benjones

My advice would be to do both, since you have the option, because it will be the best of both worlds. But that's certainly not required.

Homeschooled students don't always have the option, considering the context of their educational environments - which is fine. But more often than not, I see homeschooled students taking one or more classes at a local college or community college and using those professors for at least one of their recommendations.

J mom

thank you so much

CNI

I don't know how to ask this question, but is it better to apply to MIT as an applicant with lots of passion and success in Extracurriculars, but maybe without the highest grades (gpa wise) than a person applying to HYPS, assumming that the applicant has high test scores and is taking challenging math courses(ex: bc junior year, diff EQ and abstract alg?)

TritiumKnight

Ben Jones, If my ACT score is a lot better then my SAT score; or vice-versa. Will the lower one count against me?

molliebatmit

From Matt's blog (here):
So no, the lower score will not be considered if both are submitted.

arithhuh

Dear Molly and Ben,

My name is Aditya, and I am an Indian National. I am extremely passionate about airplanes and computers. I have 95% in my Indian Year 12. I applied to the National University of Singapore hoping to gain admission. For reasons I cant percieve, I was rejected even though I had an all-round record,won State-level music competitions and Quiz competitions, and was the school prefect.

I did not apply to any schools in the US for fall 2007, but took the SAT exams - not seriously though. I scored 1920 - 740M, 600CR, 580Writing. I also took the SAT Subject Tests and scored 750 in Math LEvel II, Phy and 730 in Chem.
I know very clearly that these scores are not reflections of how well I can really do on these exams.

I am going to take the SAT reasoning test in October and also apply to MIT and some other schools for fall 2008. I wish to ask for your advice. What kind of score should I aim for? Also, since it is like a "gap" year for me, how should i approach the Mid-year School Report Form?

Apart from the state-level music and quiz competitions in which i came 1st, I am currently doing research on Microcontrollers under a Professor here (I luvv computers and electronics ), who is the author of three books on embedded systems and microcontrollers. He is willing to interact with the universities or colleges if required. I am also doing some community service at Indian branch of LEPRA ( www.lepra.org.uk ) and also at a local hospital. I was also selected by the Children's Film Society of India to interview a host of directors from various countries at the 12th International Children's Film Society, 2001. (Will it count? )

I have the same major goals as MIT - to help better society, and foster a commitment towards excellence; I feel really passionate about getting into MIT, and am willing to do all that is necessary to maximize my chances of entry.

Kindly Advice me on what I can do to increase my chances of coming to MIt in 2008! :-)

CNI

740 math and 750 on math 2 are way too low for internationals applying to MIT. you need 800's in both.

arithhuh

I wIll make SURE that I get 800's in MAth Level II, Physics, and Chemistry, and get 2250+ in the SAT Reasoning Test. And hey, the 740 MAth I wrote about, was 98 percentile...!

Will I stand a chance then?

rainynightstarz

don't listen to CNI
just do your best on the scores
they are only a fraction of what the decision is based on

molliebatmit

There is no formula for getting into MIT, either as a domestic or international applicant. You might check out the tips on the International Students section of the admissions webpage.

If you are taking a gap year, you should not have to send in a mid-year school report. Sending in your final school transcript should be sufficient.

arithhuh

Thank you Molly and Rainynightstarz for replying to my post.

I will apply and give it my best shot.

Mikalye

CNI is completely wrong. I am an international EC (interviewer) and I have certainly had international candidates get in with scores in the mid 700's. High scores are a necessary but not sufficient condition for admissions. If your record shows that you can do the academic work, then you get considered for admission, if it doesn't then you really don't.

Scores are only one part of "can they do it" and there is very little difference between a 740, a 780 and indeed an 800. Don't sweat it. That being said, international admissions are very, very competitive (roughly 4% admit rate). Every year I meet brilliant, talented, exceptional young men and women who are not admitted. Anyone applying EXPECTING to be admitted is setting themselves up for disappointment. Though I have never met someone who would have been admitted if their scores were just a little bit higher. Usually, it is much more because the match between the student and MIT is not all that strong, rather than for any other reason.

However, MIT admits 0% of those who do not apply. If you think that the prospect of going to MIT excites you, then please apply.

arithhuh

Thank you so much for your reply Mikalye.

The prospect of going to MIT definitely excites me, and a lot at that.

I went through the MIT site and saw the part about the match between MIT and you, and thought that it would be amazing and wonderful to study at such an institution. I feel that I will match well with MIT's culture and thrive in MIT.

I will apply for sure. Let's see how things go.

Thank you all, for replying to my post...Its really sweet of you all....!

CNI

Mikalye,
I respect your position as an interviewer, and I'm sure there have been applicants who have gotten in with mid 700 scores. But, what I'm trying to say is, that internationals face even more scrutiny than regular kids, and students in the US already have a tough road. What is it around 100/2000 internationals get accepted? That means you've got a 5% chance of getting in. Think about how many of those 5% have at least 780's on the math section of the SAT I or SAT II?

I'm asian-american myself, and I know the types of scores my cousins are getting on math sections. There are so many people over in China and India who get perfect 800's on at least the math section of the SAT I, nevertheless math IIC. So, while the applicant isn't necessarily excluded from admissions, she certainly stands at an inherent disadvantage.

CNI

Also, I disagree with your opinion that the "very little difference" between a 740 and an 800 doesn't really matter. While the disparity may be miniscule, it may just be the deciding factor when comparing seemingly equally strong applicants.