Should I give up hope for being admitted into MIT? (Low SAT 1, Good ECs and GPA)

Colleges and Universities A-Z Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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<p>Hello there, I am an international student (senior) from India trying for MIT(Fall 2010). I don’t really have good SAT 1 scores, but I have (or maybe I think I have) good ECs and GPA.</p>

<p>Here is my profile :
SAT 1 : 2000 (690 math, 630 Critical Reading, 680 Writing)
SAT 2 : Math 2 - 770
Physics - 770
Chemistry - 780</p>

<p>I plan to retake the SAT 1 and also take the TOEFL.</p>

<p>GPA : 4.0 out of 4.0</p>

<p>Class Rank : 1/ (appx) 510 for all 4 years of high school.</p>

<p>APs : Technically none. They don’t have AP exams at my school. However what the subjects I have chosen are definitely more challenging if not equal to the APs (with the exception of English). Many topics we study are infact not even in the syllabi for APs. My subjects are the most rigorous available at the school. Here they are with my Marks (above 90 is equivalent to an A+):</p>

<p>English : 94/100
Mathematics : 100/100 (Includes Calculus)
Physics : 97/100
Chemistry : 96/100
Computer Science : 100/100
Social Sciences : 96/100 (Grades 9 and 10 only - Includes World History, Geography, Economics, Political Science, Disaster Management)
Foreign Language : 80/100 (Grades 9 and 10 only)</p>

<p>ECs:
Mainly into performing arts (debates, group discussions, speeches) and quizzing.
Important Achievements:</p>

<li><p>1st position in the International Students Science Fair for my presentation on the future of computing and my paper for the same among 22 countries. Note : I was 14 at that time when the maximum age of participation was 21 - most participants were college students).</p></li>
<li><p>1st Position at Odyssey International English fest in the English Quiz among 7 participating countries. I was 14 when the maximum age of participation as 18.</p></li>
<li><p>Consolation Prize (aka 4th position) at Macfair International Computer Quiz. Note : Macfair is basically a math and computers event where a host of competitions take place with participants from many countries - don’t remember how many. I was 13 at the time of participation when the maximum age of participation was 18.</p></li>
<li><p>Won the 2nd position at the National Environment Quiz conducted by the Govt. of India at the national Level.</p></li>
<li><p>Have many city level essay + writing + debate prizes.</p></li>
<li><p>A huge pile of merit certificates at the City level + many many achievements before grade 9 (Though I doubt that they will have much consideration).</p></li>
</ol>

<p>School Positions Held: 1. Editor of the School magazine
2. President of the School’s Science body
3. President of the School’s computer body.
4. Captain of the school gymnastics team till grade 9.</p>

<p>Jobs : Have worked as a freelance programmer/web designer/software engineer for an year.</p>

<p>I have a great interest in computer science (my intended major - I am way too much into computers) and my teachers have written perhaps the most sparkling ‘emotionally-charged’ (sorry, I just liked the expression!) letters for me. I have a number of other projects I have built at schools - Beowulf Clusters using the school’s computers, Demonstrating the school’s network vulnerabilities, helping design my school’s website etc - and my guidance counsellor + teachers have described my interest (or aptitude as they would say) very well or atleast other people whom I showed the letter of recommendation say so.</p>

<p>Also, I have taken up many projects to support my paper at the ISSF. I also have my blueprints of a computer I had planned to build (abondoned later simply because I don’t have the resources to) which basically involves connecting components of many computers together into one large box so that the whole set of computers behave as one (simple words : “Distributed computing in a box”). I have lots of practical ‘take-it-apart’ experience with computers and I have proof + samples to back it up.</p>

<p>Please note that I will need financial aid. A reason for my low SAT scores also is the fact that I cannot afford SAT prep classes. I have not been able to take part in any of the other International Student science fairs(ISSF) because of the same reason. I was just lucky the the 3rd ISSF was held in my country.</p>

<p>I have been told that MIT is not really in my reach because of my low SAT 1 scores. So should I give up hope for MIT? Is there anything I can do except re-taking the SAT to strengthen my application? I am not giving up, I will try, but I just want to know if I REALLY have a chance?</p>

<p>Thanks for any help in advance. I know this is an awfully long post. But thank you for reading the whole of it.</p>

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<p>Just try to improve your SAT score. You don’t need prep courses; just do a ton of exercise tests. I did, improved my score from 2150 to 2360. </p>

<p>Since you need FA, you might want to apply to some other schools, too. Berkeley and UIUC come to mind. Good luck.</p>

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<p>With your SAT 1 scores, getting in as an international applicant in need of financial aid will be very difficult.</p>

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<p>You should apply to MIT. Since your subject-test scores are high, I recommend you take the ACT instead of re-taking the SAT I. MIT will look at either.</p>

5

<p>Take both - SAT agian, and the ACT.</p>

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<p>If you’re international, just do well on the TOEFL (which is a lot easier anyway).</p>

<p>MIT will accept either SAT 1 OR TOEFL scores for intl’s.</p>

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<p>Thanks guys, so does this mean that I just have to improve my SAT 1/TOEFL(more likely) score?
So my ECs and GPA are fine? Or is there anything else i can do to strengthen my application? :)</p>

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<p>Improve your SAT scores. To about 2200+ would be best. Its not that hard just buy a review book (princeton Review comes to mind) and study it.</p>

<p>Your ECs and GPA look good. As does your SAT 2. Make sure you write killer essays.</p>

<p>Don’t listen to anyone who says your chances of getting into MIT will be lowered considerably if you apply for fin aid. This is true for most schools but not MIT. MIT is need-blind towards internationals.</p>

<p>However, MIT has a quota of, I think about 100 internationals per class so their acceptance rate for internationals is about 4% I think.</p>

<p>So apply widely. </p>

<p>I’m not sure about the TOEFL vs. the SAT 1, I thought the TOEFL was merely to satisfy their English proficiency requirements.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

<p>From a fellow Indian (from Malaysia)</p>

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<p>

</p>

<p>From: [MIT</a> Admissions: Standardized Test Requirements](<a href=“http://www.mitadmissions.org/topics/apply/standardized_test_requirements/index.shtml]MIT”>http://www.mitadmissions.org/topics/apply/standardized_test_requirements/index.shtml)</p>

<p>For non-native English speakers: You have two options: 1) take the tests required for native English speakers (see above), or 2) you may take the TOEFL and two SAT Subject Tests, one in math (level 1 or 2) and one in science (physics, chemistry, or biology e/m).</p>

<p>If you have been using English for less than 5 years or do not speak English at home, we strongly suggest that you take the TOEFL.</p>

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<p>^^ To the OP, Oasis is an admissions blogger for MIT. I didn’t realize you could submit just the TOEFL plus the subject tests. Since your subject tests are already very strong, this is a great option.</p>

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<p>First, Congratulations on those centums in Comp. Science and Math!</p>

<p>You have a competitive application so far. If I were you, at this point I’d start working on the MIT application: essays, recommendations, etc. (Its vacation now isn’t it?)
Tip: your first attempt at completing the application won’t be ur final attempt…! I think you might want to complete it and then put it off until december to review or make changes. Note: Jan 1 is most probably the deadline. I recommend some lay off period coz you might have a lot of new ideas for your essays.</p>

<p>About the SATs…
You can definitely bring it above 2100 IF IF IF you practice to finish as many questions as possible on time (provided you are a stickler for accuracy)</p>

<p>And about ur chances…
Alrite, I was an applicant for class of 2013. Unsuccessful, to say the least.
Being topper for 4 years straight in high-school doesnt seem to have laid any magic tracks of success. So my advice: Just make sure ur application is competitve. Make sure you did ur best. (Isn’t that all we can do anyway?)</p>

<p>Abt the blogs…
If you are TRYING to get enthusiastic about ATTENDING MIT (once you’ve been accepted)…its an inspiring, good read.
And if you are still worrying about getting in, I’d stay away from them. (Don’t want your hopes to rise high…coz when they fall, it’s going to hurt)</p>

<p>That was some reply I came up with!</p>

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<p>What? The blogs are a perfectly fine place to be. In all honesty, I’d stay away from College Confidential until you’re done applying. There are lots of lies around here, and it’ll convince anyone that they can’t get in and therefore shouldn’t apply. I am grateful that I didn’t know about it until after.</p>

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<p>yes, but what R-DNA says is also true. reading the blogs is a wonderful way to fall in love with MIT - I have, and it’s going to hurt like hell if I’m rejected. But that’s okay. I think it’s worth the risk.</p>

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<p>Your credentials sound good to me but don’t put all of your eggs in one basket. Apply to MIT but apply to other schools too. If you need financial aid that will make it harder.</p>

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<p>^^ Needing financial aid will NOT hurt your application to MIT. MIT’s application process is “need blind.” The admissions committee decides on the students it wishes to invite without looking at any information regarding whether the applicants need financial aid or not.</p>

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<p>Dude u got a pretty fine chance if you could get those SAT 1 scores up a bit. I am from india too…</p>

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<p>I graduated from MIT a few years ago.</p>

<p>You should definitely improve your SAT and take the ACT, but know it’s still a tossup whether you get in or not. Test scores, especially for internationals, are a pre-rec for applying.</p>

<p>There was one person I knew from India who was my year (I think there were maybe 4 in total). He had medalled in the IMO’s 3 times (and I think twice at gold). It’s tough.</p>

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<p>Take the ACT. You are a strong applicant. Definately apply and let them know why MIT is your top choice and what you will bring to the campus as a scholar and person.</p>

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<p>“1st position in the International Students Science Fair for my presentation on the future of computing and my paper for the same among 22 countries. Note : I was 14 at that time when the maximum age of participation was 21 - most participants were college students).”</p>

<p>This seems like an amazing achievement. You should retake your SAT…if you can do well on it + with your amazing ECs, I think you have a great chance.</p>

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<p>it kinda bugs me that you would say that your low sat scores are because you cannot afford lessons, seeing as i and many others scored 2380s + without any prep classes, not to start anything, but you should realize that your financial status cannot be blamed for your scores so the admin officers wont care</p>