yes, another chances thread

Colleges and Universities A-Z Massachusetts Institute of Technology
1

<p>Hey, I'm a junior thinking about applying EA to MIT. I visited it this summer and really liked the atmosphere, people, etc. I'm pretty sure I have no chance of getting in with my current stats, so I would really appreciate any help/advice you guys can give me! :)</p>

<p>Rank: 46/700+ (this can be explained; I moved from another school during sophomore year and credits did not transfer)
SAT I: 2270 (800M, 730CR, 740W) will retake, hopefully 2300+
SAT II: 800 Math IIC, 730 Physics (def. will retake that one)
AP Calc. BC: 5/5
AMC 12B (this year): 119.5 a;d;lskajld :(
Attended PROMYS (Program in Math for Young Scientists) 2005</p>

<p>Taken AP Calc. BC & Physics C 10th grade, Linear Algebra at local univ. 1st semester 11th grade</p>

<p>Taking Multivariable Calc./Diff. Eq., AP Chem, AP Stats, AP English, AP USH, French 7-8 (last level)</p>

<p>I plan to take 2-3 math/science classes at local univ. next year</p>

<p>Currently working on a research project in bioinformatics, will enter local science fair and maybe get some awards. I will continue working on this project during the summer and/or during the school year next year due to a grant.</p>

<p>Extracurriculars: Treasurer of Math Club, Club Tennis Officer, and other small leadership positions, starting Mu Alpha Theta for next year (in cooperation with Math Club), recently started volunteering at a hospital, small math awards from 9th and 10th grade, math tutor</p>

<p>Recs should be good/great from Calculus, Physics, and French (or English) teachers, and mentor</p>

<p>I'm Eastern European, female, immigrant (lol, if that counts for anything)</p>

<p>That's about it! Thanks to anyone who actually read all of this :) and I would greatly appreciate your input!</p>

2

<p>You have very good chances from looking at those stats, but where do you show balance in your life?</p>

3

<p>Thanks, vu_preuss</p>

<p>Err, what exactly do you mean by "balance"? I used to play tennis, but I quit this year due to lack of time--it's probably a pretty big mistake, but I really don't think I could handle 3 hr practices everyday. I also started volunteering at a hospital; I don't know if that counts, as it is pretty cliche for a "main" extracurricular. Eh, besides that I don't know how to portray myself as a balanced person (if balance entails absolutely-non-academic activities).</p>

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<p>Well, it's not necessarily non-academic... what do you do for fun?</p>

5

<p>Olo is right. MIT is definitely steering away from your typical stereotype of a "Geek" school, and looks to recruit students that are very social and can add something special to the school other than academic. What do you do on your spare time? MIT lets you submit as many supplemental essays as you want (well... don't overdo it). One of the essays should express what you do on your spare time. Colleges see so applicants that are "martyrs" and all they express in their application is their volunteer work, and what they do for other people. Volunteer work and service is great, but sometimes it's good to just have some "down" time and do stuff to keep you sane. Sorry if I'm being a little roundabout.</p>

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<p>Eh, it is still an academic institution and academics and even ECs take precedence over "what you do for fun." All they ask is for one 100 word essay about what you like to do for fun. I don't think they expect any more.</p>

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<p>@zogoto: Honestly, don't be deceived by the relative size of that essay. This is MIT, work hard, play hard. I wouldn't be surprised if the easiest way to kill your application would be to write something along the lines of "I go feed orphans and blind puppies, etc, etc." You'll notice that this year, for the first time, they put those little parens in that state "This is not a trick question!"</p>

<p>Yes, it's only 100 words, but it's a very telling 100 words.</p>

8

<p>Well, if one essay is meant to show what I do for fun, I definitely will not use it to once again emphasize that I volunteer. However, I am worried my application overall is not well-rounded (i.e. too many small ECs), but isn't MIT more of an academic merit-based university? Does it really matter if you aren't president of 5 clubs or a world-class musician?</p>

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<p>Olo, everyone does something for fun. There is a misconception that students who devote themselves to school and work don't have any fun. They do, it's just that the rest of the time (when they're working) is REALLY stressful. The 100 word essay is very short and also doesn't let you go past 110 words, so I would be aghast if MIT was basing admissions on who can fit what they like to do into 110 words the best.</p>

<p>Corinao, I'm assuming that leadership and non-science/math ECs play in a little bit, but research is probably a more relevant EC. It's ok. I never had any real leadership positions until my senior year anyway.</p>

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<p>You definitely have the stats to get in, and you seem to have really high standards for yourself, which seems to be something they like. (most people I know wouldn't dream of retaking the physics SAT if they had a 730) I think at this point whether you get in or not really depends on what you put into your essays - make sure that it's clear how much you want to go to MIT, and talk about what really matters to you, not what you think will matter to them.</p>

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<p>Thanks, you guys are REALLY nice, but I highly doubt my stats are good enough for a school like MIT. I know a few people who have been rejected who have made USAMO (well, ok one person). I have a feeling most of the top people in my school/state (AZ) will apply to Stanford and Harvard, so I'm hoping I'll be one of the only people applying early ;)</p>

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<p>The quota-per-school thing doesn't really apply. And yeah, people with amazing stats get rejected all the time. I don't know why it happens. Peng shi (3rd place USAMO) was deferred EA from Harvard, and usually at least 1 Rickoid is rejected from MIT per year.</p>

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<p>Zogoto is right. There are schools that regularly have 10-15 admits into MIT each year. If you were rejected, it's not because the other people in your school were too good.</p>

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<p>Yes, but I'm from AZ. We have around one person each year who goes to an Ivy League school--there will probably be more this year, though. I don't think anybody has gotten into MIT in two or three years, so while I don't doubt the existence of schools with 10-15 admits, I know my school isn't one of them. I would be very surprised if someone else applied early and we both got in.</p>

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<p>^ I meant there's around one person from my school each year...</p>

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<p>It's certainly unlikely that two people from a random school would get in, but neither will affect the other's chances at admission. </p>

<p>I went to a public school in Ohio -- no one from my school had ever gotten into MIT, and only a few people had ever applied. Two of us applied from my class, and we both were admitted.</p>

<p>There are no school quotas, and there are no regional quotas.</p>

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<p>Holy crap, Mollie.. it just hit me that your name was "Mollie B at MIT"</p>

<p>And then I realized what school you went to -- the same one as me during my freshman year (I'm at North now.. the shopping mall versus the power plant). Glad to know that it's entirely possible to have someone admitted so close to home. =)</p>

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<p>You are perfectly well qualified stat-wise. My stats were hardly up there like yours and I still got in EA. So don't worry about retakes, etc. Please!</p>

<p>Instead of spending your time stressing about standardized test scores (which are a load of crap anyway) go do something you enjoy. I can’t define “what you enjoy”--only you can. </p>

<p>What would you love to do if the pressures of academics, competitions, etc. suddenly disappeared? Think about what makes you smile. I know you’re itching to say math or <insert science="" engineering="" discipline="" here="">… Yes, that’s fun for your brain. MIT can probably see that.</insert></p>

<p>But what’s fun for your heart?</p>