I have two different roads that I think will lead me to my goal, MIT and Caltech. In my money, they are like two big giants in the field of physics and engineering. The problem I am facing right now is to get acceptance letter from one of them. As everybody knows that the applicants must be academically near perfect to get this in a full ride. So, here comes my problem. I graduated from Myanmar government high school whose education system is not capable for anybody, including some of the renowned scientists, to get into MIT and Caltech. Therefore, I need additional time period to prepare myself in every aspects because the school has successfully wasted my 11 years.
I have two plans to make my dream come true.
PLAN 1
Apply Community College in Indianapolis where my uncle lives cuz my mother won’t let me live by myself in a diverse country like the USA ( Besides I have little courage to live alone. ) Then, kill SAT, IELTS and some AP exams to proof those institutions that I am above average boy.
PLAN 2
Go to Yangon, the capital. You may ask why. The reason is the mobile data, the connection, the Wi-Fi is slow because of our country political unrest. Only some majors city are safe to live till now. There, take SAT, IELTS and AP classes and pass the tests with flying colors. Then apply.
I know some people would say the academics not only important. You have to be a good in some other things too. I know that but I am good in a few extracurricular activities. So, what I need to be now is to be smart kid. Everyone is welcomed to give their opinions and hope you friends, teachers, counsellors and parents help me in my problems. Wish to have you a grate day. I know you guys will make my days. Thanks for reading this far.
Both MIT and Caltech are extremely hard to get into (and even more so for international students). Option 1 is not a good idea because these two schools take very few transfer students.
If you look at the
Passing these tests will not by themselves get you in to MIT or Caltech. Are you the top student in your country? Do you have very strong accomplishments in addition to your academics?
The more realistic option is to get your bachelor’s degree at a great school in your country, and then consider US colleges for your graduate degree.
In addition to acceptances being extremely low…single digits for international students…you haven’t mentioned affordability. Caltech is need aware for admissions meaning your level of need is considered when admissions are reviewed.
These tests are supposed to be taken by high school students, not students who have completed community college courses after high school graduation.
The school has not wasted your time. Completing this school should have shown you the value if an education, reason for good study skills, etc. NO SCHOOL guarantees acceptance to MIT or Caltech, and most people understand that.
I don’t want to be a Debbie downer, but in my opinion, your two plans are unrealistic and won’t get you to MIT or Caltech. Well at least these plans won’t guarantee you get accepted to Caltech or MIT. NO ONE regardless of how strong their preparation is can be guaranteed admission at these colleges. 95% or more get rejected. Sure, you can apply and see, but add me to the choir who thinks you need more realistic options.
Please look at your strengths and align your goals with realistic ways to achieve them.
Is there a country where you can attend 6th form college for ALevels (or equivalent)?
Are you in Standard X, XI, or XII? If Standard XI-XII, are you in the Science track? If A levels what subjects are tou taking ?
Based on your current schooling, would you be eligible for the best universities or courses? Outside of politically-charged classes, are you among the top students in your region?
If you only have 11 years of schooling, you wouldn’t be able to apply to a US college anyway - US students apply during their 13th year of school (or 14th year if they attended preschool). You’d need to attend a US HS (would you be able to, living with your relatives?) Or complete ALevels.
Or do you already have OLevels AND are preparing ALevels? If so, what scores/marks did you get?
For US readers: OP probably can’t attend university in her/his country. A few years ago there was a military coup. Many people, including university students and teachers, were arrested for being pro-democracy. The school system is very unstable and to make it worse the Army randomly massacres people in the countryside. School is only mandatory to age 9 though many children continue to age 13-14, but there’s a lot of corruption (pay for grades, for school admission) especially by officials. It’s already a feat that OP managed to find wifi and learn English.
There are MANY excellent universities in the US.
3,700 universities, with 400 or so really good. The scale is staggering compared to Myanmar, but the country has 50 states so you have to change your perspective and adjudt to the scale.
@drmrj.pkrl , what is your goal? If it’s to be a successful engineer, you don’t have to go to MIT or Caltech. Start where you are. It sounds as if you’re starting from a difficult place. That’s not your fault, but you have a better chance of reaching goals (having a satisfying career/life) by taking realistic steps.
We have a saying in English: “perfect is the enemy of good,” meaning that only accepting perfection (that is not going to happen) will result in nothing, but working steadily in a realistic way and being satisfied with something good can result in a better outcome. If it’s not possible to go to university in Myanmar then maybe living with your uncle in Indiana and going to community college for one or two years and transferring to a four-year college (if you do well in community college and are able to take out student loans) is a a good plan. There’s a university in Indiana that is well-known and well-respected for its engineering programs (Purdue University). Purdue is just a little more than an hour’s drive from Indianapolis.
This is a mistaken concept, that arises from low ceiling tests and grading, “academically near perfect” just means you hit that low ceiling. For many colleges, that’s good enough, but MIT and Caltech students have often demonstrated much higher levels, by various means, and foreign students might need to be at IMO medalist level. In fact, 100% of Myanmar IMO medalists have been accepted to MIT and Caltech.