Graduate Admission into MIT

v_90
Thu, 29 May 2008 07:57:59 +0000

Dear CollegeAlum,

Perhaps the Putnam-like contest you are referring to is IMC (International Mathematics Competition for University Students) (http://www.imc-math.org/). I am not completely sure, but I believe Australia does not send a team to this competition for some reason; if you are referring to another competition, I would be very grateful if you could tell me what it is.
I am trying my best to keep my grades high; and since I am at a university that is nowhere near as strenuous as demanding as MIT, I am doing some second/third year maths subjects now. I would like to involve myself in research activities that my university offers, and I’ll try to do as much as I can, once I’ve learnt a little bit more material for my research to be substantial.
I haven’t really heard much about GRE - generally speaking, how difficult is this exam, and what type of material is tested; vaguely, is it similar to SATs? (but tested on more advanced material)?
I understand that extracurriculars like tennis and guitar are inconsequential, but I was wondering what activities I could involve myself in - not so that I could get in just based on these, which is impossible (for me, at least) - but so that the admissions don’t view me as someone who is an absolute nerd.
Thanks for the advice.