International student trying to get into MIT

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hi, I'm applying to MIT RA in december, and I'd like your opinion on my chances of actually getting in and getting a full ride. I know it's very competitive, especially for international students (what, 4k people applied, 150 got in? damn.), but eh, I won't know if I don't try.</p>

<p>About me:</p>

<p>Race/ethnicity: White, slavic
Country: Bosnia&Herzegovina</p>

<p>Grades - We don't have GPA, but my average grade is 4.6/5.0, not sure how good is it compared to GPAs.
No major competitions or awards.</p>

<p>Tests - TOEFL(IBT) - 115, SAT Subject test: Math I - 800, Physics - 780</p>

<p>Recommendations - I'll be getting them from an english and physics professors, both with a PhD and both who like me and write kick ass recommendations. I'm sure to get 11/10 points there. We don't have a school counselor, but school psychologist has a similar enough function and I'll get a very good recommendation there too.</p>

<p>Essays - I'm usually okay with essays, but if the topic is again something similar to 'the world I grew up', I'll have plenty of dramatic/tear-jerking/sad moments to talk about (you know, growing up in a war devastated country, playing as a kid with stones of destroyed buildings etc etc) which are, sadly, true.</p>

<p>Extracurriculars - I think this is my (only) strong point. 4 years of Tech club, 2 of those a leader and a trainer to younger members. It's a largest club in our school, with around 20 members and the one with most responsibility. I'll be sure to explain in details that I'm in charge of all events and shows that happen in school, including coordinating recording of said shows and sound system. I was also part of a team in my year 9 that made an hour long documentary about our city and school which features me in the credits for several things, among them, being in charge of sound. I'll be sure to mention the film, but should I send them a copy or something?</p>

<p>If I understood correctly, MIT offers a full ride to those in need, and since my family, combined, earns about 3000$ a year, I think I qualify.</p>

<p>Well, I hope I covered everything important. Do I have any chance to get in?</p>

2

<p>What did you get for the SAT (the first one not the subject tests)?</p>

3

<p>Very very slim chances. MIT is incredibly competitive for international applicants; they literally take the best in the world. Quote from the MIT board:

</p>

<p>But give it a shot! Work hard on your essays and if you come off as interesting and unique enough, maybe you’ll get in!</p>

4

<p>You have no chance without any sort of international award like USAMO, IMO, ICHO, etc.</p>

5

<p>It is nearly impossible as an international. The above posters are right-- they usually look for someone with perfect scores who has won a major competition.</p>

6

<p>If admitted to MIT, you needn’t worry about finance. That said, for international students, it’s very tough already as it is. And they tend to take international students with international awards. Having none can hurt your chances.</p>

7

<p>@ Shrivats88 I didn’t do the complete SAT, I went for the TOEFL+SAT II option.
@ ReesesPieces Hm, their admissions site says that they don’t look at the scores as much as they look at the person in general (activities, essays, recommendations). Naturally, one needs high scores and I think I have them high enough.</p>

<p>I suppose I should add I have plenty of work experience (part time job non stop for the last 5 years).</p>

<p>Thanks for you opinion people. I do realize my chances are slim, but I checked MIT’s site, there are already 2 people from my country enrolled and I know for a fact that nobody around won a major international prize in the past 2 or 3 years. If I ace my essays I think I might have a chance.</p>

8

<p>Its kind of a requeriment to have an icho, ipho, imo medal and even if you have it does not guarantee an admission, since it’s really competitive. If you apply to other colleges you may have a better chance</p>

9

<p>I think his essays will help a lot. MIT likes diversity</p>

10

<p>Well, he didnt even take SAT I and im pretty darned sure that IS a requirement.</p>

<p>But, I agree, you should apply even if your chances are slim. You never know.</p>

11

<p>well, same here…I don’t have any prize yet, as an international student.
And I don’t think I can actually do well in my reasoning test, especially the CR part.</p>