<p>I'm in the 10th grade, and it's my dream to go to Caltech. However, I am not sure I am a viable candidate.
GPA: 3.71 UW/4.5 W :'(
SAT:2370 (800 Math 800 CR 770 Writing)
SAT II Bio: 800, SAT II Math 2: 800, SAT II French: 800
AP's so far: Calc BC and Bio (both 5's)
EC's
Won 1st place in an event at state Science Olympiad. Part of the 1st place team as well.
Tournament chess player (USCF 1550)
Mandelbrot 3rd tier
National Ocean Science Bowl (3rd place at states)
Columbia Science Honors Program
That's about it. :( I'm terrified because I foolishly skipped about 4 years worth of math courses, and got B's in some of them in the process. I'm taking the most advanced courses in my school, but I'm not doing so hot. I've gotten B's in most of my science courses. All of my B's are from science and math courses. I think I'm screwed.</p>
<p>Because your B’s are in science and math courses, you are right in that this will significantly impact your chances. However, I believe that you still do have a chance, so definitely apply and hope for the best. Write killer essays, etc etc</p>
<p>1) Your GPA is a bit low. Maybe you shouldn’t have “foolishly skipped about 4 years worth of math courses” because it caused you to “[get] B’s in some of them in the process.” Tip: don’t try to pile on a bazillion classes that you think look impressive to colleges. 'Cuz the grades you’ll get as a result won’t look too impressive to them.</p>
<p>2)As for the other stuff, you are clearly looking for an ego boost, so I won’t give that to you. You know those aren’t bad stats, so why would you imply that they were?</p>
<p>You appear to have talent and/or perseverance which are invaluable traits. Your grades will hurt you but it is anyone’s guess as to whether you will be admitted. </p>
<p>From my interactions with Caltech students and admittees, Caltech has a much more objective admissions policy in terms of what it is looking for. Yet, the admitted students are not all at the same quantitative levels (i.e GPA, SATs, etc.), however, they are all objectively brilliant, creative, and lovers of STEM-stuff. </p>
<p>Anyway, get your GPA up (you have 2 years ahead of you) and do what you enjoy: it’ll reward you with a more fulfilling life in the end.</p>
<p>EDIT: To be fair though, rank (even estimated) is more important than GPA.</p>
<p>You took Calc BC in 10th grade and already have a near perfect SAT with perfect SAT II? If you’re not ■■■■■■■■, then you’re a definitely viable candidate. You’d probably get in if you were a senior at the moment. Just try to focus a bit less on academics (since you seem to have done everything possible so far) and just focus on EC’s and improving grades. That is again, if you aren’t ■■■■■■■■.</p>
<p>Lol, I know this sounds ■■■■■-ish, but I took Calc BC summer of freshman year. I’m doing linear algebra right now. I got a B in the summer course, though. :(</p>
<p>If you took Calc BC in Freshman year, than you might as well just apply to college right now… You’d get in everywhere since child prodigies aren’t too common, plus you’re SAT is killer. If you don’t want to go to college until you graduate, than just relax a bit, have some fun and instead of trying to do every class, worry more on getting good grades.</p>