<p>I like your ECs...they arent extravagant, but they are very genuine. I feel that if you can write the right essays, and portray your personality well enough, then MIT will like you. Although it is a tech school, i know many students there with few math/science related ECs. Most do a fair bit of sport, or community work - basically what they are passionate about. I know its cliched, but once u go through the admissions process, you will realise that some very qualified students do not make such schools because they don't have anything passion to offer. In your ECs, i dont see some1 forcing himself to do things that are resume jot-downs... I like the fact that your ECs arent common, and the fact that you have taken a risk and gone ahead with them, especially the Lawn Mowing business. I mean, i know that 1500 isnt much, but the fact that you were determined enough to go along with it speaks tons about your character. I also like the fact that you arent all study focused and have a few jobs.If you can show that you are just so damn passionate and excited about the acitivities you do, whilst getting good grades, then you're projecting yourself as some one who can use MIT's education and apply it for some good in the world.</p>
<p>PS: Work hard to get close to 800s on the SAT subject tests because, even though you don't have a complete lack of math and science awards, if you are able to score well, then you ll have covered that area of your application. </p>
<p>I hope all that makes sense and provides some confidence boost.</p>
<p>Does anybody have any opinions on early applications? If i am correct, MIT is the only EA school out of the four I may consider applying early at: Brown, Penn, Dartmouth, MIT. However, MIT's early acceptance rate is very low. Should I apply ED anywhere? Also, I heard of some people applying early to MIT and ED somewhere else... does anybody know about that?</p>
<p>It looks like your SAT would be your only problem. If you raise it say 100 pts i'd say you have a pretty decent shot anywhere (especially if your school is as hard as you say it is)</p>
<p>Well, ther are many top schools competing for the trophy of top 5, I'll assume you mean you go to one of: Andover, St. Paul's, Exeter, Hotchkiss, Choate...I'd say the ivies will be tough for you if you're not hooked.</p>
<p>The reasons: Many of your classmates have way higher scores (have you looked at your scores compared to your school on CB? 740 math was 50% at mine, 800 CR was 93%!), many are legacies, many are recruited athletes, many are the most qualified URMs in the Country. I went to a similar but day school and the unhooked suffer.</p>
<p>Barely top quintile, I'd say don't expect to get into your list. Youm may make a couple with higher scores, but you have heavy competition.</p>
<p>The good news is the next level down will great you with open arms: Tufts, Northwestern, Mudd, Colgate are schools where you'll have a good shot IMO.</p>
<p>Ham, at those schools it's never the top of the class that gets into the top schools. I'm always shocked that the secret is kept at some schools until senior year.</p>
<p>Your EC's are very good and better than the average ivy applicant.. and many of them are interesting and show passion and all those characteristics the admissions officers want to see.. However, your courseload doesn't seem so strong. You only have 3 AP's, and your SAT's are okay, but not that good, so the ivys/MIT are reaches.</p>
<p>I am proud to announce that I got into MIT on the 15th and will attend next fall. I think I conveyed my personality perfectly through my essays, EC list, and summer list, and that the admissions committee was impressed with the subjective aspects of my application (there were many applicants with stronger statistics, etc). My essays were well done, philosophical, and technical at the same time. I'm ecstatic, thank you to this site, and anything is possible!</p>
<p>... now if I could just obliterate this and every other chance thread on this website, because I am MOVING ON!!</p>
<p>hah! awesome work mate!
i told u that MIT would like u!
congratulations, now just sit back and relax...(but not too much,as the admission letter will warn u)</p>