What can I improve to get into MIT and other T20s for physics?

Applying to College
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Demographics: female, white, west coast (not California), no hooks, school sucks

Intended Major: Nuclear physics, maybe minor in piano

Academics:

GPA: 4.00 UW / 4.3 W
SAT: taking this August
APs: Stats (4), Calc BC (5), APUSH (5), Physics 1 (5), planning to take 9-11 total by the end of HS
ECs:

Independent astrophysics research, presented at ISEF, currently trying to publish in a high school research journal
NASA citizen science volunteering: classify astronomical objects, contribute to various projects
NASA SEES internship: presenting research at the American Geophysical Union
Nuclear fusion research for next year ISEF (currently independent, trying to find a mentor)
Science museum camp counselor summer job and volunteering during the year
State university math circle: solve/discuss advanced topics in number theory, combinatorics, graph theory, etc
Starting a research club at my school this year
Piano: about 11 hours per week, advanced repertoire and competitions, hoping to enter some national-level ones this year
Accompany school choir (this year I will play in the jazz combo for the jazz choir)
Chamber music: chamber workshop, play for recitals, competition, sometimes get paid
Awards:

ISEF finalist
Various state/regional science fair awards
Various state/regional piano and chamber music awards
Notes: Advanced math. Did Calc BC and Stats in freshman year, linear algebra and multi in sophomore year, planning to take diff eq and proofs this year.

I’m a rising junior btw so if anyone has tips on what I can improve/add over the next year pls lmk. Thanks!

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Have you read this yet? Applying Sideways | MIT Admissions

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A great test, essays, LORs etc but for anyone it’s a brutally tough get.

You might look at RPI as a fallback to complement with MIT in a strong 1-2 admissions punch.

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Yes, a few times, thanks. I think it’s great for general advice, and I have tried to follow its message by pursuing things I genuinely find enjoyable, but at this stage, I’m trying to focus more on concrete steps that could maximize my chances and take my application to the next level.

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Thanks for the advice! I have a solid list of safeties and targets, so I won’t be too devastated if I don’t get into MIT. That said, I’m doing everything I can to boost my application.

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Academically you are on track. Make sure you are well prepared for the SAT. It will help if the EC’s you pursue and get recognition for are in STEM related areas. It looks like you are on a good track there as well. There are no magic bullets.

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While you are at it, make sure your HS curriculum shows rigor across the board. It’s great to be strong in STEM, but sometimes spiky STEM kids neglect some curriculum areas.

This may be helpful: FAQ: High School College Prep Base Curriculum

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In my experience, many people basically skip over the part of the MIT Applying Sideways advice about being genuinely nice, the sort of person who really is kind and supportive of others around them in a consistent way.

That is good advice in general for holistic review colleges, and yet at least online, so many kids and parents seem to struggle with taking it as seriously as the other parts of holistic review. But that is why it could actually make a difference: if so few otherwise highly qualified applicants really take it seriously, then you can be one of those few if you do.

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I remember very well what I did to get into MIT: Nothing (other than fill in the application form). Do what is right for you, and whatever you do, do it well.

I think that you might want to be cautious about doing too much, and jumping ahead too quickly in classes. “Do it well” is important. “Jump ahead” is not. You also do not need to pile up too many AP classes. This is not a contest to get the longest list of either ECs or APs. Pace yourself and find time to have a life.

And I very much like the Applying Sideways blog that @BKSquared already referenced. I think that this is the right approach for pretty much any student who is intending to apply to pretty much any highly ranked university.

To me you look driven enough that graduate school is a possibility. If you do eventually get accepted to a highly ranked graduate program, you will find that the other students in the same program came from a huge range of undergraduate schools, and many got their bachelor’s degree from their in-state public universities.

Also mathematics is very important for someone who wants to major in physics. I was a math major in university, However, I did not decide to go with math until after completing two years of physics (through special relativity and quantum physics). Quantum physics was the course that convinced me that math was the better choice for me. Then my first job was at a cyclotron. There is a lot of math in figuring out how to align the beam on a cyclotron, or on figuring out why we are losing electrons that were last known to be moving at relativistic speeds in a strong magnetic field. You will want to have a solid foundation in math, although it appears that you are already there.

There is a strong overlap between people who are good at music, math, physics, and engineering. I have worked in high tech my entire career, and have multiple times been at a music event and seen someone I know from work go up on stage and play (and generally play very well). At some point academics might get to the point that you need to neglect your music for a while. It will still be there when you have time to get back to it.

MIT is a lot of work. Before committing yourself to go there, make sure that you want to work that hard for 4 years without a let up. However, this also seems compatible with what you are already doing.

Make sure that you apply to safeties, that you like your safeties, and that they really are safeties. Keep your budget in mind. Best wishes.

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Look at f=ma or USAAO. Next year apply to YSPA, RSI, UCSC SIP, Ason Clark, NASA high school programs, etc. You might also do well on the USAMTS.

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apply to the Summer MITES program: