Caltech Gauging

[Dakar]

<p>Hi,</p>

<p>For the past few years I've seen Caltech as my dream college; a top-tier, yet relatively small, physics college. Looking over this forum, though, I've been having serious doubts as to my ability to get in. So, I'm requesting some help and advice from the college veterans here. Note that I'm a junior, with the following as my stats so far:</p>

<p>ACT: 35. 33 English, 35 Math/Reading, 36 Science
SAT I: N/A. As I understand it, my ACT score is high enough to (hopefully) appeal to colleges.
SAT II's (planned): Math 2, Physics, Literature
GPA: Currently 3.9 weighted, 3.8 unweighted. Discounting freshman year it becomes 4.0/3.9.</p>

<p>Current APs: 5 - AP Calc BC, 4 - AP US History, 3 - AP Economics (Micro + Macro)</p>

<p>EDIT: High School - Berkley High School (Berkley, Michigan)</p>

<p>Classes this semester (current grade):
Honors English (A)
Multivariable Calculus (A)
Engineering Physics - Dual Enrollment at local college, basically Physics C 1 + Thermodynamics (A)
Ceramics (A)
Economics - Dual Enrollment (A)
Study Hall - School Requirement (A, somehow)
Chinese (A-)
Philosophy (A)</p>

<p>Estimated semester grade: 4.2 weighted, 3.96 unweighted (4.0 at two sig-figs).</p>

<p>Classes next semester:
Honors English
AP Government
Physics C 2 - Stanford's EPGY
University Logic - Stanford's EPGY
Java Programming - Dual Enrollment
Linear Algebra
Study Hall
Chinese</p>

<p>Estimated class groupings next school year:
AP English Language
Chinese
Differential Equations + Real Analysis (Stanford's EPGY)
Optics, Modern Physics, Intermediate Mechanics (Stanford's EPGY)
Computer Sciences - Dual Enrollment</p>

<hr>

<p>Community Service: 4 hours per week, 5 every over week (SADD).</p>

<p>One of the huge things I'm panicking over is that I do not have any activity hours. I only recently joined a club (SADD) and do not belong to any science or math groups. I spend a lot of time by myself pursuing science/math interests, but from what I [url=<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/california-institute-technology/442418-anyone-wanting-know-their-chances-getting-into-caltech.html%5Dunderstand%5B/url"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/california-institute-technology/442418-anyone-wanting-know-their-chances-getting-into-caltech.html]understand[/url&lt;/a&gt;], not having these activity hours is practically a death sentence. However, I'm not sure if I can work these in; family schedules mean I can't stay after school, for example.</p>

<p>I plan using the 2008 summer to guest at college, taking at least Statistics and Composition there.</p>

<p>Apologies for the long post. Any thoughts or recommendations?</p>

[Dakar]

<p>Apologies for the double posting, but the time limit expired. A list of the Berkley extracurriculars can be found [url=<a href="http://www.berkley.k12.mi.us/index.asp?item=356&name=Student%20Activities%5Dhere%5B/url"&gt;http://www.berkley.k12.mi.us/index.asp?item=356&name=Student%20Activities]here[/url&lt;/a&gt;]. How much would it improve my chances if I tried to join the chess club, math club, Science honors society and Science Olympiad? Given that I'm halfway through my junior year, is there even still time?</p>

[Dauntless9]

<p>If family schedules cause you not to be able to do science activities after school, then be sure to mention it, and mention in your essay how you pursue math/science activities on your own. It's not going to kill you. I think you show a fairly strong passion for math science just due to the nature of your course load. </p>

<p>The key is that you still do lots of science "stuff" (you didn't really specify), just not through your school. If you want to do those clubs, then do them. I you don't, or can't, then don't.</p>

[tech_fan]

<p>Yeah, I agree. The most important thing is that you have just some way that's not completely "usual" or "standard" of showing your enthusiasm for math/science... and honestly, there are some things that are even better for that than school clubs. For instance, you could solve some really challenging problems out of a reasonably advanced university text related to your courses, or even propose your own questions, and write up short papers describing the answers (some of which you would then send to Caltech.) You could undertake a larger research project over the summer to submit to the research competitions (Intel Science Talent Search and Westinghouse). You could write some innovative software using your scientific knowledge, like a theorem proving engine...</p>

<p>All of these things would catch the attention of an admissions committee, and none of them requires staying after school. I perfectly understand your situation -- my transportation wasn't flexible either. The key is that you find some way to convey your passion for science, and it can often be done even better outside the clubs and such that you mentioned. So, in your place, I would think about what ideas are now sparked in your mind and find a way to produce/do something -- ANYTHING -- atypical that makes it clear to an outside observer how strong your enthusiasm is and how perfect a fit you are for Caltech. The final picture is what matters, and not the exact details of how you painted it</p>

[TBSchemer]

<p>The biggest thing that will distinguish you from other applicants to Caltech is something that shows a unique love or talent for science. For instance, the advanced physics and math courses you've taken are good. Those will catch the attention of the admissions officers. However, classes alone are not a guarantee. </p>

<p>What do you do in your free time? Is there any hobby or activity that demonstrates your passion for science? My high school didn't really offer much in the way of competitions or clubs, so I found my own ways to pursue my scientific interests. I watched science documentaries, I read Scientific American, and most importantly, I experimented. I messed around with chemistry, biology, and computer science on my own time, because I felt my high school wasn't satisfying my curiosity in these fields. I think my description of all the different ways in which I sought out scientific understanding was probably the strongest point of my application, and the deciding factor that got me in over others who had better grades and better SAT scores. </p>

<p>So, think a little bit about what actually interests you, and how you pursue those interests, and I think you'll have a very strong application.</p>