Overview
This lecture covers a detailed breakdown of the speaker’s MIT application process, including academics, extracurriculars, interview strategies, and tips for other applicants aiming for top schools.
Academic Credentials
- Scored 1530 on the SAT (780 Math, 750 Reading) after three attempts.
- Used free online resources, especially Khan Academy, for SAT prep.
- Recommends focusing on difficult practice questions rather than paying for prep courses.
- Earned a 4.5 weighted GPA, ranking in the top 7% at a competitive high school.
- Took nearly every AP class available, except academic history.
- AP scores included several 5s (Calculus BC, Computer Science Principles, World History) and a few 4s.
Awards and Recognition
- Lacked major competition awards but received some recognition for startups and entrepreneurship programs.
- Was accepted into an entrepreneurship program (IAP) at a local college.
Summer Activities
- Attended AI Academy, completing a student journal research paper.
- Participated in M Semester, taking classes with MIT professors and earning a strong recommendation letter.
- Strongly advises against paying for expensive summer programs unless they provide real value.
Extracurricular Experience
- Created Scholar AI, a web tool that gained 25,000 users and generated revenue.
- Founded Student CS of Virginia to teach coding to hundreds of students.
- Launched Navaro, an EdTech project helping 700+ students build AI projects, partnered with local schools.
- Held leadership roles in Vex Robotics, building six robots and volunteering with Girl Scouts.
- Published a research paper comparing neural networks in retinal scans.
Interview Strategy
- Research your interviewer beforehand (LinkedIn, background, interests).
- Prepare thoroughly and practice making the interview conversational.
- Match your experiences and interests to your interviewer’s field.
Overall Application Approach
- Build a cohesive application focused on a clear theme or character (entrepreneurial vs. research-focused).
- Use your essays to connect all activities and show a larger mission or goal.
- Avoid random, disconnected extracurriculars.
Key Advice for Applicants
- Be authentic and pursue activities you genuinely enjoy.
- Read Paul Graham’s essay "How to Do Great Work" for guidance and inspiration.
Key Terms & Definitions
- SAT — Standardized test for U.S. college admissions, assessing math and reading skills.
- AP (Advanced Placement) — College-level courses and exams taken in high school.
- Extracurriculars — Activities outside academic coursework, such as clubs, startups, or volunteer work.
- Recommendation Letter — Written endorsement from teachers or mentors for college applications.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Use free resources like Khan Academy for SAT preparation.
- Focus on building a consistent theme throughout your application.
- Read Paul Graham's "How to Do Great Work."
- Consider reaching out to teachers or college faculty for summer research opportunities.