MIT FAQ for application year 2010-2011 (with answers by MITChris)

<p>i was also wondering what the typical process is like: so what is the first thing you look at? and what is the last thing you look at? where do the finished apps go? how many times do you go through it? that kind of stuff. i dont know if youve already answered this (these threads are getting kind of hard to follow)…</p>

<p>Here are two blog entries Matt has posted on the reading process:
[MIT</a> Admissions | Blog Entry: “Reading folders”](<a href=“http://www.mitadmissions.org/topics/apply/the_selection_process_application_reading_committee_and_decisions/reading_folders.shtml]MIT”>http://www.mitadmissions.org/topics/apply/the_selection_process_application_reading_committee_and_decisions/reading_folders.shtml)
[MIT</a> Admissions | Blog Entry: “More About Reading”](<a href=“http://www.mitadmissions.org/topics/apply/the_selection_process_application_reading_committee_and_decisions/more_about_reading.shtml]MIT”>http://www.mitadmissions.org/topics/apply/the_selection_process_application_reading_committee_and_decisions/more_about_reading.shtml)</p>

<p>And one from Ben Jones, a former admissions officer, about selection:
[MIT</a> Admissions | Blog Entry: “From The Midst Of Selection”](<a href=“http://www.mitadmissions.org/topics/apply/the_selection_process_application_reading_committee_and_decisions/from_the_midst_of_selection.shtml]MIT”>http://www.mitadmissions.org/topics/apply/the_selection_process_application_reading_committee_and_decisions/from_the_midst_of_selection.shtml)</p>

<p>As each application is completed, it is being read by several readers – once one person is done with it, it gets passed along to the next person. Around the beginning of December, the readers will come together and make decisions on all the applicants.</p>

<p>Will all SAT II scores be looked at? For example, if an applicant took more than one science subject test or took a humanities subject test will those scores be considered?</p>

<p>For EA, when do first term senior grades have to be in?</p>

<p>“Will all SAT II scores be looked at? For example, if an applicant took more than one science subject test or took a humanities subject test will those scores be considered?”
I would like to know this too</p>

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<p>I mean, if you send it, it’s part of your application. They’ll see it. They’ll take your highest science subject test. They’ll see the additional humanities test, though the weight will be placed on the required test scores.</p>

<p>piper is correct</p>

<p>Hi! I am from Poland and I would love to apply for MIT. I think it’s great University. As I said I am from Poland and I’ve got several questions. I know that I have to pass SAT,SAT II and TOEFL. How many points I need to get in? Are grades very important? And what about after school classes? Are they important?</p>

<p>Thanks. What about my other question: For EA, when do first term senior grades have to be in?</p>

<p>I applied early to MIT and am a recruited athlete. Will MIT admissions see/ask for my first quarter grades as a part of my application? If I end up with B’s in math and science for my midyear grades will I be rescinded?</p>

<p>Sorry for the specificity of the questions.</p>

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<p>There’s no requirement for those scores - but in general, you want to aim for the 700s on the SATs.</p>

<p>Of course grades are important. MIT, overall, wants to see from your courseload and scores that you can handle a tough environment. But after grades have shown that (700s, good ranking in your school, A’s and B’s), they’ll want to look for other reasons you belong here.</p>

<p>Not sure what you mean by after school classes, but MIT wants to see interesting people. If you’ve found something interesting to do - be it academic or non-academic - that’s good ^^</p>

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<p>Probably as soon as you can get them in. Since schools run on different systems, Admissions probably isn’t expecting these scores in time to make EA decisions. (That said, if you start flunking out, they can rescind an offer.)</p>

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<p>You’re required to turn in a midyear report - sending your quarter grades is probably optional. I doubt they’d rescind an offer if you get B’s, but I’d make sure not to start getting lots of grades lower than that. Don’t play with fire, just do your work :)</p>

<p>Thank You :)</p>

<p>Obviously MIT is a very selective school, but the way it is described on this thread makes it seem so much easier to get in than it actually is. I am fascinated by the college admissions process. What makes the difference between each applicant. I understand that MIT looks at applicants holistically, but what exactly does that mean? I understand if nobody is able to answer that question because it seems like a very difficult question to answer. I just feel that I speak for many students when I ask exactly what this “holistic” review means. It is pretty vague. Could anybody explain to me how an application is reviewed from submission to decision? Thank you.</p>

<p>^ It is not easy to get in. But people on College Confidential seem to focus so heavily on scores that when people say, “Nah, 700s will do - you don’t need perfect scores, just very good ones”, it sounds a lot easier than it is.</p>

<p>Fact is, MIT is looking for things beyond just grades. Remember that 80% of applicants have the aptitude. This might be a better page for it:</p>

<p>[MIT</a> Admissions: The Match Between You And MIT](<a href=“http://mitadmissions.org/topics/pulse/the_match_between_you_and_mit/index.shtml]MIT”>http://mitadmissions.org/topics/pulse/the_match_between_you_and_mit/index.shtml)</p>

<p>But fact is, MIT gets a lot more wonderful people applying than they can take. People are turned down who fit the above - that’s the difficult job of Admissions.</p>

<p>^Wow. Love that link, Piper! That says it all.</p>

<p>Thank you PiperXP! That was a great link. I really appreciate your help.</p>

<p>MITChris i was wondering if the word limits for the short questions was strict like for the 100 word ones is it okay if your answer is 115 words??</p>

<p>It’s okay if your answer is within about 10-15% of the limit (my rule, not MIT’s), so 115 for a 100-word answer would be my max.</p>

<p>Am considering applying to MIT as a junior transfer next year.I have a GPA of 3.94/4.0.For some reason,i cannot seem to convince three people that MIT is great for me.Everyone seems to insist that i can succeed in life without going to MIT.However, one professor gets it and has agreed to write me a recommendation.Does this jeopardize my chances of admission?
N/B I am a double major in math&CS,but the professor is in the economics dept</p>

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<p>I understand thinking MIT is awesome and loving this school. I don’t understand the mentality that you won’t be able to succeed wherever you go. MIT is opportunity, but it doesn’t give magical success ability. If you can’t succeed elsewhere, then you probably can’t succeed at MIT.</p>

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<p>Meaning, you can only get one recommendation? Yes. Not meeting the basic requirements of the application makes it much harder to get in.</p>

<p>At piperXP.i understand that one can succeed anywhere,and i believe a 3.94/4.0 is not bad from the viewpoint of being successful.The question is,what is so wrong about wanting more,looking for a challenge?I am doing Real Analysis this semester and from junior yr ,its all downhill:There is no math course beyond Real Analysis,&no graduate courses.I have one B in English composition,freshman yr.The rest are straight As.That makes me a failure ,right?</p>