schlaag

Hello,
I really want to go to MIT, but I have a low gpa. This was because during my junior year, one of my best friends died and I was emotionally unstable for a while. Although I brought up my grades second semester, it still did not change the fact that my final grades for AP bio, chem, and calc were B+, B, and B- respectively. I know that MIT is really competitive and accepts only the best of the best. Do you think I still have a chance? Or will my GPA be the deciding factor in my rejection? I believe my extracurriculars are up to par (representing US this year at an astrophysics olympiad in Asia 1 of only 5 accepted, internship at NASA, have done research on fusion, He-3 fusion, laser communications, high test scores etc). Here is an old chance me thread:
Chance an asian with a low gpa? (Really specific resume)
I am applying EA. Thank You!

schlaag

Btw, I am only in the top 20% of my class, due to my junior year. I've had straight A's since freshman year. Thank You!

collegealum314

Yes, you totally have a chance. Any school worth anything would understand why someone's grades would dip.

You should definitely apply.

lidusha

As long as you tell them about it I'm sure you will be okay. I too had a bunch of Bs my junior year, and my reasons were a lot less real than yours. Things happen. It's okay. I'm sorry about what happened; I'm glad you've gotten back on your feet.

perazziman

How did you do on the AP Tests, if you do not mind me asking?

schlaag

I did get straight 5s, but my guidance counselor told me that this would most likely not do anything to help me, as most schools use AP tests for placement AFTER one gets accepted. Which is why I took the SATII for chem, mathII, BioE, and BioM (800s on all)

perazziman

schlaag, Trust the holistic admissions process, I think you will be fine.

The unknown quantity is your school that gave you a C and Bs. However, I am sure the adcoms will be able to put those grades into their proper context ( Five straight 5s and four straight 800s)

lidusha

The 5s on the APs and the 800s on subject tests should help you a lot, actually. Grades vary from school to school. Standardized exams--especially APs, which are more difficult and more specialized than a subject test--can be used to compare students from different schools, and depend only on your preparation for the exam (and your test-taking abilities), not silly things like class participation or homework. APs are this beautiful thing that can help you but can't hurt you.

MIT will also use AP scores to judge the validity of the grades your school gives. If most people in the class get As in class but 3s on the AP exams, the As look much less impressive. If your school gives more Bs but students get 5s on the AP exams, then the Bs don't look as bad.