I have a hearing impaired disability, and am a 9th grader at some random public schools.
However my g.p.a for my 1st semester was 4.34(weighted) by taking 1 ap, 3pre-ap, and 3 level classes. My grades may seem good, but my psat scores is average:163. I am a member of a swim team(non-varsity), boy scouts and Mu Alpha theta. I am planning to join chess club in 10th grade. My only accomplishment so far are 2nd place state math contest in 8th grade(which doesn’t help)
Will this able to help me get some chances to be admitted to mit(my dream school)?
Something that can help you greatly is to cease this “dream school” language. You couldn’t assemble a cogent reason why MIT is better or worse than 15 other colleges I were to give you. So why lock yourself into an “MIT or bust” mentality?
MIT : I get it. You’ve heard of it. So have others. It seems to be an icon, an ideal. Go for the best. But that’s so common!
There are amazing options for high achieving students. -it freaks me out when 14 year olds think that ONE university is the apex. In reality there are many.
Not many 9th graders are already thinking about college—good for you. I don’t think your hearing impairment would be a problem for MIT or many other universities. You are right that your PSAT is average, so why not take a prep class or do some studying when it comes time to take the PSAT “for real”? Getting specific strategies for taking the test, and practicing taking timed tests, will really help your confidence.
As you progress in your high school studies, try to challenge yourself with rigorous classes wherever you can. You don’t have to prove you’re good at everything—but there should be subjects you feel strong in.
Stay involved with school activities that you are passionate about, and . . . .MIT likes swimmers (have you ever heard of their pirate’s certificate, lol?). Good luck!
It should not impact admission decision one way or another. And relax, it is way too early to decide on a “dream school” – and in fact your wisest move would be to eventually seek out a group of schools you think you can be happy at rather than to pin your hopes on one hyper-competitive school.
Also check out Rochester Institute of Technology’s “National Technological Institute for the Deaf”.
Still apply for MIT as well, but have other options.
Also you are comparing 163 taken as a freshman to people who take it as a Junior.
Agree with the others that your disability won’t help or hurt you in the admissions process. And agree that you should not pin your dreams on any one school, especially such a competitive one – there are tons of fantastic colleges and universities out there.
Why don’t you do some reading in the MIT admissions blog? They give some good advice that will help you understand selective college admissions a little better. Start with this one. http://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/applying_sideways
Being hearing-impaired won’t hurt you. I know a guy who is hearing impaired and was fully able to get into the college he wanted to attend. Kudos for taking an AP in freshman year and planning now for down the road. Sure your PSAT is average but you’re also in 9th grade. You have plenty of time to get it up.
Regarding your hearing disability, you can certainly write an essay about it and how you have overcome it to become a strong student/___.