How Can Johnny Get into MIT?

It takes more than good grades and great scores to get into competitive colleges. Applicants to MIT’s class of 2014 included 2196 valedictorians, but only 427 were admitted. Ninety-four percent of applicants were in the top 5% of their high school class and the average SAT was in the mid 700s. So how does MIT make admissions decisions?

MIT’s admissions officers value initiative, creativity, willingness to take risks and - very importantly - the resilience to grow from failure. Every school is different and facts like this matter in the admissions process. It isn’t enough to say a student will fit well with MIT’s spirit of collaboration and desire to make the world a better place. Like all colleges, MIT wants to see evidence in the various pieces of the application.

Whether it’s MIT, Trinity or Boston University, applicants need to understand a school’s distinct character and values if they want to create a successful pitch that demonstrates a match to the school’s culture and community. Then they need to put every piece of the application to work for them, including recommendations, essays and experiences.

Students and families can learn how to research colleges, find the right fit, establish essential communication with high school guidance counselors, get the most out of teacher recommendations, leverage essays and master the best practices of the application process at “Roadmap to College,” a class offered through Canton Parks & Recreation on Tuesday, April 17, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Canton Community Center. The fee is $55. To register, go to www.cantonrec.org or call Canton Parks & Recreation at 860-693-5808.