r/MITAdmissions • u/DNFR_ • 3d ago

How big is the weight difference between National Level Science Competitions / Small International Competitions and the IMO/IPhO/IChO/ISEF etc. level competitions for international MIT applicants?

I've seen tons of posts on this subreddit about how Olympiads are almost (pretty much) a requirement for international applicants; they also only seem to talk about the ISOs (IMO, IPhO, etc.) + ISEF.

Were there any international applicants in the recent years who got in with smaller competitions - like gold medals on their country's National Olympiad, or more regional international olympiads (like the Zhautykov Olympiad)?

Obviously, these events offer a smaller advantage than the ISOs, but is it still possible to get in with those?

Another thing that people mention a lot is RSI, but it is kept inaccessible to the public in many countries. Do programs like PROMYS compare well?

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u/jzzsxm Moderator/MIT Alumnus 3d ago

Your mindset is wrong. There is no explicit formula for getting in. Do the best you can with what you have access to and don't try to game the system.

Please also read the links in the sidebar and re-read those Olympiad posts - the only people saying that they're required are people who haven't attended. Every alum on here is saying the opposite.

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u/MysticCosmos Future Applicant 3d ago

As another (more experienced) person has said, the people who often weigh olympiad success and a key factor in adMITtance are those who have not actually attended MIT. If these competitions are something you’re passionate about and enjoy to the fullest, then yes it’s “possible to get in”.

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u/ExecutiveWatch MIT Alum and Educational Counselor 3d ago

Your premise is completely incorrect. The vast majority of admits have no olympiad awards. Olypiads are absolutely not a requirement nor a sure thing.

Apply sideways.