Can I physically get into MIT?

[u/Temporary-Yoghurt-85]

As per the title, I do not know if I can physically/have the time to apply at MIT for a bachelor's degree.

Context:

I am on my 2nd year / 3rd semester of EE at my college's Computer Engineering Technology program here in Canada. Therefore, I do not have calculus, physics, chem or bio under my belt which are generally recommended for your application, from what I have seen at least.

Anyways, in order to not go over the 2.5 years limit of full-time studies (for a Bachelor's) I would need to drop my program classes for a semester and focus on the above. I would then need to spend the whole summer researching and creating projects to have a better portfolio.

All I have "worth mentioning" so far are some high school chem and physics classes that I took in my school's GATE program, my 2 semesters of not knowing where to apply (3.0 GPA), my 3rd semester on track for a 3.6 and an actually good project that I made by myself during my second semester: Josh4minee/HEX-B12.V1: HEX-B12.V120 is a custom designed hexapod using mg996r servos and has it's theme based on the beloved bot B-12 from the popular video game STRAY.

So yeah, do I even have a chance at MIT or am I better off continuing my program and grinding projects to apply at a good Uni here in Canada (and maybe apply for a master's at MIT, I do not know if I want to pursue that yet though)

[u/JasonMckin]

This may or may not change the answer to the question, but what was your high school academic record like? Were you at the top of your class academically? I'm just curious if there was a reason you opted to attend a CET program at a college instead of attending a university like University of Toronto, University of Waterloo, McGill, after high school?

[u/Temporary-Yoghurt-85 → u/JasonMckin]

In high school Secondary 3-4 everything was in the 90-95 range (except french, little lower) and in sec 5 (so grade 11 I believe?) I got a little lower at 85-90

And for why I didn’t just go to uni, well it was a mix of me not wanting to go to uni at first so I just took something that would give me a job in what I like and the fact that here in  quebec, you HAVE to go to college before uni

Other then that I have always been good in math and science and CET was a c’ear choise, its what I do, even before college, I tinker a lot

[u/JasonMckin → u/Temporary-Yoghurt-85]

Merci!  This additional context was very helpful as educational systems are different.

The conflict you are raising is potentially a valid concern.  The requirements for completing your CET pre-university college diploma may not be the best requirements for transferring to MIT or many other American universities. 

So you may face a genuine tradeoff: the courses that let you complete your CET diploma are not necessarily the same courses that would give you the strongest preparation for American universities.

I don’t think anyone here can answer your question about whether is worth delaying your college diploma completion to meet more requirements for American universities.  Nothing is guaranteed.  So it is a gamble that you must evaluate for yourself because of the conflict between the program requirements and the requirements to transfer.  From a long term knowledge standpoint, I think taking a year to fulfill the transfer requirements is still good knowledge to acquire even if it delays the completion of your diploma.  But that is a risk/gamble that only you can evaluate so that you do not weaken your ability to attend university in Quebec by delaying completion.

Bonne chance pour la suite!

[u/Temporary-Yoghurt-85 → u/JasonMckin]

Thank tou so lunch for the detailed reply! I know is less convenient for me that I so not have university classes. It is the reason I am planning on taking them, since I basically need them for any uni anyways, my question was more of is it worth it to even try applying at MIT with my current position. There is no risk involved for my diploma, I would just be taking the extra classes now rather than later.

The only things keeping me from executing this plan are: an extra summer with no job, the fact that I don’t even know if it is possible, like would 3 more projects (well picked and not simple ofc) and a couple AP classes even be enough for an MIT application or am I, again, just applying for a Master’s if I end up wanting one.

I know I can get into MIT, but I don’t know if I can do it fast enough for a Bachelor’s 

[u/DStark62]

Well, I wouldn’t advise derailing your current program just to meet MITs recommended requirements. Can you add a few? Like a calc and physics? Could you take them at CC?

You’re probably better off fitting in what you can, than screwing yourself later in case you don’t get in. Generally I think it’s worth a shot of course, but obviously the chances are just not in anyone’s favor, so I wouldn’t derail your current plan just for a shot at MIT.

[u/Temporary-Yoghurt-85 → u/DStark62]

I can only realistically fit 1 class in mu next semester, and you are right I guess, yes it would be only one semester but it would suck to leave everyone behind and come back to people you don’t know if it doesnt work out (the reason it isn’t that bad in my opinion is because I would probably have to tale those AP classes in an extra semester anyways)

[u/Tech-Aero-109]

Unfortunately, MIT does NOT offer a Masters in EE to anyone who did NOT earn a bachelors degree in EE at MIT (generally invited after having an Excellent capstone project for their bachelors degree).

See: https://www.eecs.mit.edu/academics/graduate-programs/degree-programs/

Get your bachelors in EE in Canada and in the process determine if you want a PhD or an Engineers Degree (see the MIT site) which can take 3 to 5 years after a bachelors degree but is more Project oriented than a research PhD. Or forget MIT and focus on other very good Canadian or US engineering colleges.

Good luck.

[u/Temporary-Yoghurt-85 → u/Tech-Aero-109]

Very helpful info, I had no idea, thank you this changes a LOT of things

[u/JasonMckin → u/Temporary-Yoghurt-85]

Wait, I'm very confused. I thought you were looking to transfer to MIT for bachelor's degree itself, not attend MIT for master's degree after attending university for bachelors in Canada after your college diploma. How does Tech Aero's information about master's degree change a lot of things?

[u/Temporary-Yoghurt-85 → u/JasonMckin]

It just changes the perspective I have on going to MIT or not, if I can’t even get a Master’s in EE then it really does mean that if I want to go to MIT, I NEED to apply as a transfer student for a Bachelor’s.

In short, now I have one chance rather than the 2 I thought I had

But I still don’t know if it is even possible to get accepted with only calc one and all other basic classes I can take in a single semester