<p>Hello everyone.... I plan on applying for MIT for civil engineering ( I really want to graduate from there).. I just finished Grade 11 .. I'm an Iraqi who lives in the United Arab Emirates .. My school is an international school with American Curriculum.. Well, My average is 98 % .. and here in the United Arab Emirates, you really can't do that much Extracurricular activities. Plus, there are no honor or AP classes. I'm a member of the eco-club. Plus, I'm in the school's soccer team.. I can get like four Recommendation letters or may be more from my teachers... Well, As English is the second language to me, It is really hard to get high Scores in the English sections of SAT I. I went to the MIT website and found out that SAT I is not required for International Students. Instead, I have to do Two Subject Tests in math (level 2) and physics ... The Range of scores in the SAT II will be between 650 and 730 hopefully .... What are my chances ?? I know that my extracurriculars and tests aren't that much due to the lack of care for these areas here in the country ....Thanks!</p>
<p>You should post on the MIT forum. Good luck to you.</p>
<p>Also, only submit the number of letters of recommendation that MIT asks for – submitting more is not better.</p>
<p>Thanks… I appreciate it … Any other replies people ?</p>
<p>Yeah, don’t submit four. Usually colleges asks for two, and will not read additionally ones. Just select two teachers who will write the best ones.
If you don’t take SAT I, you have to take TOEFL. Would you score better on the TOEFL? If English is your weakness, wouldn’t SAT or ACT be a better option as at least they have math/science sections?
Your projected SAT II is too low. Try to have it above 730. Look at MIT’s score range for admitted students. The 25th percentile for math is 740 and 75th percentile is 800. The 25th percentile for science is 710 and 75th percentile is 800. You should at least reach their 25th percentile, especially considering space for international students is more limited.
ECs don’t have to be activities around the city. Surely your school have more than one club and one sport team. Clubs, sports, theatre, dance, band etc are all ECs. I used to go to an international school as well, and there were plenty of clubs and activities. You can always create your own if you want. ECs can also be things that you do on your own time. Photography, swimming, painting, fishing etc can all be ECs. If you try looking, there are plenty of opportunity to volunteer. Charitable organizations, orphanages, tutoring for free etc are all options. Internships - one of my friends had an internship at the embassy while she was in international school. If you really want to get involved, you can get involved.
To be honest, your chances are not looking good. Admission rate for international students was less than 4% last year. There is no part of your application that stands out - whether it be standardized test scores, course rigor, or ECs. Your GPA is good, but just GPA is not enough. Keep in mind that MIT will have plenty of international applicants who are good at English (even if it’s their second language) and score very well on the SAT I. You have some disadvantages, with no advantage to make up for it.</p>
<p>Over the summer, try to pick up an EC or two. Get as high as you possibly can on all the standardized tests. Apply to matches and safeties along with MIT. Then prepare for the worst and hope for the best.</p>