MIT Acceptance Despite no first rank

In summary, if you are a good student with good grades and good research experience, you have a good chance of being accepted into MIT.
  • #1
absurdist
67
0
Did any 1 get into grad school at MIT without being the first ranker at your school?
If yes what was it that made you stand out??
 
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  • #2
It depends on the field you're applying for and how much they need a certain type of grad student.

If you're in the U.S., you're much less likely to be accepted into a top school if you are applying as a theoretical science (or biology), simply because of competition overseas where they cannot afford the expensive laboratory equipment that we can. They simulate everything, so they will in all likeliness have much more experience than you.

On the other hand, you can differentiate yourself through experience from good research programs and letters of recommendation from reputable principal investigators (people in charge of research).

If a certain field does not have as much funding, such as various soft sciences, it is also less likely that the school will want/need you.

If you maintain above a 3.5-3.6 GPA, that should be a relative safe zone as far as immediate rejection goes from schools like MIT.

Try to network and work under at least 2 but preferably 3 different P.I.s, one being a professor at your school, and 2 at REUs.

GREs aren't too important, but you shouldn't tank it. Here's a point of comparison:

3.8 GPA
1380 GRE/5.0 Analytical writing (49th percentile Chem GRE lol)
No publications
Various Chemistry awards
1 Letter of recommendation from a German professor during a DAAD-RISE research experience
1 Letter of recommendation from an NAS member
1 Letter of recommendation from school professor who is a Harvard PhD alumni

And this student was accepted into Harvard grad school for Chemical Physics (along with MIT, Stanford, and Caltech).

He's a very sociable and friendly guy, but he calls himself a moron albeit being accepted into almost all of the top 5 schools. I don't think he was anywhere near being the top ranker at his school (UCI).

As he's told me, most of your competition will be partying on the weekends. That's when you need to be studying.
 
  • #3
There was a guy from my school last year who got into the comp sci PhD at MIT. I have no idea what his class rank was (I'm not even sure if my school does class rankings...I've never seen them), but he was a fantastic student. He was a double major and I have to imagine he was the best student in his year in both depts. He did honors and everything.
 
  • #4
I know two people who were accepted to MIT who both go to the same school. They are not both number one in the class => you can be accepted without being number one.
 
  • #5


There are many factors that contribute to an individual's acceptance into graduate school at MIT, and being the first ranker at their school is just one of them. It is certainly possible for someone to be accepted into MIT without being the first ranker at their school. Admissions decisions at MIT are based on a holistic review of an applicant's academic achievements, research experience, letters of recommendation, personal statement, and other factors that demonstrate their potential for success in graduate studies. It is important to keep in mind that being the first ranker at a school does not guarantee admission into a highly competitive program like MIT, and conversely, not being the first ranker does not necessarily mean an applicant will not be accepted. Each applicant's unique strengths and qualifications are taken into consideration during the admissions process. Therefore, it is not a specific factor that makes an applicant stand out, but rather a combination of their overall profile and potential for success at MIT.
 

1. How does MIT decide who to accept, if not solely based on first rank?

MIT has a holistic admissions process, meaning they consider various factors such as academic achievements, extracurricular activities, essays, letters of recommendation, and personal qualities. While having a high first rank is certainly impressive, it is not the only factor that MIT takes into consideration when evaluating applicants.

2. Is it possible to get accepted into MIT without being first in my class?

Absolutely. While having a high first rank can certainly strengthen your application, it is not a requirement for acceptance. As mentioned before, MIT looks at various aspects of an applicant's profile, and a strong academic record combined with other impressive achievements can make you a competitive candidate for acceptance.

3. Will not being first in my class automatically disqualify me from getting into MIT?

No, it will not. MIT understands that every student's journey is unique and that there are many factors that can affect one's academic performance. As long as you have a strong overall profile and meet the other requirements, not being first in your class will not automatically disqualify you from acceptance.

4. How can I stand out to MIT if I'm not first in my class?

While being first in your class can certainly make you stand out, there are other ways to impress MIT. Focus on excelling in your chosen field of interest, participate in extracurricular activities that align with your passions, and write compelling essays that showcase your unique qualities and experiences. Additionally, strong letters of recommendation from teachers, mentors, or employers can also make you stand out to admissions committees.

5. Are there any successful MIT graduates who were not first in their class?

Yes, there are numerous successful MIT graduates who were not first in their class. In fact, many of them have gone on to become leaders in their fields and have made significant contributions to society. MIT values a diverse student body and recognizes that success comes in many forms, so not being first in your class does not determine your potential for success at MIT or beyond.

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