Am I doing well so far? Really want to get into MIT class of 2020
Ok, I'm currently a freshman in highschool and my dream is to go MIT and study computer science. Here's my stats (so far)
GPA = 4.5 out of 4.5 (I get extra because I'm in all honors classes)
English II: 95
Honors Band: 100 (I'm also head trumpet section leader and high brass officer)
German I: 94
World Geography: 96
Principles of Business: 100
Geometry: 99
Biology: 94
Ethnicity: Polish, American, Mexican
Languages I speak: English, Spanish, and currently learning German
Extra info:
This summer I'm taking algebra II and chemistry so I can take AP pre calculus and AP physics as a sophomore. I'm trying out for all state band soon, and planning to become drum major. I'm also the youngest section leader and high brass officer in my school's history. I was in national junior honor society as a middle schooler, and plan to be in national honor society once I'm a junior(requirement). I have also been programming and doing advanced computer stuff since 9 years old. I design and program PC and Mac games and apps in C++. My programming skills have been referred to as above college standard. I taught myself everything I know. I also built a gaming PC successfully at 12 years old by myself. I program microprocessors and chips for robotics in C and assembly as well. I plan to apply and attend a summer science research program conducted by MIT when I'm a junior as well (requirement). I run long distance track and cross country and occasionally do volunteer service at local soup kitchens.
Well that's me in a nutshell, so I really want to know if I am on the right track on getting into MIT, and please recommend things I can do to improve my chances. Thanks for reading my question!
I'd say you're definitely on the right track to MIT. I'm actually very impressed by your passion for computer science. Just stick with doing what you love with computers and you'll be something someday. You're very dedicated to your studies, which is obviously what MIT wants to see in their applicants. Gosh I wish I was this motivated when I started high school. Now I have to work extra hard to get my GPA up to par with MIT's expectations. Haha
If you really want to start obsessing about colleges as a freshman, which is a little ridiculous, then start 4 year long, in-depth extracurriculars. Perfect grades in hard classes are basically a given for competetive applicants.
It's really early to predict, but you're well on your way to MIT. Grades usually don't say much because pretty much every applicant has at least a 3.5 UW GPA. Your computer science and band accomplishments look quite impressive. Are you planning to join any computer/robotics clubs at your school (if it has any)?
Keep at it and maybe you'll end up as a Course 6 major
I actually just founded my school's first programming club with me as president and founder. I am currently teaching C++ to about 30 students ranging from freshman to senior. It's a lot of fun
Sorry to bump this up, but I'm curious. I screwed up on a German test and now I have an 86... The six weeks ends on Wednesday and I'm really worried that it could possibly affect me on my road to MIT. Does MIT really look at everything equally, or do they not mind if you get a B+ here and there in an extracurricular, even though I'm making straight A's in everything else?(which I am). I don't know if I'm over worrying but I'm so worried about my future the stress is getting to me. Any guidance would be extremely helpful. Thanks a lot.
-TrumpetTerm
MIT is less stringent about grades than some of the other top universities, and yes, they care more about math/science. Some admits have many "B's", and nothing spectacular to make up for it (e.g., designing a nuclear reactor in their basement.)
I would do everything you can to raise that grade, though. Other universities will care, and MIT is so competitive in general that you can't count on that just because you're smart and seem to be a good fit based on your programming abillities.
Also, it's going to get harder and harder to get A's in the upper levels of German if you are getting B's now. You don't want foreign language to become an albatross that you have to sink more and more time into because you started getting behind in it now. I would suggest you raise your standards a bit in that class.
Last edited by collegealum314; 10-01-2012 at 07:19 PM.
But a high B at six weeks tells you nothing about where you'll be at the end of the semester. Your transcript will have semester grades, not interim grades.
Figure out what you need to do to not blow the next test, and move on. You can't get through high school worrying about whether any little thing might keep you out of a given school.
I'm going to be completely honest: you sound like the perfect applicant on paper. Your list of extracurriculars goes on and on. You're an outstanding student. Not that MIT doesn't want that, but they are focused more on your personal qualities. I am currently trying to get in there myself and so far, I've learned that everyone at MIT had grades like you. That's the prerequisite. From there, they want to see that you are truly passionate about something (that's not academic!). For you, it sounds like that could be band? On your application, I would focus on that. Also, a big "no-no" at MIT is flat out listing your activities. Focus on your strengths. Here is the MIT website to help with any questions you may have: Part 2: Essays, Activities, & Academics | MIT Admissions
I hope this helps and I wish you the best! Good luck!
