Should I even bother trying?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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<p>Hello everyone! This is not the usual "chance me plz" requests I know you disapprove of, I would just like if you could give me an idea if I should even give it a try with MIT.</p>

<p>I am an international student living in Egypt. Initially I didn't even consider the choice of going to university abroad(too costly,wouldn't get accepted) but I hit a few snags here with the Ministry of Education that would cause me to wait an entire year before I could enter university.</p>

<p>I looked at universities online, and MIT seemed like the top choice, assuming I could ever get into it, but apparently all universities in the USA require SATs and TOEFL.
I was willing to take them as soon as possible, but browsing through other applicants here, I see people that would have a much better chance of getting in with better results in their tests. </p>

<p>It's pretty much a given that my SAT scores would not be as good as someone who spent their entire high school period studying for it. Is something like this taken into account by the admission officers?
These factors kind of discouraged me from continuing as I really have no idea if I actually have a shot at getting in.</p>

<p>I finished my IGCSEs with (I would hope) decent grades:
A* in all my 7 O-Level Subjects
A in Computing AS and Physics AS
A* in Math A-Level
I know I am supposed to make a much larger amount of A-Level subjects, however there is a restriction here in Egypt put by the Ministry of Education on the amount of A-Levels/AS subjects one can take.
I am also a Cambridge High Achiever, as I scored 'Top in Egypt' for Accounting OL and Computing AS.</p>

<p>I just want to know, should I still give it a try? Do I have a realistic chance of getting in?</p>

<p>Thank you for your time!</p>

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<p>What makes this not a typical chance thread?</p>

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<p>Hmm, looking at it, it does seem like a typical chance thread…
I guess I just want to know how much would getting lower than usual SAT scores would affect me, since I think that’s very likely :/</p>

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<p>How much do you expect to get ?</p>

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<p>You will just get the usual “the only way you can know is by actually applying” from most people around here.</p>

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<p>You certainly have an interesting story, go for it. You’ll find that private colleges value a unique story much more than a 2400 on the SAT</p>

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<p>What year are you? If you’re a senior now, then it’s a little late to start considering MIT, isn’t it?</p>

<p>If you’re a junior, or younger, then you have some time to figure out how you’ll do on the SATs and TOEFLs. There are good practice books that will give you a good idea of how you’ll do too. After a little bit of practice, to familiarize yourself with the test, take a real SAT. If you do poorly but think you can do better after getting your feet wet, practice some more and register for another one. You have a little time to explore the MIT option if you’re not a senior. Take advantage of the time.</p>

<p>(I don’t think you’re correct in your assumption that U.S. kids spend their whole high school experience preparing for these tests. My kids and their peers didn’t, anyway.)</p>

<p>If you are a senior … gosh. I just think it sounds like it’s a little late to start considering MIT for next year, considering that you’re not feeling secure about your SAT, TOEFL, or the level of your coursework to date. It’s not that any of my kids did anything “special” or “new” to prepare for application to MIT. But their whole middle school and high school education, standardized testing regimen, outside interests, and extracurricular experience was the type that made applying to MIT an option by the time senior year rolled around. In their cases, it wouldn’t have been something that they could have pulled off or put together at the last minute.</p>

<p>In a more direct answer to your question, though I’m a total nobody and have no business speaking for anything MIT admissions might think (which is why chance threads are stupid), I am completely guessing that MIT gets enough applications from internationals with interesting stories and unique experiences who also happen to have very good (or excellent) SATs and TOEFLs. That’s totally a guess. Who the heck am I to comment on this anyway? :)</p>

<p>It is true that we know one thing for sure: If you don’t apply, you definitely won’t be accepted!</p>

<p>But if you think that you’re not competitive because of various regional factors that have influenced you to date, and you choose not to apply, you can know that there are TONS of excellent U.S. colleges that will provide a stimulating and rewarding college education. You don’t have to shoot straight for MIT. My kids will be, have been, happy at all sorts of schools! So will you, I’m sure.</p>

<p>Good luck to you, whatever you choose to do! :)</p>

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<p>Hello again,
Thank you for your replies :)</p>

<p>And SimpleLife, Yes, unfortunately I am a senior, I just finished my high school, and I’m taking a forced gap year(due to Ministry issues I mentioned before). You ARE right regarding the fact that those who were preparing for this for a longer time have a much easier time.
However, I just did a TOEFL and SAT II Physics practice test yesterday, and I think I can do well on it. There is still a bit of time till the January SAT tests, and I can use that to practice.
I am not going for a “MIT or nothing else”, I just don’t know what other colleges should I apply to :stuck_out_tongue: I’d really appreciate if you help me with that.</p>

<p>Anyway, I am leaning towards just going for it, and hoping for the best.</p>

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<p>There are lots of other top-notch schools out there you should consider - look into Rochester Institute of Technology, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Georgia Tech, Carnegie Mellon, Cal Poly in San Louis Obispo, Virginia Tech. Caltech and MIT may be a bit of a reach for you, but all of these other schools are also excellent! Good Luck.</p>

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<p>Hey there !
Believe it or not, I am also from Egypt and I am applying for 2015 as well!
I got special circumstances that are way similar to yours ,I do not even have IGCSE or American Diploma ,and you know what? I am not really into the robotics or inventions stuff. But believe me ,BEING YOURSELF is the key. They would appreciate your struggle against challenges in countries like ours. You may also like to make a “drama” out of your essays describing obstacles that you overcame. In other words, make an advantage out of every defect you might have. As for scores on SAT IIs ,I just did the Physics and got 720 ,I got outraged when first hit by the score ,but then I was told that anything in the 700s is good and weighed almost equally.TOEFL is crucial because it has a minimum score so try to focus on it a little more .It’s very easy but don’t get the wrong idea .Many people would fail it if they are not well prepared. A strong background in English is extremely helpful.
Hope to see each other on freshman year out there :wink:
Oh BTW send me a message if you wish,
Good luck.</p>

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<p>^Cool. I’m glad you two found each other! You both sound like nice people who work very hard. I hope you both get what you want! :)</p>