Q&A for How to Get Into MIT

No. MIT wants you to take the most challenging courses possible at your level. If there are none, they will look at the rest of your application.

Complete all four years. MIT is looking at grades, SAT scores and extra classes, so it is nearly vital to complete all four years - even if you're just doing the minimum.

There are other factors, such as your grades in high school, how advanced the classes you took were (e.g., Honors, AP), AP test scores, extracurricular activities, any other special accomplishments you might have, your application essays, and your teacher recommendation letters.

IPO medals and other academic honors are one thing the admissions committee looks at, however, a medal only shows so much about you as a student/person. Be sure you can articulate what that medal represents to you. Also, financial aid is need-based; it is not related to any extracurricular achievements.

No, you definitely shouldn't since that depicts you as a rule breaker and a criminal. Remember, first impressions are key.

Sure. It is understood that applicants come from schools with different grading systems. As long as you're taking the most advanced classes available to you and getting good grades.

MIT looks for well-rounded applicants. While you should certainly work as hard as possible to increase your GPA, you should also participate in extracurricular activities, volunteer and build your resume outside of school to be an attractive applicant.

AP Physics C and AP Calculus BC are good ones to aim for in your last year of high school, if they're available at your school (otherwise, you could take physics and/or calculus over the summer at a community college). Until then, take the most advanced math and physics courses you can.

Not at all! MIT will not reject your application just because you have ADHD or depression. ADHD can distract you from studying, and depression can cause you to lose motivation, however. Luckily, these are temporary issues that, with enough determination and hard work, you can overcome!

You can easily convert your grade percentage into the point system. Some institutions may even do that work for you.

It shouldn't, as long as you gain some valuable skills or experiences during that time and are able to spin it in a positive way.

Yes, that will help. Your middle school grades matter, but your high school grade matter the most. So if you were average in middle school that is okay. Just do great in high school.

Yes. For MIT, you have to take weighted courses during high school and get at least a 4.13 GPA on them. Also, your SAT scores should be an average of 2220. For the 75% chance, your SAT score should 2350. Your ACT scores should be 34 to 36.

If you're talking about getting admitted to a graduate program at MIT, sure. When you apply to graduate school, they only care about your college grades, not your high school grades. The same mostly applies if you want to transfer from another college to MIT in the middle of your college studies.

Do very well in your science and math classes, score high on your standardized tests, and have science or math based extracurriculars.

Compulsory 97 percent and 2400/2400 in your SAT exam, and very well in your ACT exam will give you a chance of getting in.

Complete some of the things on this list! Try to attend as many extracurricular activities or courses as you can, get the best grades possible, and show your teachers that you stand out. You could also try finding some kind of outside internship or volunteer position that might relate to what you want to study at MIT.

Yes. However, on your application MIT offers a space to fill with whatever you feel is important. They have said that that would be where you would want to say what you did with your gap year. They are looking for students who did more than just sit at home. Show initiative.

It works the same way. But in MIT, only 4% of students are international, so your application has to really stand out.

M.I.T. accepts all students of different backgrounds. Study hard, and you should be fine.

If you are taking the harder level course in your school, colleges will be happy. Colleges will also see that your school does not offer weight classes and will consider that.

Sure it's possible. You should apply.

Your scores or transcripts, standardized test scores (New SAT, SAT Math Level 2, SAT Physics Level 2, or any of your choice), recommendations, extra-curricular activities, portfolio.

Yes. Although taking the SAT and ACT will help, MIT will see you can only take the SAT in your area, so not taking the ACT shouldn't penalize you.

Get your GPA up as high as you can.

Follow the instructions listed in the article above.

You could. However, MIT looks for well-rounded students, so you would probably have a lower chance of being accepted.

Being eligible means that you meet the bare minimum requirements for applying to a school. Most colleges want either a high school diploma or a GED, but MIT does not require it. Understand that eligibility does not equal acceptability.

It depends upon what other credits you already have. You have to have a certain number of credits to get out of school. Check with your counselor. Getting through school earlier will probably not help, however.

Yes, it does. Any activities or clubs count as extracurricular activities.