Most FAQ about admission at MIT - Page 9

mootmom · 08-22-2007, 12:08 PM

rainy is correct: two SAT II tests (one in math, one in a science) are required for admission to MIT. AP exams are not required, but scores of 5 on a small number of them can be used to place out of some required courses (or used for some distribution credits). AP exam scores are "self-reported" on the admission application, but do not need to be sent to MIT until a student has been accepted and is matriculating (when it is used for placement and credit). The AP credit policy does change occasionally, so it's best to review it on the MIT Admissions website.

willis0223 · 12-10-2007, 03:20 AM

If you specify MIT as a score recipient using your free 4 recipient as part of the registration, when does the score get there? (on the same date as you receive them or 2 weeks after that)

blddrake44 · 12-23-2007, 02:01 PM

Very quick question: What does "EC" stand for? (I'm referring to the interviewer)

A couple acronym searches yielded "East Campus (MIT)", but that doesn't seem to fit... hehe.

Edit: Found it. Thanks.

Mikalye · 12-23-2007, 05:33 PM

Depending on context either educational council or educational counselor.
See also MIT Educational Council

primagen62 · 01-09-2008, 06:34 PM

Hey everyone!
I'm in 8th Grade, and I plan on going to MIT in the future. I want to be prepared before I go to MIT. I'm woundering what classes I should take in the future. I'm taking Algebra 3-4 over this up-coming summer and next year I want to take Biology Honors and Language 1-2 Honors. Am I in the right path for MIT or should I change something? I also need suggestions on electives. Thx guys!!!

akybaky · 01-09-2008, 06:36 PM

^^ wow, dude enjoy life lol

hussey · 01-16-2008, 11:37 AM

i was a social science student in high school. So, i had just 2 SAt 2 scores on Mathematics level 1 and mathematics level 2. As per MIT requirements, i donot have any sat 2 science scores.

So does that mean, i am rejected outright.... ??

Mikalye · 01-17-2008, 03:09 AM

Hussey,
Obviously nobody on this board who is not an MIT ADCOM knows for sure, but my strong guess is that unless the rest of your application is incredibly amazing, then the answer is yes. The requirements appear on the website, on the MIT application guff and even on the physical application itself. The exact text is:

Quote:

For native English speakers: We require the SAT Reasoning Test with the writing component or the ACT with the writing test. We do not prefer one over the other. In addition, we require two SAT Subject Tests: one in math (level 1 or 2), and one in science (physics, chemistry, or biology e/m). We do not have a preference as to which science you take or which level math you take.

There just isn't a lot of ambiguity there.

Star* · 01-17-2008, 05:29 AM

MIT will accept the January score on a case by case basis, and I've heard that they'll usually accept it as long as you let them know to look out for it. I'd recomend signing up for it ASAP, if it's still possible, or else showing up to the test center on the day and trying to test standby. Even if you don't do amazingly on it, I'm going to assume it's better than not having at all. Good luck!

Mgccl · 03-01-2008, 11:28 PM

interesting to see the 800>740 but not 800 getting people > 740 getting people
since I found everything can be solved by math...
There must be a formula for admission.
there must be a abosulutely powerful formula says one applicant are better than other.
I know MIT trys not to let this formula leak(or they don't even really agrees on it) so people have no choice but to be honest and hope MIT will accept them.
But this also makes it really difficult for people who want to get into MIT, like... what exactly is important? If someone have a 700 critical reading, should he chose to use the next 2 month study to improve it to 800, or should he work toward a AP scholar or even just do what he enjoys the most in the mean time because 700 and 800 doesn't make a difference to MIT.

People have goals, but if the path toward a goal is blurry... it's really hard to act efficiently.

Like, I personally want to just work on my hobby(math, computer science) where I'm suppose to "work on getting a better SAT" or "do all the studies and improve my GPA" instead of what I really want to do. What is important? If MIT can be a little bit more clear on that, I can actually know how to use my time. because if MIT just want what I really am, I don't care about SATs or w/e standard test, I just care about my interest and want to go to a good college to work on my interests. Because 2 goals might conflict each other, going to MIT or working with what I love(for another year...). I have to know the details so I will eventually make the right choice. Currently, it should be forget reading math and CS texts and just do SAT... or study to improve my GPA

Olo · 03-02-2008, 12:51 PM

Mgccl:

There is no formula, no way to quantify how good a student is, no way to numerically determine whether one applicant is better than another. MIT does not employ such a formula.

In truth, if you have two goals like "do your hobby" and "get a high GPA," I think the answer is that you should do them both. Nobody's perfect, and MIT understands that, so just do what you love in life. If you don't get into MIT, you're still doing what you love.

molliebatmit · 03-02-2008, 06:06 PM

From Ben's blog, being exceedingly clear on the point: There Is No Formula

Mgccl · 03-02-2008, 06:49 PM

there is no formula... to an extent...
because there are too much variables... the formula are too complex to be considered as a formula
"Trying to define admissions with a formula is like trying to define life with a formula."
from Ben's blog
well... in my idea, life is already determined... because if one knows all the stat of all particles at one instant, one can calculate what is going to happen next, life is mechanical. No matter what we do, it's already determined by the past.
but that's off topic...
would MIT look at SAT writing section or ACT writing section?
college board says MIT don't care about those for admission...
if MIT don't care, why ask people to do these sections?
and if they really don't care, I might just get a 200 on the SAT writing section.

RabbitHole · 03-02-2008, 07:52 PM

<quote>well... in my idea, life is already determined... because if one knows all the stat of all particles at one instant, one can calculate what is going to happen next, life is mechanical. No matter what we do, it's already determined by the past.</quote>

Just wait for relativity and quantum theory, it sort of screws with that idea a little.

mootmom · 03-03-2008, 01:06 AM

There is a difference between saying MIT Admissions does not put emphasis on something and saying they "don't care". If you put no effort into one element of the application and do poorly as a result, that may say something about your willingness to work on assignments that aren't your favorite, or may indicate that you will ignore a task you don't care about. Either of which may be relevant in admissions decisions. (What happens if you decide chemistry or physics is not worth your time? You'll still be required to pass the GIRs in those subjects; one thing MIT Admissions DOES do is try to admit students who will be willing and able to work to pass their GIRs.)