Studying at MIT

International Students
1

<p>Hey guys,</p>

<p>A short intro;
Everyone has their dream university. MIT is mine. I live in UAE, just completed my AS Levels, did not sit for the SATs yet and due to other fair complications, I will do A2 and then look for universities abroad.</p>

<p>Once my grades are out for AS, I'll update them here so it presents the facts of the matter in a fairer light. </p>

<p>The subjects I gave my AS exams were Mathematics, Accounting, Economics and Business Studies. I'm aiming for a major/minor combo of Economics and Mathematics and aim for work in the field of finance/law.</p>

<p>I am a realist and I know being an international student (I am not a citizen nor a permanent resident of USA) my chances of getting into MIT are quite quite slim. Slimmer, in fact, if you consider financial aid in the equation.
But I will still try my level best to try and get into MIT.</p>

<p>Now onto the real deal.. my situation as of now is this.
[ol]
[li]I have not done any SAT exams as of yet and will do the general SAT in October, the subject tests in November. (If there is another way of doing these tests, in a different time line, all suggestions are welcomed.) </p>[/li]
<p>[li] I need a decent size scholarship. </p>[/li]
<p>[li] It is my understanding that MIT (or another university usually) do credit the additional year I will spend for A2 if my grades are A (Economics) and A/B (Mathematics).[/li][/ol]</p>

<p>The problem I do have is with their admission</a> requirements.</p>

<p>A quick overview is that I dropped Chemistry in my tenth year and took up Accounting for my O'Levels and thence I had only Physics as my natural science subject.</p>

<p>According to their admission</a> requirements, I have to submit one test from each category and that includes the SAT II Subject Test which has all natural sciences. Those are not my subjects nor are they the subjects I wish to pursue (though I have a passion for Physics). I have emailed MIT admissions office but haven't received any reply as of yet. Have I misinterpreted this table or does anyone have any idea on what I can do in this situation? </p>

<p>Additionally, what are the visa requirements that will entitle me with the ability to accept state or private scholarship in USA? I'm just spit balling here all the questions I have</p>

<p>What other universities would be good for me, as a backup and the aim-high-kind of university?</p>

<p>I understand there is very little detail about my aptitude as a student as there are no details about my scores and such but I would very much appreciate any insight.</p>

<p>I'll add on to this page as I get more information or questions.</p>

<p>[ul]
[li]Freshman</a> - Tests and Scores[/li][li]Freshman</a> - Deadlines and Requirements[/li][/ul]</p>

2

<p>Anyone help me out here?</p>

3

<p>No one here is better qualified to tell you about MIT’s requirements than MIT.</p>

<p>Visa information is easily accessible online: [Student</a> and Exchange Visitor Visas](<a href=“404 - Page Not Found”>404 - Page Not Found)</p>

<p>Without knowing your stats, or your academic interests/possible major, it’s hard to advise about schools, especially in view of you needing financial aid.</p>

4

<p>Unfortunately it looks like you are required to have SAT subject tests in math and one natural science. Since MIT is such a math/science heavy school, this requirement makes sense. However, most other top schools will not require this (they will likely require some SAT subject tests but won’t specify which ones exactly).
MIT is obviously a very strong school for math but if you’re looking econ, it’s actually not a fabulous choice. Try Harvard, Penn, UChicago, etc. </p>

<p>In terms of scholarships/aid, it’s my understanding that MIT is not generous with aid to international students. Look in the international forum for threads regarding what colleges are generous for internationals. Generally the top Liberal Arts colleges (all good schools) tend to be generous with their aid.</p>

5

<p>You should ask these questions on the MIT forum.</p>

6

<p>@katliamom,</p>

<p>yeah, i’ve pretty much scanned their website for everything, thanks!</p>

<p>@uscamstudent,</p>

<p>Why do you think MIT is not good for Economics? I’ve heard they have one of the toughest courses in the world</p>

<p>I do wish to continue with Math and Economics and I am talking about an undergrad here </p>

<p>I get the sense you have some experience with MIT of some sort or have some insight regarding their admissions process. Care to share? :P</p>

<p>@artloversplus,</p>

<p>can you suggest other unis I should apply to in the US for Economics? Top tier and the decent ones (as backup)</p>

7

<p>[Top</a> 20 Economics Programs In America (Undergraduate)](<a href=“http://www.america.edu/top_20_economics_programs_in_america_(undergraduate).html]Top”>Top 20 Economics Programs In America (Undergraduate) - America Education)</p>

<p>Here’s one list… I don’t know if you can consider any of these schools as backup since they’re all very selective, and the public universities (Berkeley, UCLA, Wisconsin, Michigan, etc.) do not offer financial aid for international students. </p>

<p>For a ‘real’ back up, you should look at perhaps second-tier schools which will have fewer top international students applying.</p>

8

<p>Perhaps some ivy schools or MIT will give big scholarship to some one who is number one student in their country or to some one who had solved the Palestine conflicts(to that magnitude).</p>

9

<p>Ya know I could be totally wrong. Just from an american who does NOT study econ, from a pure reputation stand point MIT’s econ isn’t as well known as some other ones (Harvard, Penn, UChicago, etc). But I am definitely not an expert and MIT is incredible for math so if you want MIT it’s certainly a good choice. </p>

<p>But either way you’re in a bit of trouble if you haven’t taken the subject tests in the courses they require. You might want to contact the admissions office and ask someone directly if those are required for an international who doesn’t want to study a science course. It can’t hurt to ask. If they are required, your application could be thrown out as incomplete without you even being considered. I know that many other top schools DO NOT require their SATII’s to be in specific subjects so if you have 2 or more SATII’s but not ones in Sciences, you might want to consider those. </p>

<p>Also I was wrong earlier, MIT is actually one of the most generous schools for international aid. It’s worth exploring the International forum here and looking for other schools which are generous for international aid. If you can’t find information on a school you’re interested in, contact the admissions office.</p>

10

<p>Oh and in terms of back up schools…look up the top 20 Liberal Arts Colleges. They tend to be more generous with international aid and quite good schools which are often easier to get into.</p>