<p>Definitely, most MIT applicants have really strong maths and science background.
However, how well you are doing in maths could catch AO’s eyes?</p>
<p>First I want to say, I’m an international female student from China. I came to American in last September, which means I’ve been here for like a year.</p>
<p>Here’s my major maths achievements:</p>
<p>USAMO qualifier junior year (I’m currently a junior), even though did horrible in USAMO
99 in AMC 12 (not a really good grade, but at least passed AMC)
9 in AIME (looks good)
PROMYS last summer (will return this summer)
Eastern Mass ARML
only junior who’s taking Calculus BC in my high school (Normally, my school, a public high school doesn’t allow juniors to take AP Calculus)
Mandelbrot Leaderboard (actually 28th in maple region)
attended numerous local maths competitions
Beyond and Above Award for Maths team (an award from activity award nigh, kinda means that I’m the most active and academic student in maths team)
will be math team captain next year</p>
<p>I do have some awards for Science, but they are not really significant.
Also, since I want to major in Mathematics related subject, I guess my math background will be more important.</p>
<p>MIT accepts around 15 international students from China each year, so it is a very competitive process. Just keep working on your passions and let it shine through in your essays. You don’t have to be an IMO Gold Medalist to get into MIT, but you do need to show your commitment to math & science.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t necessarily focus on demonstrating “commitment to math & sciences” because MIT does allow you to be completely undecided in terms of academic focus for one year. And it’s COMPLETELY fine for someone who indicates interest in, say, chemistry to end up majoring in political science or management once they are at MIT.</p>
<p>In my opinion, showing that you are interesting AND interested is far more important. Spend enough time on your essays so the admission officers can get to know you as a PERSON, besides all those numbers and awards. </p>
<p>Lastly, this is a newly started blog specifically designed to entertain, encourage, and (hopefully) enlighten int’l applicants interested in MIT: [-An</a> Overly Excited MIT Student’s Random Thoughts-](<a href=“http://wsjeffchen.blogspot.com/]-An”>http://wsjeffchen.blogspot.com/)
Stay tuned if you’d like. Also feel free to ask any application-related questions below the blog entry (preferred than on here), and I’ll get to them as soon as possible.</p>
<p>@JeffAtMIT: Is that your blog? Looks really cool!
It seems you are from Taiwan, right? R u international student or immigrant here?</p>
<p>Very nice to know you here !</p>