Assalam o Alaikum! My name is Bilal Asmatullah. A few years ago, I was sitting exactly where many of you might be sitting right now: dreaming big but unsure of the path forward. In 2023, I became the only Pakistani to get accepted into the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) for the Class of 2027.
I recently uploaded a video to guide Pakistani students on how to get into MIT. I made it for students who are currently in the same shoes I was in three or four years ago. If I had seen a video like this back then, it would have been incredibly helpful.
You can watch the full video below, where I break down the roadmap, the mindset you need, and the reality of financial aid.
1. Finances Are NOT a Barrier
One of the biggest misconceptions is that you need to come from a highly privileged financial background or attend elite schools with massive tuition fees to get into a top-tier US college. The short answer is: No, you don't. Even if your family's income is less than Rs. 100,000 per month, it is entirely possible to get into MIT [00:01:12].
MIT is need-blind and meets 100% of your financial need. When I got in, MIT's financial aid covered my tuition, books, laptop, flights, and food. All you need is competence, a desk, a chair, and a relentless spirit of hard work [00:09:28].
2. The Ultimate Secret: International Science Olympiads
You might hear that extracurricular activities like debating or starting a charity are the way to go. While those are great, there is one extracurricular that stands head and shoulders above the rest for MIT admissions.
Currently, there are four Pakistani students at MIT, including myself, and every single one of us has one thing in common: we are all alumni of the International Science Olympiads [00:02:47]. Much like athletes go to the Olympics, the best high school minds compete globally in subjects like Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology, and Informatics.
I personally represented Pakistan and won a bronze medal at the International Physics Olympiad [00:03:40]. If you can reach the top 5 in Pakistan for your chosen subject and win a medal internationally, your chances of getting into MIT skyrocket. In Pakistan, selection happens through the National Science Talent Contest (NSTC) organized by HEC, and I highly encourage you to register and compete.
3. Focus on Growth, Not Just the End Goal
I'll be honest: the probability of getting into MIT is very low, and you shouldn't do Olympiads just to get in [00:13:05]. When I started preparing, I studied deeply for a year and a half. Even if I had not gotten into MIT, the grueling preparation for the Physics Olympiad would have still put me leagues ahead of an average high school student.
The knowledge and resilience you gain during this process are invaluable [00:13:59].
4. Overcome Self-Doubt
Self-doubt will always exist. I remember taking my first screening test and feeling devastated, thinking I would not even make the top 50 in Pakistan [00:12:13]. Even days before my MIT application was due, I second-guessed myself. I took a gap year and faced some incredibly hard times.
But remember: the night is always darkest just before the dawn [00:18:06]. Right before you achieve something massive, you will face extreme self-doubt. That is exactly when you need to push through.
Let's Connect
The world is designed to reward competence, not just money or connections. If you have the drive, people will believe in you, whether that is MIT giving you a full ride or, in my recent case, investors giving me funding to leave MIT and build a startup [00:16:19].
I highly recommend watching the full video above for a detailed breakdown of the Olympiad selection stages and application fee waivers. If you have specific questions or disagree with anything I said, please leave a comment on the video. I will do my best to clarify your doubts.
Dream big and work hard. Allah Hafiz!