Is it worth applying MIT?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Massachusetts Institute of Technology
1

<p>I am an asian male who moved to the U.S. when I was a freshman in high school.
My stats are not as good as other applicants to MIT, and I realize my chances are slim.
However, I have a green card, so I'm eligible to apply to MIT with an early action.
If there is nothing to lose besides writing a few essays(I know this is hard) why shouldn't I give it a shot?
Although I'm almost certain that I don't have any chances at MIT, I just want to hear some oppinions.
Would you guys mind advising me?</p>

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<p>GPA : A in regular is 4.0, A in honors/AP is 5.0</p>

<p>Note: my class rank is relatively really low because I had to take ESL and essential classes in my freshman year, and regular classes in my sophomore year, and finally I could start taking AP and honors classes in my junior year. My guidance counselor told me that he hasn't ever seen this kind of progress in 10 years. However, I am still worried that the admission office would see my class rank and class rigor as problems.</p>

<p>Freshman (3.8) - I came to the U.S. this year. I couldn't speak English..
Concert Choir A-
ESL A-
ESL US history 2 A
Essential biology A-
Gym A
Plane geometry A
Spanish 1 A-</p>

<p>Sophomore (4.1) (starting to speak English..)
Algebra 2 H A
Chemistry A
Gym A
Choir A-
English1 A-
Spanish 2 A
US history A</p>

<p>Junior (4.77) - speak almost fluently in English
AP Stats A
EMA honors A
English 2 A
Gym A
Spanish 3 H A-
World Civ H A
Physics H A</p>

<p>Senior (4.9 projected)
AP World
AP Lang & Comp
AP Calc BC
AP Physics
Spanish 4 H (Should I skip spanish4 and take AP Spanish if I can?)
English 3 H</p>

<p>My class rank and GPA were as low as they seem since I was unable to take honors classes in those two years. In my freshman year, I first had to adapt to the new environment and learn the languages at the same time. Since I was in Essentials and ESL classes, I had to go up to regular classes first, in order to place myself in higher courses.</p>

<p>As a junior now, I am finally in all honors classes except for my English class. Next year, four APs with two honors.</p>

<p>ECs
Internship at an engineering company 2009
Auditioned Choir 1 (Men)
- performed in various places
Auditioned Choir 2 (Men and Women)
- performed in various places
Solos at concerts
Multicultural Club (Vice President)
FBLA (Vice president)
Stock market club (Vice president)
Chinese Club
Model UN
Tri M - (Music honored group)
-Jazz ensemble
National Honor Society
Science League
Took AMC10 and AMC12
AIME Qualifier
Debate Club JV
Volunteer at nursing home 100+
Teacher Assistant at Korean school 100+
Winter track freshman and sophomore</p>

<p>SAT 2170 Math 800 Reading 680 writing 690 -> I decided to take my forth SAT in October
SAT 2 MATh 2c 790 1c 770 chemistry 780 Physics 680 (retake in Nov?)
TOEFL 110+</p>

2

<p>is it worth it applying to MIT? YES!
In my opinion, you are doing very well for someone who just came to the United States.　However, I must say you are at a very disadvantaged position because most admission officers do not value your experience and accomplishments as you might imagine. they do think they are important, but not THAT much. Your activities are diverse, you grades are good tho not fantastic. if you have great dreams for the future, you should take advantage of every opportunity offered. take your SAT scores up to all over 700, and then write a fantastic essay are my suggestions.</p>

3

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<p>Can anyone say grade inflation? Anyway, it won’t hurt you not to be the valedictorian.</p>

4

<p>

I don’t understand how this would apply to the OP…
A school’s system for calculating GPA has nothing to do with grade inflation.</p>

<p>Anyways, to the OP, I think you should definitely apply EA. Infact you answered your own question.

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I don’t think you need to retake Physics because you already did very well in Math II and Chemistry and I believe MIT only asks for one math/one science.</p>

5

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<p>Sorry, I misread that a little bit, but honestly I think the system is still a bit inflated.</p>

6

<p>Grades in high school overall are inflated. But, most colleges recalculate an applicant’s GPA according to their own standards.</p>

7

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<p>The point is that someone could barely scrape a 4.0 while another person could do tons better than the first (but got a 4.0 because that’s the highest you can get). It’s harder to separate people at the top end. In a less grade-inflated system, maybe the first person would’ve gotten a 2.8 and the second a 3.9. This shows a clear difference.</p>