Wondering about Lopsided Scores

Colleges and Universities A-Z Massachusetts Institute of Technology
1

And of course wondering is all it is at this point as my son has already turned in his application.

His SAT breakdown was 790 in CR/W and 660/ Math. His SAT Subject tests are 800 Biology, 760 Literature and 680 Math II.

So great scores in everything else, but low in math. I’m not too worried about his ability to actually do the work at MIT as he is adept at higher math that is beyond the scope of what’s asked on the the SAT and SAT II. He also has specialty interests using these skills in digital signal processing and programming. He just doesn’t seem to test very well in high school level math (he did retake.)

He does have a strong and unique application otherwise. He is homeschooled, and has transcripts from the local college (again, lopsided - all A’s in his classes, including programming and engineering ones he took years ago as a young lad, but 1 ‘C’ in intermediate algebra.) He has 4 really great LOR’s.

It seems to me that he underplayed himself some in his application, maybe too self-conscious about not promoting/selling himself. He didn’t really mention his hobbies that have a math or science focus. They are indirectly referenced in a national achievement listed. What he did instead was turn in a (very good) Music Portfolio sample.

So I’m wondering what MIT is going to think about this kid who is obviously very bright, but with a profile that suggests he is better suited toward a nice LAC. He has applied to some. But when we visited MIT last year he just really clicked with the tone and way of doing things around there. He is a very outside the box thinker and person, works great in collaborative environments, and I think sensed a lot of his kindred spirits there. The MIT and me match section describes him surprisingly well, I just don’t know how much of that came through in his application.

He has been realistic and applied to lots of other colleges, including safeties, so no worries there. How much do you think the comparatively low math scores affect his application? Is anyone else applying or already accepted who had lopsided scores?

Thanks!

2

His math scores will definitely hurt him. From MIT’s common data set for 2016, the 25th percentile math SAT score was 750. Will it be low enough to cause him to be rejected? You just don’t know. MIT does do a holistic evaluation looking at the entire student, so no knows without seeing his entire application and then putting into context with all the other applications they are evaluating.

3

In his February update, let him explain why he believes that even though his math test scores are on the low side, he thinks that they don’t represent his actual potential. He should probably also explain why he thinks that he is a good match for MIT if he doesn’t think it came through particularly clear in his application.

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That’s a really great idea, @rothstem, thank you. He unfortunately just turned in his February update; do you think I should suggest he email his regional admissions officer with that addendum, or is too late? I wish I’d thought to suggest that sooner.

5

I can’t see why emailing the regional admission officer would be a problem. I didn’t know that MIT has regional admission’s officers. When I was applying and had questions, I called the regular admissions office. They were always very helpful.

6

I have never heard of regional admissions officers. There are Educational Counselors (ECs) that help the admissions people with doing interviews. Maybe they have it mixed up a little. The EC would not be the person to ask about the February update. Call the admissions office.