For Early Action and Regular Decision applicants to discuss collegey things pertaining to Caltech.
Woah this got started early! I’m going to be a Caltech freshman next year and am willing to answer any application related questions!
My DS stats are Junior, SAT 2190 (superscored) (Math 800), ACT 32 (planning to take one more time expecting 34-35), top 1% ranker in a highly competitive HS, 13 AP’s (Including Calc AB/BC), 2 IB HL’s, 3 Dual enrollment and in almost all Honor Clubs, planning to take SAT subject tests Math, Physics and Chemistry, OOS to California. What are the chances.
We appreciate suggestions, Thanks
@marisa93101 might as well start early I’m applying EA this year. Question for you: what’s the diversity like at Caltech in terms of women, African Americans etc.
@googlypants99 Well the 2020 class profile hasn’t been released but the class of 2019 was very close to 50/50 gender ratio. Overall the school is still skewed male but it’s getting better. Ethnic diversity isn’t great… I don’t know the exact numbers but my tour guide said there’s only a handful of African American students per year
@RightDirection I’m no admissions expert, but everyone will tell you it’s impossible to predict acceptance; it’s such a crapshoot, especially since acceptance rates are so low. Test scores seem fine; they only matter up to a certain point anyway. Everyone I met at Caltech’s admit weekend was extremely externally motivated, had a deep passion for some STEM related topic and had explored that passion in high school. Essays showing excitement for STEM are important!
Thanks a lot for the reply! Enjoy the weather out there where I was today it was hailing with 20 mph winds I wanna go back to Pasadena.
I have invented something(about to write research paper on it).
do you guys think this thing can demonstrate my interest in STEM
i want to study physics and computer science
@Institium personally I think that demonstrates lots of interest in STEM, I’m applying this year I think research papers are a huge boost to applications to any college but especially Caltech.
@rightdirection, if he has to retake tests, Caltech is too much of a reach. The kids at Caltech usually take their tests once and get near to, or perfect scores. The adcoms not only look at grades and STEM but also sports and lots of weight on essays. The school is intense, so if tests and grades are tough now, then it will be worse as a student there. Very expensive school and their financial aid is not great.
@“aunt bea” What makes you say their financial aid is not great?
my extra curricular activity part is not that good but my STEM part is good
also i am international student
@googlypants99, it’s like most schools: They give you what THEY think you need, not what you really need.
@“aunt bea” sad but true reality out there
@googlypants99 why do think u can get into caltech(just asking)
@lnsitium I think my grades are above average and I genuinely have a passion for science, math etc. (specifically chemistry hah). I hope my application essays and such can convey that to whoever is reading them. How about you?
@googlypants99
above average grades
genuine passion for computer science
and physics(specially nuclear and quantum physics)
i also love astronomy
i hope that i get 1550+ sat score
i am also writing research paper on my invention (sort off)
but my extracurricular activity part is not so good
@lnsitium I love physics that’s my second favorite subject. Good luck with your paper; I don’t have anything like that I think it puts you at an advantage. Research in general is a big boost
Snap on writing up findings/research papers! What field is your invention in?
I’m hoping I can sway the admissions committee with all the extracurricular stuff too.
I was going to apply to MIT as well but I think it was something like 30% of their admitted students formed an organisation before enrollment!!!
@Brit~Abroad dang that is a big boost. For some reason I thought it would be more