What are my chances of getting into MIT?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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<p>Since high school, MIT has been my dream school.</p>

<p>I am now a junior in high school. I have straight A's. I am in the International Baccalaureate Program in school, and will most probably acquire the IB Diploma. I am number two in a class of about 450 (and is planning on reclaiming number one). I have straight one hundreds in my math and science classes. Actually, I haven't had a grade lower than one hundred in any of my classes.</p>

<p>I have won international awards in writing (chinese) and art. I have over 400 service hours and maybe even more by the time I am done with high school. I participates in all kinds of activities in school. I am in Fed Challenge, Knowledge Bowl, Mu Alpha Theta, German Club, Engineering Club, Varsity Band, and Chinese Culture Society.</p>

<p>I am the founder and president of the Chinese Culture Society. I am Fed Challenge Team Captain. I also have many other leadership positions in other places. I am accepted in the TN governor school of science as a sophomore. I studied modern physics there and passed with the highest grade in the class.</p>

<p>I take Taekwondo and plays Piano and Flute. I have been playing piano since 6 and will have a black belt in Taekwondo by I graduate. </p>

<p>I have been preparing for the PSAT. As a sophomore, I got a 193 on the PSAT. This year I am aiming for at least a 213 to get into semi-finalist. I have done many, many practice tests, and my score changes from 228 to 210. It is mostly around 212-217. I am worried if I will get into the semi-finalist or not. </p>

<p>Suppose that I fail to get into semi-finalist, what are my chances of getting into MIT?</p>

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<p>What are your admissions test scores? The PSAT is not an admissions test.</p>

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<p>I haven’t taken the real SAT yet. But right now, I am thinking about getting into semi-finalist. </p>

<p>Because I heard that if I do not get into semi-finalist, I will not get into a good college like MIT.</p>

<p>If I take SAT, it will probably be around the same score.</p>

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<p>Many students who are admitted to schools like MIT are National Merit semifinalists, but that doesn’t imply that one must be a NMSF to get into a school like MIT. </p>

<p>It’s reasonable to prepare for the PSAT to try to score well, because it’s possible to get significant merit money at certain schools by being a finalist or semifinalist, and because preparing for the PSAT should mean you’re well-prepared for the SAT. But your actual SAT score will have a greater impact on your application to MIT than whether you scored well on the PSAT or not.</p>

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<p>So it is possibly to get into MIT even if I am not in semi-finalist?</p>

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<p>You’re not thinking everyone in MIT is a semi-finalist in PSAT, are you?</p>

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<p>Semi-finalists will have a better edge than an average applicant. But it is definitely not required. </p>

<p>Look I was just like, I studied my butt off for the PSAT and I jsut got notified that I am a semi0finalist in California. But was it worth it? Kinda, I feel accomplished, but definitely not any much better for a place in MIT. When get into a higher level, you just come to realize that there is SO much more stuff to do and SO many more smarter/brilliant people above you and you want to achieve more.</p>

<p>Just grab every opportunity you go in your junior year. Look WAY beyond your school and research online for ways to stand out.</p>

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<p>Thanks, my confidence was boosted a little bit.</p>

<p>But looking at what I have done so far, do I need to do something else to make my chances better?</p>

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<p>You really look good, but no one is perfect. So you definitly need to improve as good as you can.</p>

<p>Also do you do every think you do so you can get in to MIT!</p>

<p>Good luck</p>

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<p>You need to maintain the GPA as perfect as u can. Assuming that you are asian, you would have to get 2300+ on the SAT to be competitive in the Asian applicant pool.
Make some close teacher friends this year, so that they will have great things to say on your rec letter. Don’t just get good grades, show your enthusiasm and willingness to go beyond to those teachers.</p>

<p>Clubs and volunteering is good, but I think getting awards are better. Your school probably doesn’t have many of these competitions, but this is the part when YOU GO BEYOND comes into play.</p>

<p>Here is the link to great Math/Science competitions
[Links</a> to Academic Competitions](<a href=“http://cty.jhu.edu/imagine/linkbs.htm]Links”>http://cty.jhu.edu/imagine/linkbs.htm)</p>

<p>How much will you pursue these extracurricular activities is a function of HOW BADLY you want to go to MIT. It is all up to you. I know IB takes a crap load of time, but never be satisfied with what you have, always aim higher.</p>

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<p>I will get really good teacher recs from physics and math teacher. They love me.</p>

<p>I am trying to go to a prestigous summer program to make up for my school’s lack of competitions. </p>

<p>Are there any competitions that doesn’t require a sponsor or a team?</p>

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<p>Don’t be silly. Although Asians do have to fight an uphill battle you hardly have to have a 2300+.</p>

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<p>Maintaining good relationships with teachers is one thing, but deliberate sycophancy simply to get a good recommendation?</p>

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<p>Yeah, and winning a Nobel Prize is even better. Any level of participation or distinction is only going to help you if anything.</p>

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<p>No offense but that just sounds like a single minded obsession. There are parents who groom their kids for Harvard- it doesn’t guarantee admission there.</p>

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<p>One of the recs needs to be from a humanities/soc sci teacher. You cannot get both from a math/science teacher.</p>