<p>what do you mean by “purer”
I know that Caltech values academics so much that they have just about 100% of their kids in top 10% of high school, so if you’re not top 10 you might as well not apply. Other competitive schools, even ivys, only have about 95-97%.
If you’re more techie but less academic go for MIT over Caltech.</p>
<p>I’ve always thought of Caltech as a research asylum: a factory for science Nobel Prizes. But maybe that’s just me?</p>
<p>I’ll still hold my ground that no one, no matter how glittery their stats, is a lock for MIT. Any school with a 14% admit rate is a shaky one to be sure about – I think the kid who applied only to MIT and schools of similar caliber was foolish and hubristic.</p>
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<p>Purer in the sense that Caltech probably cares less about the well-roundedness and diversity of the people it admits than its peer schools. In other words, if you’re out-and-out supertechie genius, but have few EC’s or other such characteristics, you are probably more likely to get admitted to Caltech than to any of HYPSM. Still no guarantees of course, but looks like the trend is clear. </p>
<p>In other words, of those 6 schools, Caltech probably cares the least if you were a football star or class president. That’s not to say that they don’t care at all, because they still care somewhat, but probably less so than the other 5 schools.</p>
<p>I am currently a freshman in high school and I too have the ambition of enrolling in MIT. My school does offer a course in math that leaves you with two years of calculus by the end of high school. Though I am currently in this class I don’t believe that along with good grades will put me on the map. What many colleges look for at this point is if you have a passion. Having a passion shows dedication, character, and an over all well being. Having a deep interest in flying, diving, art, or music is a major plus when applying for college. This is largely due to the fact that perfect scores are a dime a dozen now and educators are forced to look a bit deeper. Try to become very good at one thing and well balanced in other areas of life if you plan on applying to such an advanced school as MIT.</p>
<p>Well i also really want to get into MIT as well. I’m currently in 10th grade and half way through my year. when i say i want to get into MIT…It is somehting that i really really really want. I would say that Math is the most important thing in addition to science. As i look upon soem of the posts i see there have been been critizism toward your math level currently; but its nothing to fret. Mit is not a normal collge; and it is hard to get into. You have to get at least "B"s. In addition to this you have to do things like ec THAT YOU LIKE. Some where in the back of your mind you might be thinking what MIT might like for you to be doing…but thats not what you should be worried about. </p>
<p>If you can please post the grades you get at school and the classes you take.</p>
<p>Peg above said about her child not bieng able to attend MIT…but as you could see, sher didnt mention any ec activities. There is much more to getting into MIT.</p>
<p>I think we can definetly help each other.</p>
<p>My advice to you is to talk with your counsoler aboout your intrest in MIT. He would be able to help you a lot; especially sense he has your files, knows how you are doing in school and much more.</p>
<p>i have no advice but just wanted to say good luck</p>
<p>Yea my friend got rejected, 1500+ SAT, salutatorian at a very large and good school, somewhere around 15 APs, and pretty solid ECs. So yea, it’s very tough, I don’t think there’s anyone who could bank on getting into MIT (not to discourage you from trying, by all means do), but the good news is there are a lot of great alternatives.</p>
<p>My advice to everyone here…including the “MIT Bound” student above who can’t spell counselor…is that you ask yourselves very seriously WHY you want to go to MIT. Is there a particular area of research you’re interested, that you could only participate in at MIT? Is there a particular member of the faculty that would drive you?</p>
<p>Only you can improve your education. The amount you pay for school won’t do it. Calculas is calculas…whether you take it at MIT…or your local community college. Try studying it yourself. Do your own research. And pay $75 a credit hour instead of $750.</p>
<p>I won my first patent when I was 17 years old. To all the MIT graduates on this thread…how many do you have?</p>
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<p>It’s good that you have a patent, but patents aren’t automatic tickets to success, either.</p>
<p>Also, it’s “calculus.”</p>
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<p>Exactly, when much new academic research has shown that not only do the vast majority of patents have been shown to have minimal economic value, but that the patent system as a whole is probably a net negative value to society, because more money is spent litigating patents than the value they create (Bessen & Meurer 2008). Patents are not a ‘right’, but rather a ‘negative right’, in the sense that patents by themselves don’t give you the right to do anything, but only give you the right to prevent somebody else from doing something and that aspect of patents hurts innovation. Whether the boost in overall innovation in providing the patent holder with incentives via what is in effect a temporary monopoly compensates for the decline in innovation of others who are barred from using your idea is ultimately an empirical question and the latest research indicates that it probably isn’t a good tradeoff. This is particularly so with the advent of patent ■■■■■■ - companies who create or purchase numerous patents with no intention of actually designing any new products at all, but whose sole purpose is to sue others who do design new products for infringing their patents.</p>
<p>Did any of you happen to notice that the OP is from 2005?</p>
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My husband has three. :)</p>
<p>yep, i noticed.</p>
<p>sakky, so then, the problem seems to not be with the idea of a patent itself, but with the people that abuse the system. I’ve always wondered how those patent ■■■■■■ can prove that their continuing to attempt to market or advance their patents. I had always been under the understanding that was essential to the granting/continued ownership of a patent.</p>
<p>I have no idea, but MIT is MIT for a reason. If you want to be an engineer, you can get a great education from a “lower” school. Trust, MIT may be the best but how is the social life compared to other schools. I am a engineer at University of Alabama and it may not have the clout in the engineering program that other schools have, but I am very satisfied so far. I have had the opportunity to intern with various companies already (I will begin my 3rd year this fall). When it comes to careers, I am realizing that the two biggest factors are: how much effort you input and networking. Engineering is hard wherever you go. I’m sure the MIT curriculum is exponentially harder than our curriculum but I also know that I love the campus. I am a guy and I love seeing all the beautiful young women on campus, which I believe it would be fairly safe to assume that MIT doesn’t have the social aspects or eye candy that many other schools have that are not solely engineering/technology based. If you are a girl, this could be said: you may find it hard to fit in because of the lack of fellow female classmates. I am not sure of the demographics but I know GaTech (I almost went there) has roughly 70% white male. Also, it didn’t hurt that I have a full scholarship which I know I would not have received at MIT or other ‘highly prestigious’ universities. Don’t rule out other schools because if you are the caliber of student who can even get accepted into MIT than I know you could easily receive a full ride to other great engineering schools. That is the truth!</p>
<p>Also, to echo, gatorjacket is absolutely right! There are vast amounts of equal alternatives.</p>
<p>You’re taking Algebra II sophomore year? Mistake. If you can double up your math classes, you need to do that. I had Algebra II in the 8th grade…</p>
<p>While I’m not sure that Algebra II in 8th grade is the way to go, you’ll definitely want to up your math load. I myself had my sights on M.I.T. Freshmen year. That all changed. Not only did I switch my intended major, but my whole focus changed. I went from wishing to major in biochemistry, to Music Education, to Mechanical Engineering. I’m also going to strongly encourage extra curricular activities. What are you currently doing in high school? aside from academics…
Even if you don’t take part in any school activities, you’ll want to do something.</p>
<p>My friend got waitlisted at MIT… He had a 2400, 3 800s on SATII’s, and was class valedictorian w/ plenty of ECs… He got into Yale and Princeton though. He’s at Princeton now.</p>
<p>All I can say is MIT is the hardest school to get into in the country because almost everybody who applies is really qualified. Don’t bank on only MIT and make sure you have plenty of backups.</p>