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To MIT!

D

djzmo

Bluelighter
Joined
Mar 9, 2008
Messages
139
So fuck it, I want to get in MIT to study chemistry, yes, to MIT. I'm 20 years old, at the middle of a career which is cool but doesn't challenges me at all, used to have a really high IQ when I was younger but I think that I've dropped a few points because of my marihuana usage, anyways I don't smoke anymore, got my dad's support on this one (he is a science lover and always wanted to study outside a 3rd world country) and I'm finding a tutor to get me up to date with math & chem. Anyone got any advice for a peruvian trying to get into MIT? :)
 
Man MIT is one of the most exclusive schools in this country. You gotta be a smart mother fucker. They have an extensive process to get considered let alone accepted. I hope you have the work ethic of a slave man cause thats the only thing gonna help you at MIT. Its a lot of work good luck brother.
 
Have you done any community college? I'm not sure what the process of getting into MIT is but I imagine that's where you would start.

Why MIT? MIT might not even be the best school for chemistry. Also why chemistry? Why not molecular biology, bio-informatics, etc...?
 
I know MIT is one of the most exclusive schools, thats why I wanna get in. If by smart you where talking IQ wise, when I was 13 I used to have a 133 IQ (real test with psychologists, not internet ones where I got from 120-190), but as I said right now it may be a little lower. My work habits aren't top shelve, but I'm willing to bust my ass for this and with pot gone it's getting easier each day.

To yougene, I like chemistry for a career and surprisingly, biology was also in consideration (neurobiology being the branch which interests me). Also, I haven't done any community college, but I'm at the university in here, doing my 6th semester (guess this would be like junior year at college).

By the way, is there any chance someone from here actually got into MIT? If so, could you tell your story? Still, good replies, I need all the info I could gather to start this process.
 
I dont have any personal experience but only one kid out of my high school's current graduating class got into MIT. My high school, while being public, is pretty prestigious and we have an excellent reputation. This kid scored a 2350 on his SAT and had a high 4.6-5.0 GPA. Plus he played football and did everything he could.

Granted not all this is required but its just an example. MIT is an extremely prestigious university and you've really got to give it your all and try your very very best to make it there. Not trying to discourage you or anything but just showing that it is very difficult.

I wish you the best of luck man!
 
If the main reason you want to go to MIT, a $60,000 per year school, is because it's prestigious, perhaps you need to re-evaluate your priorities. You will not receive a significantly better undergraduate education at MIT (especially in chemistry) than you would at a state college. You might think it would sound cool to tell people that you go to MIT, or have a degree from MIT, but you have to realize that it isn't a good reason to work towards something.

I live very close to MIT, and many of the students that go there are not happy. There are obviously brilliant students who attend the school, but many are simply privileged and not very well rounded or particularly interesting people. A degree from MIT will not guarantee success, all it will guarantee is a large amount of debt.
 
I must disagree with you. A degree from MIT carries much more value than a degree at a community college when you are out job seeking. Although it's no guarantee for success, it is most certainly an advantage.

Transcendence said:
If the main reason you want to go to MIT, a $60,000 per year school, is because it's prestigious, perhaps you need to re-evaluate your priorities. You will not receive a significantly better undergraduate education at MIT (especially in chemistry) than you would at a state college. You might think it would sound cool to tell people that you go to MIT, or have a degree from MIT, but you have to realize that it isn't a good reason to work towards something.

I live very close to MIT, and many of the students that go there are not happy. There are obviously brilliant students who attend the school, but many are simply privileged and not very well rounded or particularly interesting people. A degree from MIT will not guarantee success, all it will guarantee is a large amount of debt.
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djzmo said:
I know MIT is one of the most exclusive schools, thats why I wanna get in. If by smart you where talking IQ wise, when I was 13 I used to have a 133 IQ (real test with psychologists, not internet ones where I got from 120-190), but as I said right now it may be a little lower. My work habits aren't top shelve, but I'm willing to bust my ass for this and with pot gone it's getting easier each day.

To yougene, I like chemistry for a career and surprisingly, biology was also in consideration (neurobiology being the branch which interests me). Also, I haven't done any community college, but I'm at the university in here, doing my 6th semester (guess this would be like junior year at college).

By the way, is there any chance someone from here actually got into MIT? If so, could you tell your story? Still, good replies, I need all the info I could gather to start this process.
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I know of people from outta the US who got into exclusive schools in the US.

My psychiatrist is from Ukraine and did his PhD there, then did his med school at University of Chicago Med School, which is like the top 5 med schools in US.
He has a heavy accent in English.

Lots of foregin doctors I have visited have gone from outta the US into an exclusive school.

Just kick ass in your classes. Show your professors that you are one of the smartes, hardest working people they have ever met.

Apply now or once you are done with your Bachelor degree. It's the first degree you get here in the US, a 4 year degree, right before a Master's.

If you have GRE score in the top 1% and did superior school work in college u might get a chance.

They want people that will add value to their team. If you want to do PhD in chemistry, they want someone on their level.

How about looking on the MIT website, locating professors or anyone that goes there and asking them through e-mail.
 
You do not need the work ethic of a slave to succeed at MIT. You need to be smart to pass exams, but there is TONS of cheating there in terms of homework, papers, etc. No one really cares, cheating is practically the norm; when you get a bunch of smart people together at a place that everyone reveres for being 'that place where really smart people go,' everyone feels entitled to their degree (and a high GPA) - they shouldn't have to DO the work because they and the world know they're smart enough TO do it. I say this as a graduate of a super-prestigious magnet high school where this exact thing happened and as a good friend of several current students at MIT, who assure me it's the same damn thing there.

Slightly off topic but my 2 cents
 
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One of my family members went to MIT, and got a job he could have got if he went to arizona state. For chemistry, I'd recommend you go to UCLA. I'm a bit biased though.
 
SpelunkingTheMind said:
You do not need the work ethic of a slave to succeed at MIT. You need to be smart to pass exams, but there is TONS of cheating there in terms of homework, papers, etc. No one really cares, cheating is practically the norm; when you get a bunch of smart people together at a place that everyone reveres for being 'that place where really smart people go,' everyone feels entitled to their degree (and a high GPA) - they shouldn't have to DO the work because they and the world know they're smart enough TO do it. I say this as a graduate of a super-prestigious magnet high school where this exact thing happened and as a good friend of several current students at MIT, who assure me it's the same damn thing there.

Slightly off topic but my 2 cents
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man, thats how i was in highschool, and now i got to college and no one will cheat! ha.
i always get as on my tests but 50s on the homework cause its so annoying and i get bored and stop doing it.
but yeah i definitely agree with that.
i freakin hate busy work.
 
You're not going to get into MIT. Sorry to break it to you, but you're not.

They want people fresh out of high school with PERFECT everything. Since you don't have an undergrad degree and are 20, this cannot work for you in any possible way. MIT does not care about your work experience. They want perfect math SAT scores, 95%+ percentage subject SAT scores, roundedness, etc. And then then pick and choose between about 3x the amount of "those" they get.

Yes, a degree from MIT DOES carry a lot of weight, and is quite impressive. But don't be embarassed to instead get a degree from a state school with a good program in your area of focus. Again, all unis have a library and computer labs - you can give yourself an MIT quality education at a lesser school if you bust your behind.

I will say that if you prove yourself as an undergrad elsewhere, then MIT as a grad school COULD be an option.
 
There are many schools around the United States that offer MIT quality education. As much as it pains this UGA grad to say...why don't you try Georgia Tech. (There, I said it!) Known more for its engineering dept, I would imagine they have very good programs that come close to MIT quality.
 
Redleader said:
You're not going to get into MIT. Sorry to break it to you, but you're not.

They want people fresh out of high school with PERFECT everything. Since you don't have an undergrad degree and are 20, this cannot work for you in any possible way. MIT does not care about your work experience. They want perfect math SAT scores, 95%+ percentage subject SAT scores, roundedness, etc. And then then pick and choose between about 3x the amount of "those" they get.

Yes, a degree from MIT DOES carry a lot of weight, and is quite impressive. But don't be embarassed to instead get a degree from a state school with a good program in your area of focus. Again, all unis have a library and computer labs - you can give yourself an MIT quality education at a lesser school if you bust your behind.

I will say that if you prove yourself as an undergrad elsewhere, then MIT as a grad school COULD be an option.
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I suggest doing undergrad or even a Master's somewhere in a decent school and doing super. Undergrad is not that important anyways and PhD program leaves no debt. They cover your school costs and even give you stipend of like 20,0000 something bucks so u work in their lab like a slave.

He has chance of getting in to a PhD program. Most people I know from outside US that got into prestigious schools already had post high school education in their country of origin. Start looking at the GRE and what you need to score in the top 5 percentile cuz it will be a deal breaker if you do bad. Superior grades, all A's, great GRE, being round in other things. Trying to get into MIT can only make you better, so do it.

Keep on trying a and hoping OP. It won't do you any harm. Do your best at school in your country, prove to be worthy. Don't stop trying, you only have one life. Try other prestigious schools. If getting into MIT makes you happy then try as hard as you can to accomplish that goal. IF it doesn't work out you'll have a great shot at other great schools.

Dreams are important things and who knows you might get in. No one can tell you u can't get in to MIT. I looked at their website and there are people with Chinese and other countries college education. This dream is not complete closed off to you if you are smart and hard working.

I also agree that you can get good jobs w/d an MIT education. But you might meet people there that will help you in the future. Just being in the right circles can help your future. Meeting the right people.

I'd go there just to talk to Noam Chomsky.
 
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djzmo said:
I know MIT is one of the most exclusive schools, thats why I wanna get in. If by smart you where talking IQ wise, when I was 13 I used to have a 133 IQ (real test with psychologists, not internet ones where I got from 120-190), but as I said right now it may be a little lower. My work habits aren't top shelve, but I'm willing to bust my ass for this and with pot gone it's getting easier each day.

To yougene, I like chemistry for a career and surprisingly, biology was also in consideration (neurobiology being the branch which interests me). Also, I haven't done any community college, but I'm at the university in here, doing my 6th semester (guess this would be like junior year at college).

By the way, is there any chance someone from here actually got into MIT? If so, could you tell your story? Still, good replies, I need all the info I could gather to start this process.
Click to expand...

It's all hit-or-miss, really. Do you live in the US? What is your citizenship? You said your father was from a third-world country. That could change the picture.

As for personal stories, my best friend from college (this was at a decent liberal arts school) nailed his undergrad (honors major, 3.9GPA, 1500GRE, 92nd percentile subject GRE, etc.) and still got rejected from MIT for a phd program. But some valadictorian type from my high school who did everything from take the AP courses (and probably cheat in them) to "glee club," and who definately didn't have a genius IQ, did get into Cal-Tech (which is basically the same thing as MIT).

So it's that you want to go to MIT for graduate school? Since you're in college now (I didn't know that when I posted before). If you don't mind me asking, but after six smesters where do you stand, with respect to GPA, strength of schedule, have you been published? If you cannot say amazing things, then you're only way into MIT is to get accepted elsewhere for a masters (and I'd do a research masters), do something groundbreaking, and then convince MIT to let you do a phd (i.e. pass their qualifiers without ever having attended there before).
 
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