I’ve been wanting to send an email to the MIT rifle team coach but I don’t know what to include. My counselor said to not email coaches because they don’t reply but MIT’s former coach (on a forum) said that the coach is very approachable and that I should definitely email. The thing is that I don’t know what to include. MIT is obviously a more academics oriented school than some other schools so I don’t think a email only including my GPA and rifle scores would cut it but on the other hand, everything I write ends up being a 900 word essay bragging about my achievements. Where’s the balance? Should I include my senior/junior course load (I have a pretty heavy course-load)? Should I include my clubs at school? Should I include my summer internships (university lab)? Should I include the projects I’m working (research, software development)? Should I give the reason for why my grade 10 GPA is low?
“MIT is obviously a more academics oriented school than some other schools so I don’t think a email only including my GPA and rifle scores would be the type of email I should send.”
You must not have heard about genuine pirate certification at MIT.
@JustOneDad
I really should pursue a pirate certification if I get into MIT, I even have a parrot! I don’t have my SAT scores yet because school hasn’t finished and I have to travel to give them (no SATs in my city). So, what do you think I should include?
@JustOneDad
I’m sorry for thick skulled but I’m still not understanding what you’re saying I should include. So should I only include my shooting scores?
MIT is one of the colleges that doesn’t relax academic standards for athletes. Consequently, before the coach gets too excited about any particular candidate, it helps for them to know you are at least competitive. When my kids approach they say, “I have a 4.0 and 800 SATs and think I am competitive for admission and I’d like to talk about the possibility of joining the squad”.
Now, the coach knows you are not a wishful thinker with a 3.75 and 700 SATs and discussion on your stats can commence.
Just One Dad is right, I don’t think the coaches expect or need a huge bio. We set up a lot of visits with coaches at top schools with no more than a short email stating our son’s grade point average and his top placings in national events. I certainly felt deflated when when we visited MIT and I proudly stated my son’s straight A record, only to have the coach say calmly, “Yeah, we kind of expect that here at MIT.”
@JustOneDad@Moominmama58
The problem is my GPA isn’t too flattering (3.8) and definitely isn’t my strong point. My GPA is low because I was very sick during the first two years of high school. Sould I mention my GPA and explain why it’s low? I also don’t have any test scores yet because they’re not avalable where I live, I will take the ACT and SAT IIs iN 3 months. I believe I’m a competitive applicant because of my scientific research and entrepreneurship (I’ve started two semi-successful bussinesses).
Wait, I just had an idea: what about I make a Linkin page or a CV type thing and link that. Would you recommend that?
I can’t visit campus because I don’t live I America.
No. What part of this can you not accept? GPA and test scores will be an important part of a competitive application package, and you don’t even have test scores yet. We have explained how you are wasting the coach’s time until he sees that you are at least competitive. And, with the lower GPA, you may never be.
@JustOneDad
But the former coach I talked to said I should talk to the coach even when I told him I don’t have test scores.
Also, is a 3.8 that bad? It’s a tenth of a point under their average but my understanding was that they look at an application holiticly so I honestly don’t think me having a 3.9 would be so different than a 3.8. I don’t think the statement “you may never be competitive” is very honest. According to my councellor, the last person that got into MIT had a GPA of 3.7. Also, I don’t have a low GPA because I sacked off, but because I spent most of the first two years of high school in the hospital.
No, a 3.8 is not that bad! Don’t let someone on CC hurt your confidence. The admission process is definitely more competitive for international students but you’re absolutely right about their holistic approach. I wish I could give you advice on what to email the coach but i don’t have any experience with athletic recruiting.
What you asked was what to include in an e-mail to the coach. I explained what to include and why. If you want this to be a discussion on your likelihood of admission with a 3.8, I’d be happy to comment on that, too.
Just don’t mention it. Maybe just mention that you are an athlete c with impressive EC like business and science and are competitive . you have such records. Etc.
There’s a chance he won’t reply but not emailing would guarantee no response so might as well try. Also, EC are more valuable than .1 on gpa for most applicants
If you are one of the top athletic picks in the nation, the coach can get excited about you, but even that only goes as far as your likelihood of admission.
I don’t have my SAT scores yet because school hasn’t finished and I have to travel to give them (no SATs in my city). So, what do you think I should include?