(UK) What are the GCSE levels requirements to apply for MIT?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the GCSE level requirements for applying to MIT from the UK, focusing on the expectations for grades, the competitiveness of admissions, and the motivations for aiming for such a prestigious institution. Participants share their personal academic situations and aspirations, while also considering the broader context of university admissions.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that while GCSEs may not be heavily scrutinized by MIT, achieving high grades, particularly A* in physics and maths, could be beneficial for coping with the university's demands.
  • Others argue that a B grade in physics would not disqualify an applicant, but they would need to compensate with other achievements, such as winning a science fair.
  • Several participants discuss the competitive nature of admissions at MIT, noting that top grades alone do not guarantee acceptance and that extracurricular achievements are also crucial.
  • There is a mention of the historical context of UK students being admitted to MIT, with only one or two students typically accepted each year.
  • Some participants express skepticism about the feasibility of gaining admission to MIT, suggesting that applicants should consider multiple universities rather than focusing solely on one institution.
  • Discussions also touch on the motivations for wanting to attend MIT, with some participants emphasizing the importance of aiming high while others caution about the realities of the admissions process.
  • Participants share their current academic standings and future aspirations, including specific subjects and predicted grades.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the importance of GCSE grades for MIT admissions, with differing views on how much weight these grades carry compared to other factors. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best approach to applying to top universities.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the lack of specific information on MIT's admissions criteria for international students and the varying interpretations of the significance of GCSE grades in the context of US university applications.

NiveKJ13
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(UK) What are the GCSE levels requirements to apply for MIT?

For UK guys only...

What are the GCSE levels requirements to apply for MIT?

for those who wants to anser..heres the GCSE leveling here in UK


A*
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
U

How many As do you think I'd need for GCSE? Dyou think it'd be OK if I get a B?
 
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It's likely that your GCSEs won't really be looked at when applying for university, especially somewhere other than the UK. However, you should be looking to obtain A* in at least physics and maths if you're going to have much chance of coping at MIT (or any other top university).
 


How old are you?

What grades did you get in which subjects?
 


MIT doesn't have cutoff points for tests or grades. If you get a B in the physics exam, MIT won't automatically disqualify you but you need to make up for it in another way to get in, for example if you won a science fair with a physics project.
 


calvinuk said:
How old are you?

What grades did you get in which subjects?

I'm 16 and I'm still in Year 11, which is like Senior Year in US, but not exactly, coz we still have to do 2 years of college then we can go to University when we're 18...

And, we haven't done our final exams yet, which is this May or so, that's why I'm asking so I can get a target grade for the exam...
 


NiveKJ13 said:
I'm 16 and I'm still in Year 11, which is like Senior Year in US, but not exactly, coz we still have to do 2 years of college then we can go to University when we're 18...

And, we haven't done our final exams yet, which is this May or so, that's why I'm asking so I can get a target grade for the exam...

No, it's not like senior year in america.

I'm in year 12, and senior year in america is equivalent to year 13.

What are you projected to get? And what subjects did you take?
 


Admissions at MIT (or any other top school) are *very* competitive. First thing to realize... top grades and top test scores will not get you in, but low grades or low test scores will keep you out. You need to do outstanding things outside of school as well.

How competitive, you ask? Take a look at http://web.mit.edu/registrar/www/stats/geofinal.html. Last year, there were *six* undergrads from the UK at MIT. Since an undergraduate education typically takes four years, this means they admit on average one or two students from the UK each year.
 
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calvinuk said:
What are you projected to get? And what subjects did you take?

Mostly As and Bs.

I have 9 subjects

English
Science
Maths
Religious Studies
PE

my choices:

Additional Science
Graphics
Art
Media

-I'm planning to study Architecture...
 


Out of curiosity, why are you so keen on MIT? Don't get me wrong It's a commendable ambition but you should also note that a school like that must have to turn down excellent candidates and you should keep your options open.
 
  • #10


jbunten said:
Out of curiosity, why are you so keen on MIT?

coz my mom is planning to move to Washington DC and work there; Actually, she can leave anytime now but she wants to wait for me till Uni, so that I can do it in America. and the closest top University in the area is MIT...

I'd say, when you reach something, why not reach to the highest?

Before when she haven't thought of moving there yet, I was planning to go Cambridge or Imperial, which are also top Univerities in UK. But in US, I can't go Harvard, possibly Yale, but Harvard's to high for me, I'd be dead LOL

btw, the As and Bs that I've said were just predictions...not final yet.
 
  • #11


NiveKJ13 said:
coz my mom is planning to move to Washington DC and work there; Actually, she can leave anytime now but she wants to wait for me till Uni, so that I can do it in America. and the closest top University in the area is MIT...

I'd say, when you reach something, why not reach to the highest?
Agreed, and If you feel that it is possible you should certainly aim for it. However keep in mind that there are many excellent universities in that area (some of the best in the world actually).

Anyway, although it is unlikely that your GCSEs will mater at all, entering MIT would I imagine be on the same level of difficulty as entering Cambridge, 9 straight A/A*s would be roughly what entrants tended to have.

Why do you imagine that Harvard would be impossible to get into but MIT not-so? Top universities are top universities..
 
  • #12


jbunten said:
Why do you imagine that Harvard would be impossible to get into but MIT not-so?

I know but in MIT, I know I'd have more chance of getting through. Let's admit it, Harvard is the #1 University worldwide...
 
  • #13


Is it now?
 
  • #14


NiveKJ13 said:
I know but in MIT, I know I'd have more chance of getting through. Let's admit it, Harvard is the #1 University worldwide...

You're just going on name recognition
 
  • #15


I'd compare entry to a top US college to a top UK uuniversity. Oxbridge require high marks in order just for you to qualify for concideration. This is AAA at A-level, they also look at GCSEs which are typically all A*/A. Still, even with these grades you need much more and doesn't even come close to guaranteeing entry.

In terms of a top US college, MIT, not only will it be extremely difficult for you to get in, but it will be very expensive and overall I think pretty unlikely and infeasible, especially if you are just a year 11 that has been watching Walter Lewin's physics lectures on YouTube.
 
  • #16


calvinuk said:
You're just going on name recognition


According to most university league tables Harvard is the top university worldwide.
 
  • #17


NiveKJ13 said:
I know but in MIT, I know I'd have more chance of getting through. Let's admit it, Harvard is the #1 University worldwide...

With all due respect, I don't think you have the perspective to make that judgment - you're a teenager 5000 miles away from either institution. That really doesn't give you the background, experience or depth to compare two programs, neither of which you have any experience with.

TMFKAN64 makes a very salient point. MIT historically takes one student per year from the UK. Sometimes two. Are you unmistakably the very best student in the entire UK? If the answer is "no", I would seriously recommend you apply to more than one place.
 
  • #18


Vanadium 50 said:
With all due respect, I don't think you have the perspective to make that judgment - you're a teenager 5000 miles away from either institution. That really doesn't give you the background, experience or depth to compare two programs, neither of which you have any experience with.

TMFKAN64 makes a very salient point. MIT historically takes one student per year from the UK. Sometimes two. Are you unmistakably the very best student in the entire UK? If the answer is "no", I would seriously recommend you apply to more than one place.

God, he's just aiming high, does he really expect to get into MIT? I would think no, he's just trying to find the ceiling.
 
  • #19


Vanadium 50 said:
MIT historically takes one student per year from the UK. Sometimes two. Are you unmistakably the very best student in the entire UK? If the answer is "no", I would seriously recommend you apply to more than one place.

Now hold on, I don't think that the best student in the UK necessarily goes to MIT ;)
 
  • #20


jbunten said:
Is it now?

As Gregg said, yes.
 
  • #21


Vanadium 50 said:
I would seriously recommend you apply to more than one place.

When did I say that I would only apply to MIT? We get 5 choices in UCAS, Of course I wouldn't only pick one...
 
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  • #22


Vanadium 50 said:
Are you unmistakably the very best student in the entire UK? If the answer is "no"

I know I'm not but I know that I have a chance. And if I am the "best", Why exactly would I apply to MIT if Oxbridge is just right there...
 
  • #23


calvinuk said:
God, he's just aiming high, does he really expect to get into MIT? I would think no, he's just trying to find the ceiling.

I don't get what you'r trying to say... I mean, is this suppose to be a sarcasm? that, I'm too imaginative to even think I'd be accepted in MIT?

Or is it a good thing? that, what you're trying to say is I'm reaching for the highest one that I could possibly reach(like the ceiling)?
 
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  • #24


NiveKJ13 said:
When did I say that I would only apply to MIT? We get 5 choices in UCAS, Of course I wouldn't only pick one...

You don't apply to US colleges through UCAS...
 
  • #25


NiveKJ13 said:
As Gregg said, yes.

Greg said no such thing, he said he'd compare any top US university to Oxbridge actually. Harvard may top league tables, and this one metric perhaps. But the question itself becomes meaningless at the level of university you're talking about. It's a bit like saying "Which is the better fruit, apples or strawberry?".

You're trying to compare things which aren't comparable.

Now I wouldn't worry too much about University for the time being, just concentrate on your GCSEs and good luck!.
 
  • #26
  • #27


jbunten said:
Now I wouldn't worry too much about University for the time being, just concentrate on your GCSEs and good luck!.

i agree with Mal4mac. Shouldn't I be worrying about it now, so that I'd have a lot to put in my portolio?
 
  • #28


NiveKJ13 said:
i agree with Mal4mac. Shouldn't I be worrying about it now, so that I'd have a lot to put in my portolio?

Well, I did say to concentrate on your GCSEs, 9A/A* is probably the best thing you can put in your portfolio..
 
  • #29


jbunten said:
9A/A* is probably the best thing you can put in your portfolio..

Yup, it IS the best thing XP

tnx for replyin to my questions by the way...
 
  • #30


Use your GCSEs to get onto some A level courses. Get predicted As in all of those, and then start thinking about which university to choose.
 

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