<p>Hey, I am 16 and am currently homeschooled, I will probally be going to a private school for the school year (10th grade). I took the SAT one year ago, I got MATH: 650 WRI:730 RED: 700, but I am sure I can do way better than that now(I missed a stupid triangle problem -_-). My credits are AP bio, AP Chem, AP Algebra1, AP Algebra2, AP Geometry, AP Web Design, Programming 1(.5credits), and chinese. Last year I won a local science fair for building a fusion reactor and figuring out which materials were more efficient. I swim but not competively. This year I will probally have to cram in alot of english courses. Do you have any advice for me? In addition, how did you guys get accepted? Thanks!</p>
<p>Wow i didnt even know they had AP Algebra1,2 and AP Geometry!</p>
<p>They do?! I’ve never heard of that before…</p>
<p>They don’t have AP web design either…
You might want to confirm what classes you have taken before applying to MIT.</p>
<p>we got accepted through the admissions committee? I don’t know how else to answer that. Everyone got in with a different story. There is no formula to getting in.</p>
<p>That’s what it says on my transcript, it might mean honors though since I took all those courses with the florida virtual school. Anyway, I just wanna know what I should be doing to prepare based on these courses.</p>
<p>
Take AP classes that exist.
Oh… and stop ■■■■■■■■ the MIT forum. </p>
<p>Other than that, best of luck! :)</p>
<p>I’m not a ■■■■■, I’m serious.
And I did build a fusion reactor, pretty much all you need is a vacuum chamber and a high voltage suppy. I saw it on hackaday a few years ago, and decided to try it. It is not fusion in the sense of “Oooh free energy, OMG1!1!!11” It was a proof of concept, that I could produce fusion for under 500dollars. It was highly inefficient, but it was fusion.
Now, is there anyone here who can seriously answer my question?</p>
<p>Honors != AP. Honors on your transcript != college will see it as honors… For one thing, Algebra 1 is should not be considered honors. It is offered as a middle school class in many places, so is geometry. A few schools might consider algebra 2/trig honors… but pretty much having honors in front of the class doesn’t help you too much since the title of the class sort of gives the difficulty away, unless you are taking physics honor vs normal physics.</p>
<p>Most of us here are from normal schools, so there aren’t much we know how to help you.
Again, there is no formula to getting in.
Take your SAT2s, take hard classes, challenge yourself, try to use up your resources, spend some times doing things you really enjoy whether it is making robots, or programming, or researching, or even drama and painting.
For people in normal schools, I would recommend getting involved in the clubs they enjoy, and earn a leadership position and lead people in the club (Awesome experience). These things are repeated over and over.
with the whole college application process, it is just really important and easier just to be yourself. If that doesn’t get you in, then maybe MIT isn’t the best match for you. If you fake your application, you might be miserable at MIT.</p>
<p>Again, there are no formulas to getting in. if you look through the old decision threads, you can see who did get in and who didn’t. That might be a good reference of what it takes since you don’t go to a school and have no one to compare to, but keep in mind that people won’t post everything on the internet.
Also really really important, read the admission blogs: Matt’s and Ben’s regarding admissions, Read everyone else’s to see student life, and also a little about their own experience of getting in.</p>
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<p>For those unfamiliar with “!=” - that means “does not equal.” This confused me on zephyr for a very long time =).</p>
<p>Also, my school had regular and honors algebra 1 and 2 (and geometry). It just moved faster than the normal class.</p>
<p>Yeah, I’d recommend following the blogs at [MIT</a> Admissions](<a href=“http://www.mitadmissions.org/]MIT”>http://www.mitadmissions.org/). I didn’t follow them profusely, but they gave me a good idea of the culture/attitude of environment at MIT. That’s always good for essays, and essays are oh-so-important. :)</p>
<p>You can also look at the countless chance threads on CC. They will definitely give you an idea of what people have done and what people are doing. </p>
<p>You didn’t provide a full picture of your credentials (I hope!), so we can’t really provide you with full-blown advice. If you’re going to a private school, I’d definitely recommend joining more ECs that interest you.</p>
<p>wow, something’s gravely wrong with your classes…</p>
<p>As an alum, the best advice I could give is that is demonstrate a clear passion for something, be it sports, building robots, community service, etc. Having top scores and top grades is a foregone conclusion, of course. Recommendations:
- If you’re tapping out of AP classes at 16 as well as homeschooled, then it’s time to move up and start taking classes at the local state or community college. Don’t do it expecting it to take out MIT requirement, but it should hopefully demonstrate that you’re going the extra mile to pursue the topics you’re passionate about. Don’t rest on your laurels.
- If you liked building your fusion reactor, find a scientist or researcher at a local college to help you out with how to improve it. Intern in their lab, if possible to get hands-on research experience. Look into applying for the Intel Science Talent Search and similar competitions.
- Volunteer at a YMCA or other youth organization and teach kids how to build fun stuff too if this is what drives you.</p>
<p>The idea is to have a compelling narrative about what drives you and what you’re passionate about and being able to demonstrate that you can adapt and apply this passion to a variety of fields and topics.</p>