Having scores below average scores might contribute to imposter syndrome.
720 is way below average for MIT. It might be fine to apply if there are compensating strengths. However, it isn’t just the score.Someone who scored that on the Math Level II probably is not strong enough in math and science for MIT.
I helped a student improve from 680 to 780 on the Math Level II with about 40 hour each of lessons and homework. MIT is the only school that didn’t accept or waitlist her, including all top Ivies. IMO the initial 680 didn’t look good for MIT, and she generally did not fit the profile. Not strong enough on science, although appears to be premed.
@Sattut MIT will disregard lower initial scores. They look at the highest score that puts you in the best light. My daughter tried to teach herself enough physics over the summer to prepare for the subject test. It was a very busy summer for her because she was also doing research. Her score was only a 620. My daughter ended up getting deferred. She decided to take the chemistry subject test instead. She scored much better, and did get accepted. I think they loved her application but hesitated because of the low physics score. But her score was low for MIT standards! Scores in the 700s are not low! You said yourself that your student is not strong enough in science. So don’t you think that her not being accepted could be for a different reason other than an initial low math score?
@UglyMom As per the link what it said was
As other have posted, there may be compensating strengths…it may work for your daughter, or some other national level athletes, but it is not anything over 700…do you have other research to share ? Did MIT post on the web site that anything over 700 is the cut-off?
Of course there are many other variables. Like I said a 700+ will not be the thing that gets you rejected. But if perfect scores are the only thing you have you will still not get accepted. My daughter is no national level athlete. She is a smart girl who took every opportunity she could find and started a few others on her own when she couldn’t find. She was not exceptional in the specific ways you are assuming. But she is an exceptional person in her generous spirit of always helping others and her optimistic cheerful attitude. I have seen many places where it’s been said that if they see the scores are above a 700 they move on to the rest of the application. They want to make sure that the students they accept will be able to handle the rigorous work load. They want to make sure that they can succeed once they are admitted. As long as a student can pass the two math and two physics courses required to graduate they can stay away from math classes the rest of their time at MIT as long as they major in something that doesn’t require them.
If the admissions office is confident that the student can handle the work they will move on. The same thing has been repeated many times in many places. Really, a student needs to decide what is worth spending the precious time they have on. My daughter did retake her math subject test again even if her score was already high enough because she was already sitting for the chemistry test on the same day. But she did not take her SAT again, and her math score on that was a 710.
If I find the time, I will look for more sources.
This is MIT. Half of the students have imposter syndrome.
@Ballerina016
True and there are many triggers, but below average scores is certainly one of them. I wouldn’t discourage anyone from applying or attending but do so with the thick skin and confidence that @UglyMom is exhibiting.