<p>In S.Korea, because confucianism is still pervasive, fighting against authority is often deemed as negative outsider. I really don’t know how MIT would take it. As I said, it’s a gamble.</p>
<p>Yeah that’s true, Fit is almost the deciding factor in international admissions. Like from the UK, about 150 apply who are all super qualified but only about 9 get in (I was told a 6.5% admission rate for the UK by an MIT representative)</p>
<p>I’m wondering how would MIT view you as? Culturally, Indian culture and heritage would be the dominant one but your nationality is Britain.</p>
<p>@Hate : I was talking in regions. Like Europe, southern Asia, Eastern Asia… </p>
<p>@rajoft : Hahaha if we would get admitted this would be sooo funny (a bit like if we had already met, you know). We could even be roommates later on, hahahahah
About what you said about CC, you’re perfectly right, and I was talking about that sooner : I guess that if we are around CC/Admissions Blogs it’s mostly because we truly love the school we’re applying to, and thus we are probably more serious as other applicants who just apply without getting really involved with the community</p>
<p>And yes, internationals FTW ! But sadly we’re not so many posting in here…</p>
<p>Is MIT known for brutally competitive international admission or it’s similar to peer schools HYPS? HYPS haven’t released any data for internationals as far as I know, so I don’t know if MIT is especially difficult or HYPSM are difficult in general.</p>
<p>I guess my stronghold would be my passion for research and for carnatic vocals(7 straight years). I invented a circuit that sold to 97000 farmers (I think all in my state) and helped make me 200,000$. I also won an Intl. award for the same. I explained how difficult it was to do research in the Indian environment in my essays, and how strong MIT was at this. Hope this compensates for me being an Indian!</p>
<p>@ quiverfox - Wow! That’s pretty cool!</p>
<p>I am pretty sure MIT is as competitive as HYPS. In fact, I know many of my seniors who have gotten into HYPS, but none from MIT.
.</p>
<p>thanks @garggaurav. Hope that shows my passion at least!
Same story IN my school too! Really ambitious bunch though!</p>
<p>Guys, could you do me a favor please?</p>
<p>See the pdf of your application. Right above the essays, there is a question,
Please tell us more about your cultural background and identity in the space below (100 word limit).</p>
<p>Have you answered it? I just realized I left it blank! I think it may have been in the optional section. Any clues?</p>
<p>You said you won an Intel award? Is that true?</p>
<p>Sent from my SCH-I535 using CC</p>
<p>Who won an Intel award??? Oh and gaurav, Yup, I filled up the essay space. I guess You could call them up and tell them of course!</p>
<p>He said he won an International award, not an Intel award 
I never heard of all these international contests until 1 month ago… And you all seem to have won some !</p>
<p>Yep, garggaurav, that was an optional essay that was actually in Part 1 of the application but it found its way into part 2 for some reason!</p>
<p>I bet there will be about 10 Intel winners applying to MIT this year, and probably 9 of them will get in…</p>
<p>Intel was on my mind;) but I was pretty late, so If they let me try next year, maybe:)</p>
<p>I find out if I get in to Intel on the 17th March only AFTER the MIT decision 
so if I don’t get in, I’ll probably reapply :)</p>
<p>I personally think that for the people who do win the Intel award, getting into MIT is hardly an achievement. These are the kids who will most likely be winning the Nobel Prize someday. They will probably do well regardless of where they go.</p>
<p>Lot of people with International (especially math) award are often rejected. Lot of Koreans with such awards are rejected and they were often frustrated cuz they thought they had decent shots. Even if applicants have 2350+ SAT and international awards, MIT is still very hard to get in. I do not think winning international award has anything to do with Nobel Prize. In Asia, students are trained for those contests. I mean, any prodigy with hard training from private academies could potentially do well. I’ve never seen Korean studying in Canada go to Olympiad because there isn’t enough resources or suitable environment whereas there are tons from korea who are trained extensively for olympiad. S.Korea won awards for contests, but didn’t win a single nobel prize for math/science for its history.</p>
<p>I think that’s where people from those regions fail. They are great at Olympiads, but they have no creativity, which is an important trait to have at MIT</p>
<p>I am talking specifically about the Intel Awards (ISTS and ISEF). They require creativity, knowledge and great engineering and scientific ability. Students winning these awards have already proven that they are capable of inventing and contributing to the planet.</p>
<p>Google “Nithin Tumma” - winner of the Intel STS, 2012. You think any university in the world is gonna reject him?</p>
<p>rajoftheuk, yes i agree. Those study machines really often lack insights or maturity you would get in western societies. Because Asian matriculation and U.S matriculation are so radically different, I think there’s what hold them back. Korea students prepare for University from elementary schools to get good grade, win awards etc. I was one of them until my parents sent me to Canada. If I was to stay, I would have taken olympiad classes and actually tried out. In Canada, there was NO program,tutor or academy available in my area. I won few medals from regional math challengers, but didn’t participate in any bigger contest. I do think if one was to work hard to go to Seoul National University in Korea, he is very likely to lack personal characteristics as he doesn’t have extra time to spare on other activities apart from those important for Korean matriculation.</p>