Caltech Requirements

Colleges and Universities A-Z California Institute of Technology
61

<p>sither --</p>

<p>
[quote]
Is it the Texas High School Aerospace Scholars (HAS)? I was a part of that program until i was selected to be in NASA SHARP.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Yes, I think that is the program I was thinking of. And of course being selected for NASA SHARP is excellent; congratulations.</p>

<p>
[quote]
What can I say on my application about both programs, seeing that I nearly completed HAS to take a job at Mission Control for SHARP?

[/quote]
Say exactly that! We would give you credit for the time dedicated to both activities, and of course you would get the "prestige points" that come with attending a program like SHARP.</p>

62

<p>BenGolub -- Are Internationals elligible to apply EA if they are also applying for financial aid.</p>

63

<p>Historically, no. I think I heard some noises about that being changed. I'll find out and let you know.</p>

64

<p>


</p>

<p>Wow.. How could you do that? Everyone who are to dedicate his entire life may know that Caltech is far the best institute ever in the world history at least in undergrad level. But the problem is that there might be thousands of that kind of students around the world while only a little bit more than 200 got acceptance from Caltech.
Furthemore, I see many students with splendid his science-related stats due to his innate genius and relatives in that field, but not so much dedicated in Science - even say, with his own mouth, that he will never be a scienctist. This sort of people still apply for Caltech and enters, while someone really want it and need it loses his chance.</p>

65

<p>Thanks again Ben for the reply on summer programs.</p>

<p>I have a question that has been burning on my mind for awhile. How much does minority status help someone who has good grades and very good standardized test scores in the admissions process? I know that one has an advantage, but when looking at a minority's application, do you see things differently than a non-minority's application simply because the school is looking for diversity?</p>

66

<p>Outstanding post 42penguins, particualrly the last paragraph.</p>

<p>Anybody given advise on this type of tread, including Ben's valuable insight, should add a disclaimer linking his/her post to yours...</p>

67

<p>Why can't you do both HAS and SHARP? HAS is only like a week out of your summer and you can choose from like 6 different weeks! Can't you just shuffle stuff around during the summer and find one week? You should at least try... I shuffled my schedule around last summer and did multiple internships and summer programs.</p>

68

<p>SHARP at Johnson Space Center has a very strict policy. They would not let me take a week off for HAS (heck, they wouldnt let me take 2 days off for a really interesting Leadership seminar at Rice)...I tried to do both, but the choice was either do HAS (or seminar) and get kicked out of SHARP or stay in SHARP and miss the other stuff.</p>

69

<p>
[quote]
How much does minority status help someone who has good grades and very good standardized test scores in the admissions process?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Depends. If the applicant appears to have suffered disadvantage related to his ethnicity (bad neighborhoods, bad schools, low expectations, or some combination) then high schores and the like are much more impressive than when they come from white children of well-off scientists (this closely approximates me, so I'm allowed to say it) who had a much easier time accomplishing things of that level. But disadvantaged white children get that benefit, too.</p>

<p>For minority children who live in expensive neighborhoods and appear to come from well-educated, well-off families, we wouldn't put more than average emphasis on great scores and grades, since being a member of a minority isn't evidence of disadvantage in that case.</p>

<p>At least from Caltech's point of view, our goal is not to have more Black or Hispanic faces. Our goal is to select the most outstanding minds of the next generation, and top-notch achievement in disadvantaged circumstances is very good evidence of a strong mind.</p>

<p>Hope that clears up the goals at Caltech as I see them.</p>

70

<p>Ben Golub-- Do you have the information regarding the eligibility of international students for EA.</p>

71

<p>Yes. The policy will be the same as before. Internationals needing aid can only apply RD.</p>

<p>Sorry if that's bad news.
Ben</p>

72

<p>Do international students NOT NEEDING AID can apply for EA?</p>

73

<p>I believe yes. I will check and get back to you Tuesday when the office is open after the 4th of July holiday.</p>

74

<p>It's July 6th already</p>

75

<p>Ben, one(two) more question(s) about minorities</p>

<p>whom do you consider as minority, and whom do you consider as majority?</p>

<p>Do refugees count as minority?</p>

<p>thanks</p>

76

<p>biocrat -- I still haven't heard back from the admissions folks, but should hear today and will post ASAP.</p>

<p>Hriundeli -- people who are not underrepresented minorities are Caucasians and Asian-Americans (Chinese, Japanese, Indian, etc.). Typical minorities are African-Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans.</p>

<p>That covers 99.5% of the cases. While "refugee" or "Arab settler displaced from Israel" or "Kazak" (a minority in Russia) are not official minority designations, we extend the same sort of context-dependent consideration to them as we would to an African-American who was disadvantaged by being in a small, historically persecuted group.</p>

77

<p>biocrat </p>

<p>From Ray Prado, Associate Director of Admissions: As of this coming admit season, all international students must adhere to
the Jan. 1 deadline.</p>

<p>Ray</p>

78

<p>So, I cannot apply for Caltech EA, right?
Ah.. anyways, do Caltech require 3 SAT subject tests or two?(For those taking Writing test as New SAT I)</p>

79

<p>That's correct, it seems that unfortunately you cannot apply EA.</p>

<p>Caltech requires TWO subject tests, in addition to the old or new SATI (this coming admissions cycle).</p>

80

<p>I know that MIT has a quota system and has specific numbers for how many students it admits from each state/region. I'm from South Dakota, and I have an advantage applying to a college like MIT. Does Caltech have a quota system based on geographic region?
I'm just wondering whether I should even bother applying to Caltech. Here are my stats:</p>

<p>ACT (w/ writing): 35
SAT II: Chem 800
Math IIC: 800
GPA: 3.975/4 unweighted, 4.2/4 weighted</p>

<p>I'll have 8 AP classes by the time I graduate (lowest score is 4)</p>

<p>ECs:
Band: 3 yrs
Debate: 3 yrs (1st in state)
Quiz Bowl: 3 years (1st place in state 2 years)
Science Bowl: 2 years
Math contests @ universities: 4 yrs (4 first place awards, 1 2nd)
Started Spectrum, a club that promotes tolerance, etc. after a series of racial violence incidents at school
350 volunteer hours as an interactor @ the local science center
100+ volunteer hours as chem lab assistant at local college</p>