<p>Looking for some insight for our daughter who was not into math/science EC's, but is above the curve so to speak. She scored a 36 ACT composite, 800 on Math II and 790 on Chemistry, 4.9 w, 4.0 uw with full I.B class load. She is ranked #2 out of 560 and scored a 230 on PSAT so NMS is pretty much guaranteed. She is a competitive gymnast and practices 20+ hours a week year round with regional and national results, but not Division I caliber. She is in several honor societies, average volunteer work and has won a few academic awards. Physical sport activities is the main way she escapes school pressure - not your typical MIT applicant, she could do more pull-ups and sit-ups then 99% of the campus. She has excelled in all math and science areas that have been thrown at her and is interested in engineering or possibly chemistry, not URM or Asian. How would admissions consider a candidate that doesn't fit the typical mold? Help?</p>
<p>Lots of people at MIT can do pullups.</p>
<p>I think that MIT frequently likes applicants that do not fit the mold. It sounds like your daughter is a great applicant. Of course it will depend on her essays and recommendations. </p>
<p>Why does she want to attend MIT? (answer here not needed, but it’ll be important in her application)</p>
<p>What does she plan to do with her gymnastics once she enters college? (again, answer not needed here)</p>
<p>Good luck to her!</p>
<p>There are lots of students at MIT who are passionate about non-STEM activities: gymnasts, dancers, artists, musicians. There are actually a lot of student athletes on campus who spend a lot of time on their sports and are in really great shape (so I wouldn’t be so quick to say your daughter can do more pull-ups than 99% of them…)</p>
<p>I don’t mean this in a rude way at all, but your daughter probably won’t be some out of the box applicant that is really different than everyone else. Not to say she isn’t qualified and talented - she should definitely try to highlight her strengths on her application (whatever they are). Many applicants submit portfolios/talk to coaches/etc. if they have a particular interest they’re looking to share with the committee - she can definitely into that.</p>
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<p>I was going to write something, but this sums it up pretty well.</p>