Caltech Application

Colleges and Universities A-Z California Institute of Technology
1

Hello everyone!
I am interested in applying to caltech and I was taking a look at the application. In the Caltech specific questions, it asks if one has taken the AMC 12 or AIME before. Does this mean that if I did not participate in either of the competitions, it is a major drawback? (For context, I want to apply as an applied physics major and have taken/am currently taking all the science and math classes offered at my school). Thank you!!

2

If you have other ways to show your math ability (strong grades in advanced courses, research or other work) it shouldn’t be a huge drawback. However a high AIME score/USA(J)MO qualification can help a bit.

3

Thank you @MITer94! I have research experience in physics for the past two years and have taking a DE class in math at my local university, so this could counteract the lack of math competition experience?

4

@matchalove123 It could work. Impossible to chance these things, but my son was accepted to Caltech with no math competition scores, though he did have 2 years of physics research and 2 years of DE math/CS courses. He did qualify for AIME senior year and emailed Caltech admissions in whatever month that comes out.

Good luck!

5

@Ynotgo thank you so much for your response! I mainly have focused my attention on USAPhO. Should I also start studying for the AIME? I have done well on the AMC 10 as a middle schooler (missed the AIME cutoff by 1.5) but I didn’t continue participating in math competitions because of a lack of time.

6

@matchalove123 I’d guess that time spent on making your essays great would be valuable at this point.

If you haven’t taken the AMC 10/12 in HS but you did well in middle school, it wouldn’t hurt to take it this February just in case you qualify. I think qualifying on the AMC12 is supposed to be easier (by percentage) than the AMC10. I don’t think you need to put a lot of time into studying, though.

I don’t think qualifying in Feb was what made the difference for my son. I think it was his essays and long-term activities.

USAPhO looks great too!

7

Also regarding Caltech applications, anything could happen.

I applied to Caltech and was waitlisted/rejected even though I was a USAMO qualifier. My low SAT reading/writing score probably had something to do with it…

8

Thank you so much for your feedback @MITer94 @Ynotgo !!!