<p>Hello,</p>
<p>I, like most of the people posting in this forum, am extremely adamant about studying at Caltech, though as Ive seen by reading many of the posts on here and visiting the school on a few occasions that's easier said than done.</p>
<p>I have a few questions regarding my future application to the school (Im currently a junior) that I hope you can help me with.</p>
<p>From what Ive heard, having done research prior to applying to Caltech would be a plus to those reading my application. Currently the main outside of school activities Ive done are Volunteering at the Planetary Society in Pasadena, completing my Eagle Scout which I am curious about how much the admission staff at Caltech take into consideration, and am currently working with a teacher in a program called IMMEX. Ive also talked to a couple people at JPL during their last two open houses about interning there, Im going to try and follow that up and see if its possible to intern/volunteer there next summer. My question is, what other kind of programs are there that are science or computer related that involve interning or volunteering, either at a University (if possible) or some other organization? Im looking into joining a robotics organization next summer if possible (mostly adults) and taking extra classes in science/math at Cal state Fullerton.</p>
<p>Ill try not to turn this into a chances thread, because I honestly dont have enough information to give for an opinion to be based on, but do my out of school activities look promising? Ive seen what others have done that have applied to Caltech and was somewhat discouraged, but any information or guidance would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>Thanks in advance</p>
<ul>
<li>Griffin</li>
</ul>
<p>Yes, you are doing exactly the right thing. Volunteering at the Planetary Society and looking for an internship at JPL is exactly the right idea. The best way to get involved in research is just to email lots of professors at various places, asking if they have a way for you to help. You might also look at the Research Science Institute (RSI), and the Summer Science Program (SSP). Ben J's great new website at MIT has a pretty comprehensive list of summer programs for after your junior year -- <a href="http://www.mitadmissions.org/topics/before/science_fairs_olympiads_etc/index.shtml%5B/url%5D">http://www.mitadmissions.org/topics/before/science_fairs_olympiads_etc/index.shtml</a>.</p>
<p>Sooo... yeah. You seem to have the right spirit. Just keep poking and looking and you will find a way to show your passion. DON'T give up and do something boring/silly/unexciting with your spare time. Keep looking for something you could pour yourself into as a creative scientist and do that.</p>
<p>As for Boy Scouts, a decent number of admits have it, so that's a good sign. It's not a silver bullet, but it shows a lot of commitment to something big and long-term. You probably shouldn't make it the centerpiece of your application, but it certainly adds.</p>
<p>Thank you for your reply. Ill be sure to look those programs up, and that site looks especially helpful. Im also curious, are volunteer hours very important? I only have about a 100 currently, hopefully will have double that by senior year, but ive seen others in the thousands...so would that tip the scales in their favor or is it really not that big of a deal.</p>
<p>Thanks again for your help and the information you provided.</p>
<ul>
<li>Griffin</li>
</ul>
<p>No problem. :)</p>
<p>Rant: GNARRRRRR the notion that one should have lots of volunteer hours is pretty ridiculous. Do it if that's where your passion lies, but I hate the fact that kids are so often tricked into thinking they "have to have" community service. Aside from being a terrible perversion of what community service is supposed to be, it's also silly; volunteering for something or other is so common that it adds virtually nothing to most applications.</p>
<p>So, the short answer is -- don't worry about it. Do what you enjoy. :-)</p>
<p>Ok, thats good to know :) The counselors at my school have a tendency to over exaggerate what’s needed in that area I guess.</p>
<p>Another question that just came to me...Is freshmen year looked at as being important when your grades are looked over. I had just recently moved to california and really wasn’t motivated at all freshmen year (having a couple incompetent teachers didn't help either) ironically it was going to visit Caltech that got my grades doing a 180. If I can keep my grades high through senior year and score high on the SATs will my freshmen year scores have as much of an impact?</p>
<p>Situations like yours are fairly common, and bad grades freshman year can be overlooked if there is significant improvement thereafter.</p>
<p>Sounds good. Thanks again for your help, I really appreciate it.</p>
<ul>
<li>Griffin</li>
</ul>
<p>Talking about freshman grades...
I moved to the States in the summer of my sophmore year so I don't have a grade for my freshman year. (All the classes I took in Taiwan was counted as s".) How will the admission office see this? Is it okay?</p>
<p>This will not be a problem, either. Your high school career will just be 10-12.</p>
<p>: )</p>
<p>I just realized something. When you send in your application, whether it be EA or RD, your transcript will only cover 9-11 grade (sorry im a little slow :P)</p>
<p>Once you send in your application do you need to send in your grades for your senior year aswell? Unfortunately ill only have 2 AP classes under my belt after this year (was planning on taking the bulk of them senior year). Would this be a problem even if I can get enough extracuricular activites done on the side? I will be taking extra courses during my junior year summer aswell.</p>
<p>Some applicant's don't start taking lots of AP classes until senior year. While the stronger your transcript is when you apply, the better, people do regularly get in with only a few AP classes... just make sure your love for and ability in math and science comes through somehow in your application.</p>