Hi, all- this is the first discussion I’ve made on this site, but I’ve spent a lot of time reading past discussions. In fact, that’s where this question comes from… I’m looking at applying to highly selective schools, which obviously require students that are at the top of their class, but after reading articles on this site, it feels like you shouldn’t even apply to colleges like Caltech or MIT if you haven’t done something relatively extraordinary. By this, I mean accomplishments like publishing a scientific discovery, conducting private research, winning/be a finalist for the Intel Talent Search, attend RSI, etc.
I guess what I’m asking is: Does anyone have personal experience in getting into Caltech or equivalent with great SAT/ACT scores, GPA, letters of rec, etc, even with relatively unimpressive extracurriculars? Or, if you got into one of these schools, what are your stats?
Thanks so much!
Hey,
I was in the same boat as you when it was time to do apps. I was recently admitted to MIT, even though when I applied I thought I had no chance as I didn’t meet the profile of having outstanding ECs, perfect GPA, etc.
My single sitting ACT was 34, super score 35. My subject tests were Math 2 770, Physics 750, for testing. My GPA was probably around 4th or 5th in my class from a small-medium private school. I am a Caucasian male if that helps. I think the strength in my application definitely came from my essays, try and write about unique experiences that you think the admissions committee would value in a student. I also think I was my college counselors favorite student which helped with that rec, and my other teacher recs were very good. My other ECs were pretty good with some decent awards, though nowhere near ones like attending RSI.
In the end, remember they are admitting students and not numbers, some people with higher stats might not get in and lower might end up getting in.
I was accepted to MIT, and I did have good extracurriculars but I had a fairly mediocre GPA. Just for anyone out there who is like me (good SAT, good EC’s, not so good GPA - say around 3.7-3.8, my school doesn’t calculate it so I’m not sure exactly) - there is yet hope! Everyone says “GPA is by far the most important thing”, but you can certainly make up for it.
Caltech requires an especially hi SAT Math 2 score to be considered.
from the 2019 student profile
SAT Math Level 2 mid-50%: 790–800
https://www.admissions.caltech.edu/content/class-profile
@MathGeek11 I am a senior at MIT and here were my stats while in HS:
GPA: 4.0/4 UW
SAT: 2090 superscore (800 M, 680 W, 610 R)
SAT II: 800 Math II, 740 Physics
ECs: mostly math related, made USAMO, won a national championship (I won’t say which publicly, to preserve anonymity). Also was a member of a couple clubs, including robotics and school orchestra.
Recs: Great
Essays: Average (I’m not the best writer)
White male, domestic
I got accepted to MIT but rejected by Caltech. If Caltech really expects high scores, I can see why. But having something unique that you really enjoy is always good to have, sort of what @Cardshark123 said.
Caltech is primarily stats-based. A 2400 and an 800 in Math II (plus, ideally, at least one science SAT II) will often (though not always, or anywhere close to it) be a ticket to ride. A 750 in Math II is a significant drawback there, something that can be said of very few colleges.
MIT is the polar opposite, at least among elite technical schools. Though an 800 in Math II will help, and a high SAT I never hurt anyone, this blog post - which CC references more than any I’m aware of - neatly sums up the admissions office’s philosophy.
http://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/applying_sideways
At Caltech, that magic number is 780 Math II. Below that you are sunk. They did a study eons ago and apparently given the type of math they teach there, kids with below a 780 have a more challenging time getting through the first year. I think they get C’s. All the time. Caltech has little in the way of distribution requirements. As one professor said to me, "Caltechies can blow things up no problem, but they have no idea what goes on outside the world of technoscience. That means they may not know or care about how what they do effects the world.
SAT…below a 700 verbal you are sunk, and below a 750 math it’s all over too.