<p>I'm a first-year student at Cal studying EECS, and I'm considering applying to MIT. Suffice it to say my first semester was... lackluster, and the environment here is just not suitable for me. I ran a 3.1 GPA for various reasons, and I'm looking to get out of here. There are things I enjoy here, but certain things are preventing me from enjoying this place 100% and working at full capacity. I have a pretty decent resume, although I was rejected from MIT back in senior year (my essays were done rather hurriedly). </p>
<p>Would MIT even consider taking me? I wrote the first draft of my "most interesting experience essay" if anyone is interested in looking at it. I'm a Regents scholar here (basically top 1% of the school), if that counts for anything as well.</p>
<p>With a 3.1 GPA, your chances of getting into MIT are near zero. You are much better off looking at other universities with higher rates of acceptance or stay put at Cal, which is in my opinion a great institution to receive a bachelor’s</p>
<p>Doesn’t MIT usually only accept like, a dozen transfers each year? A 3.1, whatever the reasons, doesn’t look good… especially against those odds.</p>
<p>If you don’t mind me asking, what’s troubling you at Cal? I’d imagine the classes at MIT are just as competitive, and they’re bound to have their own Hilfingers and Babaks. If it’s a non-academic problem, have you tried getting help with whatever it is?</p>
<p>Not liking your current school is a reason for wanting to transfer, but is not viewed as a valid reason for lower grades.</p>
<p>Denied as a fr + low 1st sem college gpa + about the same admit rate for fr & transfers = ?</p>
<p>p.s. Regents at Cal is a biggie, that might make it worth a shot. Do you have any strong LORs that might compensate for your grades? Was it just 1 class that brought your gpa down or more across the board?</p>
<p>It was more across the board (A, B+, B-, C+). </p>
<p>I have one good Rec lined up. As for the other two, if I am able to use TA’s I will be set (because they were still technically teachers). </p>
<p>I have written a fairly good essay (on the “most interesting experience” prompt) which might boost my app. Last time my essays were very lackluster.</p>
<p>Transfer admissions are particularly difficult to predict. If you have the time and money, it’s worth a try; but only if you make your essays are great–when you read them you should be excited and it should be original, something that could ONLY be written by you.</p>