Jugglingkid

I'm a rising junior. I had bad grades freshman year (mostly B+s, one A, and a Pass in Earth Science that I was getting a 48 in first quarter, so the teacher changed it to pass/fail for me),
then As and A-s in sophomore year, and I will probably get a 4.0 next year. I know MIT checks applications holistically, but would the grades alone drop me from contention instantly?

marciemi

I'd say no, especially since the grades are improving instead of the other way around. I'd wait and see how junior year goes, but if you do get a 4.0 in much harder classes (which you should be taking), then I wouldn't think a slow start freshman year would completely eliminate your chances, as long as the rest of your application is solid.

Jugglingkid

Thanks for the reply!

HPuck35

To be a viable candidate for admission to MIT you should be taking the most challenging classes you can the next two years. Those grades will be part of the deciding factor regarding MIT admission. You also should be involved in the area of math and science that interests you. Your freshman grades shouldn't hurt you too much if you do well in your later years.

Jugglingkid

Yeah, thanks!

ameliab12

I'm fairly certain MIT still recalculates your GPA without freshman grades, though they do see said grades and consider them a little. Improvement is always the best trend! I probably can't boost your confidence too much because I was deferred then rejected, but I applied with a 3.5 GPA (2.85 freshman, 3.6 sophomore, 3.85 junior) and no excuse besides my own laziness and failure to see the importance of grades. I ended up with a 4.0 senior GPA, and though I was rejected from MIT, I got into Hopkins, Carnegie Mellon, and the Honors College at the University of Maryland. Keep your head up and keep working hard!