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Synchrotron
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What are the requirements for entry as a freshman at say, MIT? (Studying physics of course). I've heard its highly competitive... All and any help would be greatly appreciated!
xmavidis said:So you need extracurricular stuff also for the graduate programs or research experience, top GPA and good GRE scores are enough?
FirstYearGrad said:Judging by your responses in this thread, you have no hope of going up against the best of the best in a test of math/science ability. Your best bet is to fill some niche position in their incoming class as the admissions folks are much easier on people with rather rare talents (at least by a technical school's standards). You might play in your city's orchestra in your spare time, for example.
Synchrotron said:From what I gather, the money shouldn't be a problem though, (IF by some miracle I get in) because (correct me if I'm wrong, but I think this applies to international students as well) MIT waives the fee if your families net income is less than $75 000 p.a.
FirstYearGrad said:Judging by your responses in this thread, you have no hope of going up against the best of the best in a test of math/science ability.
jtbell said:Selecting students isn't simply a matter of ranking test scores or high-school grades. Athletics is the most visible factor, but other non-academic factors can make a difference as well.
jtbell said:So if you're good at an uncommon instrument like the contrabassoon, that might be a plus factor.
Vanadium 50 said:Two and two continue to make four, in spite of the whine of the amateur for three and the cry of the critic for five.
Synchrotron said:Re: the "Special and precious flower" (lol) theme that many have mentioned: Hopefully my personality will help me.
Synchrotron said:MIT has an orchestra? Wow.
TMFKAN64 said:No insult to your personality intended, but don't you think that *everyone* applying to a top university is passionate about their intended career choice?
TMFKAN64 said:The contrabassoon example is a good one... you really *do* need something like that that will make you stand out from the pack of students with straight A's and perfect test scores.
Synchrotron said:Yeah, I was afraid of that... Statistically, MIT recruits about 0.5 South Africans yearly, so the odds are not looking good...
help!
TMFKAN64 said:I don't think that learning to juggle this summer will help much...
Ivilean said:It seems as if MIT doesn't have much annual quota for South Africa.
Ivilean said:It is basically you versus everyone else in your country that apply.
Ivilean said:Since they usually take only one or two applicants, they simply pick those schools that either sent students here in the past or are at the very top of the country. At my university, the list of admitted international (I worked past time at the admission office) has the same high schools year after year.
Synchrotron said:Also (clutching at straws here), the fact that so SA applicants get in probably means that US universities will have very little data on previously successful schools, and will therefore not consider it important. I don't know...