Aspiring Inmigrant

Colleges and Universities A-Z California Institute of Technology
1

<p>Hello!</p>

<p>As my title says, I have just arrived to the US to live here. I am trying to earn a spot on a school, and of course I'd be applying for the best, since I'm passionate about mathematics and physics, going through them practically by myself; and I guess It won't hurt to give it a shot!</p>

<p>I have to take all the standarized tests, on which I assume I would do fine (I estimate a score of ~1400 on the SAT, with a 750+ on math, and a pretty decent Toefl). I'm also taking APs, studying by myself -my style- : Calculus AB, BC and Physics B & C. I don't think I will be attending any high school here, since It won't do any educational good, I'm already 19 -yes, a bit old-, but I've always been confident on my ability to progress by myself. I do have a high school transcript, which, regrettably, does not show any commitment or potential to studies, i.e. lousy grades, and no recs. I come from a third world country with not much opportunities for science-driven students, and I guess I made many mistakes before for being too independent and a bit of a rebel. I will state that on my essays, and also will try to participate in some sort of college environment or activity, in order to meet someone who could give me a rec. That's, briefly, my situation</p>

<p>My question is if I stand any chance for Caltech. Should I even bother? I would love to go to the most challenging place possible, because I have a lot of determination and passion for learning and discovering. I would be majoring in physics and/or math.</p>

<p>Please, give me some advice...</p>

2

<p>BTW, I would be considered as international, even though I live as an inmigrant here, due to my visa status. I come from Ecuador.</p>

3

<p>With very bad high school grades and no recommendations, it would unfortunately not be possible for you to be accepted as an applicant for freshman admission. You could, however, do quite well if you studied for a year or two at a local community college, whereupon you would get good official grades and recommendations. Then you would have a much better chance.</p>

4

<p>I meant to add that you would be applying as a transfer applicant after community college.</p>

5

<p>GPA and SAT which one is heavier?</p>

6

<p>gpa is always higher</p>

7

<p>What if somehow I show the progress I made since HS? I know a lot of topics from College, studying on my own since I was 17, from borrowed books and internet. It's not a formal education, I know, But is there a way to prove my knowledge? maybe obtaining a HS diploma? What are the chances as a transfer student?</p>

8

<p>If you get almost all A's at a community college, strong SAT scores, and do something outside the classroom to show your passion for science (research, studying extra advanced material, etc.) then the chances as a transfer would be good. Unfortunately, doing something fully independently with no recommendations and no more formal classes leaves pretty much no chance of getting in.</p>