Are MIT, Caltech, etc. possibilities?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I'm a white male in a suburban Detroit public school.</p>

<p>No SAT I
SAT II: Math II-800 Chemistry-800 Physics-800
ACT: 33 (Math 36, Reading 32, English 31, Science 33, essay 9)
32 (Math 36, Reading 28, English 29, Science 35, essay 8?)</p>

<p>AP's
9th: Calc BC-5 (I technically did this in eighth grade, but I started studying calc after the AP exam; I didn't know what it was anyway, if this matters) This was a self-studied course.</p>

<p>10th/11th: Chem-5 US History-5 Physics C Mech-5 Physics C-E&M-4 (I know this one is pathetic, I never finished reading the chapters on inductance) US History and Physics C were also self-studied courses.</p>

<p>12th: Currently taking AP Biology and AP Psychology, along with a Japanese 4 class that isn't AP, but the teacher knows most of our class will take it.), and symphony orchestra.
I'm self-studying AP Micro and Macroeconomics, AP European History, AP English Language, and AP English Lit.</p>

<p>I skipped a grade last March, so my 10th/11th AP's were technically 11th grade, but you get the idea.</p>

<p>GPA: 4.0 No weighted GPA. Rank 1/(about)540, shared with about 32 other people though. Does this sound like an "A factory" school with grade inflation problems?</p>

<p>I've self-studied some of the AP's mentioned above along with the district's math curriculum while in middle school, if colleges care about this; linear algebra, diff. eq., calc III through EPGY(I had a bad experience with these people) and self-studied, abstract algebra, intro to real analysis, topology, complex variables/analysis, partial diff. eq., and some other topics like number theory, game theory, and "Geometry II" Of course, some of these are currently in progress. I'm also self-studying classical mechanics II, classical electromagnetism II, special relativity, thermodynamics, tensor calc with a relativity and cosmology "approach," and next semester I'll do general relativity, with possibly some quantum mechanics and optics.</p>

<p>Extracurriculars
Violin for six years, piano for three. Won mostly first but some second division medals at district and state level solo & ensemble competitions. Played violin a few times at memorial brunch for student killed by drunk driver, Christmas piano songs for the elderly at an American House, member of school symphony orchestra for four years, member of DSO Civic Ensembles program last year, now member of Oakland Youth Orchestra.</p>

<p>Treasurer of Japanese club for two years now. (this is my second) It's more than just collecting dues, the entire board participates in deciding what to do for meetings, running the club, etc.</p>

<p>A lot of volunteering, I started in elementary school, member of school's Project LEAD, tutored kids at the Boys & Girls Club, high school students in math and science(mostly for free, but I have charged when the person was intending more than one meeting), along with some other events.</p>

<p>Bowling leagues-I like it, but I suck. I've done some Saturday leagues since third grade and joined the school's JV team last year. This year, with so many kids, I was stuck on the "backup" team that goes to practices, no games. Oh well.</p>

<p>Math/science activities- Don't have anything really special.
Top 100 (out of approx. 10,000) on Michigan Mathematics Prize Competition.
One of the highest scoring freshmen in the state on the Michigan Mathematics League.
Started USAMTS this year, but my round 1 was really bad, 18/25. Couldn't submit round 2 because I barely looked at it.
AMC 10 as a freshman-119.5, ouch. AMC 12 as soph./junior- 96 (I thought the unanswered questions were 2.5 points, not 1.5; whatever.)
Therefore, I never qualified for AIME, but I took it last year "unofficially." (no rules broken, nothing submitted)
Part of ARML team in 06-07
Started preparing for Physics Olympiad and Physics Bowl this year; our school's club didn't mention these earlier
Chemistry Olympiad "school team" for two years, this will be my third, unless I screw up really bad on our school's cutoff exam. (just an old version of the screening exam)</p>

<p>Of course, I'm a very nerdy math and physics geek.</p>

<p>If anyone wants to read my essay, just let me know.</p>

<p>I'm applying to MIT, Caltech, UC Berkeley, Columbia, UChicago, Brown, Rice, Wash U, Northwestern, NYU, and possibly Penn.
I know this was really long, so for those who are still reading this, I thank you. I'd like to hear what you think.</p>

2

<p>"9th: Calc BC-5 (I technically did this in eighth grade, but I started studying calc after the AP exam; I didn't know what it was anyway, if this matters) This was a self-studied course."</p>

<p>Enough Said?</p>

3

<p>woah you took calc bc exam in 8th grade and got a 5?!?!</p>

<p>wow props to you.</p>

4

<p>and yeah 32 ppl tied for 1st place looks like serious grade inflation.</p>

<p>and wow i'm impressed by your high math/science level. I think you are in at caltech and mit.</p>

5

<p>in for sure to both</p>

6

<p>Gpa, wow.
SAT IIs wow.
ACT wow.
ECs wow.
Awards wow.
Self studies... that is freakin insane.
I'm curious, what are you planning to study when you get into all those schools.</p>

7

<p>To clarify, I took the Calc BC exam in ninth grade, but I started studying the material in eighth grade after the beginning of May. Again, I don't see how this is important, but I included it just to be absolutely sure. Thanks for the comments so far.</p>

<p>tahncol86, I wanted to study physics for sure, and possibly double/triple major in math(pure) and/or electrical/computer engineering. Because of the ridiculous amount of work this would require, I'll probably stick to physics and math, just taking classes in engineering to satisfy the interest.</p>

<p>Am I seriously hurt by not having AIME or USAMO?</p>

8

<p>AIME or the USAMO would definitely help you, but the admissions won't really decide to reject you for not having them.</p>

<p>Having a good SOP on your interest would be good enough, and I don't see any problems because the self-studies just show your passion towards those subjects. I mean... seriously, if you don't get in... I really don't know who would...</p>

<p>Best lucks.</p>

9

<p>You may not have the ACT high enough to compete with other applicants, but you show your love for math EASILY through your courses and ECs. You should have a strong chance at all the engineering schools.</p>

10

<p>for MIT and Caltech, u need to do more contest even i am in the Canadian Math Olympics Finalist. But my GPA and ranking sucks too much. Others U are solid, i think u have about around 40% in getting MIT and Caltech</p>

11

<p>You self-studied for Physics C in 10th grade? That's all I would need to see.</p>

12

<p>Well done in academics.</p>

<p>Am I the only one who thinks his ECs are on the weak side? No research, Intel/Siemens, summer programs, and did not qualify for the AIME?</p>

13

<p>I think you could have a 100% or a 0% depending on your SOP and rec. letters really.</p>

<p>I wouldn't say your ECs are weak... on the contrary its very strong. However I do agree a little with sup that many of your ECs don't relate to what you want to do in college. But who cares... your still young. I think your ECs are good enough to convince them that you love math and physics.</p>

<p>good luck</p>

14

<p>I forgot to mention I helped a biologist (technically a teacher, but she has a doctorate and has published other works) with a math model for her work on evolutionary diversity based primarily on size, typical velocity, and so on.(it's similar to "research," the paper would be submitted as a supplement and as far as I imagine, reviewed using the same procedures for an abstract) I also went to a robotics camp at a local university this last summer. Would this help the extracurriculars?</p>

<p>vector, what other competitions are available aside from the Canadian Math Olympiad. I know there are others out there, but it doesn't make any sense for someone in the Midwest to take a Maryland math competition, for example.</p>

15

<p>Send me your essay!</p>

<p><a href="mailto:rohanjoshi@optonline.net">rohanjoshi@optonline.net</a></p>

16

<p>I think you've already established the "I am good at math and physics."</p>

<p>That research of yours would be of more value than olympiads since it really shows what you want to do when you get inin MIT, Caltech, etc.</p>

<p>National math olympiads would be great, but I think research under someone legit on what your passionate about plus a rec. letter from that person would be a lock for your admission chances anywhere. Especially with all the amazing talent/potential you have.</p>

17

<p>Uh guys, taking Calc BC in 8th grade isn't that big of a deal. Taking calculus earlier doesn't have much to do with mathematical potential. Doing well in the USAMO, however, does. Read this article</p>

<p>The</a> Calculus Trap</p>

<p>
[quote]
Am I seriously hurt by not having AIME or USAMO?

[/quote]

Yes, somewhat. Not even qualifying for AIME will cast some doubts on your mathematical abilities despite taking calculus so early.</p>

18

<p>GPA: Wow
APs: Wow
ECs: Wow
Self Studies: Wow
Volunteer: Wow
Girls: N/A (?) Lol
I hope you had fun in high school, bro.
Go have a beer cuz you will get in to all of those schools.
Actually, you probably should raise the necessary funds to start your own personal university.
Cheers!</p>

19

<p>Hey ^ you up there, are you telling him to drink beer?? This is not a beer forum!!! Good comment on girlz -> by the way!</p>

20

<p>Umm...
Nice set of stats, but I hope that you did an interview, that really helps with your application, if it goes even remotely well, it will increase your chances by 50%. MIT really values their alumni interviews. I already got into MIT for class of 2008, don't ask me how ;). But the interview really really helped me.
remember to not present yourself as a one dimensional candidate, a lot of the technical school are placing increasing value on creativity and communication skills.</p>