MIT FAQ for application year 2009-2010

Colleges and Universities A-Z Massachusetts Institute of Technology
41

<p>I understand that MIT isn’t going to accept a triple-800 automatically, nor deny someone with >500’s (~36/20 respectively for ACT), but I’m sure these things play a hand in the selection process.</p>

<p>My question is, how much do the following take importance when selecting students:
–>Standardized testing vs High School Grades.
I’m currently in the top 10 in my HS and take part in many challenging courses, yet I do poorly on tests. I work hard to excel on tests, and keep trying, but I end up with results that do not even meet my personal standards (~500R/640M/500W sat. 27 act).</p>

<p>–>Environment of my High School.
Being a student in IB, and from what I have heard, my high school’s IB program is very simple. The students in this program have no thirst for education and many can’t even use a simple scientific calculator. How big of an influence does these sort of things play into all this.</p>

<p>I just want to do what I love, and getting admitted or not into MIT isn’t going to change whether I give up on college. I don’t wish to do the “What are my chances,” which is why I am posting here. I just want to know if I’m looking up too high for colleges, but I know there’s no harm in trying.</p>

<p>My other question, are there any pros/cons for EA vs RD?</p>

<p>-Firstmate</p>

42

<p>It’s not really a question of components versus each other, it’s a question of components considered together. MIT doesn’t weigh high school GPA vs. standardized test scores – they consider the application as a whole.</p>

<p>If you look at the [admissions</a> statistics](<a href=“http://www.mitadmissions.org/topics/apply/admissions_statistics/index.shtml]admissions”>http://www.mitadmissions.org/topics/apply/admissions_statistics/index.shtml), you’ll see that a few people with scores like yours are admitted every year, but not very many.</p>

<p>The basic advantages of EA are that you may get a decision early, and if you’re deferred EA (as about 70% of applicants are), you’ll get a chance to think about your application during the months of November, December, and January and send in more information to make your application stronger. The disadvantage is that you’ll have to have your application together by November 1.</p>

43

<p>Thanks for your reply molliebatmit.</p>

<p>I’m a hard working student, but it’s good to know that my test scores won’t ruin my chances of getting into schools like MIT. Thank you.</p>

<p>-Firstmate</p>

44

<p>For everyone’s info, I got an email from Matt saying that at this time, they will not be changing the policy on writing SAT scores (they will not be considered, although they are required), and that the application essays may or may not change for the upcoming admissions cycle.</p>

45

<p>I’m a little confused. SAT writing scores are required, but not considered?</p>

46

<p>So you have to send scores for all three sections of the SAT, but they won’t look at writing.</p>

<p>I’m a little confused as to how you’d be able to send just two sections of the SAT anyhow, but thanks for the update!</p>

47

<p>Well, yes, I understand what Mollie meant, but I’m not really sure why that is. It’s not terribly important to me, though, so feel free to ignore my ramblings :D</p>

48

<p>Oh, sorry, I forgot that this class has probably never taken the SAT without writing. Previous applicants might have, if they had taken the SAT early, so those who hadn’t taken the SAT plus writing had to re-take.</p>

49

<p>Oh, okay… I get that part now. So why would MIT not consider the writing section, though? Is there something wrong with it?</p>

50

<p>The writing section is about three years old. It takes time to figure out how good an indicator a new thing is to a student’s success.</p>

51

<p>What would be an acceptable video format if I were to submit a video as part of my supplemental material? Also, is there a high chance of it being watched if I were to submit it?</p>

52

<p>ooh, good question. I was going to submit a two minute clip of something I designed in use.</p>

53

<p>They’ll watch a video if they can, and I think many of them bring their computers with them to read now, but there’s no guarantee. I think the best format would be one that’s readily readable/available on both Macs and PCs – maybe Quicktime?</p>

<p>Definitely include a note with the CD/DVD explaining what it’s about, how long it is, and what format it’s in.</p>

54

<p>In my child’s school, somehow the science and math teacher are not suitable to write the recommendation for him. I think the English and history teacher know him the best. Would it be all right to ask these two teacher to write them ?</p>

55

<p>

</p>

<p>How are they “not suitable”? </p>

<p>In any case, MIT requires one rec from a science teacher and one rec from a humanities teacher, so it looks like you’re stuck. You are, however, free to send in extra recommendations - don’t pile them up, but an extra one from a humanities teacher would definitely be fine.</p>

56

<p>To put it simply, they are burned out, therefore can’t be counted on.</p>

57

<p>Hello everyone!
My question is sort of related to Firstmate’s question. Basically, I understand that the application is viewed as a whole and in some cases low SAT scores might not be harmful to the possibilities of getting admitted. But is it the same for International Students? Furthermore, I often hear that the international pool is quite competitive, but to what extent is it (perhaps in terms of the SAT scores)?
Thank you all for your time!</p>

58

<p>This is true about everyone, domestic and international. The thing with internationals is that it is <em>VERY</em> competitive, the acceptance rate last year was ~4%. This means that you really have to give them a reason to admit you. Again, low SAT scores wont necessarily mean you’re rejected, but you do need to prove to them somehow that you can handle the GIRs and that you’d do well at a school like MIT.</p>

59

<p>

For internationals, SAT matter slightly less imho because internationals are usually admitted because of extraordinary achievements outside standardized tests. A few even with 400’s in sections of SAT1 get admitted because they excel in other areas.</p>

<p>You can see this post on international students’ admission: [MIT</a> Admissions | Blog Entry: “International Men & Women of Mystery”](<a href=“http://www.mitadmissions.org/topics/apply/international_applicants_helpful_tips/international_men_women_of_mys.shtml]MIT”>http://www.mitadmissions.org/topics/apply/international_applicants_helpful_tips/international_men_women_of_mys.shtml)</p>

60

<p>Thank you all very much for your posts!
BTW according to what was stated above… is the GPA/IB Predicted Grade viewed in the same way i.e. irregular low grades won’t hurt the application. Moreover, could a perfect report card (straight A’s) during the first senior year semester, do any good to the application?
Once again thank you all very much!</p>