Caltech EA

Colleges and Universities A-Z California Institute of Technology
1

<p>I really have no idea on my chances for caltech. It seems so different from the other schools I am applying to. So please help me evaluate my chances.</p>

<p>I am a low income (parents are divorced) white male, applying for financial aid</p>

<p>GPA: 3.75 UW (weak, I know :(), 4.25 W... but, 4.5/4.5 weighted for UC system (I have no idea how caltech weights it though.. and yes, I know caltech isn't a UC lol)</p>

<p>Rank: my school doesn't rank.. but I'd estimate like top 6%</p>

<p>School: public... very competitive... top school in my state... kids go to great school... someone got into caltech this year and is going... maybe that helps?</p>

<p>SAT: 2210 (800 M, 700 CR, 710 W)... I am retaking... I expect hopefully upper 700s on W and mid 700s on CR</p>

<p>SAT II: 750 Chem, 690 Lit (I know, retaking), 760 Math IIC (also retaking... I will get an 800 this time ;))</p>

<p>AP: bio 5, calc BC 5, APUS 4, Euro 4, micro 4, macro 4, english lang 4, chem 4</p>

<p>13 AP classes by the time I graduate, the rest are honors (hardest possible schedule)</p>

<p>AMC 12: 108
AIME: I think 2 or 3 (lol, bad score)</p>

<p>ECs: -300 hours of volunteering at a hospital
-Science Olympiad... 2nd place state team, top 10 nationals team... a "dynasty" team if you may... umm silver, bronze state medals... bronze national medal (oh how I love you)
-Future Problem Solving... 2nd (F), 2nd (S), 4th (J), at states... 8th (F) at international competition... I am also president of it for three years (S, F, Se)
-A political debate club... may be president next year
-Part time job... like 30 hours a week in the summer and 18 a week during school</p>

<p>I think I will have good recs and great essays...</p>

<p>So yeah, thanks for your help.</p>

2

<p>cool... bump</p>

3

<p>Ignore the Lit, at least for Caltech... that's not really an important score for us ;-)</p>

<p>Your 4's on the AP's bother me a bit, since there are so many, even if most of them are non-science... that'll raise a few eyebrows -- many people who submit AP scores get all 5's.</p>

<p>Your AMC/AIME are decent but not truly standouts on their own.</p>

<p>I think it's very important that you have a job -- 18 hours a week during the school year alone is a truly serious time commitment... and it seems lke your activities show some actual dedication, but your remarks here about your extracurriculars are pretty brief.</p>

<p>Obviously, that should not be the case in your final application... here's why. The bottom line is that youll probably be essentially average academically in the pool -- maybe a little above -- but you have to valut yourself a lot higher to make the cut for getting in. You certainly have the raw material with which to do this. Your background presented challenges. You've overcome those challenges and ended up working a lot and volunteering a lot and participating in a few clubs. </p>

<p>Unfortunately, on their own, each of these is a bit "boring", to put it bluntly. Everyone and their brother does science olympiad and problem solving, most do some sort of debate, and jobs are not uncommon.</p>

<p>The point is: if you focus on any one of these, or present them all as a hodgepodge of things you did, you won't stand out and you won't make an impression to help out your slightly spotty academic record. So what you have to do is compile these things into some sort of compelling narrative -- a story. Explain how each of them reflects on your personality, on your ability to overcome challenges, and ultimately on your ability to become successful in math, science, or engineering. You have to transcend a pile of (in our pool) ordinary stats to become a vibrant person who rose through difficulty to achieve things that are impressive, if not uncommon taken alone.</p>

<p>So take risks! Be yourself in your essays. It's pretty clear that if you submit a "standard" application with typical essays, you would be facing very stiff competition, and the chances would be low. But if you turn your challenges to your advantage by coming off the page and sticking in the memory of the people who will read your application, you may well be one of those admits we take a risk on and feel good about, even though you weren't at the top of the heap in numbers. But for us to want to take a risk, you have to take one, and really put yourself into the subjective aspects of your application. I think you can do it.</p>

4

<p>Thanks! I was hoping you would give me advice. Your idea for an essay is an excellent one, a way to string everything together.</p>

5

<p>what do you mean by "beeing yourself"?</p>

<p>write what am i most passionate about? but if it's sleeping? should i write it down or i will be rejected right away just for being "myself"?
it's just an example, but the question is...is there any line between "being yourself" and....hm...i don't know how to say it in English...being "TOO much yourself" that you shouldn't cross?</p>

<p>and another question...
what's the deal with ED?
what are the advantages/disadvantages of it?
if i'm rejected EA, can apply RA?
ty</p>

6

<p>
[quote]
but if it's sleeping?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Then Caltech/MIT/whatever probably isn't the best school for you... I think honesty is generally best -- if being honest reveals that you're not a good fit, you would have been unhappy here in the first place.</p>

<p>Obviously don't tell us too much about your personal life (your girlfriend, whatever) or anything that's generally inappropriate in a professional-type context. But beyond that, try to tell the admissions committee what you are like as a scientist, and also what you would like to be when you come here. Be honest but it's okay to paint yourself ina positive light -- everyone does that.</p>

<p>For the details of EA and its benefits/drawbacks, read my post above yours and also my responses to the recent EA questions on this board.</p>

7

<p>Just curious Ben, what uni do you go to?</p>

8

<p>Caltech :-P</p>

9

<p>Oh, ok :) no wonder you had such good advice :)</p>