Probably don't stand a chance for MIT. . .but tell me where I stand. . .

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Right now, I'm focused on MIT and I'm applying for early action; besides Yale (which is a bit unrealistic for me), I really want to go there. Naturally, I'll be applying to the top universities for normal applications as well. Anyway, just tell me what you think my chances are for MIT and where you'd recommend I apply to. . .</p>

<p>Unweighted Final Average: 97.89
Weighted Final Average: 98.68 (my school's weighting system is horrible)
12 Honors, 11 APs</p>

<p>SAT I: 1440 (720 M, 720 V) (not good, I know. . .accursed College Board. . .)
SAT IIs: Math Level 2 700, US History 780, Writing 650, Chemistry 710, Math Level 1 680, World History 760, Ecological Biology 760 (<em>sighs</em> Absolutely disastrous, these doomed me. I had the worst luck and timing when taking these. . .moving on. . .)
APs: AP Biology 5, AP Chemistry 5, AP American History 5, AP Computer Science A 5, AP European History 5, AP Language and Composition 4
ACT: Just took them 10/23. . .we'll see what I get. . .
PSAT: 216, was it? In SAT terms, I got a 740 M, 710 V. Too bad I can't use my PSATs in lieu of SAT I's (even though its only a 10 point difference). </p>

<p>(all place names have been censored for safety reasons)
Academic Honors, Awards, Distinctions:
- Bausch and Lomb Science Award (11)
- Commended Status for the National Merit Scholarship Program (11)
- AP Scholar with Distinction (10, 11)
- 5th place in Level 3 of the <strong><em>somecounty</em></strong> Mathematics Teacher’s Association Annual Mathematics Contest (10)
- 3rd place countywide in Level 2 of the National French Contest (10th nationwide) (10)
- 3rd place countywide in Level 3 of the National French Contest (11th nationwide) (11)
- President of the National Honor Society (12)
- President of the Computer Club (10, 12)
- Vice President of the Computer Club (11)
- President of Mathletes (11)
- Highest Honor Roll (every quarter)</p>

<p>Scientific Research
- Summer research - The Effects of Hypergravity, Microgravity, and Pituitrin on Dictyostelium discoideum (11)
- Summer research - Analysis Through MD Simulations on the Effects of the Y88C Mutation in B. stearothermophilius MutY Adenine Glycosylase on its Repair of 8-oxo G:A DNA (12)
- Semifinalist in the Siemens Westinghouse Competition <em>contest in progress</em> (12)
- Participant in the Siemens Westinghouse Competition (11)
- Participant in the <strong><em>place1</em></strong>Science and Engineering Fair competition (11)
- Placed with Honors in the Senior Division of the <strong><em>place1</em></strong>Science Congress (11)</p>

<p>In-School Extracurricular Activities:
- National Honor Society (12)
- Computer Club (9, 10, 11, 12)
- Mathletes (9, 10, 11, 12)
- French Club (9, 10)
- National French Honor Society (11, 12)
- Brainstormers(Academic Quiz Bowl Team) (10, 11, 12)
- Science Olympiads (9, 12)</p>

<p>Non School and Community Activities:
- <strong><em>place1</em></strong> Young Scholar of Mathematics from the Institute of Creative Problem Solving for Gifted and Talented Students (10)
- Volunteer at <strong><em>retirement home</em></strong> (11, 12)</p>

<p>MIT Essays:
Working to improve them by this weekend. . .yay for online applications!</p>

<p>MIT Interview:
I think it went very well. No way of knowing, but I was cool and confident, and I got all of my good points across. My interviewer also seemed like a nice guy.</p>

<p>Interests for what I want to study:
Right now, I'm interested in working at the Biological Engineering Division if I were to make it to MIT. I want to major in computer science and biology; I'm interested in bioinformatics.</p>

<p>As you can see, I did phenomenal in some areas and very poor in others. I just really hope 3+ years of hard work and determination aren't superceded by poor standardized test scores. Tell me what you think. . .and what colleges you recommend I set my sights on based on my study interests for normal applications.</p>

2

<p>you have to be an idiot to consider yourself having done poorly by even the most distorted of metrics. You should be intelligent enough to recognize that.</p>

3

<p>seems like your trying to be pretentious you obviously know you have great credentials and extra cirricular lets no rub it in or show off please</p>

4

<p>Not poorly, but as you should know, its a very competitive process. I meant to say poorly as a relative term compared to other MIT applicants.</p>

5

<p>The only thing that looks low by MIT standards are the math SAT grades, both 1 and 2. Other than that you have great credentials. I'd say you have an OK shot.</p>

6

<p>dude, Im applying to MIT as well. Youre certainly not weak compared to other applicants. Your Siemens-Westinghouse rank will help you a lot. Id say 50/50 chance at MIT. Good luck. Are you applying EA???</p>

7

<p>Yep. I'm thinking EA will help my chances a bit. Good luck to you as well. Thanks again for giving your perspective on the situation.</p>

<p>One more question. If I don't get into MIT, knowing what I want to study, what other schools would you recommend for me to apply to and how easy will it be for me to get in (reach, normal, safety, etc.). Thanks in advance for your help.</p>

8

<p>Yeah I understand you've done some research but I don't understand the 760 on Bio E. It doesn't make sense. I 5'd AP Bio and 800 BioM and E and it wasnt all that bad. i did some population dynamics research between 10th/11th grade (im a junior) but your SAT II's arent the best...and the math is a little low compared to MIT's standards. but the siemens/westinghouse will definitely help out and i would highly recommend you get involved with USABO cause that could help a lot too. i say MIT is still a slight reach.</p>

9

<p>I think you are in great shapes, things you can improve on are definately your 2 SAT testes. Along with that, alot of MIT students have IB/College Level coures, but if you school dosn't offer that, it is fine. Your research will definately boost you up. With all the combined, I'd say it will still be a slight reach.</p>

10

<p>I acturially think you have a decent chance! If you don’t get accepted into MIT, there are some other really nice colleges that you have a great chance of getting into. Your stats are pretty good. Good luck!</p>

11

<p>Uhmmmmmm, guys, this is from like 4.5 years ago, meaning that this student already went through the process…would be nice to know the outcome though!!! :D</p>

12

<p>There is no way he got into MIT.</p>

13

<p>I think he went to Caltech.</p>

14

<p>Well, that’s nothing to be ashamed of! Congrats to OP!! :)</p>