’t tell all of you. They know you’re devoted to Math and you’re really good at it. They want to know if you will fit in with the community at MIT.</p>

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<p>If you’re an IMO silver medalist, your math is strong enough for you to place all emphasis on it. Say you do math for the pleasure of it, not reading. I’m not familiar with the TOEFL (not sure how good 112 is), but you need either your TOEFL or SAT score to tell ad coms that you are decently competent at the english language.</p>

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<p>bumpbumpbu</p>