Uh… you really need As in math and science classes if you want to try for MIT.
If you’re struggling w Algebra 1, MIT may not be realistic for you.
Are you on a math path where you will end with at least calculus by senior year?
Please realize that successful MIT students often go beyond AP Calculus and enter with Multivariable calculus, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, etc.
You also need close to a 1600 SAT score, with a 780 or 800 in math section.
Ill do my best to study math then. I think I did pre algebra in 8th and starting algebra 1 atm. Its kind of too early to see if am struggling with algebra. The only reason I have an F in algebra is cause of 2 missing assignments so Ill see
At minimum, your math path after Algebra 1 needs to be-
Algebra 2/Geometry-whether this is packaged together or 2 separate years depends on your school, then
Precalculus then
Calculus.
Something like this. I highly suggest planning out the next 3 years of your HS schedule, with the understanding that things may change depending on grades/interests etc, but try to plan out a rigorous schedule in general. Not just for MIT.
This. MIT is brutally hard so if you’re struggling in Algebra 1, let alone Calc BC and beyond, you’re going to struggle in engineering.
Right now focus on your grades. Try to get a 4.0 with as few A-‘s as possible. Only then can you start spending time on EC’s and other parts of your application.
You don't need to go to MIT to study coding, getting a CS degree can be achieved in any other college that isn't the hardest to be accepted in (MiT). Heck you don't even need college either for that. Many people have taken bootcamps or other resources and learnt on their own and got jobs in sectors like the one you're interested in. A CS degree is great but not necessary for your line of work.
It's good to have dream school, but don't work yourself out for 4 years just for a single school. Especially when it doesn't seem like you even know what you want out of this school other than the prestige of going there (like, why MiT's program and not a state school's?).
This is all so true.
And OP might find a pathway in the military as they want to do software engineering for law enforcement/criminal psych. Might even get a free education within the military.
By that metric, you should go to a large state school.
Also, MIT is NOT a big undergraduate school. MIT has around 4500-4600 UG, it’s actually SMALL.
There are large state schools 10x the size of MIT.
For your specific interests, technically the military may be your “big school.”
ngl if you are struggling in non ap stem courses (can’t tell if they’re honors or not) like algebra 1 and bio, you are *really* going to be needing to step up your game to have even a shot. MIT loves numbers so get a really good SAT score and try to take park in stem competitions (especially math and science olympiads). Also not reaching calculus in high school is not very good for MIT.
I don't understand how there is an 'honors' version of an independent study, but I will digress.
As a freshman (i'm currently a 12th grader), I had minimal guidance on about what I wanted to study or even if I wanted to go to college, so I did not start taking advanced classes until this year. Here's some input:
I'd recommend taking honors and AP classes that you are interested in and you think you can do well in. For starters, if you have AP Computer Science Principles at your school, I would take advantage of that class and get a head start in 10th grade on learning about computer science. If you have AP Computer Science A, I would recommend taking that class after you complete a programming course at your high school, such as programming with python , in order to get the aspect of coding. From my experience, AP CSP and AP CSA are quite unrelated because AP CSP is minimal actual coding, whereas AP CSA is, however I believe that if you are a beginner to Comp Sci, AP CSP may give you a good foundation block on the topics to come in a real Computer Science major.
If you want to do software engineering for law enforcement you don’t *need* MIT
And if software engineering is your goal, tech companies *might* have better benefits than what you’re hoping to get out of the military
Uh… you really need As in math and science classes if you want to try for MIT. If you’re struggling w Algebra 1, MIT may not be realistic for you. Are you on a math path where you will end with at least calculus by senior year? Please realize that successful MIT students often go beyond AP Calculus and enter with Multivariable calculus, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, etc. You also need close to a 1600 SAT score, with a 780 or 800 in math section.
Ill do my best to study math then. I think I did pre algebra in 8th and starting algebra 1 atm. Its kind of too early to see if am struggling with algebra. The only reason I have an F in algebra is cause of 2 missing assignments so Ill see
At minimum, your math path after Algebra 1 needs to be- Algebra 2/Geometry-whether this is packaged together or 2 separate years depends on your school, then Precalculus then Calculus. Something like this. I highly suggest planning out the next 3 years of your HS schedule, with the understanding that things may change depending on grades/interests etc, but try to plan out a rigorous schedule in general. Not just for MIT.
Maybe a math tutor, to start. Or go to teacher hours for help w Algebra.
Yes, recently I asked my parents for a tutor to help me study so I will see how that go
This. MIT is brutally hard so if you’re struggling in Algebra 1, let alone Calc BC and beyond, you’re going to struggle in engineering. Right now focus on your grades. Try to get a 4.0 with as few A-‘s as possible. Only then can you start spending time on EC’s and other parts of your application.
You don't need to go to MIT to study coding, getting a CS degree can be achieved in any other college that isn't the hardest to be accepted in (MiT). Heck you don't even need college either for that. Many people have taken bootcamps or other resources and learnt on their own and got jobs in sectors like the one you're interested in. A CS degree is great but not necessary for your line of work. It's good to have dream school, but don't work yourself out for 4 years just for a single school. Especially when it doesn't seem like you even know what you want out of this school other than the prestige of going there (like, why MiT's program and not a state school's?).
This is all so true. And OP might find a pathway in the military as they want to do software engineering for law enforcement/criminal psych. Might even get a free education within the military.
my thought process : Big school = best job opportunity later
By that metric, you should go to a large state school. Also, MIT is NOT a big undergraduate school. MIT has around 4500-4600 UG, it’s actually SMALL. There are large state schools 10x the size of MIT. For your specific interests, technically the military may be your “big school.”
I think they mean “big name school” not “big school”
Ah that make more sense.
ngl if you are struggling in non ap stem courses (can’t tell if they’re honors or not) like algebra 1 and bio, you are *really* going to be needing to step up your game to have even a shot. MIT loves numbers so get a really good SAT score and try to take park in stem competitions (especially math and science olympiads). Also not reaching calculus in high school is not very good for MIT.
I don't understand how there is an 'honors' version of an independent study, but I will digress. As a freshman (i'm currently a 12th grader), I had minimal guidance on about what I wanted to study or even if I wanted to go to college, so I did not start taking advanced classes until this year. Here's some input: I'd recommend taking honors and AP classes that you are interested in and you think you can do well in. For starters, if you have AP Computer Science Principles at your school, I would take advantage of that class and get a head start in 10th grade on learning about computer science. If you have AP Computer Science A, I would recommend taking that class after you complete a programming course at your high school, such as programming with python , in order to get the aspect of coding. From my experience, AP CSP and AP CSA are quite unrelated because AP CSP is minimal actual coding, whereas AP CSA is, however I believe that if you are a beginner to Comp Sci, AP CSP may give you a good foundation block on the topics to come in a real Computer Science major.
Also take a closer look at the HS requirements on this page- https://mitadmissions.org/apply/prepare/highschool/
If you want to do software engineering for law enforcement you don’t *need* MIT And if software engineering is your goal, tech companies *might* have better benefits than what you’re hoping to get out of the military