To those who currently attend M.I.T.

Colleges & Universities A-Z Massachusetts Institute of Technology
1

<p>Although I know more than anyone else that I have less chance than other strong applicants to M.I.T, I still don't want to give up the opportunity to apply to M.I.T.
However, if the odds are too bizarre that I shouldn't even waste my $70 applying to M.I.T., I will just forget about this one of the most prestigious engineering college.
Would you guys give me some insightful thoughts and advices?</p>

<p>Freshman (3.8) -
Concert Choir A-
ESL A-
ESL US history 2 A
Essential biology A-
Gym A
Plane geometry A
Spanish 1 A-</p>

<p>Sophomore (4.1)
Algebra 2 H A
Chemistry A
Gym A
Choir A-
English1 A-
Spanish 2 A
US history A</p>

<p>Junior (4.73)
AP Stats A
EMA honors A
English 2 A
Gym A
Spanish 3 H A-
World Civ H A
Physics H A</p>

<p>Senior
AP World
AP Lang & Comp
AP Calc BC
AP Physics
Spanish 4 H
English 3 H</p>

<p>Came to the U.S. in freshman year, but I'm a permanent resident.</p>

<p>Class rank (40/303)
even though I never got below an A-, my class rank is very low because I was limited to take ESL classes in my freshman year and regular classes in sophomore year. However, I see this could be a hook because my guidance counselor told me no one in the schools has had any improvement like this in ten years (ESL -> APs)
so basically I took ESL -> regular -> honors -> APs</p>

<p>SAT1 M800 R680 W690(E10)
SAT2 Math 2c 790 1c 770 chemistry 780 Physics 680
retaking SAT1 in OCT, physics in NOV</p>

<p>Stockmarket Club - Vice president
Future Business Leaders Club - Vice president
Multicultural Club - Vice president
AMC ten and twelve - AIME qualifier
Auditioned choir (men); Auditioned choir 2 (women) -> this is my theme of college essay
Debate club -> short essay theme
Internship at an Engineering company
Volunteer 200 hours from sophomore year
Winter track in freshman and sophomore year</p>

<p>One set back is I only could start the clubs in my sophomore year because of my inferior English. I could barely talk in the beginning of my freshman year.. haha
but I enjoyed singing, which doesn't require a good English ability, so I could audition and perform as a soloist in a few concerts.</p>

<p>Should I even apply to M.I.T?
I'm applying Early decision to Cornell University for engineering, just letting you know..</p>

2

<p>You might consider taking the SAT again, and taking Physics again or another SAT-II. Scores above 700 are more competitive. That said, you’ll never know if you’d be accepted unless you apply, so go for it!</p>

3

<p>Your scores are great, especially considering you haven’t taken the corresponding AP’s yet.<br>
I would try to really ace your AP classes first semester. Don’t just try to barely get the A-. </p>

<p>Don’t worry about your rank. It just means you started on a lower track. Besides, qualifying for AIME suggests you are clearly someone who is up to the rigor of a top 5 school.</p>

<p>You should definitely apply to MIT.</p>

4

<p>"I’m applying Early decision to Cornell University for engineering, just letting you know… "</p>

<p>Early decision or early action? Is it binding? </p>

<p>You may want to reconsider this if it is binding.</p>

5

<p>In any event, you should highlight your transition from ESL to AP’s, which is impressive, explains your weaker stats, and “fleshes out” your personal story. This might be through your essay. If not, you should definitely ask your counselor to convey his/her observation to schools.</p>

6

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<p>? Why are you applying Early Decision to Cornell? It’s binding (that is, if you get accepted, you have to go). Do you like Cornell Engineering more than MIT? </p>

<p>It sounds to me from your posting that you are infatuated with MIT. I believe you have the scores to be fairly competitive at MIT. Maybe not top of the heap, but competitive for sure. I would strongly consider applying to MIT early. What’s $70 vs. 4 years?</p>

<p>I need your frank response: If you get into to Cornell Early Decision (binding) and MIT as a regular applicant, how will you feel in March? The answer to that is critically important.</p>

<p>Remember, if you apply to Cornell Early Decision, you cannot apply to MIT Early Action even though MIT’s early action is non-binding. This is stated on Early Decision agreement that you will sign.</p>

7

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<p>um…one of the most?</p>

8

<p>Wow! I really appreciate your responses!!</p>

<p>Frankly, I think M.I.T. is really a super reach for me, considering the people who got into M.I.T. all had the perfect scores even though I didn’t have the chance to read their essays.</p>

<p>I think Cornell would be more like a reach that I can possibly get into while M.I.T. is only considered to be a “dream school.” Yes, it is possible for me to be admitted to both schools, but I’d be just so happy to get admitted to both schools that I had dreamed of, that I can ignore the bitter feeling of not able to attend M.I.T. even if I get accepted.</p>

<p>Oh, and I thought my rank would be in the 40’s because it was in the 60’s last year, but it actually went up more than that so my rank is 30… slightly better :D</p>

<p>It’s great to know I still have the chances although I’m an asian male with no perfect scores. Thanks for the encouragements!</p>

<p>The best case would be…

  1. admitted to both -> attending Cornell
  2. admitted to Cornell -> rejected from M.I.T. -> attending Cornell
  3. rejected from Cornell -> admitted to M.I.T. -> attending M.I.T.</p>

<p>Really, I’d be really grateful if either one of the school accepts me :D</p>

9

<p>wow ESL to AP’s, did you come to the US not speaking any English? Or did you already know enough to get around?</p>

10

<p>What you should do is APPLY to MIT EARLY ACTION and to Cornell Regular. I got into MIT with scores similar to yours (and I hate to admitt it but sometimes lower too). SO IN OTHER WORDS YOU SHOULD REALLY GIVE IT A TRY.</p>

11

<p>The most prestigious engineering college ever</p>

12

<p>Yeah the whole going from ESL to AP in 4 years should be a hook for you, especially if you could incorporate something about your move here or whatnot in your essays.</p>

13

<p>I think you should apply to MIT early action and Cornell RD. That way, you leave your options open, and most top schools don’t really put an emphasis on “demonstrated interest” anyway. Your ESL to AP, like everyone else has said, is a really big hook. And I think higher schools are getting used to foreign-type applicants.</p>