I was wondering what my chances of getting into MIT are. I’m finishing up my junior year and just got back my first SAT grade (2,020; 740 in math 640 in reading/writing). I know this is not a good score for MIT but I’m not sure if I should even bother with taking the SAT again.
Basically I don’t live with my parents (father passed away and mother abandoned my sister and me) and live with my friends’ family for a few years while I finish up high school (my sister graduated HS and goes to Suny Oswego). I’m also in a bunch of clubs and sports which I am extremely devoted to (Envirothon, Model UN, Chamber Orchestra, every Honor Society, Italian Club, Cross Country, Winter Track, and Track). I also volunteer my time every Sunday with a youth choir at my church from 9:30am to 1pm.
What are my chances that I get into MIT? Should I waste my time taking another test? I don’t know if I can improve my score any further.
I should also add that I strive for MIT because I’m a die-hard physics nerd. I’m getting straight 100’s in AP1 Physics and will probably get a 5 on the exam and am taking APC Physics next year.
I’ve taken AP World so far and got a 5 on that. I’m taking AP English (the speech one), APUSH, and AP Physics this year.
Also, I can get some really good college recommendation letters.
Maybe look at some other schools. MIT is not the most hollistic and is very stats driven for most of the application in my opinion. Im gonna be honest, a 2020 is not going to cut it for MIT. There are kids rejected with perfect 2400’s. There are still plenty of other amazing schools that you can get into though. Good luck
Dude,
MIT is not, nor is any college, a heartless institution. They look at a whole candidate, their background and circumstances to find the kids who can succeed and contribute. Your Sat of 740 is great on math, and what you may not know is most people improve on their score each time that they take it. You should take the SAT’s again, perhaps even borrow a prep book from your school guidance counselor or library. Most of the prep courses will even consider a tuition waiver for the needy. None of the best schools care as much about your writing score, it’s all about your M and CR.
If nuclear engineering is your dream, as a NY kid, RPI (Renselear Polytechnic Institute) has a bunch of programs to help kids with promise and your numbers are spot on. Other schools, like Wesleyan, have a joint engineering degree with Columbia. The fact that you are reaching out means you know you need some hep. I would start with trying to nail that SAT score (you may not know but some kids take it 3 and 4 times). And after study and take the SAT2 in Math (2 not 1).
If it’s all Physics, then Cal Tech, Johns Hopkins and other science oriented schools are out there. But getting some good numbers on SAT in CR is important as well as the SAT2 in math. Then with those numbers get on a bus to MIT and attend an info sessions and campus tour (you have to register online). You can even attend a class.
Take SAT II math 2 and physics and get 800 if you can(I think you can)
Show your commitment to physics, like by competing in Physics Olympiad or any kind of competition available.
Write good essays, make sure you have great relationship with your teacher(physics, of course)
MIT is a good fit for you but PLEASE remember that MIT is not only the school that is a good fit for you. There are lots of schools that offer great science program.
Like Caltech, JHU, CMU, Claremont McKenna, Pomona, etc.
What’s your gpa and class rank? Even though you may enjoy physics, if you don’t have the the right foundation you are going to struggle greatly at MIT even if you do get in. Someone mentioned Caltech, but just about all of the 250 or so kids in each entering class is off the charts smart. You would be hard pressed to find someone there with a 2020 SAT score, imo.
Another thing - why do you think you can’t improve any further? Have you been practicing a ton of SATs and been struggling in improving your scores? If you’re truly devoted to physics, then with enough practice, I think you can easily attain that 800 in the math section (740 is like 2 questions wrong…). I think you can improve on your writing as well (since most struggle in reading). With this, you can possibly get 2150+, which isn’t too bad compared to applicants. From that point on, you just need to do other part of the application well - your essays, recommendations, etc.
I suggest you looking into ACT as well. I find that most people who are more inclined towards mathematics do better on the ACT.