People who haven't won major awards, or been active in math/science clubs, or taken very advanced college-courses, or invented something, or have an amazing talent--do they get into MIT? I'm talking about intelligent, interested, and bright students, not slackers or anything--but also people who haven't won important competitions or demonstrated amazing talent in some area. I guess the reason behind this question is that I am kind of overwhelmed by things I've been hearing, to the point that I'm kind of losing hope!
For anecdata's sake, my husband and I both fit that description -- smart, hard-working kids who took hard classes and were involved in fun ECs (me: marching band, theater, show choir; husband: cross-country, track, freestyle mogul skiing). No inventions or huge awards or amazing talents between the two of us.
I'm with you on that feeling so don't worry! The way I think about it. MIT wants a diversity of people in each of their classes, meaning they cannot have only one type of student.
^ So how can one show that they're smart, hardworking and bright students if they haven't done anything major in their respective fields, keeping the fact in mind that more than 50% of the applicant pool falls within this category ?
The important thing is that you show your love of science or math or engineering, or your creativity or uniqueness, somehow. That doesn't mean you need to have awards or certificates to show for it. I don't really know why I got in (and I struggled with this for a while), but the majority of kids I know are the "ordinary" but hardworking, bright type who excelled in classes and their extracurriculars (not necessarily awards, but maybe leadership, or something else) and came here and are thriving.
Also, give yourself credit when you're applying-- you're probably more amazing than you think you are
I've never done any research (yet). I didn't win any science Olympiad (um or even compete...). I have no affiliations to or legacy at MIT. I wasn't even close to valedictorian.
Discovery thrills me. I pride myself in working hard and dedicating myself.
MIT gave me the nod. Don't let doubts stop you from applying. For reals.
Yep, "normal" international applicants get in. I know many of those Granted, getting in as an international applicant is much harder, given that there are far fewer slots and many people who want to go.
Are you saying that MIT also accepts intl with no international prizes and no top scores?
YES, as an international EC, I have seen many, many students admitted without top prizes, and a smaller number with top prizes who were not admitted. For the international community, MIT is looking for exactly the same things as for the domestic community, particularly for match (The Match Between You And MIT | MIT Admissions).
Particularly students who have had limited opportunities are regularly accepted to MIT, with accomplishments which are truly stunning, given the extremely limited resources with which they have had to work with, but which are not reasonably "Top prizes."
That being said, if you are coming out of a school that provides every opportunity, if your high school is Berlinisches Gymnasium zum Grauen Kloster, or Eton, or Scotch College of Melbourne, then there is less rationale for poor scores.
However, MIT is looking predominantly for academically qualified people who match the MIT culture. Winning math medals is absolutely not required.
You have to somehow stand-out in a way that is meaningful to MIT's culture. Just excellence in academics won't do it because of the competition. From my personal experience as an EC it is becoming more and more like being selected for "X-factor". That X-factor can be any number of things, awards, outstanding ECs, achievements in difficult circumstances, some unusual passion for science... If the application is just bleh... you will be cut!
I can't always put my finger on the key determinant, but I can often sense right away if the candidate I meet stands a chance for admission. I see too many candidates with ten APs, 2300+ SAT scores who eventually don't make it. Others, potentially less accomplished on paper, just have that spark and I can tell instantly they are the right fit. My personal analogy is comparing the candidate with a satellite sent into orbit. The satellite may have just been launched but if the trajectory looks like it is going to reach a high orbit, chances are good. If the satellite is already well into its launch but may not reach that high an orbit eventually, chances of success are less. The short is: during the admission process, trajectory is more important than absolute position!
MIT cares more about what you may accomplish in the future than what you have done so far. Admission to MIT is not another merit award; it is more an educated guess about your potential contribution to society through science and engineering.
Last edited by cellardweller; 11-04-2011 at 01:30 PM.
MIT cares more about what you may accomplish in the future than what you have done so far. Admission to MIT is not another merit award; it is more an educated guess about your potential contribution to society through science and engineering.
So far the best reply I have ever read on this forum!
