Any info on MIT and other top universities for STEM?

[Jblaze204]

Been on this site for years and although theres a ton of foolishness, there's a lot of people here who have knowledge, experience, and wisdom. I have respect for a lot of posters here just off the posts i've read over the years I just want some input from the family.


With that being said, Im graduating this semester from a CUNY community college, with a 3.7 GPA in chemistry. I want to teach and go into research (academia). I applied to the CUNY 4 year schools but I didn't consider any of the top universities due to the cost of tuition

However, I learned that if you meet 100% of demonstrated financial need, you can get a free ride including room and board.



What's your take on MIT and other top colleges for STEM? is it worth applying? I would definetely consider a top university/Ivy league if I could get a free ride.

 

[Mike809]

Do you have anything else going on besides that 3.7 GPA? extra-curricular activities? community work ? anything that sets you apart besides a good GPA?

 

[Jblaze204]

Do you have anything else going on besides that 3.7 GPA? extra-curricular activities? community work ? anything that sets you apart besides a good GPA?

a lot of research. I have been doing research for the entirety of my undergrad. I do tutoring at the college and i have done a few teaching/mentoring events with middle school students in brooklyn.

 

[perfectblack999]

Are you going for a Masters/PhD?

I’m a Georgia Tech alum and a lot of the grad school strudents have their rides paid for. Heavy researchers

 

[The Pledge]

What's your take on MIT and other top colleges for STEM? is it worth applying? I would definetely consider a top university/Ivy league if I could get a free ride.

In your situation, if you're getting a full ride or something remotely close to it... the world is yours breh.

Go for the one with the most prestige that you can.

 

[Jblaze204]

Are you going for a Masters/PhD?

I’m a Georgia Tech alum and a lot of the grad school strudents have their rides paid for. Heavy researchers

yes definetly.

In your situation, if you're getting a full ride or something remotely close to it... the world is yours breh.

Go for the one with the most prestige that you can.

I'm not sure why I wasnt considering top universities. I think it was the crazy cost of tuition and definetly imposter syndrome

 

[UpAndComing]

There are plenty of opportunities in SUNY and CUNY schools when it comes to STEM

SUNY Buffalo
Stoney brook University
SUNY Binghamton
CCNY City College

They are one of the best as far as rigorous education and Masters/PhD programs

 

[Anerdyblackguy]

First off shoutout to CUNY. CUNY graduated a lot of my family members.

Now a couple of things:

1) MIT doesn’t accept transfers after year one. Considering you just completed your Associates degree (Congratulations BTW) you wouldn’t be eligible.

2) Secondly, Columbia University would be your best bet as they have some relationships with CUNY schools. Columbia is great in STEM and they would waive off the tuition if you’re income eligible

3) And this is an important question: Why don’t you apply to the SUNY universities under the Exclesior scholarship? The two flagship’s universities (University Of Buffalo and Stony Brook University) are relatively high level Stem schools (You could add Binghamton as well).

The University of Buffalo runs the state largest A.I institution and facility. It was just awarded a 275 million State-of-the-Art Artificial Intelligence Computing Center as well.

In terms of Stony Brook University they run the State multi billion dollar Climate exchange and green investment fund. Plus it runs and operates the Brookhaven federal laboratory that deals with chemical and renewable energy.

^^^ Both are AAU universities as well.

Just some suggestions on

 

[Jblaze204]

2) Secondly, Columbia University would be your best bet as they have some relationships with CUNY schools. Columbia is great in STEM and they would waive off the tuition if you’re income eligible

thanks for this info

3) And this is an important question: Why don’t you apply to the SUNY universities under the Exclesior scholarship? The two flagship’s universities (University Of Buffalo and Stony Brook University) are relatively high level Stem schools (You could add Binghamton as well).

The University of Buffalo runs the state largest A.I institution and facility. It was just awarded a 275 million State-of-the-Art Artificial Intelligence Computing Center as well.

In terms of Stony Brook University they run the State multi billion dollar Climate exchange and green investment fund. Plus it runs and operates the Brookhaven federal laboratory that deals with chemical and renewable energy.

Yea i dont know why I haven't considered SUNY and other schools. I have to find out if I could also get room and board covered w/ financial aid.

 

[DJSmooth]

If you wanted to go to a top university you should have had a 4.0

 

[Kasper KArr]

Aye @Jblaze204 I wish you the best keep us updated. We are here to help.

Regardless of what you end up doing, PLEASE dedicate some time to get into a summer research program. Given that you want to go into research and academia (I did initially as well), this is one of the top things you can do outside of doing research during the academic year. You get paid anywhere from 5-7 gs, get housing, food, and professional development opportunities etc and make moves.

I personally suggest you look into the Amgen Scholars program. It's essentially one of the most prestigious biomedical summer research programs that are offered at top schools all throughout the world.Here's the link. If you're black, PLEASEEEEEEEEE apply to it.

Home

amgenscholars.com

I worked on the admissions committee for the 2016 and 2017 cohorts as a graduate student when I was at Stanford, so I am down to help you tailor your application. Please apply to Harvard, Stanford, Hopkins at a minimum.

If you're not interested and/or don't get in, no worries! Many of these schools also offer their own summer research programs. All you need to do is search the schools name and summer research. For example "MIT summer research program" gives you this

Eligibility & application | MIT Summer Research Program

oge.mit.edu

Interested in Harvard? Summer Research Programs | The Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

NYU? Summer Undergraduate Research Program | NYU Langone Health


Again, even if you don't do undergrad at MIT, don't let that discourage you. I'd argue grad school is important, and easier to get into a Ivy League grad school vs undergrad. Just my opinion.

Regardless, APPLY TO EVERY fukkING SINGLE THING YOU ARE INTERESTED IN. and please, DO NOT LET A MF SOUL DISCOURAGE YOU. fukk that. Apply to EVERYTHING. Let THEM deny you. But don't deny yourself. I rather say "Oh well it didn't work out" rather than "What if I took that chance"

And a genuine shoutout to @Anerdyblackguy I been a lurker since 2015 and low-key have see him give gems especially when it comes to education.

 

[Sir ZDuke]

Been on this site for years and although theres a ton of foolishness, there's a lot of people here who have knowledge, experience, and wisdom. I have respect for a lot of posters here just off the posts i've read over the years I just want some input from the family.


With that being said, Im graduating this semester from a CUNY community college, with a 3.7 GPA in chemistry. I want to teach and go into research (academia). I applied to the CUNY 4 year schools but I didn't consider any of the top universities due to the cost of tuition

However, I learned that if you meet 100% of demonstrated financial need, you can get a free ride including room and board.



What's your take on MIT and other top colleges for STEM? is it worth applying? I would definetely consider a top university/Ivy league if I could get a free ride.

Teaching or Academia? Not trynna down your dreams breh, but do you want to be poor? Money is not everything, but both those fields are severely undercompensated for the amount of work it takes to qualify.

 

[east]

look into 3-2 or 4-1 masters programs, you might be able to transfer your associates credits to one of the feeder schools, take two or three semesters of classes there, then transfer it all to a top stem school

 

[IIVI]

There are other top schools in the top 5-20 range that are far more realistic. Yes, they are worth it to attend. Caltech and M.I.T are just too crazy high requirements for undergrad admissions.

People who go to Caltech and M.I.T are just built different. The scary thing is that M.I.T and Caltech are too easy for some of those students and they end up taking on more than one major.

 

[Vandelay]

If you're black, MIT acceptance is down substantially. Shoot for the moon, but they got on their real quick.