<p>I am a sophomore an my mother believes that I would really enjoy attending MIT and that I should at least apply. However, my grades aren’t the greatest. Let’s just say I don’t have uw 3.7-4.0. She says that I still have a chance though because I have alwasy done well in math and science. I have many outside math/science activities as well. (volunteer @ science museum, internship UCSD, state science fair competitor, hopefully national soon) She thinks that if I make a discovery in my neuroscience research and have it published I should be able get in. Is this true? </p>
<p>How many students actually make good inventions/discoveries?</p>
<p>Yes to the question
But sorry to you; you will not make “discoveries” if you final goal is to use as a hook for college.
“My mother believes that I would really enjoy attending MIT”; that is a problem. Do you have the same beliefs?</p>
<p>Does “your mother” know what life at MIT is like? Very few kids are able to make “discoveries” (if you want to see what “real” discoveries are, go to ISTS website and check out past winners). And without at least a 3.7 GPA, unless you really win Intel/ISEF/Siemen’s, it’s unlikely that you would get in anyway.</p>
<p>If you are a sophmore, you have a year and a half ahead of you to work on your GPA. Upward trends are always better than the other way around.</p>
<p>A publication in a peer-reviewed scientific journal coming out of a reputable biotech or academic lab (which are abundant in San Diego) is, in my view, a better indicator of one’s passion for science than a prize in a contest. However, adcoms might have a different opinion.</p>
<p>However, if your only goal in pursuing research is to get some personal benefits (admission to a “prestigious” college), you are heading in the wrong direction. Even in for-profit scientific organizations (ie biotech companies) scientists engage in research not only to deposit their monthly paychecks, but to create something of benefit for the entire humanity.</p>
<p>I agree with your mother. But even without the “discovery,” you’d have a good shot. You’d need to do well on math/science subject tests and try to demonstrate a passion for it elsewhere – e.g. leading a team that goes on to some international science olympiad (there are many budding science olympiads that are not as competitive as, say, IMO). Your accomplishments are impressive, given that you’re just a sophomore. Try out the Intel and Siemens competitions – you have plenty of time. Do research (you can try to publish something, though that is really difficult and you’d need collaboration). You’d have a very good chance at MIT.</p>
<p>If your PI discovers your intention of making some sort of discovery to help you get into college, be warned that you will be fired. Or at least given far less important work. Nobody likes a superficial worker.</p>
<p>@ Gaffe. That’s a stupid question. Why should it matter whether she is Asian or not. </p>
<p>But the fact is that you need to get your GPA up and try not to ponder on implausible scenarios such as coming up with a “new discovery”. UC’s are still very nice.</p>
<p>I am aware that many students (esp those overachiever kids) try to take advantage of every opportunity for their college application. I am not one of those kids. As for my mother…she has a friend who went there and she knows very well what it is like at MIT. She is the farthest thig from a helicopter parent. She only mentioned it one day as she was telling me about him. “Maybe you should apply too. You would love it there.” That is all she said. Ha, my mom will always be happy whether I attend SDSU or the U of C. I have to do everything myself. I lead my girl scout meetings, I set up my own internship, and I even decided where to go for high school. It’s funny. I told her, “Mom, I’m applying to CCHS.” She said, “Alright, you can go there, but what is it?” haha. </p>
<p>MIT is not my number one choice but I believe there is no harm in applying. Science is simply my passion so why not? I do have awards from science fairs and I know I can get published. I am truly just worried about the GPA.</p>
<p>I don’t think Gaffe was being racist or anything. Asian students and parents are generally very obsessive with big school names and test scores.</p>
<p>You don’t need to have a perfect GPA to get into MIT. The majority of applicants haven’t done scientific research, and very few are published when they apply. It’s a great thing to have good scientific research in your background as an applicant to MIT, but it’s not required.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t worry too much about getting published as a high schooler – if it happens, it happens, but the quality of your research isn’t necessarily as important as what you get out of it.</p>
<p>I’m shocked! How do kids get into MIT without science research or science fair? I thought they were the top math & science students of the nation. What DO they do then? Either way, I’m still sticking with my research.</p>
<p>^^ yes, but MIT is still an institute of technology – everyone is required to take all these math/science/lab courses, regardless of their major. And MIT has the same admission standards for everyone (for the most part, at least).</p>
<p>“I’m shocked! How do kids get into MIT without science research or science fair? I thought they were the top math & science students of the nation. What DO they do then?”</p>
<p>There are plenty of math/science competitions that don’t involve research.</p>
<p>If you are interested in research, there should be plenty of opportunities available in S-D area. A few minutes of googling should help you find some places that accept HS students. I found that Scripps Research Institute (NOT Scripps College) has a program for HS kids:</p>
<p>Thanks for the convient links and advice! And yes, I am applying for the Scripps Research Institute. I too found it on Google. I have also considered the NIH program but I think I am too young to do it this summer. I have not seen genome.gov before.</p>