Another chances thread

Colleges and Universities A-Z California Institute of Technology
1

<p>I'm an Indian-Asian sophomore in Georgia looking towards Caltech for undergraduate-ship. I've loved science and, to a somewhat higher degree, pure mathematics for a long time. </p>

<p>I understand that there isn't anything specific I can do to boost my chances of getting in, but any suggestions are welcome. Without further ado, here's my courseload: </p>

<p>9th grade: (All available honors and AP classes and all available science courses for freshman.) * = required
AP US Government
Honors Biology
Honors Literature & Composition
Honors Latin I
Acc. Math I (Note that Georgia just recently started a new program in mathematics.)
PE & Health (1 semester each)*
Computer Apps I & II (1 semester each)*
Graphic Design & Digital Media (1 semester each)</p>

<p>10th grade: (Again, all available honors + AP and science courses)
AP World History
Acc. Math II
Honors Physical Science
Honors Literature & Composition
Honors Latin II
SAT Prep
Computer Apps III
Intro to Healthcare
Team Sports</p>

<p>11th grade: (Proposed. I should be taking 3x as many science courses as recommended.)
AP US History
AP English
AP Biology
AP Environmental Science
AP Chemistry (Technically not offered, but they offer the exam.)
Acc. Math III
Acc. Math IV (Statistics)
Honors Latin III
(And if they won't let me double up on math) Healthcare II</p>

<p>12th grade: (Proposed. I should be finishing up the rest of the science courses.)
AP Psychology
AP Literature
AP Calculus AB
AP Physics (Technically not offered, but they offer the exam.)
AP Latin
Anatomy & Physiology
Healthcare II (Or Acc. Math IV if I couldn't take it junior year.)
Healthcare III</p>

<p>There are no local colleges that offer courses that I am interested in. I'm an active varsity science olympiad (here referred to as academic team) and have been since my freshman year. I started tennis this year and I plan on joining debate next year. I'm going to also join math club, which is open to juniors and seniors next year.</p>

<p>A little about me personally: When I started freshman year, I was fed up with the way science and math were taught: with little to no enthusiasm and as something to get out of the way for testing. I quickly found a small group of friends who thought the same way. Near the middle of our freshman year, we started toying around with the idea of trying to teach ourselves the math, even up to calculus. All of them decided that it was too much effort, so I started on my own. I quickly found myself lacking fundamental mathematical knowledge, so I started brushing up on the basics... I started experimenting with the simple stuff. I found myself rediscovering simple patterns, which I found were elucidated upon in the math books I got from the library. It was here that my interest in physics was kindled: I began reading Brian Greene's books and haven't yet stopped.</p>

<p>After a year of that, I'm far ahead of my class, who are currently stumbling through exponential and logarithmic functions. I bought a calculus textbook with my own money and have been perusing it before I go to bed every night and I'm proud to say that I'm making progress. I'm not especially worried about my grades in school, even though I've been trying to keep them up to a solid 4.0. My PSAT scores were in the 200s, with my math score easily making up for my critical reading and writing scores, which lagged just a tad behind. </p>

<p>I don't really understand why people don't like math. I'm astounded by my friends who would rather go into applied technical courses, instead of trying understand the very fabric of reality. There is something almost magical about the patterns and pictures painted by numbers in mathematics. It blows my mind every damn time. </p>

<p>I hadn't heard of Caltech until the beginning of this year and it strikes me very much as the kind of school I'd like to go to. So, CC, what are my chances?</p>

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<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/california-institute-technology/442418-anyone-wanting-know-their-chances-getting-into-caltech.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/california-institute-technology/442418-anyone-wanting-know-their-chances-getting-into-caltech.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Have fun</p>

3

<p>If you like math, take the AMCs. If your school doesn’t offer it, start it. </p>

<p>And don’t forget extracurriculars. You want to be doing more than just science olympiad, math and tennis. Also, Caltech recommends that you take AP Calculus BC (not AB), preferably before senior year. Since your school doesn’t offer AP Chemistry/AP Physics C, you definitely want to take those junior year (and get 5’s).</p>

4

<p>Wow. Your ignorant acrimony to the non-mathematically inclined population doesn’t sound contemptuous at all. Not one bit.</p>

5

<p>@theAkzis - You sound like a good fit for Caltech. However, I have seen some amazing applicants be turned down. Caltech really likes to see kids maximize everything their school has to offer in math and science, and then go beyond. You could try Art of Problem Solving (google them - they are a great math learning resource), or online courses at Center for Talented Youth from Hopkins, or EPGY (google that too - it is an online school for advanced study). These resources cost tuition, though will offer reduced tuition based on need. You could also start math circles, physics clubs, or seek out your local state college for online or local courses. You sound like you have the drive and motivation that Caltech is looking for, and you are right that it is a phenomenal environment for living and learning with those of a similar scientific mind. Best of luck!</p>

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<p>I’m not a Caltech student and I can’t comment on your chances, but there are a few comments I would like to make. </p>

<p>In my sophomore year of high school, I also started to learn Calculus on my own and proceeded to take the AP Calc AB test my sophomore year. If it’s avoidable I would try to take Calculus earlier and as someone mentioned above I recommend taking AP Calculus BC instead of or in addition to Calculus AB. Other than the fact that it will probably look better, if you’re already starting to learn calculus now then taking the class two years later will be extremely boring as most AP Calculus classes don’t go in depth. What most people don’t realize is that you don’t necessarily have to take an AP class in order to take the corresponding AP test, and so if you’re up for it I suggest contacting the AP coordinator at your school about signing up for the test on your own. My senior year I self-studied AP Bio, AP Physics C, and AP US History and while no one at my school took the AP Physics C examinations, they still ordered the exam and provided me with a proctor. If you do choose this route, I suggest just having the discipline to study on your own and try to get your hands on past exams to get a feel for the test. As for studying calculus, a couple excellent books are by Spivak and Apostol and I recommend that you take a look at these books in the future. They are fairly rigorous and difficult as far as Calculus books go, but if you really spend time to work through them, you’ll gain a thorough understanding of Single Variable Calculus. (I’m actually working through Apostol’s Calculus Vol. 2 right now and I love it.) I also second the earlier notions of looking into Art of Problem solving and getting interested in competition mathematics, something that I missed out on when I was in high school. Personally I think competitions like ARML, AMC, and just various math competitions are a lot of fun and can teach you a lot about mathematics. They help show that you have passion for mathematics and in general just help you connect with other people who love math. And I don’t know your situation, but don’t throw the idea of taking college classes completely out the door. I don’t necessarily recommend this, but if you keep learning math at the pace you are currently going then there is the option of taking math classes like Linear Algebra, Multi-variable calculus, or Differential equations your senior year at a local college. </p>

<p>I myself wanted to go to Caltech, but I never really spent the time in high school to be a competitive candidate. Anyways, good luck with your future endeavors and continue enjoying math!</p>