Transfer applicant, thoughts and chances

Colleges and Universities A-Z Massachusetts Institute of Technology
1

<p>I am currently a freshman at Middlebury College and I am going to apply for a transfer to MIT.
I finished Fall Term with a 3.75, which is not ideal for transferring, but I think the break up of my grades in various classes works to my advantage.
The classes I took and the grades I received were:
Math0200, Linear Algebra A(4.0)
Phys0221, Electronics for Scientists A(4.0)
Freshmen Seminar, a literature class A-(3.67)
French 101 B+(3.33)</p>

<p>The physics class I took was very small, 8 people, and 5 were senior physics majors. I was the only freshmen.
I haven't been too active club wise. I am on the Ultimate frisbee team and that takes up a good amount of time. In high school I was in a lot of clubs.</p>

<p>I took 7 aps and they are
Physics B 5
APUSH 4
Biology 5
Physics C Mechanics 5
Physics C E&M 5
Calculus BC 5
Macro-economics 5</p>

<p>Additionally my SATs were 2230, (780m/740r/710w) my SAT IIs were
800 math2
800 physics
790 bio (M)
and 770 chem</p>

<p>I would be an Aeronautics and Astronautics major at MIT</p>

<p>Other notes,
In J-term I will be taking French 102 and in the spring I will be taking 5 classes, which is an additional to the normal at my school:
Physics 212, applied math for physical science
Math 223, multivariable calculus
Math 302, abstract algebra I
French 103
and a greek tragedy class</p>

<p>I went to a large public highschool in New York and my academic record was strong, and senior year was also strong.
If I have overlooked something please let me know and I will be sure to add it.</p>

2

<p>Wow! Congrats on the high test scores.</p>

<p>It looks like you haven’t taken a full year of calculus. That might hurt you, because the MIT transfer admissions site stated that a full year of calculus and calculus-based physics is strongly suggested (they also stated that few are admitted without a full year each of these classes). This might be overlooked, though, because you’re already in multivariable and did very well on the BC exam–but I can’t say for sure, because nothing is really certain in admissions. Were your physics classes calculus-based? Also, they recommend a semester each of college chemistry and biology. Even though you totally rocked the chem subject test and AP bio exam they might wonder why you didn’t place higher in each subject.
You can see all the requirements here: [Before</a> Applying | MIT Admissions](<a href=“http://mitadmissions.org/apply/transfer/before]Before”>Transfer eligibility | MIT Admissions)</p>

<p>Aside from that, I don’t think anyone can give you an accurate “chance” of admission. Transfer admits are so rare that there is no paradigm of what one typically looks like. I’m also a college freshman applying for admission this fall–so good luck!</p>

3

<p>Thank you, I do believe I would have to take physics, but I think my math courses wouldn’t be disregarded.
What I think they look for, and I am paraphrasing what much more qualified people have said, is that an admission offer is not a reward for what you have done, but bet on what you will do.
Obviously the academic side is necessary for this but they also want to see that you fit into their mission statement.
Good luck to you as well.</p>

4

<p>Wow atari, how are you even able to be this wrong?</p>

<p>Calc BC covers semester 1; it’s all the single-variable calculus you’ll ever really need, which is why it’s good enough to get you out of MIT’s 18.01. Multivar, which he is taking this term, covers semester 2. This is the “full year”, and 5s on both AP Physics C exams cover the full year of physics requirement. Additionally, the only point of this requirement is that they have a solid mathematical background–this person is obviously <em>way</em> ahead of you in both math and physics. You probably shouldn’t even remark on other people’s applications, if you don’t know how APs work.</p>

<p>wlsc, your stats look just fine. You’re also correct that the class distribution (ie, what classes you got outright As in, and which classes you’re taking) helps you over your GPA, which is already not bad. I’m not going to say you’ve got an awesome chance–I don’t know what your personality’s like, and the transfer acceptance rate in general is very low–but I can assure you that nothing about your stats would hurt you.</p>

5

<p>HikaruYami:</p>

<p>I don’t normally take flame baits, but…</p>

<p>“this person is obviously <em>way</em> ahead of you in both math and physics. You probably shouldn’t even remark on other people’s applications, if you don’t know how APs work.”</p>

<p>…says a random internet stranger who has never seen my high school or college coursework. This isn’t the place to be pompous and immature. And yes, I am very aware of how APs work. I took eight of them. On the point of AP/college credit, I was only reiterating what was clearly stated on the admissions website here: [Transfer</a> Frequently Asked Questions | MIT Admissions](<a href=“http://mitadmissions.org/apply/transfer/faqs]Transfer”>FAQ Topics Transfer | MIT Admissions)</p>

<p>“I have placed out of several of the recommended courses due to Advanced Placement credit. Do I still need to take these courses even though my current college did not require me to do so?
Yes. MIT prefers that students take these subjects (calculus, physics, chemistry, and biology) at the college level. Remember that you can always place higher within each discipline depending on your abilities.”</p>

<p>…meaning, they strongly recommend you take a year each of calculus and physics, and a semester each of chemistry and biology, at the college level. Despite the fact that AP scores will get you college credit, they are not college classes. Thus, the admissions site is very simply stating that if you have placed out of many of the required classes, as wlsc1874 has, then you should fulfill the requirements at your ability level (i.e, beginning college in multivariable calculus after getting credit from a high BC score). This is not just a matter of fulfilling GIRs, it is also a matter of continuing to take difficult classes, challenging yourself and “taking advantage of every opportunity”, which transfer admissions continually advise us to do. </p>

<p>As for the calculus issue, I was only slightly concerned because he has only one semester of college calculus, multivariable. People typically take differential equations after that in the college calculus sequence. However, as I stated above, this is probably not going to be an issue, because he is obviously incredibly talented and has already taken linear algebra (by no means an easy class), in addition to being far along in the calculus sequence, so this is most likely a moot point. There is clearly nothing even remotely wrong with this resume, as I was only remarking on fine details while reiterating the fact that above all the applicant is considered as a whole.</p>

<p>In all, he asked for ideas on his schedule so far, and I gave him advice from the kind of coursework MIT definitively recommended transfer applicants take. I see nothing “wrong” with this. I’m just one prospective transfer trying to help out another. </p>

<p>wlsc1874:
You’re right in saying that admission is a matter of potential, and I know you have a lot of it! That puts a lot of things in perspective for both of us. An award can only be externally validated; either you get it or not. Potential is something different in that it isn’t affected by recognition. Your abilities, and how you choose to set about making the world a better place using these skills, are entirely yours no matter where you end up going in life. Again, good luck, and I hope you rock your spring semester – multivariable is some fun and crazy stuff!</p>