Can I get into Caltech or MIT

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hi,

I’m a high school senior who loves STEM, and thus is applying to Caltech and MIT.

I’ve got a 1540 new SAT (770 in both sections) with 6’s across the board for the essay, a 790 SAT Math 2, a 760 SAT Chem. My school has a wonky GPA system, but I think it’ll convert to 3.75-4.00 on the normal unweighted scale. This includes some classes that I think were pretty difficult (8 AP’s or their equivalent (my school can’t actually call them AP because they don’t want to be locked into the AP trademarked curriculum)).

For extracurriculars I was part of a team that won an state/national/international engineering competition, but the competition was actually kinda small so I’m not sure how impressive the win actual was. Also, I’ve started a club and a am on the board of another one. For sports I play two very unique ones (maybe about as widely played as squash in the U.S.), and I started a small startup that is currently prototyping our invention.

I know my test scores are really low for those two colleges, but do you think my extracurriculars outweigh them?

2

I think that you have a chance, but that you definitely need to spend time thinking about other options. There are a very large number of universities with very good STEM programs.

Also, don’t go to MIT or Caltech for the prestige. If spending your Saturday’s doing homework seems unthinkable to you, then seriously consider other options. MIT and Caltech are a lot of work, the work continues for four years (or as long as you are there), and you have to want to do it.

3

You don’t mention if you have a hook such as first gen or URM or both or geodiversity. Best if you are from the Midwest. Admissions are holistic, so you have to have something they want other than top grades and scores and awards.

4

Are you international?