Insights for getting into MIT?

Hey, guys! MIT is my dream school. Can anyone share their experiences or insights on how to get into MIT? What do they value in applicants? Any advice would be great!

Hello! It's awesome to see you setting high goals for yourself. MIT is certainly a dream school for many students interested in science and engineering.

Firstly, MIT is looking for applicants who are academically excellent. You should strive for top grades in the most challenging curriculum your school offers. Such a curriculum will typically include a range of Honors, AP, or IB coursework in the STEM fields, though humanities and social sciences are also important.

One key aspect of MIT is their emphasis on problem-solving. They admire students who can think critically to develop innovative solutions for complex problems. So, the more you can showcase those abilities, in your STEM and humanities classes alike, the better.

Secondly, like many selective schools, MIT uses the tiered system of extracurricular achievements. You're more likely to stand out if you can showcase Tier 1 or Tier 2 activities, which are particularly high-level accomplishments. For a breakdown of how extracurricular tiers work, and how to classify your own involvements, check out this blog post from CollegeVine: https://blog.collegevine.com/breaking-down-the-4-tiers-of-extracurricular-activities

Note that your extracurricular involvements can go beyond STEM; they could be anything which showcases your commitment, leadership, talent, or innovation. Conducting independent research, competing in math or science Olympiads at the national or international level, securing patents for original inventions, or leading a STEM-related NGO could be amongst the Tier 1 or Tier 2 extracurriculars, but spearheading a beach cleanup in your neighborhood, hosting your own podcast, or having a piece of creative writing published could also count.

In terms of testing, MIT is once again requiring SAT or ACT scores for all applicants. You should aim for the highest possible score on one of these standardized tests as well - ideally above a 1500 on the SAT, or a 34 on the ACT.

Essays also have a significant role in the evaluation process. MIT's prompts tend to inquire about your approach to problem-solving, way of dealing with challenges, and curiosity about the world around you. The trick is to convey your personality and intellectual vitality through these essays. Avoid common essay tropes and focus more on unique aspects of your life, projects you have worked on, or challenges that you've overcome. Being authentic goes a long way.

For detailed guidance on how to tackle MIT's current essay prompts, check out this blog post from CollegeVine: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-mit-application-essays

Lastly, MIT doesn't consider demonstrated interest, so you can't directly boost your chances through campus visits or attending online info sessions. But you can use these opportunities to learn as much as you can about the school and then reflect in your application why MIT's philosophy, culture, or specific programs align with your academic and career goals.

If you want to know how your application as a whole stacks up at MIT, I'd check out CollegeVine's free chancing engine, which accounts for all quantifiable elements of your application, including GPA, course rigor, test scores, and extracurriculars to give you personalized odds of acceptance at MIT and hundreds of other colleges: https://www.collegevine.com/admissions-calculator

This tool will also give you suggestions on how to improve your chances, for example by raising your GPA slightly or earning a leadership position in one of your extracurriculars. Hope this overview is a good starting point for you, and best of luck!