<p>Well, hello. It funny how i got across this page. Anyways, i’m glad i did. I’m a MITES 2012 alumni :)
and i’m here to tell you the truth about admissions and testing scores. Seriously, like really, do not go crazy about your scores. I didn’t even report my scores when i applied to MITES and i still got in. In my opinion, the most important part of the app are the essays. Spend a lot of time on those and try to make them as honest as possible. That’s how they’re gonna get to know you, not by some psat/sat scores.</p>
<p>Ah, I<code>m so glad I came across this program (as well as WTP) before the deadline! I</code>m literally just starting my application right now and will be asking my teachers/counselors about the recommendations tomorrow. D:</p>
<p>Best of luck to all of us~</p>
<p>Just dropping in here. I applied to MITES 2012, but unfortunately, I did not get in. I have some words of advice for everyone here:</p>
<p>1) Like some alumni have already said, stop fretting about your test scores. Sure, I had a 34 ACT, but it didn’t get me anywhere in the admissions process.
2) Your essays and recs are THE MOST important thing. Like ever. It’s where my application lacked because I thought that they didn’t matter that much. Don’t make the same mistakes that I did.
3) Make sure your essays speak directly from your heart. Don’t try lying your way into MITES; if you are authentic, your essay will stand out more.</p>
<p>If there’s one thing that getting rejected from MITES taught me, it’s that essays are sometimes the most important thing in an application. Those that end up getting rejected: don’t fret. Always look at the bright side of the situation and keep on being passionate about what you do.</p>
<p>Best of luck to all of you applicants here!</p>
<p>Thanks so much for the tips! :)</p>
<p>I know I should be looking around to answer this question and I know it<code>s completely unreasonable to say that I have no time to do so, but what other pre-college summer programs are out there that are similar to MITES? As in, fully-funded/financial aid provided. 
I</code>m very money-deprived lol. Also, of course, with the deadline not a thing of the past yet. XD</p>
<p>A quick question - is this program for rising seniors only?</p>
<p>Yes, according to what they’ve stated in their website .</p>
<p><a href=“MITES – MIT Introduction to Technology, Engineering and Science”>MITES – MIT Introduction to Technology, Engineering and Science;
<p>Yes ! Only for rising seniors.</p>
<p>Is sending your sat score required? I don’t see that on their FAQ?</p>
<p>Hey I’m applying and my grades are on the border. I’m a latino in honors math and sciences with generally B’s sometimes hopping up to A’s and on occasion dropping down to C’s. I did okay on the PSAT’s(80-Critical Reading 69-Math 60-Writing). Is it likely that I’ll make it?</p>
<p>Bullride I checked and it’s not but your grades are.</p>
<p>I’m applying for MITES, and I’m having some problems with rec letters! </p>
<p>The rec letters ask specifically for your current math and science teachers, but it’s 100% impossible for them to write me letters because they’re overwhelmed with the seniors’ college rec letters. Also, the seniors asked them in September or even last school year, wayyy before the MITES app came out, so they do obviously get priority. </p>
<p>I have previous math and science teachers who have said that they can write the letters - does anyone know if this would be okay? The office is closed, so I can’t email or call them for answers at this point…</p>
<p>I just found the program today, and it sounds really exciting… I don’t know about my chances, but I’m definitely willing to try. My only problem is the essay about personal, social, or academic challenges. </p>
<p>I could write about my sleep apnea, but that can’t really be “overcome”; it’s just something I’ve learned to deal with. I had my adenoids removed last summer so that it’s no longer life threatening, but it’s still … well … not bad, but not good.
I could write about my shyness that I’ve been actively trying to overcome, but still haven’t completely destroyed (although I’ve made a ton of progress throughout my life, and I’m extremely proud of this).
Last, I could write about family issues (my grandparents both have serious health problems that are getting progressively worse, and they pretty much raised me and have been there for me much more than my parents have, so it’s not exactly affecting me in the best way), but, again, still working on the “overcome” part.</p>
<p>Advice?</p>
<p>@lldm21
Maybe you should attempt to write on how it has given you better insight towards these situations.</p>
<p>This challenge you have overcome essay is kicking my but. Have written it 3 times, but it doesn’t sound right. ergh</p>
<p>I haven’t even finished writing out the challenge essay. I know exactly what I want to say, but not how to say it in a way that I’m OK with. @_@</p>
<p>Maybe a MITES alumni can answer some of my questions.</p>
<p>Is there a specific place where I can specifically mention my family income? I notice there’s no question about family’s salary during the household information part of the application. Would I benefit from mentioning that my family makes <30k? I notice from previous MITES thread that many people mentioned the fact their family made less than 50k a year. Would this be appropriate for the “Please indicate if there are any special circumstances the selection committee should consider:” section or would it seem like I just want pity?</p>
<p>Also second question: Do I submit my application before or after My teachers submit their recommendations? I notice that “Review and Submit your Application” is step 2 of the online checklist and “Recommendations” is step 3. Do I need to complete my part of the application before my teachers are able to submit their recommendations? I already emailed their link and they already agree to write a recommendation for me. I’m just afraid that I’m preventing them from submitting it. </p>
<p>I’m also completely lost on my invention essay. Should I be realistic+serious even though I know squat or go for an outlandish+not going to happen/kinda entertaining approach?</p>
<p>Thank you for reading + hope an MITES alumni would reply.</p>
<p>Hi.</p>
<p>I’m applying to the MITES program this year and I was hoping that a MITES alumni could maybe take a look at some of my essays and provide some feedback. Since this is my first application for any kind of scholastic/science program, I am quite inexperienced and a bit of help would be greatly appreciated. I am also curious about Niceboat’s question regarding teacher submissions (whether or not they are able to submit their part of the application before the student has submitted his part).</p>
<p>Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>I know this has been discussed tons already, but my SAT in December was pitiful (like, on non-CCer standards), but my PSAT score was 180. Should I just send the PSAT and ignore the SAT score, or send both?</p>
<p>Also…</p>
<p>for the “extracurricular or volunteer activities” question, can I talk about more than one activity? I feel equally passionate about two school clubs and would like to share it. However, one of them is not science-related.</p>
<p>Also…</p>
<p>Would sharing about my research internship be a negative move on my part?</p>
<p>Thanks!!</p>
<p>oh, and jw…</p>
<p>for the counselor and teacher recs - is each questions 300-word limit or are all the questions supposed to be answered within 300 words?</p>
<p>300 words per essay.</p>
<p>To your SAT scores: I’m sure they will only look at your best score in math, like a 78 on the PSAT will supercede a 700 on the SAT and vice versa.</p>
<p>Research internship sounds killer. I’d put that down as the activity IMO. Those aren’t too common. </p>
<p>I’d try to focus it on one activity; it asks for one, giving two might not do either justice.</p>