What Does MIT Look For in Accepting Students?

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MIT looks for students who demonstrate exceptional academic performance, particularly in challenging courses, but being in the highest math class is not the sole determinant of admission. A strong GPA, like a 4.2 weighted, is important, but applicants must also showcase unique extracurricular achievements to stand out. High rankings in competitions such as the AIME or Intel Science Fair can significantly enhance an application. The admissions process is highly competitive, and candidates should focus on distinguishing themselves through their passions and accomplishments. Overall, MIT seeks well-rounded individuals who not only excel academically but also contribute meaningfully to their communities.
Imparcticle
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What does MIT look for in picking out the lucky few who get to attend the school?

IN PARTICULAR, does MIT care if you're in the second to the highest math class that your high school offers?
If I'm not in the highest math class, it'll affect whether or not I get a full IB diploma... :cry: :cry: Would that deter my chances of getting into MIT?
Even if I have a good GPA (mine: 4.2, weighted)? :frown:
 
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Imparcticle said:
What does MIT look for in picking out the lucky few who get to attend the school?

IN PARTICULAR, does MIT care if you're in the second to the highest math class that your high school offers?
If I'm not in the highest math class, it'll affect whether or not I get a full IB diploma... :cry: :cry: Would that deter my chances of getting into MIT?
Even if I have a good GPA (mine: 4.2, weighted)? :frown:

A somewhat.. absurd question..

Don't be suprised if the people who are interviewing for MIT have full top grades. Therefore, you have to show them that you're different from the others in such a manner that they will consider you.

What this is, i leave you to it, because it seems that your only interested getting into university and going *whew* after getting in.
 
I hear you have to capture bin laden and solve Riemann’s hypothesis to get in.













Yeah that was bad. I'm bitter, bored, depressed, and sad so whatever. :p
 
There needs to be a sticky about getting into MIT/Caltech/etc. Have something funny like "If you have to ask, you can't get in" because its kinda true. People who set themselves apart from the crowd obviously know why they are doing that and understand what MIT wants.
 
To get into MIT, I think you pretty much have to have extraordinary extracurricular activities - things like placing high in AIME (American Invitational Mathematics Examination), International Science Fair, being a finalist in Intel Science Fair ) IN ADDITION to exceptional GPA/SAT scores, and a good interview. At least tha tworked for my brother - though that was 12 years ago so maybe the competition is stiffer now.
 
Pengwuino said:
There needs to be a sticky about getting into MIT/Caltech/etc. Have something funny like "If you have to ask, you can't get in" because its kinda true. People who set themselves apart from the crowd obviously know why they are doing that and understand what MIT wants.

indeed. For such people, it should be natural instinct to know what THEY want, with wisdom and knowledge.
 

Thread 'Self Learning Math/Physics'

Hey, I am Andreas from Germany. I am currently 35 years old and I want to relearn math and physics. This is not one of these regular questions when it comes to this matter. So... I am very realistic about it. I know that there are severe contraints when it comes to selfstudy compared to a regular school and/or university (structure, peers, teachers, learning groups, tests, access to papers and so on) . I will never get a job in this field and I will never be taken serious by "real"...
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Thread 'What should I do if I found a paper with same result as mine?'

Yesterday, 9/5/2025, when I was surfing, I found an article The Schwarzschild solution contains three problems, which can be easily solved - Journal of King Saud University - Science ABUNDANCE ESTIMATION IN AN ARID ENVIRONMENT https://jksus.org/the-schwarzschild-solution-contains-three-problems-which-can-be-easily-solved/ that has the derivation of a line element as a corrected version of the Schwarzschild solution to Einstein’s field equation. This article's date received is 2022-11-15...
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