SAT I superscore (breakdown): 2300, took it twice, 2nd time did better in every section
ACT (breakdown):
ACT superscore (breakdown):
SAT II: 800 math 2, 760 physics
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Weighted GPA: 5.0
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 7/308
AP (place score in parentheses): Calc AB, Physics B, English 3, World History all fives
IB (place score in parentheses):
Senior Year Course Load: Calc BC, Chem 2, English 4, Comp Sci A
Number of other EA applicants in your school: Idk, maybe 1
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):
AP Scholar with honor, National Merit Semi-finalist
Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses): Basketball (Team Captain), NHS (Pres.), Student Council (VP), Sci Oly, Math team, Beta club
Job/Work Experience: N/A
Volunteer/Community service:
Tech intern, Student council, Beta club, NHS service projects
Writing (Write a brief description and Rate Quality on 1-10 Scale; 10 as Best):
Essays (Include Subjects):
What You Do For Pleasure: Playing the guitar, 8
Department at MIT: Physics, 8
Personality: Perserverance, 8 or 9
World You Come From: 10, really personal and insightful
Significant Challenge:8, also really personal
Other:
Teacher Recommendation #1: 9 or 10
Teacher Recommendation #2:9 or 10
Counselor Rec: Probably good
Additional Rec: N/A
Interview: I think it went well, we were both interested in basketball and connected to each other really well.
Art Supplement:
N/A
Other
Date Submitted App: Mid-October
State (if domestic applicant):NC
Country (if international applicant):
School Type:Public
Ethnicity:African-American
Gender:Male
Income Bracket:
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):
Maybe URM and an interest in playing basketball
Reflection
Strengths:Scores, essay, unique upbringing
Weaknesses: No really major awards in science/math like IMO or USAMO
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected:Really personal application, revealed my life and background and why I fell in love with science
What would you have done differently?:
I guess nothing since I got in
Other Factors:
General Comments/Congratulations/Venting/Commiserations, etc: This process has been so stressful but I am glad it is finally over. I dont want to seem arrogant but I also got into Caltech and am having a tough time deciding where to go right now. I want to wish the deferred and regular applicants good luck and to the rejected applicants dont worry this application process may seem random and illogical at times but I feel you will end up where you need to be and where you can make the biggest impact. Congratulations to the other accepted applicants and hope to see you at CPW.
SAT I superscore (breakdown): 2370 - 800M; 800W; 770CR
ACT superscore (breakdown): N/A
SAT II: 780 Math II; 740 US History; 660 Physics
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.98
Weighted GPA: 4.76
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): N/A
AP (place score in parentheses): Calc BC 5; English Language and Comp 5
IB (place score in parentheses): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: AP English, AP Physics B, IB Spanish SL, Orchestra H, US Government/MUN H, AP Statistics, Religion
Number of other EA applicants in your school: No others
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):
National Merit Semi-Finalist, Eagle Scout, MUN Awards
Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses): Model United Nations, Track and Field (varisity), Boy Scouts, church youth group, Orchestra (9 years of violin)
Job/Work Experience: Summer job at law firm
Volunteer/Community service:
Ronald McDonald House (founded school club, did Eagle project there), Boy Scouts, tutoring, a TON of it
Writing (Write a brief description and Rate Quality on 1-10 Scale; 10 as Best):
Essays (Include Subjects):
What You Do For Pleasure:
Department at MIT:
What You Do That's Creative?:
World You Come From:
Significant Challenge:
All of the essays were okay. I think I'm a pretty good writer but I didn't reveal anything extraordinary or anything in them
Other:
Teacher Recommendation #1: Very good
Teacher Recommendation #2: didn't read
Counselor Rec: didn't read
Additional Rec: N/A
Interview: Went well. We just chatted and I asked questions
Art Supplement:
N/A
Other
Date Submitted App: Very early
State (if domestic applicant): CA
School Type: Private Catholic
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: Not applying for aid
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):
Legacy (my dad went there, although I don't think they count that)
Reflection
Strengths: Well-rounded
Weaknesses: Definitely physics score, nothing REALLY stood out besides the well-roundedness
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: I'm not going to question a good thing
What would you have done differently?:
Not stayed up until 3 last night
Other Factors:
General Comments/Congratulations/Venting/Commiserations, etc:
I'm very happy now. But I wish everyone the best of luck!!! I have no doubt that God will put everyone wherever you're meant to be. Just hang in there until March!
SAT I (breakdown): single-sitting 2290 780M, 760R, 750W.
SAT I superscore (breakdown): 2340 800M, 790R, 750W.
ACT (breakdown):
ACT superscore (breakdown):
SAT II: 800 Math II, 800 Physics
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.93
Weighted GPA: 4.76/5
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 17/500ish
AP (place score in parentheses): Calc BC (5), Physics C Mechanics (5), Physics C E&M (5), Environmental Science (5), English Lang (5), US History (5), Human Geography (5), Macroecon (5), US Gov (5), Chemistry (5)
IB (place score in parentheses):
Senior Year Course Load: All classes at University of Minnesota Twin Cities. Abstract Algebra [2 semesters], Differential Geometry, Analytical Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism (college junior level), Japanese Literature in Translation [2 semesters], Modern Chinese History, Hong Kong Cinema, American Studies 1900-1940. All classes at the upper division level.
Number of other EA applicants in your school: at least 1 possibly more
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): National AP scholar, National Merit Semifinalist.
Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses): Quiz Bowl 4 years (club president 2 years), Science Bowl 4 years (captain 2 years), Math Team 4 years (co-captain 1 year), Science Olympiad 2 years. All among the best in the state but not that great nationally. 10 on AIME.
Job/Work Experience:
Summer Activities: Spent 2 years at Ross math camp. I was the top first-year 2 years ago and returned as a junior counselor last year.
Volunteer/Community service:
Writing (Write a brief description and Rate Quality on 1-10 Scale; 10 as Best):
Essays (Include Subjects):
What You Do For Pleasure: 5
Department at MIT: 7
What You Do That's Creative?: 4
World You Come From: 3
Significant Challenge:3
Other:
Teacher Recommendation #1: From a college professor. I was the best student student in her upper division history class but she didn't know me that well on a personal level.
Teacher Recommendation #2: From a college professor. I was a strong student in his senior/graduate level biopolymer physics but he didn't know me that well on a personal level.
Counselor Rec: Presumably good but generic.
Additional Rec: Very good from the head of the Ross program where I was the top student 2 summers ago and returned as a JC last summer.
Interview: went okay
Art Supplement:
Other
Date Submitted App: don't remember
State (if domestic applicant): MN
School Type: large inner city non-selective public but have taken all my classes the last two years at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities.
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Male
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):none
Reflection
Strengths: Extremely rigorous schedule: 18 upper division college classes by the time I graduate high school.
Weaknesses: not really sure. probably recommendations and essays.
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: i have no idea.
What would you have done differently?: possibly spend more time on essays or ask different people for recommendations.
Other Factors:
General Comments/Congratulations/Venting/Commiserations, etc:
Last edited by UMTYMP student; 12-17-2011 at 01:03 PM.
Posting for my son since I have a CC account and he doesn't:
Decision: Accepted
Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): Did not take
SAT I superscore (breakdown): Did not take
ACT (breakdown): 36 one sitting
ACT superscore (breakdown):
SAT II: Math 2 800, Chemistry 800, Physics 780
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.98
Weighted GPA: 4.4
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 2/411 in junior class (applying a year early)
AP (place score in parentheses): 11 AP’s
IB (place score in parentheses):
Senior Year Course Load: AP Bio, AP Gov’t, AP Lit, Spanish 5, Wind Ensemble, classes at local college (Engineering Mechanics, Multivariate Calc, Organic Chem, Diff Eqns)
Number of other EA applicants in your school: 1 (also accepted!)
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Many local/regional awards, but nothing national/state
Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses): Varsity tennis, XC, soccer. Lots of music awards/participation - Drum Captain/Percussion, City Orchestra, Piano. Lots of science & math activities, clubs & awards. MathCounts coach.
Job/Work Experience: Paid pianist at church since age 11.
Volunteer/Community service: Around 200 hours.
Writing (Write a brief description and Rate Quality on 1-10 Scale; 10 as Best):
Essays (Include Subjects): Overall good but can’t remember exactly. Interviewer looked them over and offered some comments but didn’t really have anyone else read them.
Counselor Rec: Probably not very good since counselor had a baby and somehow didn't have time to do the recs in the 2 months she had them prior so another counselor who didn't really know him had to do them at the last minute.
Additional Rec: Several – church Music Director, Piano teacher, coach, Mathcounts director
Interview: Went really well
Art Supplement: Sent piano and percussion supplement
Other
Date Submitted App: Submitted end of August but still waiting on teacher/counselor portions until the deadline. Also submitted music supplement right at deadline.
State (if domestic applicant): Wisconsin
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: ~100K
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): Applying as a junior? Not really sure if this would be or not.
Reflection
Strengths: Academics, EC’s
Weaknesses: No super science/math honors
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: Probably comparable to many applicants but did it all by junior year?
What would you have done differently?:
Other Factors: Brother who’s 2015 at MIT
General Comments/Congratulations/Venting/Commiserations, etc: So excited! Caltech last weekend and now this!!
AP (place score in parentheses): Biology (5), Calculus BC (5), Chemistry (5), English Lang (4), Physics B (5), Physics C Mech (5), Psychology (4), Statistics (5), US History (5), World History (5)
IB (place score in parentheses):
Senior Year Course Load: Not as heavy as other years (nothing else really to take...)
Vector Calculus/Differential Equations @ Univ of SC, AP Lit, AP Macroecon, AP Gov, Masterclass Orchestra, Research I Hon, Desktop Publishing I
Number of other EA applicants in your school: 2 others
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): USAJMO (2010), Siemens AP State Award (2011), National Merit Semifinalist (2011), National AP Scholar (2011), 3x AIME Qualifier (2009, 2010, 2011), AMC 10A/10B State Winner (2010)
Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses):
Math team (4 yrs, co-President), over 30 awards in local/regional/national competitions
Science team/Ocean science team (2 yrs, event leader)
Quizbowl (3 yrs)
NHS/Beta Club/Junior Civitans (2 yrs), community service stuff
Statewide math team member
Job/Work Experience: Test writer for math competitions
Volunteer/Community service: MathCounts coach at local middle school, Habitat for Humanity volunteer, various hours through Mu Alpha Theta
Writing (Write a brief description and Rate Quality on 1-10 Scale; 10 as Best):
Essays (Include Subjects):
What You Do For Pleasure: Fashion, wrote about my interest in high fashion and designers (really contrasted the topic of my other essays)
Department at MIT: Mathematics
Personality: Working well under pressure
World You Come From: Just talked about my background, tied in a bit about the 3 different high schools
Significant Challenge: Going to three different high schools
Other:
Teacher Recommendation #1: Economics teacher, she loved me but I only knew her for a few months
Teacher Recommendation #2: Research teacher, known him for about a year, but he has a tendency to be an extreme procrastinator so the rec probably wasn't very good
Counselor Rec: Good
Additional Rec:
Interview: Decent, wasn't bad but wasn't amazing either
Art Supplement:
Other
Date Submitted App: 11/1
State (if domestic applicant): SC
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: Asian
Gender: F
Income Bracket: >$200,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):
Reflection
Strengths: Awards, extracurriculars
Weaknesses: Recommendations, SAT scores
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: No idea, I wasn't expecting this!
What would you have done differently?:
Other Factors:
General Comments/Congratulations/Venting/Commiserations, etc:
YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.
Deferred. Mostly expected, but still crushing from my dream school.
ACADEMICS
Location: Sacramento area, 1600 students in high school.
GPA: 4.47 weighted
Class Rank: #1
AP: Calc BC (5,5), Bio (5), Econ Micro (4)
SR YR AP:
SAT I: 2350 (800 math and reading, 750 writing)
SAT IIs: 770 Math II, 740 Bio Eco.
EC
Key ECs: Varsity water polo 10-12, Varsity swimming 10-12, member of German-Austrian ethnic dance troupe, German mini-foreign exchange program (one month hosting, one month living in Deutschland), Concert and Jazz band 9-11 before program was shut down
Leadership positions: NHS co-president, German club co-president, train new members for the dance troupe
Athletic Status: Water Polo starter, JV captain 10. Swimming: Not so exceptional
Volunteer/Service Work: Ran school blood drives, helped to organize community Relay for Life
HONORS AND AWARDS
National Merit semi-finalist (in running for finalist), school best in class Math, English, Science, Foreign Language, and Music awards, multiple years each.
APP
Essays: I thought they were fairly good. Good writing, I think, although the topics about which I wrote weren't super exceptional.
Reccs: One very glowing, full of specifics, the other somewhat basic, but in it he referred to me as the finest scholar in the history of the school and the smartest and most inquisitive student he's ever taught. Counselor rec should be good.
Interview: About 75 minutes, so a little on the short side, but it was a new interviewer, and we had fun, I think.
OTHER: None, though I wrote a very nice paragraph in the "extra information" about my visit to MIT this summer and how much I love it.
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): don't know exactly, but i've never gotten lower than an A-
Weighted GPA:
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable):
AP (place score in parentheses): APUSH 5. taking 4 APs this year
IB (place score in parentheses):
Senior Year Course Load: BC Calc, AP Stats, AP French, English, AP Physics B
Number of other EA applicants in your school: 0
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):
NMSF
Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses): Math club (president), 2 varsity sports (captain of one), newspaper (editor)
Job/Work Experience: barista at a cafe
Volunteer/Community service:
peer tutoring (don't know the number of hours, but it's been 4 years)
Writing (Write a brief description and Rate Quality on 1-10 Scale; 10 as Best):
Essays (Include Subjects):
I don't feel like listing the topics, and I'm very critical of myself, so I don't think I'd do a good job rating them.
What You Do For Pleasure:
Department at MIT:
What You Do That's Creative?:
World You Come From:
Significant Challenge:
Other:
Teacher Recommendation #1: 11th and 12th grade physics teacher-should be pretty good, don't know though
Teacher Recommendation #2: 10th and 12th grade English teacher -should be very good, don't know though
Counselor Rec: should be very good
Additional Rec: I had two. First was from research mentor, which should be pretty good. Second was from newspaper advisor. This one was great.
Interview: I thought it went well. Don't know how to judge it though
Art Supplement:
None
Other
Date Submitted App: 10/28/11 ...I think
State (if domestic applicant): NY
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Private
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: Upper-middle class
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):
None
Reflection
Strengths: SAT scores, very diverse interests (many english/humanities focuses)
Weaknesses: Bio score
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: I just don't think I stood out enough to be accepted. Also, my first quarter grades weren't my strongest (A- in physics and calculus)
What would you have done differently?:
Don't really know. I tried my hardest in everything, but I understand that that's not always enough.
Other Factors:
General Comments/Congratulations/Venting/Commiserations, etc: *fingers crossed for RD!*
ACT superscore (breakdown): 35 E, 36 M, 34 R, 36 S, 10 W
SAT II: 800 Chem, 800 Math 2
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.99
Weighted GPA: 4.40
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 3rd (Top 1%)
AP (place score in parentheses): Bio, Chem, Eng Lang, US Gov't are 5s. US Hist is 4.
IB (place score in parentheses): Nope
Senior Year Course Load: Human Anatomy, Spanish 4, AP Lit, Economics, Statistics, AP Calc BC, PE
Number of other EA applicants in your school: None, I think?
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):
None!
Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses):
-Robotics Club (Founding Member 11, VP 11, President 12)
-Key Club (VP 12)
-Quiz Bowl
-Math Club
-Link Crew
Job/Work Experience: Projectionist since July 2011.
Volunteer/Community service:
Just stuff I've done in Key Club.
Writing (I forwarded my QuestBridge application):
Biographical: 9. About my family struggles / low-income / becoming independent.
Community change: 8. About trying to increase interest in science in my community
Significant challenge: 8. About skipping a grade and moving to a rural city.
Other:
[*] Teacher Recommendation #1: 7 to 8. Didn't read, but she liked me somewhat.[*] Teacher Recommendation #2: 7 or 8. Didn't read, but he liked me somewhat.[*] Counselor Rec: 1. Didn't read, but I'm pretty sure she hates me.[*] Additional Rec: None[*] Interview: 7. Went okay. Didn't make him laugh, or have deep conversations about anything, just asked questions about MIT.[*] Art Supplement:[/list]None
Other
Date Submitted App: September 30th (QuestBridge)
State (if domestic applicant): IL
Country (if international applicant): USA
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: < $20,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):
Rural, low-income, QuestBridge Finalist
Reflection
Strengths: Essays, scores, doing what I can given my situation
Weaknesses: Personality / teacher recs
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: QuestBridge. That and I did everything I could with regard to studying, ECs, etc. given my situation in life.
What would you have done differently?:
Nothing!
Other Factors: Just a little bit of luck
General Comments/Congratulations/Venting/Commiserations, etc:
Wow! I'm not an Intel finalist, or Siemens person, or a spelling bee champion. I haven't won major awards anywhere. You don't have to be amazing to get into MIT. My grades were good, but I'm my teachers' favorite student, nor a researcher, or anything super. I just did stuff, ya know? And it worked out! I'm so happy and so thankful that I have this opportunity
AP (place score in parentheses): Computer Science A (5), AP Language (5), AP US History (5), AP Chemistry (5)
IB (place score in parentheses):
Senior Year Course Load: AP Lit, AP Calculus BC, AP Physics B, AP Gov, AP Statistics, Computer Science 3, Academic Decathlon
Number of other EA applicants in your school: 1
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): NMSF, Girl Scout Gold Award, Academic Decathlon 3rd Place State, UIL Social Studies 1st Place State
Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses): Academic Decathlon, UIL Social Studies, Girl Scouts, Band, Computer Science Club (Secretary/Historian)
Job/Work Experience:
Volunteer/Community service: mostly things with Girl Scouts
Writing (Write a brief description and Rate Quality on 1-10 Scale; 10 as Best):
Essays (Include Subjects):
What You Do For Pleasure: The Children's Museum (10)
Department at MIT: Chemical Engineering (8)
Personality Trait: Liveliness (9)
World You Come From: The world of Academic Decathlon! (9)
Significant Challenge: Going to Chinese school on Saturdays (8)
Other:
Teacher Recommendation #1: Pre-Cal teacher - never saw the letter, but she told me it was excellent.
Teacher Recommendation #2: APUSH teacher - never saw it either, but also should be really good.
Counselor Rec: Probably pretty mediocre/general. I only spoke to her a few times, but I think she got an okay idea of who I am.
Additional Rec: Academic Decathlon coach
Interview: Went decently, I guess... nothing too great.
Art Supplement:
Other
Date Submitted App: 10/27/11
State (if domestic applicant): TX
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: Asian
Gender: F
Income Bracket:
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):
Reflection
Strengths: Essays and Recommendations
Weaknesses: I didn't really know that I wanted to apply for MIT or do ChemE until this summer, so I don't have much research or job experience in that field.
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: I dunno...
What would you have done differently?: Job/Internship, more math and science extracurriculars
Other Factors:
General Comments/Congratulations/Venting/Commiserations, etc:
I was expecting this, but it still is incredibly upsetting. I think my self worth just went into the negatives.
AP (place score in parentheses): Calculus BC (4), Physics C Mechanics (3, Self), Statistics (3), Biology (3, self), Environmental Science (3, self), World History (4)
IB (place score in parentheses):
Senior Year Course Load: AP English Literature, AP Macroeconomics, AP Chemistry, Multivariable Calculus, Honors Government, Math Team, Science Research, AP Physics C (self)
Number of other EA applicants in your school: 2 not including me
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):
Siemens Semifinalist 2011, Siemens Semifinalist 2010, Intel ISEF Finalist 2011, Yale Science & Engineering Association Award, New York City Science & Engineering Fair First Award, AP Scholar Award with Honor
Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses): Boys Varsity Volleyball (Captain), Science Research, New York Math Circle, Robotics Team, Ping Pong Club
Job/Work Experience:
Volunteer/Community service:
Writing (Write a brief description and Rate Quality on 1-10 Scale; 10 as Best):
Essays (Include Subjects):
What You Do For Pleasure: 7
Department at MIT: 8
What You Do That's Creative?: 8
World You Come From: 10
Significant Challenge: 7
Other:
Teacher Recommendation #1: 10
Teacher Recommendation #2: eh, generic
Counselor Rec: 9
Additional Rec:
Interview: not as great as I hoped it would be
Art Supplement:
Other
Date Submitted App: 10/30
State (if domestic applicant): NY
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Large Public
Ethnicity: Asian - Indian
Gender: M
Income Bracket: 150k
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):
Reflection
Strengths: Science research awards (siemens/isef)
Weaknesses: Scores definitely
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: I had horrendous scores. My scores are terrible.
What would you have done differently?:
Studied harder for standardized tests
Other Factors:
General Comments/Congratulations/Venting/Commiserations, etc:
Congrats to everyone! ya'll amazing!! im hoping for RD. good luck to everyone
Senior Year Course Load: AP Calc BC, AP Physics C, 4 other APs
Number of other EA applicants in your school: 1
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): 11th Place HMMT, Rensselaer Medal, 2nd in State game programming contest, AP Scholar with Honor
Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses): Math League (VP), Computer Science Club (President), Cross Country (Captain), Math Honors Society (VP), NTHS, NHS, NEHS, Peer Mediation, etc
Job/Work Experience: Intership at engineering firm - published technical paper with them,
Volunteer/Community service: Worked on top 100 iPod Bible App, altar server for my church, built my church's website
Writing (Write a brief description and Rate Quality on 1-10 Scale; 10 as Best):
Essays (Include Subjects):
What You Do For Pleasure: Running - 8
Department at MIT: Physics - 5
What You Do That's Creative?: Don't remember
World You Come From: 6
Significant Challenge: Oldest of 4 boys -5
Other:
Teacher Recommendation #1: Calc Teacher who went to MIT -probs good
Teacher Recommendation #2: English Teacher - probs bad
Counselor Rec: Great -He was my XC coach
Additional Rec: Head of Math & Science at school - Idk how it was
Interview: Awkward - In lady's house
Art Supplement:
Other
Date Submitted App: Like a few hours before deadline
State (if domestic applicant): NJ
Country (if international applicant): USA!!!
School Type: Small - Sends about 3 to Ivy's a year
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: 110,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):
Alumni, runner
Reflection
Strengths: Research, ECs
Weaknesses: Grades, SAT IIs
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: Its statistically what was expected
What would you have done differently?: Higher GPA and rank
Other Factors:
General Comments/Congratulations/Venting/Commiserations, etc:
Congrats to all who got in. All who were deferred, welcome to the group
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): School doesn't rank, probably top 10%
AP (place score in parentheses): N/A
IB (place score in parentheses): Math SL, Physics SL, Chinese ab initio, European History HL, English HL, Visual Arts HL (exams next May)
Senior Year Course Load: as above
Number of other EA applicants in your school: None
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Does RSI count?
Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses): Supercomputing Challenge, lobbying in Congress, video game design
Job/Work Experience: Website design/maintenance
Volunteer/Community service: Arthritis Foundation volunteer work
Writing (Write a brief description and Rate Quality on 1-10 Scale; 10 as Best):
Essays (Include Subjects):
What You Do For Pleasure: World design. It's a bit complicated. ~5.5
Department at MIT: Course 6. ~6
Personality Attribute: Perseverance. ~8
World You Come From: School and how I was encouraged to be curious. ~7
Significant Challenge: The trials and tribulations of a language class trip. ~6.5
Teacher Recommendation #1: Physics teacher. Didn't see, but she's written good recs for me before.
Teacher Recommendation #2: History teacher. Didn't see, but he's known for writing good recs and according to his wife mine was noticeably more "effusive" than the others.
Counselor Rec: Didn't see, but she's been doing this for 14 years or something so I'd imagine she knows what she's doing.
Additional Rec: From the RSI people.
Interview: Not bad. There were several things I forgot to say and I rambled a bit, but my interviewer seemed reasonably impressed with what I did say.
Art Supplement: N/A
Other
Date Submitted App: 10/22
State (if domestic applicant): New Mexico
Country (if international applicant): USA
School Type: Tiny private school
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: Idk. Upper Middle Class I suppose
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): Fun stories about overcoming disability? Idk if that helps, but it might be worth something.
Reflection
Strengths: RSI. Lobbying. Good recommendations. Good numbers, though everyone at MIT has those.
Weaknesses: I'm not sure about the writing quality of some of the essays
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: Basically what it says in my "Strengths" section.
What would you have done differently?: Apparently nothing, since I got in!
Other Factors: N/A
General Comments/Congratulations/Venting/Commiserations, etc: I AM SO EXCITED RIGHT NOW. Congrats to everyone who got in, and good luck to everyone else!
SAT I superscore (breakdown): 700CR 790M 720W 11E (2210)
ACT (breakdown): Didn't take
SAT II: 790 Math Level II 720 Chemistry 700 Physics 660 US History (All on transcript)
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.9
Weighted GPA: 4.357
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 9/437
AP (place score in parentheses): Art History (5) Calculus AB (5) Chemistry (4) Physics B (4) US History (4) World History (3) English Language (3)
IB (place score in parentheses): Nope
Senior Year Course Load: AP Psychology, AP Studio Art Photo, AP Physics C (Both), AP Biology, AP English Lit, AP US Government, Vector Calculus (Calculus III) at CC.
Number of other EA applicants in your school: Zero
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):
Questbridge Finalist, NASA INSPIRE Scholar
Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses): Fund for Public Interest Intern (Environmental Activist) Captain of Science Bowl and Ocean Sciences Bowl at our school, Varsity Tennis Captain, Student Ambassador at City Council, I open art galleries every month, marathon training, and part of different activist clubs.
Job/Work Experience: I worked in one summer as a brush clearer alongside firefighters to clear out hazardous/flammable shrubs in the mountainside. I have also worked at a jobs center, as a tutor, etc.
Volunteer/Community service:
Different areas, relating to my extracurriculars.
Writing (Write a brief description and Rate Quality on 1-10 Scale; 10 as Best):
Essays (Include Subjects):
I wrote pretty good essays for the Questbridge application. My first one, I would grade as a 9, because I talked about unusual circumstances in my life and how it has made me into a stronger person. The other two were high 7's.
Other:
Teacher Recommendation #1: Probably really good
Teacher Recommendation #2: Funny, but good
Counselor Rec: Good
Additional Rec: Didn't have one
Interview: I really enjoyed the interview but it was too long. It was about 3 hours at the interviewer's house...very sweet man though.
Art Supplement:
I turned in an art supplement showcasing my 10 best work over the years. I submitted mostly photographs, and one installation. I connected my passion for art and science and how those subjects intertwine to form the foundations of my thinking.
Other
Date Submitted App: September 30th (QuestBridge)
State (if domestic applicant): CA
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: White (Other: Armenian)
Gender: M
Income Bracket: ~$20,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):
Single Parent, Adversity, Questbridge?
Reflection
Strengths: Essays, Math Scores
Weaknesses: Academics could have been stronger
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: I was deferred like many other extremely qualified applicants. We're all great, but there isn't room for all of us.
What would you have done differently?:
I'm happy with the path I chose, so I wouldn't change anything.
Other Factors: I took a few advanced math and astronomy courses at a local CC and sent the transcript along with my HS one.
General Comments/Congratulations/Venting/Commiserations, etc: Congratulations to those of you who got accepted! You are all exceptional candidates and will have an amazing time at MIT. For people like me who got deferred, we just got to stick it out these last couple of months and see what happens. And to those who got rejected, there will be a place for you somewhere else and it will be the right place.
