<p>If I didn't take SAT for any reason (financial hardships .. etc) , should I even bother applying , adding that I have a competitive TOEFL , very strong scientific background ( research , 800's in SAT II , very high GPA , top 1%)
thnx</p>
<p>No, you must take the SAT to apply to CalTech. If you have financial hardships, you can request to CollegeBoard to waive your SAT fee. No one can tell if you have a good chance of getting in. It’s much more difficult for internationals to get in.
From CalTech admissions page for international student (<a href=“http://www.admissions.caltech.edu/applying/international[/url]”>http://www.admissions.caltech.edu/applying/international</a>)
[quote]
Please note that all freshman applicants are required to submit the standardized test scores as noted on our Freshman Applicants page.quote]</p>
<p>Or you could take the ACT.</p>
<p>You took SAT II but could not take SAT?</p>
<p>Here are the CalTech requirements</p>
<p>*
**What tests do you require?
*The SAT: Critical Reading, Math and Writing
OR the old SAT I: Verbal and Math
OR the ACT (with or without the optional writing section)
AND SAT Subject Test Mathematics Level 2
AND One of the following SAT Subject Tests: Biology, (Ecological), Biology (Molecular), Chemistry, or Physics</p>
<p>I don’t know if that is a hypothetical situation, but I’m just curious. </p>
<p>How can things like financial hardships lead to not taking the SAT if you have several SAT subject tests that cost more and TOEFL which is 2~4 times more expensive than the SAT?</p>
<p>I don’t think that will be likely in real life</p>
<p>Guys 
,
this is what happened , I was planning to give a try and apply to the MIT ,which gives internationals the option to take the TOEFL ( WAY easier than SAT ) and two subjects tests , I also found a couple of LAC’s who do the same thing , so I took them , but I was broke after so …
anyways rather than the tests , I believe I have a decent app , I mean I’m ranked in the top 1% across Egypt in Math and science , literally , and this summer I become a member at a NASA research team (the youngest ) , and currently I am working as a research assistant with a MIT professor , and doing very good job .</p>
<p>@ unlocked : I live in the third world , anything could happen here , literally .</p>
<p>If you can, then just take the stinkin SAT.</p>
<p>I wish I could 
currently the only way is to enroll in a public local university here in Egypt , this sucks , I know, and then after a year or so , I’d probably have enough money ,transfer .
though that will force me to remove caltech out of the list , no financial aid for international transfers , but what choice do I have , hoping for the best .</p>
<p>Maybe there’s some sort of organization that will help you pay for the SAT? Are fee waivers available for international students?</p>
<p>unfortunately , fee waivers are only for US students</p>
<p>Easiest and most reliable option is to EMAIL Caltech admissions and explain the situation. Then they will give you a definitive answer and you will know how to proceed</p>
<p>thanks for the advice =)
thnx all :)</p>