My 1st choice is Caltech and I am going to apply EA at Caltech.
However, another student form my school, who is LEGACY (his mom’s a PHD from Caltech), is also applying Caltech EA.
And he has got a 36 in the ACT, while I have got a 34 in the ACT.
Does he have a way better chance of getting in than me because he has a 36 and legacy, and I have a 34?
Do you think it is worth applying to Caltech EA considering that they would only consider one student among us?
Schools don’t have quotas per high school- just because two people apply from the same school doesn’t mean they’ll only pick one. They could pick both of you, none of you, or only one, but it won’t be because you came from the same HS.
Examples- this year, from my small (100 person class) school, 3 kids got into Middlebury, 4 are going to Davidson (and more got in), 2 got into Yale, 5 got into Cornell, 2 got into Georgetown, 2 got into Amherst, etc. It is possible to get more than one student per high school into the same university/college.
thanks a lot
Also, my question is, would universities give more preference to a 34 than a 36, in this case for example
I would definitely apply if I was you. I don’t think the higher score is going to be weighted heavily. They are both great scores. I think the balance of your application is what is going to matter. Perfect scores are not what the schools are looking for. There is also the possibility that you both get in. Good luck and congratulations on the great score!
I would not worry about the ACT scores. For Caltech, test scores are a small part of the big picture. Your classmate has a legacy hook. Hopefully you have other items in your application that make you just as strong.
Good luck!
If your classmate gets in and you don’t, or vice versa, it won’t be due to the other’s app. Your applications will stand on their own. If your stats are competitive for the school, you both have a shot.
Why would they do that? Also, it’s a bit presumptuous to assume that either of you would be accepted to such an elite school.
I was just considering a hypothetical scenario so that my question is better understood
“Do you think it is worth applying to Caltech EA considering that they would only consider one student among us?”
They might take one, they might take none, they might take both of you.
Before me, my high school had only had one student EVER go on to MIT. Not one per year, one in the history of the high school. Me and a friend both applied to MIT. We both got in.
You are not competing with your one friend to go to Caltech. You are competing with thousands of other students from across the US and worldwide.
A few comments:
Apply how you want without regard to others. You deserve the right to give yourself a chance at any school and this way you will never have to wonder “what if”. As others have said, you will be competing against a much larger pool than the one girl from your HS.
CalTech has an admission rate of around 8% so you need to understand that it is a reach for everyone.
You can check but I don’t think Caltech really counts legacy in its admission decision.
A recent class profile for Catech is below. Your ACT , while very strong, looks like it is at the 25% mark for Caltech.
https://www.admissions.caltech.edu/content/class-profile
As I’d tell anyone, be sure to cast a wide net and apply to a good mix of reach, match, and safety schools that appear affordable and that you would be happy to attend.
Good luck.
A few more notes:
– Caltech does not consider legacy status.
– Caltech wants to know that the people it admits are strong in math. So, it’s possible that your combined ACT contains a ~36 in math, which would help. The last available Common Data Set from Caltech has the 25%-75% spread in ACT Math as 35-36. The 25%-75% spread in the SAT II Math Level II subject test is 800-800. (Yes, they admit few people with less than an 800 on that test.)
– Caltech wants to know that the people it admits are good fits for Caltech. That is why the essays ask about why you want to study STEM, an experience related to Caltech’s Honor Code, how you are quirky, how you are different/diverse, and why Caltech is right for you. The essays are important (in addition to scores, course rigor, grades, and other things). Make sure you have time to do your best on the essays. Visit the campus if you can–not because they track interest, but because understanding what Caltech is like will help on the essays.
– Apply widely and don’t get your heart set on a specific college now. It’s better to have choices a year from now.
Without knowing literally anything else about the two of you: yes, a 36 legacy is more appealing than a 34 non-legacy.
I didn’t apply to Caltech so correct me if I’m wrong, but they ask for a lot more information about you than just ACT score and legacy status, right?
Caltech does indeed include legacy status according to their CDS, but it’s not ranked as very important. Most important are rigor of course work, test scores, application essay and recommendations.
My son got in with a 33 ACT, if it’s meant to be it will happen.