Research Universities Chance

ganymedes
Sun, 02 Jan 2011 10:38:33 +0000

So considering that the above comments are based off my courseload (which applies to junior and senior year as IBs are two years), my test scores, and my research, is it safe to say that my courseload and the accompanying GPA are the first two factors that universities will count in my favor?

There are mainly two things I am concerned about. First, MIT places a lot of emphasis on math and science, and aside from taking math at the higher level and competing in one or two test-based competitions, I really have no math awards to show… is this a detriment? Also, research is my largest, most involved “extracurricular”, per se. I play two instruments (for 11 years and 7 years) and have some minor awards, but nothing regional- or national- level.

I guess my other strong point would be student leadership; this is my second year as student council member and I’ve been nominated for some state level leadership conferences and such. How would this factor in to, say, a Cambridge or MIT application?