4 in Calc BC taken sophomore year- not worth applying

Colleges and Universities A-Z California Institute of Technology
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<p>Hey all,</p>

<p>I am an international (Cdn) student deeply interested in science. I have solid stats - I can link if someone wants them and have been heavily involved in science: outreach, fundraising, research (lots of time over 3 years, with national awards/possible papers) and education. I took Calc BC the first time it was ever taught at a high school and as my first AP in sophomore year and got a 4. There are lots of reasons why: first AP, teacher did not have experience teaching, painful family condition etc. but the final result is the same. </p>

<p>I have continued my mathematics studies by doing independent studies in LA/Calc III and a specialized project this junior year and will be continuing this in senior year.</p>

<p>Should I still bother applying? I know I might come off as neurotic :P but I know the Caltech is quite intense (for good reasons) about stats, maybe more so than HYPSM and other tech schools. </p>

<p>I will greatly appreciate any thoughts/advice! Thanks in advance :)</p>

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<p>Oh goodness, I just realized that I posted this in the wrong forum. Could the mods move this thread to the main Caltech forum for me, please?</p>

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<p>I don’t think getting a 4 on Calc BC two years before most students take the exam will be a huge mark against you, especially if you’re taking higher level courses and excelling in them.</p>

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<p>I’m not taking the courses ‘officially’, but I basically designed a curriculum for myself, completed it under adult supervision with the requisite assessments and then did a special project to show my understanding. It’s graded by the same teacher who taught me calculus.</p>

<p>Thanks for the opinion! I just am wary of wasting app money and Caltech is already a hard admit for internationals. :)</p>