GPA, etc. -- Planning Ahead

_Daniel
Thu, 22 Jun 2006 01:05:08 +0000

I’m a junior next year, planning on MIT or Caltech for an early admission. My GPA won’t be anything impressive; I got straight As sophomore year but nothing was weighted. Next year I have at most 4 weighted (full +1 on GPA) and 2 unweighted; a significant step up but I should be fine, it’s not anything I can’t handle. My question is, given that my GPA won’t be an impressive part of my application, how much weight should I give to GPA versus test scores and ECs? I know everything matters, and I shouldn’t stop doing homework or anything, but my time is very limited, so I need to focus on some areas. I just took the Math II subject test after sophomore trig and I’m pretty confident in having gotten an 800, so there should be some strong areas in my application.

Also, in what ways can I integrate unofficial research into my application? So far I have that I could write an essay on a project or if I do good at a competition like Intel or Siemens I could list it as an EC – is that right? Anything else?

I guess I’ll add that ECs on my application will be competative debate (grades 9-12, with leadership position and probably notable accomplishments), working for a small consultant business (haven’t gotten fired as of my first year, grade 10; not sure if I should stick with this next year for time issues), maybe peer tutoring for 11-12th grades (again would like feedback), and maybe science competitions if I do good (or should I put that I participated regardless?). If I really need to list other stuff I have scouts (since forever but I quit grade 10, a little leadership but nothing impressive), marching band (grade 9 only), and dragon boat racing (grade 10 only). Advice on what I should and shouldn’t put on an MIT/Caltech-type application would be appreciated.

Note that I’m really looking to try for technology-oriented institutes, so I’m not very concerned with what would get me into Harvard or anything of that sort.

Thanks,
Daniel