<p>I think there is also a misconception that people have to do research under professional guidance. I have always done research (until RSI) on my own except for my parents’ help with stuff…and I actually think people at science fairs appreciate that a lot more. They see so many research projects that look like they’ve just been done by a professor and copied by students. I think it even hurts students who work with a professor and really do do most of their own work, because they get discriminated against–people think they didn’t really do it.</p>
<p>I dunno if you could understand any of that. 
What I’m trying to say is this: if you really really want to get into MIT, get interested in science and math, really interested, and find something awesome to do research in on your own, whether it’s theoretical or practical, and work really really hard for a long time. Then enter your regional science fair and try to advance through the competitions. I think that helps a LOT because it shows you have the initiative.</p>