<p>I was searching for some colleges that would be good "reaches" to apply to, and I arrived at Caltech as one of the options. However, I couldn't help but notice that 40% of their students are from within California. Is this because Caltech is simply much more well known in Cali (whereas MIT is more well known on the east coast), or does Caltech actually have a set % for in-state students? </p>
<p>And I know that it's doubtful, but would applying from a rural town in North Carolina be an edge in any way? :P</p>
<p>Caltech doesn't have % for in-state students, it is purely meritocracy. The reason why 40% are from California is because the cream Californian students often prefer Caltech and Stanford to MIT and Harvard in the east. So, no, if you're good, you'll have every chance a Californian applicant have.</p>
<p>Hey, I hope the small town angle works too--does Flagstaff, AZ qualify?
As far as I know, CalTech goes pretty much by the numbers--your SATs and GPA, and then factors in any science-oriented ECs. No interview. Some one I know said don't bother applying if your SAT I and SAT II Math isn't 750 or better, so I'm right on the edge.</p>
<p>"don't bother applying if your SAT I and SAT II Math isn't 750 or better, so I'm right on the edge"</p>
<p>Boo. This is just false. I got a full merit scholarship at Caltech with a 730 on the math section. We really do look at the whole person -- essays, science and non-science EC, everything -- like every other good school.</p>
<p>I notice that Caltech passed the mark of 1 billion endowment this year, and I heard from my friend that you'll be presenting it in a celebration seminar. Could you tell me what is the average Caltech endowment every year ? Thx =)</p>
<p>Ben, did you get one of the freshmen full scholarships or the upperclassman ones? I've heard that though few people get freshman scholarships, many more get upperclassman awards. Is that true?</p>
<p>Also, any numbers on EA applicants/accepted/deferred yet?</p>
<p>Thanks for the input. On a somewhat unrelated topic, approximately how many people each year enroll under the 3/2 program? Are admissions into Caltech via this program highly competitive?</p>
<p>I think 3/2 program can be pretty distressful since the disparity of the workload between the Liberal arts colleges (Occidental, Pomona, etc) and Caltech is huge.</p>
<p>"I think 3/2 program can be pretty distressful since the disparity of the workload between the Liberal arts colleges (Occidental, Pomona, etc) and Caltech is huge."</p>
<p>I don't think this is the case. There are only a few specific colleges which qualify for the 3/2 program and I think these are picked for their quality. Plus, there are only a few 3/2 students every year (less than half a dozen), so I'm sure they're among the best at their college. I roomed with a 3/2 student for a couple weeks my frosh year and she didn't seem to have any problems with the workload.</p>
<p>But Alleya, actually I don't reallly understand about the 3/2 program ... should its students go to Caltech first and finish the last 2 years at the other LAC or the other way around ?</p>
<p>That's what I meant alleya, I still think there's a gap in terms of workload between Caltech and those LACs, you know what I mean ... Caltech homeworks :). How would the 3/2 students catch up with the amazing Caltech pace? The transition process may be stressful.</p>
<p>Yes, there is a difference, but it's less of a difference than frosh experience coming in. Everyone has a bit of a shock upon coming here, but in my opinion, the 3/2 students are better able to handle it than the frosh, considering the 3 years they've had to learn how to organize their time and to study. In my opinion, students at LAC's are sometimes better at organizing their time than students at science oriented universities. At places like Caltech, most classes assign weekly problem sets, so you're given a rigid schedule you have to follow to keep up in your classes. But often in LAC's, you just have reading and a few papers or tests. You have to teach yourself to start on the work early, even when you don't have anything due for several weeks. So students from LAC's are less likely to procrastinate. Of course, this is a huge generalization based on my experiences at a LAC (before I came to Caltech). They've also had 3 more years to mature and are more likely to know their limits and not try to set out to prove themselves by taking too many classes, as frosh sometimes tend to do.</p>
<p>Remember that there are thousands of students out there who are Caltech quality. People who are admitted as frosh are not the only ones who can handle the intense workload.</p>
<p>Ben, you must have done something pretty special to get an Axline. Also, what is the update on the admissions process? Have committee meetings begun yet?</p>
<p>Ben, from all the posts that I have read, techers always post that Axline Scholars are somewhat godlike. And that if you have to ask about receiving an Axline, then you're not good enough to get it. Ben that either makes you godlike or you were once a normal high school student also. Please part these sacred golden doors of the Axline and tell us what you did (others did) to get it. Or do they make you take a secret oath.</p>
<p>I know that many people here are dying to know.</p>
<p>Unfortunately there is a dinner that I'm late for, but I wanted to say quickly that I'm undoubtedly not godlike and that I will make a post answering all your questions soon, after I finish my two homework sets. But they are excellent questions and I wanted to say that I will answer them.</p>