Anyone here accepted to MIT? How did you stand out?

I'm really aiming for MIT, and I'd love to know if anyone here has been accepted. What do you think helped you the most in your application? Were there any awesome extracurriculars or essays that you think made a difference?

Hey there, congratulations on aiming for a fantastic school like MIT! There are definitely some common factors that can help you stand out in your application to MIT.

1. Demonstrate passion in your field: MIT values students who show a strong commitment and deep passion in their chosen field. You don't need to have your entire career planned out, but showing that you've pursued activities directly related to your interests can be a game-changer. For example, if you're interested in engineering, perhaps you take part in robotics competitions or intern at a local engineering firm.

2. Showcase your problem-solving abilities: MIT is known for producing innovative thinkers, so emphasize various ways you've demonstrated problem-solving capabilities. This could be through research, academic projects, or even personal experiences. The key is to highlight your ability to come up with creative solutions.

3. Strong academics and test scores: MIT is known for its highly competitive admissions process, and your academic achievements definitely play a major role. Having an excellent GPA (as close to 4.0 as possible) and standardized test scores (do be aware that, while many schools are still test-optional, MIT has gone back to requiring all applicants to submit either the SAT or ACT) can help distinguish you as a top candidate.

4. Unique essays: Craft meaningful and authentic essays that show your personality and how you think. Avoid cliché topics and aim for an original narrative that demonstrates your values, experiences, and personal growth. CollegeVine's blog contains detailed guidance on how to tackle MIT's school-specific supplemental essays: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-mit-application-essays.

5. High-level extracurriculars: MIT is interested in students who have excelled in their extracurricular activities. Aim for Tier 1 or Tier 2 extracurriculars, which showcase exceptional achievements or leadership at a national or regional level. For example, winning a national science fair, placing in the top percentile at a renowned coding competition, or being a leader in a renowned non-profit organization are all ways to demonstrate your potential. CollegeVine's blog contains both more information about extracurricular tiers (https://blog.collegevine.com/breaking-down-the-4-tiers-of-extracurricular-activities), as well as a list of STEM-related research competitions you might consider getting involved with (https://blog.collegevine.com/10-science-research-competitions-for-high-schoolers).

As you work on your application, focus on your strengths and think about how your unique experiences and interests align with MIT's core values. Good luck with your application, and I hope this information helps!