Should I Apply With Low Math Scores?

Do I even have any chance with a 700 SAT Math, 630 Math Level 2, and 640 Biology?

Applying to MIT is much more than a few SAT scores.

  • What does the rest of your application look like?
  • Why do you want to go to MIT? Does what you've done with your life support that quest?
  • Who are you? What makes you tick?
  • How will you being part of MIT enhance the student body and be a fit for you?
  • Are those scores a reflection of who you are or limited opportunities available to you?
  • Do your recommendations convey an exceptional candidate?
  • Etc

You don’t need to answer those here, but answers to questions like that need to come across in your application.

Be realistic about why you’re applying to MIT and anyone’s chances of getting admitted. If you choose to not apply, you know what your chances will be.

One of my friends from MIT had mid 600’s in each of the SAT sections. But she had a lot of extracurricular activities in high school, spoke 6 languages, and was quite sociable.

While she had a little bit of a tough time with 18.02 and 8.01, she did quite well in biology. (She eventually got her Ph.D. in Biology from UC Berkeley after finishing her bachelors at MIT.)

So, do not be discouraged by a 700 math score. Don’t let that stop you from applying to MIT.

I know someone who had even worse Subject Test scores and a similar SAT Math score and was admitted. Granted she had an exceptional GPA and EC’s. Just remember that MIT admits people not numbers. Good luck.

Statistically though there are very few people admitted with those numbers so they must be exceptionally amazing people. If you are a typical well rounded nice kid doing normal kid stuff I think it’s very unlikely and depending on your circumstances are the fees worth it or would you be better off applying to a different reach that may be somewhat more likely? Somewhere like UChicago comes to mind because they are a bit more holistic in their admissions and you can see that from their score ranges.