MIT - EA, Worth it? What are my chances?

jsim0808
Sat, 11 Apr 2009 04:23:04 +0000

Hi, I will probably be applying to MIT Early Action. Even though I know my chances are slim, getting in will heavily affect my Jan 1st applications. One of my top choices and the only one with a unrestrictive EA.
I plan on eventually majoring in some Engineering.

With this in mind, is it worth applying EA to MIT? (I’ve pretty much already decided to, I just want feedback) Also, what are my chances? What can I do to improve my application?

Stats:[ul]
[]SAT: 2180, CR: 690, M: 790, W: 700. My first sitting. On retakes I aim for 2280+ (my full practice scores)
[]SAT II: Math IIc 750 (Aiming for 800). Will be taking USH (700+), Phy (750+)
[]ACT: Have not taken yet. (33-35)
[]AP: Calc AB: 5, Euro. Hist: 3. This May (conservative estimates): Calc BC (5), Stats (4-5), Eng. Lang (3-5), US His (2-4), Enviro. Sci (4-5), Phy. B (3-5), Phy. C Mech (Not taking. Clash with mandatory B exam)
[]GPA: uw 3.79, w 4.00
[]Rank: unranked. probably between 1%-5%
[]Awards: Totally don’t know yet. Numerous extracurricular awards. Probably will be AP Scholar with Distinction. SLIM chance of high-attendance recognition. VERY SLIM chance of science or math departmental award.
[]Next year “important” courseload: AP Eng. Lit, AP USGov, AP MacroEcon, AP Chem, (possibly) AP Bio, Biotech Independent Research.
[li]Next year Self-study: Multivariable Calc, Physics Indep. Research, AP Phy. C E&M.[/li][/ul]

Subjective[ul]
[]Essays: About becoming the marching band’s Drum Major and what I learned about myself in the process. How I expanded our club, and everything I did that was unrecognized by everyone, as well as the things with incredible recognition and awards.
Short Essasy: About my 3 month job in China as a sweatshop worker, and how it deepened my desire to influence the world.
Optional Essay: About my application to the California Board of Education Student Member, and how it taught me to put my heart into everything I do, even if ‘failure’ is likely. OR my experiences with Biotech research.
[]Teacher Recs: Calc BC teacher’s will extremely good. English… unsure, but on the positive side.
Counselor Rec: Counselor likes me, but not sure what she’d say.
Supplementary Recs: (possibly) Biotech Internship mentor or teacher
[]Supplementary Material: A video of a half-time field show written, composed, and conducted by me.
If I could submit more than one, I’d submit my Biotech Indep. Research or internship or Physics Indep. Research findings.
[]5 Extracurriculars: Varsity Swimming/Waterpolo (possibility of captaincy), 13 years Martial Arts practice, Founder and captain of school Winter Percussion/Drumline, Founder and vice-president of school recycling project and environmental club, Peninsula Youth Orchestra.
[]Resume: 4 years community service as Museum guide/Docent for local natural history museum, 3 years community service as assistant coach at Chinese Martial Arts studio, 3 months packaging dept. of shoe factory, China, 3 months unpaid biotech internship ('09)
[]Hook: Drum Major/Music/Drama, District board of trustees student member, Student Leadership, Boys State 2009, bilingual w/ Mandarin as first language
[li]Important application notes: Only two years of Japanese language due to program cancellation. Took 11 classes per semester in a school where 6 is the norm. Junior year lived away from family for the most part.[/li][/ul]

Personal[ul]
[]Location: San Francisco Bay Area, California
[]High School Type: Public, 375 per class, medium high competitive
[]Ethnicity: Pacific Islander/Asian Minority
[]Gender: Male
[/ul]

Again, is it worth applying EA to MIT? (I’ve pretty much already decided to, I just want feedback) Also, what are my chances? What can I do to improve my application?

Thank you!