<p>Hi, </p>
<p>I'm currently a freshman at a tech school and I desperately want to transfer to MIT. I'm pretty strong academically, I was in the top 5 at my high school and have a 3.8 GPA in my first semester at college. However, I only took 4 AP exams, and received a 5 on only 2 of them (Calc BC and Physics). And I don't have any research or national recognition either. Is that going to be enough? and if it's not, is there anything else I can do to help my chances?</p>
<p>If anyone has something helpful, I'd appreciate it. Thanks.</p>
<p>sorry man, I just do not see you being a competitive candidate for MIT… but don’t let that discourage you-plenty of other good schools that want you!</p>
<p>Yeah, I agree with the above poster. You basically need straight A’s across a very broad array of math and science courses, and research experience to be competitive. You may however be a good candidate for some slightly lesser, and still really good, schools like Harvey Mudd, RPI, Georgia Tech, Texas A&M, Case Western, and Purdue. If you’re a prospective engineer, you might also have a good shot at some great engineering programs like UIUC, U Texas - Austin, Northwestern, USC, Michigan, Columbia, and Penn. Hope this helps.</p>
<p>3.8? outstanding GPA.</p>
<p>But man, too low for MIT</p>
<p>Well the only grade i got that wasn’t an A was in writing, in which I got a B+. But what about research in the fall? Would that help?</p>
<p>I think you are going about this the wrong way. If research is what interests you, then do that. If it is something else go ahead and do that. Most people here would tell you that you have no chance even if you a 4.0. In my view, the number doesn’t really make much sense except it is backed up with rigorous classes. Try to challenge yourself as much as possible, and make sure you are taking every opportunity to get to know your Profs. Your recommendations would be very important. Go on the MIT website, read all that it says about transfer applications, and you’ll have a reasonable idea of what is needed.
In the end, know that MIT is just a school. You can get a decent education at almost any college. Don’t base your psyche on a particular school, especially MIT.</p>
<p>hop4ful… where do you go to school?</p>
<p>“You may however be a good candidate for some slightly lesser, and still really good, schools like Harvey Mudd, RPI, Georgia Tech, Texas A&M, Case Western, and Purdue.”</p>
<p>Considering roughly 4 people get accepted as transfers to Mudd a year (and they are typically extremely passionate about going to Mudd), I don’t think the OP has a good shot at Mudd. I would not recommend going to Mudd unless you are in it 100%.</p>
<p>hop4ful, </p>
<p>Last week, I got admitted to MIT as an INTERNATIONAL TRANSFER, possibly the pool with the lowest admit rate. I had a 3.76 GPA. Worrying about petty things- because 0.1 points of GPA is EXTREMELY petty- (other examples include 50± points off each section in the SAT etc) is immature and detrimental. Don’t let that discourage you. If you really want it, work towards it, and apply.</p>
<p>wait, so what does a competitive MIT transfer’s record look like?</p>
<p>@metdeth: that’s very impressive!</p>
<p>The OP did not give enough info to make any judgements. Scores would be a good start. Also very impt for MIT is f you’ve taken the right classes to date, you would need to be where the class you would be joining is.</p>