Anonymous wrote:The athlete I know who was admitted to MIT from the DMV was 100% qualified academically. They took the most rigorous STEM coursework, had a 1550/800 SAT etc. They just didn't have national or international level STEM awards.

Most of their rejects are qualified academically. Even at less self-selecting pools than MIT the rejects are typically “in the range” to have bothered applying.

Anonymous wrote:Given their purpose and applicant pool why the F would MIT even have sports, let alone recruit for it?

As in, if I found out that somebody was an MIT student/graduate AND that they were a recruited athlete, in my mind I would realize "oh, they don't ACTUALLY have the brass ring, they were just picked up to give the smart kids something fun to watch when they aren't working."

Nobody would care since those who know MIT know that outside of a few mega donor kids, you have to be well-qualified to get recruited to MIT.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone's DC get in without national awards?

My son got in. Never participated in any national awards. No APs and no IB.
He scored 1600 on the SAT in one seating and 36 on the ACT in one seating. ZERO ECs or National awards…

So why do you think he got in? Congratulations.

Despite not participating on any national awards or competition, he is a bit of a math savant and they saw that. He took Multivariable Calculus at the local college as a Junior. He is taking Abstract Algebra at the local college as a Senior. His school tops out at the equivalent of AP Calculus BC. He doesnt have any APs. He maxed out on Oxford’s MAT test and has maxed out on EMC tests (European Math Cup) taken under supervision here.

Anonymous wrote:The student athlete I know going to MIT is both exceptionally smart and athletic. It is wild but probably would have gone to MIT without the sport.

The Hayfield football player going had 15-something on SATs and high GPa.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone's DC get in without national awards?

My son got in. Never participated in any national awards. No APs and no IB.
He scored 1600 on the SAT in one seating and 36 on the ACT in one seating. ZERO ECs or National awards…

Can you share how your DS approached the application? Like essays, and such?

What do you think got him into MIT?

Congrats!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone's DC get in without national awards?

My son got in. Never participated in any national awards. No APs and no IB.
He scored 1600 on the SAT in one seating and 36 on the ACT in one seating. ZERO ECs or National awards…

So why do you think he got in? Congratulations.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone's DC get in without national awards?

My son got in. Never participated in any national awards. No APs and no IB.
He scored 1600 on the SAT in one seating and 36 on the ACT in one seating. ZERO ECs or National awards…

Race?

Why does it matter? A child who scores 1600 on the SAT in one seating is definitely a stellar student regardless of their race.

Institutional priorities of the tippy top schools include geographic diversity. MIT only accepts kids they know for certain can handle the academic rigor (high stats) but after that IP are considered. Everyone knows it’s harder to get into the T5. Probably T25 as well if your kid is from overrepresented areas with many highly qualified applicants - DMV, NYC, Bay Area etc.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone's DC get in without national awards?

My son got in. Never participated in any national awards. No APs and no IB.
He scored 1600 on the SAT in one seating and 36 on the ACT in one seating. ZERO ECs or National awards…

Race?

Why does it matter? A child who scores 1600 on the SAT in one seating is definitely a stellar student regardless of their race.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone's DC get in without national awards?

My son got in. Never participated in any national awards. No APs and no IB.
He scored 1600 on the SAT in one seating and 36 on the ACT in one seating. ZERO ECs or National awards…

Race?

White, high income area in the south.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Anyone's DC get in without national awards?

My son got in. Never participated in any national awards. No APs and no IB.
He scored 1600 on the SAT in one seating and 36 on the ACT in one seating. ZERO ECs or National awards…

Race?

Anonymous wrote:Anyone's DC get in without national awards?

My son got in. Never participated in any national awards. No APs and no IB.
He scored 1600 on the SAT in one seating and 36 on the ACT in one seating. ZERO ECs or National awards…

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My oldest DD’s best friend is a current junior. She didn’t have any ECs or awards of note, just a very high GPA with a very advanced course-load in math and science and 1580 SAT.

Gender is a huge hook at MIT.

Huge hooks are athletes and urm, gender not so much.

Women get in at twice the rate.

Anonymous wrote:My oldest DD’s best friend is a current junior. She didn’t have any ECs or awards of note, just a very high GPA with a very advanced course-load in math and science and 1580 SAT.

Private high school, athlete or URM?

Anonymous wrote:Any recruited athlete is a hook. They get into a smaller pool. They may still have to have 700+ math, but they are at a relative advantage to a non-recruit due to the smaller pool. May be a 40-50% acceptance rate, but that much better than 4%

To me, a hook is something out of your control.
We all know the rules of the game - athletes, exceptional ones who also have top grade sand scores - can get priority. Some people choose to play the game and are very good at it. That is not a hook.

The student athlete I know going to MIT is both exceptionally smart and athletic. It is wild but probably would have gone to MIT without the sport.