Olympiads/AMC Frustration...

Applying to College
1

<p>I heard that MIT actually recruits those who do well in these activities. </p>

<p>My ECs are piano, running, tutoring/counseling/mentoring youth, and eco club, all in which I am deeply accomplished.</p>

<p>But no Olympiads/great AMC/AIME scores in there.</p>

<p>Does anyone know how many people at MIT were accepted PROBABLY because of Olympiads or AMC scores? (I know MIT would never accept just b/c of these, but I know they value accomplishment in them)</p>

<p>Also, any comments about my comments???...</p>

2

<p>I'm pretty sure that if you qualify to participate in the USAMO, they'll be all over you - that's really hard to do.</p>

3

<p>Not a huge number -- most people accepted by MIT have never even taken the AMC/AIME. (A good percentage have never even heard of the AMC/AIME.)</p>

<p>People who have high scores on those tests or who participate in olympiads have high acceptance rates to elite colleges, but that's assuredly not the only way to get into MIT.</p>

<p>There's no reason to worry if you have not taken the tests, or if you aren't happy with your scores.</p>

4

<p>It's probably safe to say that no one has been accepted to MIT largely on the basis of olympiad scores. If that were the case, they would not have rejected an IMO gold medalist a year or two ago.</p>

5

<p>YES!!!! I feel like saying...</p>

<p>Boo-yah</p>

<p>...</p>

<p>But I wonder why they didn't accept that person???</p>

6

<p>maybe genius who doesn't care about school?</p>

7

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<p>Assuming your stats are good and you can put together a good essay and recs, there is no reason why MIT won't accept you with these ECs. My daughter was accepted by MIT, and her main ECs were bassoon, piano, and one summer research program. No Olympiad needed.</p>