<p>I'm starting my Junior year of HS, and I have a few questions about the admissions process at Caltech. </p>
<p>1.) Is an 800 Math Level 2 expected, or is it still helpful to an application?
2.) Due to scheduling conflicts, I am only taking G+T Physics this year, no AP Sciences (double period AP Calc though). Will this hurt my chances?
3.) I spend the majority of my out-of-school time doing marching band,or the in-season running sport. Will it hurt my chances that I don't do any major science/math E.C.s?</p>
<p>Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!</p>
<p>1) A sub-800 Math IIc will hurt an application a little bit, because the test is easy and nicely curved. Having an 800 helps in that it keeps you in the highly competitive range.</p>
<p>2) You are never penalized for scheduling conflicts. It would <em>really</em> help the application though if you showed initiative by taking an AP-level science course through EPGY or something of that sort -- but obviously only if you have time.</p>
<p>3) Lots of applicants do marching band and run... and some of them get in. You'd certainly be better off with some extracurricular evidence of scientific passion. If we have two similar applicants, one with XC and marching band and another with XC and chemistry research on the side, you can see how the scientific involvement can tip the scale. But you still have lots of time, perhaps to do something over the summer... summer activities also count as evidence of scientific passion.</p>
<p>Thanks for the detailed replies! I want to do a math program over the summer, will that show initiative? Also, I do Maryland Math League (a 6-part state wide math competion), and I have won my grade level for the past two years (hopefully this year as well). In addition, if I take AP Chem and AP Physics next year, would it redeem my lack of AP sciences this year?</p>
<p>Math summer program will certainly show initiative.</p>
<p>Maryland Math League counts as science extracurricular -- and winning certainly helps. Write it down!! : )</p>
<p>AP's next year will help, though obviously we won't see the scores. But good first quarter grades (or first semester -- shoot for A+'s when you get there, if your school gives them) will certainly help.</p>
<p>Thanks for your help! I really appreciate it! My school doesn't give +s or -s, but I think I can get As. Thanks again :>)</p>