Me, An "International Student" Trying To Apply To MIT

<p>Hi, The reason I put quotations on international student is because I was born In Los angeles, CA, but I am currently in Pakistan. I want to apply to MIT, But i am not sure that they would accept me. Here are my stats:</p>

<p>GCE O Levels: 9As
GCE A Levels: 4As In Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Math
SAT I Score: 2250
SAT II Score: 2350(In the subjects of physics, chemistry, biology and math)</p>

<p>I am in the top five of my class. I am in Saint Patrick's High School In Karachi, Pakistan(Don't expect you to know what that is). I am in the debate team, I volunteer in Local hospitals here and I have a 4.0 GPA.</p>

<p>So what do you guys think. Can I get into MIT with these stats?</p>

<p>You need more extracurriculars, with leadership positions in them, for example the head of the debate team. Your not international if you have the US Passport. BTW, great scores for A-Levels. How did you take them so early. Which grade are you in?</p>

<p>What are your individual score in the SAT II, because you got a 2350/3200 which is not that good. I expect that it is out of 2400, but you put an extra subject by mistake?</p>

<p>Yeah, sorry about that it omit math from SAT II. Now how is that?</p>

<p>I am in my final year of A Levels, and these subjects(Physics, Math) I have taken privately, while chemistry and biology, in A levels, i did not take it privately. I am actually nominated to be the leader of the debate team. I want to apply to MIT taking subjects for pre-med.</p>

<p>Do you have anyother Extracurricular activities? Like sports, newspapers, etc.</p>

<p>There is huge difference applying as an international as opposed to a US citizen. For all practical purposes, if you have a US passport you will be selected from the domestic pool. In theory that is a good thing as the admission rate is twice as high but practically it is still a crapshoot for anybody. </p>

<p>Even excellent stats will only take you so far in the admissions process. MIT applicants are generally self-selecting so you can safely assume that around half of the applicants have the requisite academic background to succeed at MIT. That is about 7,500 applicants for 1,500 slots. </p>

<p>Most successful MIT applicants candidates have something more to offer than just good stats: success at some national or international math or science competition, research experience or some other demonstrated proof of ability or passion for science or technology. MIT doesn't care for students with vast records of unrelated ECs that they will most likely abandon one they start college. </p>

<p>As an educational counselor for MIT, I interview lots of applicants and the two main questions I ask them is why they should be accepted to MIT and what they hope to contribute from their education if they get in. I have generally found that those who can convincingly answer these two questions are much more likely to be admitted than those who don't really know. MIT expects its applicants to be driven and passionate about what they do. As one of the world's premier training grounds for engineers and scientists MIT also expects that their students will make a positive contribution to society. The biggest mistake applicants to MIT make is to see admission as just a reward for past accomplishments. The more the better. Actually, MIT is more interested in your entire trajectory: where you came from, where you are now and where you may be later. Your role is to help them visualize that trajectory.</p>

<p>
[quote]
I was born In Los angeles, CA

[/quote]

Then the chances are good that, regardless of where you go to school, you are not an international applicant.</p>

<p>You also realize that you have to take a math SAT II, either math I or math II, right? I'm a bit confused about your 2350 in bio, chem, and physics, as you only need one science subject test.</p>

<p>what else should I do to increase my chances to get in MIT?</p>

<p>
[quote]
ctually, MIT is more interested in your entire trajectory

[/quote]
</p>

<p>that's a very cool analogy. :)</p>