Hey, I was thinking of applying early action to Caltech and had a few questions for anyone willing to help.
Here are my stats:
Black male
SAT (Superscore): N/A
SAT II: 760 Math II, 750 Chemistry
ACT: 28 (Math:31, Reading: 30, Science: 26, English: 26)
GPA (Weighted) - 91.7617
Class Rank: top tenth/550
Relatively large public school in NJ
Online Classes and summer courses taken to advance placement next school year
AP (4 AP’s taken):
Calculus BC (5) self study
Physics Mech (5) self study
Physics Electricity and Magnetism (5) self study
Chemistry (5)
Senior Year Courses:
Gym IV
AP Physics C
Chinese III
Honors Wind ensemble
Mythology
Student Option
Film Studies
Extracurriculars:
Marching band 9-12
Jazz band 9-12
Symphonic orchestra 9-12
Pit band 12
Chinese exchange program 10
Biology league 9
Chemistry league 10-11
Physics League 11-12
Science Olympiad founded 11-12
Robotics 9-12
Math League 9-12
Brass quintet 9-12
Creative Writing Club 9-12
Muslim Students Association 10-12
Fencing 9-11
Tutoring at local library 10-12
Teacher/Counselor Recommendations: Should be good I was personally close to the teachers as well as my counselor. We interacted very frequently.
My worry about applying early is 1) my gpa and 2) my ACT scores. I was wondering if I should hold off applying because I know I can improve my GPA at least 2-3 points. As for my ACT scores I am retaking the test in October as well as the subject tests. Im not asking for my exact result but some help. Thank you in advance and have a good day. go beavers!
Hello,
I do agree that your ACT score is a bit low (in comparison to the average for the most recent incoming class: https://www.admissions.caltech.edu/content/class-profile), but if you’re able to bump up that score, it could help a lot.
I’m not too familiar with that GPA point system (I’ve primarily had experience with GPA’s out of 4, with A’s being 4’s). What would your GPA approximately be in a 4-point system?
I also have some general questions that would be good things to think about while applying to Caltech (or similar schools):
- Why would you like to apply to Caltech?
- Do you have any particular goals for the future, or are you not as sure about the future but do know you are interested in a particular subject (or group of subjects)?
- What kinds of things are you looking for in a school?
Hi! Thank you for such a quick reply @Anamfija that GPA would roughly translate to 3.9 or 4.0 depending on who you ask. As for your questions, I always wanted to study chemistry since I was in middle school and CCE at Caltech is, from my research second to none. That and the fact of how challenging the curriculum is at Caltech appeals to me. In the future, I hope to work in a lab performing research in the field of chemistry, most likely more inorganic focused. That is if I do not decide to pursue my doctorate degree. As for things that I am looking for in a school: STEM-focused obviously but mostly a sense of community. At my high school someone like me who reads physics textbooks and does calculus for fun isnt exactly the most popular. I got interested in Caltech because it was so science focused that I knew I could fit in really well which is important to me as well as academics. You aren’t in the classroom all the time haha.