<p>So I'm pondering over applying to MIT...</p>
<p>Okay, so how much would not partaking in any of the Olympiads or fairs hurt my application to MIT? The same question concerning an AMC 12 score that wasn't high enough for me to qualify for AIME (although there were even some sophomores who made it...)?</p>
<p>It should be possible to get into MIT without great emphasis on math and science in your ECs/volunteering/awards, but considering the competitive applicant pool...</p>
<p>Don't worry. Many students applying haven't even heard of the AMC or AIME. I hadn't until I started filling out the application.</p>
<p>Most of us who post here (current students, alums, parents) did not participate in olympiads or math contests in high school -- many of us (me included) were not even aware they existed. If you participated in any of these contests, I think it's worth reporting your score or your participation.</p>
<p>Check out last year's results threads ([url=<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/massachusetts-institute-technology/546625-consolidated-ea-rd-2012-results-thread.html%5Dhere%5B/url">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/massachusetts-institute-technology/546625-consolidated-ea-rd-2012-results-thread.html]here[/url</a>], also linked at the top of the MIT forum page) to see typical ECs and awards for applicants and admits.</p>
<p>The only situation in which I think not participating would "hurt" you is if your school was usually exceptionally strong in that area, with teachers really supporting the contests and with lots of students doing well. In that case, I would think that you hadn't really "taken full advantage of" the opportunities presented to you.</p>
<p>Like everyone's said, though, plenty of us had never heard of such things. The only reason I got into the Bio Olympiad was because I found it on the internet and it sounded like fun.</p>
<p>^That's MIT spirit for you! :)</p>
<p>haha, true that. Not too many other schools will have students that say studying a thousand page biology book in their free time sounds like fun. ;)</p>