<p>MIT classifies differently students who take part in high level math/science competitions and those who take advanced courses. A high AIME scorer or USAMO qualifier, Intel Finalist, etc. is classified as an academic star, with significantly higher chances of admission that somebody who takes advanced math classes, who would not automatically be considered an academic star. Academic stars are still rejected but at a much lower rate and constitute about a third of the admitted class. This still means two thirds are not academic stars but have other factors in their favor. Transcripts in general, just like test scores will only bring you so much. At some point, the marginal advantage of a small increase in test scores, or strength of curriculum becomes irrelevant. In the end, MIT cares much more about what you may accomplish while at MIT and beyond that what you did in the past.</p>