Should I even bother applying? Low GPA, Good ACT/ Unique ECs.

Colleges and Universities A-Z Massachusetts Institute of Technology
1

<p>I attend an extremely rigorous high school in California. Low overall, big upward trend. Good Standardized Testing and great/unique Extracurriculars. Should I even bother with MIT? I'd love to go - always wanted to as a kid. But I messed up the first 2 years of high school ;(</p>

<p>Freshman: 2.7/3.0 (3 Honors)
Soph: 3.0 (3.2 W) /2.7 (2.8 W) - 1 weighted (1 AP)
Junior: 3.67/3.67 [4.2 Weighted] - 3 Weighted (3 AP)
Senior year: 3.67+ [4.3+ Weighted] - 4 Weighted (4 AP)</p>

<p>Took Intro to Comp Sci and Programming in C at a community college over the summer, got A's in both.</p>

<p><em>Computer Engineering/Science Major</em></p>

<p>UC Weighted (Soph + Junior Weighted GPA) GPA - 3.64
Overall Cumulative Unweighted: A dismal 3.128</p>

<p>Standardized Testing:
ACT - 35 Composite (Superscore)
35 English
36 Math
34 Reading
35 Science</p>

<p>SAT II:
Math Level 2: 790
Bio M: 700</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
150+ hours (2 years as teen tech volunteer at library)</p>

<p>*DECA - Won 3rd for math marketing in Nor Cal, and 4th for presentation, 8th overall for Advertising Campaign at states
**Last week, I found out I won the DECA Idea Challenge, my team placed #1/400+ other teams internationally for our innovation. *</p>

<p>*YouTube: I use YouTube to express my passion for technology with people around the world. My helpful tech guides and reviews have received over 1.3 MILLION views by people around the world and my channel has over 2,900 subscribers. *</p>

<ul>
<li>Blogged on website about mobile apps for 1 year</li>
</ul>

<p>** The upward trend was caused when I visited India and realized I'm taking everything for granted. I realized I needed to make the most of my situation, and thus I started applying myself junior year.</p>

<p>** I will try to highlight my passion for technology in my application, via essays or whatever. I express my passion for technology via YouTube and help thousands of people on a daily basis. So far, I've got over 2,900 subscribers and 1.29 million views.</p>

<p>What do you guys think about my chances? Should I bother applying? I think I have good ECs and good ACT but terrible GPA. I absolutely love math and technology and would love to go to MIT but I fear that I've screwed up too far :/</p>

2

<p>I would try to focus my application on schools that are better matches for you. Your 1.3 million YouTube views is very impressive, but I don’t think MIT’s extremely rigorous environment would be the right fit.</p>

3

<p>Nobody from my highschool was admitted to MIT with more than 2 Bs and they are mostly girls. No boys were admitted.</p>

4

<p>Just apply. If you get in you get in. If you don’t you don’t.</p>

<p>@AirforceWuhn: I had more than two Bs. I am also a girl, but I promise you I got in for better reasons.</p>

5

<p>If your school is as rigorous as you say it is, MIT will know that. They make it their business to know all the schools that they get applications from. They understand that a 4.0 average in one school does not compare to a 4.0 average from another school. I think that you can explain how you matured in your essays. They will definitely like the passion you show. Apply, your chances are as good as anyone else’s chances.</p>

6

<p>Hm, I see. I’ll just focus my time on other colleges then. I was planning on applying to one or 2 reach schools. Guess it’ll be Cornell and Stanford. My matches are like Georgia Tech, UC Davis/San Diego/Santa Barbara or Cal Poly SLO. Also applying to Santa Clara University, USC, and UIUC.</p>

<p>Thing is, while my school is far more rigorous, the students here are far smarter too (80% of the school is asian) - average SAT is around high 1900’s, low 2000’s, pretty high considering nation average is 1500. We have about 20-30 valedictorians yearly (4.0 Unweighted). 2300+ SATs aren’t uncommon. Kid next to me in Physics has a 3.77 unweighted and 2400.</p>

7

<p>I actually think you have a great chance. Colleges do like upward trend, and I feel you would be able to write great essays from your life experiences. Best of luck!</p>

8

<p>I’m still applying, but demotivated ahah. Even a 3.67 UW won’t cut it for MIT.</p>

9

<p>i had a somewhat similar situation (not such a low freshman gpa, but upward trend) and i applied EA. ill let you know how it goes</p>

10

<p>Sure, sounds good.</p>