<p>If there were one thing that would make or break you in applying to MIT, what would it be?</p>
<p>come on guys, this is a good poll…</p>
<p>the process is very holistic, so personally for me, I can’t tell you which one factor will determine the outcome.</p>
<p>i mean, i bet a murder conviction would probably break your app. but i’m sure that’s not the sort of silly thing you’re looking for. being exceptionally boring, even tho a genius, would probably not do much for you.</p>
<p>winning a nobel prize is always a plus</p>
<p>SAT scores? :p</p>
<p><em>ouch</em> eggs? tomatoes? cut it guys, it hurts! :D</p>
<p>Participating in academic programs or competition Nationally or internationally!! Show that you have reached out for broad exposure.</p>
<p>There is no “one” thing. Enjoy your time in HS, get excited about ANYTHING. Be enthusiastic about learning for the shear enjoyment of learning, and not for the sake of admission. This will get you the most heartfelt, sincere letters of recomendation when the time comes. No-one here can tell you with any certainty at all what your chances are at any particular school. Only the admissions folks know what they are looking for in any given year, and how you will fit into the class they are building. No-one here knows that stuff. From what I’ve seen the best source of info on what will get you in is the school’s own admission info.</p>
<p>actually, a murder conviction kept a girl out of harvard (after she was accepted), a while back (early 90s?). She sued, the decision was overruled, and she was re-offered her admittance, but decided to go to Tufts instead.</p>
<p>Passion .</p>