<p>@programmer8 At the time when you applied did you provide recommendations from current math/science teachers like they asked or just ones that you had throughout high school? I know they ask for current ones on the app but I was curious as to how strict that rule is. My current teachers are great but I’ve heard that my current math teacher’s recommendations are pretty bland, plus my math teacher from 10th grade loves me so I’d rather use her. </p>
<p>Hi guys! Do you know how important are the reading and writing scores of the tests?
I got a 80 on my math PSAT but my R and W were 42 and 45.
Also, I’m Mexican, I just have a year living in U.S. and I didn’t know english at all before moving here. My essay 4 explains about the challenge of learn a whole new lenguaje, Can that justify my low scores?
Everything else in my application looks ok for me. GPA of 4. I’m taking AP physics, AP calculus, AP Spanish, Ap English Comp. Drama and Sociology. I’m also a volunteer in buildOn and I’m going to Burkina Faso in Africa next spring break to build a school. Back in Mexico I used to participate in the Mexican Mathematical Olympiad; I have a gold and two silver medals and I almost went to the International Mathematical Olympiad (place 9 in the last exam of the country)…</p>
<p>But I still worried about my reading and writing scores! Do you think that I can get accepted?<br>
I still working on my essays!!! </p>
<p>@Luisfer12 How’s AP Lang working for you O_o…?</p>
<p>I’m handling this class very well. I spoke with the teacher before choose AP and she encouraged me to challenge myself if that was what I wanted. But I’m in a public school that is not competitive, so maybe I’m doing less work than students in other schools</p>
<p>Another applicant here. I haven’t received my PSAT scores yet, but as of now I am taking…</p>
<p>AP Spanish Literature
Business and Entrepreneurship
Chemistry
AP Calc AB
APUSH
AP English Lang</p>
<p>I received all As for this past semester and my GPA rounded to about a 4.6. As long as I do well on my essays, do you guys think I can have a shot? I sometimes become hesitant to even continue working on this application, since I feel I could be using this time to fill out applications for more realistic program…The program itself is already very competitive. I’m losing my head! </p>
<p>How’s everyone’s application coming along?? Im Writing essays ~X( </p>
<p>@britt43 I did ask my junior year math and science teachers to write my recs. I was really close with them too, so it worked out in my favor. If you feel like a teacher of yours from last year would write a better rec for you, it would be best to email admissions and see if it is allowed. I think it’s most important for the teachers writing your recs to be able to showcase how fantastic you are, so if admissions allows it, I may go ahead and ask that teacher from grade 10. (:</p>
<p>And @seal16 You didn’t ask… but what I did in my app was just list my honor/leadership in order of importance. So if there’s some activity you have a leadership position in and the activity is especially important to you, list it in honor/leadership. If it’s not as important, maybe list it instead in the extracurricular section and simply state your position in that club/organization. It’s just a suggestion. Do whatever you feel comfortable with.</p>
<p>How are you guys listing your ECs and volunteer and all that stuff? Because it says they don’t want a description but should you say like President of… or when you attended a summer camp?</p>
<p>How much emphasis is place on being first generation or low income? I’m a URM, but those first two don’t really apply to me…</p>
@Harvard98 I think you’d have an equal chance as anybody else.
Does anybody know if it’s okay to talk about “ethnicity” hurting your dreams and aspirations in the essays? The program seems to really focus on how you can use your ethnicity to develop as a person, but I think that was the opposite in my case O_o… I’m proud of my roots but not necessarily what I was taught.
It may be good to describe that in your essay, and that probably applies to quite a few applicants. However, the program really believes in combating against the negativity placed on URMs. If you can resonate with feeling of wanting to defy or go against what you were taught about your ethnicity, that may also be something strong to write about.
Hi @existentialized I was wondering if you could read over a couple of my essays and give me some feedback. This is the first time I’ve ever really written these types of essays and I’m not sure if I am on the right track. Let’s just say I come from a very similar background as you so my essays are kind of the key to getting in.
Any non ethnic minorities applying?
@seal16 I don’t think an answer to that question should affect your decision to apply in any way. The app is free so you have nothing to lose. Just do your best on your application, making it specifically tailored for you. For instance, if you’re an ORM, there’s no point in trying to hide it and you should just embrace that and center your application around who you are.
Yes, what the website says may discourage you, but people of ORM still do get in. Like I said, nothing to lose in trying.
Does anybody know anything about the requisite presentation which is found in the description of the program in the MIT website? It is mentioned, but it isn’t specified on what should it be about? or if it’s in groups? What about it?
Are you talking about presentations the students give based on their elective course (Digital Design, Genomics, etc.) at the end of the program?
I got my PSAT scores today by email!!!
Hey guys! I applied for this program last year and I got into MOSTEC.
Reading all these responses reminds me of how nervous I was last year. Anyways, don’t over think the process. Be honest in your essays and hope for the best. Also don’t doubt yourself!! I almost didn’t apply (I didn’t feel confident about my chances), but I’m glad I did! MOSTEC was honestly life changing and it was the highlight of 2014 for me.
Good luck!
@Luisfer12 me too! What did you get?
Everybody! You can now access your PSAT Scores on the College Board website