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Advice on how to get into my college of choice.......

S

stevens

Senior member
Hello i am a sophmore in highschool. I have a really good friend(he is a senior) that is early applying to MIT, and i have decided that i really want to go there or Cal Tech. I make pretty good grades (we dont use the gpa system but my average is for all my classes fluctuates bt like 90 and 95) and i am very active in sports (been playing two varsity sports since 8th grade). I am sorta active in service and when i took the psat in 7th grade i got a 1200. I need some advice on how i can get into either one of those schools. All that i really want to do for a living is engineering because enjoy engineering related things. What else should i do to better my chances to get into one of these schools? What kinda sat scores do they look for? Would they care that i build computers and install all sorts of things in cars?
 
before you think about engineering i would see how you do in calculus and physics

i am a senior in high school right now and i am taking both of those classes at the college level, and they are no walk in the park.

if you really want to get into a good college, you need to do other thing besides just making good grades and sports. you have to be active in clubs, and you cant just be a peon, you have to earn ranks. you need to be part of the NHS club.

and no they probably wont care that you can work on cars, but it would be a good thing to put down as a hobby.

you need to make 1450-1500 on the SAT and a 32 or higher would be good on the ACT

 
You are a sophmore, you have 3 more years to go before college. You have a lot to experience... .relax for now. do some drugs, a lot of drinking, THEN make your choice.

Oh yah, dont set your dream schools until you have visited them and you know you have the grades to get in. My GPA dropped ~.7 from sophmore-junior year... it happens to the best of us.

Spac3d
 
If you're interested in Computer Engineer, RIT has the #2 undergraduate program in the US.

Most colleges look at SAT scores last. Class rank is a big determination, especially when it comes to receiving academic scholarships from your school.
 
I've heard of people having 96 averages (all honors and AP classes) and high 1400s on their SATs and still being rejected to MIT...
 
Well, freshman here at MIT this year 🙂 I don't know if this will help, but here are my "statistics"
1540 SAT I, 800 SAT II Math, 800 SAT II Chemistry, 760 SAT II Writing, Class rank was 4 (my school was very competitive), played lacrosse since 8th grade, a few leadership positions, numerous math awards on the state level, no community service (I need to help myself 😉, and others...
If you have the grades, etc, then just be yourself. Be honest in your essays and sound human. Do well in the interviews, go have fun. Even with all that, don't be too disappointed if you still don't get in. MIT doesn't like to take too many people from the same school, 3 in my class were accepted although I know of at least 3 others are are "qualitified" to be here. Just try your best, and I know that might sound stupid, but it's what you gotta do. Hope that helps 🙂 Good luck in your application and maybe I'll see you as a freshman when I'm a senior 😉
 
Damn Einz you're a fvcking genious!

I'm a senior now... and I wish I would have not slacked off in HS. My GPA is killing me right now
 
Originally posted by: Stealth1024
If you're interested in Computer Engineer, RIT has the #2 undergraduate program in the US.

Most colleges look at SAT scores last. Class rank is a big determination, especially when it comes to receiving academic scholarships from your school.
Click to expand...

Aren't we oversimplifying a little bit? #2 in the nation? Please....

"Weighing in as a leader in the 2003 U.S. News survey, RIT ranked sixth overall in the Best Universities-Master?s (by region) category, and second in academic reputation.

In addition, RIT tied for sixth in the nation among top engineering departments whose highest degree is a bachelor?s or a master?s "
 
Originally posted by: stevens
Hello i am a sophmore in highschool. I have a really good friend(he is a senior) that is early applying to MIT, and i have decided that i really want to go there or Cal Tech. I make pretty good grades (we dont use the gpa system but my average is for all my classes fluctuates bt like 90 and 95) and i am very active in sports (been playing two varsity sports since 8th grade). I am sorta active in service and when i took the psat in 7th grade i got a 1200. I need some advice on how i can get into either one of those schools. All that i really want to do for a living is engineering because enjoy engineering related things. What else should i do to better my chances to get into one of these schools? What kinda sat scores do they look for? Would they care that i build computers and install all sorts of things in cars?
Click to expand...

1) Maintain a good GPA. Without this, you're not in the running.
2) Maintain a good GPA in the courses that are applicable to your major. If you get straight As in English and Bs in math and science, you may want to rethink your desired major.
3) Have a good list of extracurricular activities. Ones which demonstrate leadership, initiative, or applicability in your desired field of study are especially useful.
4) Don't slack in course selection. Take honors and AP courses wherever available. Yes, even the English composition and literature ones.
 
RIT, MIT, CalTech, Carnegie Mellon - What do these schools all have in common? That awful 10-1 (or is it 100:1) M/F ratio 🙂
 
Originally posted by: xuanman
RIT, MIT, CalTech, Carnegie Mellon - What do these schools all have in common? That awful 10-1 (or is it 100:1) M/F ratio 🙂
Click to expand...

Actually it's closer to 60% men 40% women at MIT. It used to be ranked as a 'party school' before a guy died from alchohol poisoning and the administration / police cracked down on all the open bar parties.

A good interview, strong teacher reccomendations, and well written essays can make a big difference. Also, if you don't get accepted but do get wait listed, being persistent helps. A friend of mine who just graduated last spring had around 1200 SATs and she was waitlisted, but she kept the lines of communication open and made a good case for herself and got in. She had no trouble graduating in 4 years and getting a good job.

MIT admissions looks for brains of course, but they also look for people who will add to the community and who have the intangible qualities that will allow you to be successful in a stressful and highly competitive environment. I've seen plenty of valedictorians fail their freshman classes.

Cal Tech by reputation requires 1500+ SATs, social skills being optional. My opinion is that Cal Tech is a much better choice for grad school than undergrad, however.
 
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