Request evaluation of chances

Colleges & Universities A-Z Massachusetts Institute of Technology
1

<p>I'm trying to decide whether to apply EA or RD. Please assume RD for the purposes of this evaluation.</p>

<p>GPA: 3.94 UW (Most rigorous courseload in school)
ACT: 35 (36 math, reading, 35 english, writing, 34 science, 8 essay)
Please assume 800's on SAT Subject Physics, Math 2, US History (Practice tests scores -- taking SAT Subjects in Oct.)
Rank: approx 5/520
5's on Calc BC, AP Physics C, AP US, AP Euro. Taking AP Chem, Psych, World, Eng. Lit, as well as MVC/LA. Considering taking EPGY Light and Heat.</p>

<p>Please assume non-exceptional essays that demonstrate passion for physics/astro and math, especially problem-solving and research</p>

<p>Please assume 1 good, 1 stellar recommendation. Please also assume a letter from an MIT research mentor and from the Center for Excellence in Education.</p>

<p>I've attended academic summer programs in both the humanities and the sciences since the summer after 7th grade. Particularly, I attended RSI 2005.</p>

<p>Significant activities:
-Space science/research club -- design and submit experiments for space-based research competitions. Build experiments from scratch, write papers on results, often published. Secretary in 10th, President 11-12. Generally spend 35 hours/week on it. Recently designed workshop/seminar series for new members.
-Math team (local, regional, state, district, ARML)
-Individual Events -- speech team
-Spanish National Honor Society (Secretary 12th)
-Volunteer work teaching English literacy to immigrants, learning-disabled, those passed over by education system
-Volunteer work at library
-Physics internship at Northwestern University (tentative, 12th only)
-Orchestra 4th-10th grade, violin lessons 7th-12th</p>

<p>Significant awards:
National-level success in space research competitions. Experiments have flown on suborbital rockets, high-altitude balloons, and are slated to fly aboard the KC-135 aircraft and Space Shuttle. Papers written or in progress on all.
Various local-state math awards
Various local-state I.E. awards</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

2

<p>Very Good.</p>

3

<p>Unless you committed a felony, you're in MIT. RSI basically means MIT admission</p>

4

<p>^I agree. On the other hand, my chances don't look so good now...:(</p>

5

<p>Just wondering...where are u from and what school do you go to?</p>

6

<p>I thought MIT has said, and research has backed up, that it is nearly the only school for which there is little difference in acceptance rate between early and regular round applications. </p>

<p>For what it's worth, if you have just done RSI, you might as well apply now, as the most dispositive information in your file is already known. Then you get your answer from MIT sooner, which is one of the advantages to the application of early action.</p>

7

<p>There's absolutely NO reason not to apply EA if you think you want to go there, unless you're applying to another school ED or single EA.</p>

8

<p>what if you dont get a financial aid package that you want? Would you be screwed for applying EA?</p>

9

<p>Applying EA (Early Admission) just means you are considered early and informed early if you are accepted; it does not (to my knowledge) have any effect on your financial aid. Applying to a school under their ED (Early Decision) program, which obligates you to accept their offer of admission if given one, can sometimes affect one's financial aid. MIT has an EA program, not an ED program.</p>

<p>A nice explanation of all these initials pertaining to early admissions was posted here on the Parents Forum.</p>

10

<p>Thanks to everyone for the advise and help.</p>

<p>tokenadult, may I make a bit of a jump from what you said and infer that you advise not applying EA? If so, thanks; I'm really struggling with my EA stuff.</p>

<p>Asiaknight, I attend public high school north of chicago. I am reluctant to say more because of privacy issues.</p>

11

<p>I'm not advising one way or the other, but if you are READY to apply (it appears you may not be, because you haven't taken your tests yet), there is no downside to applying early to MIT and at least the upside of knowing sooner whether or not you got in. Based on your last post, it sounds like you would rather submit college applications to as many colleges as you are applying to shortly before the RD deadline for each college, giving yourself a month or two more in your busy life to get the applications put together. I can certainly understand an RSI alum being too busy to have applications done way in advance of the RD deadline, and so, I'm sure, can any admissions officer. </p>

<p>Good luck in your applications.</p>

12

<p>Ah....Stevenson or Fremd, I'm guessing. I just want to know because I was on ARML with you. </p>

<p>P.S. Did anyone else from Illinois make it to RSI this year?</p>