Chance a Caltech/MIT hopeful

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hi there,
i'm really hoping to pursue something in elec/mech engineering, pure/engineering bio, etc (science stuff), and was hoping to get some input on chances. Any help would be greatly appreciated...</p>

<p>I go to a private school in cali
school doesn't rank
UW GPA: 3.96
SAT I: 2270 (might retake)
M: 770
CR: 740
W: 760
SAT II:
Math II: 790 (retake? i don't really want to)
Chem: 780
USH: 750</p>

<p>AP Exams:
9 so far, all are 5's</p>

<p>Activities:
1. science research - mainly do independent projects for fun, but also have been employed at an engineering firm for 3 years and employed at NASA for 6 weeks (QUESTION: is there anywhere on the app where i can elaborate on some of my independent research? I've never entered into competitions but some of my work is really advanced)
2. speech/debate - state ranked and whatnot since freshman year
3. editor of school newspaper
4. bunch of other leadership/ec stuff</p>

<p>Awards: boring stuff like national ap scholar+yale book award etc.</p>

<p>Thanks again for your input cc'ers!</p>

2

<p>your AP scores, SATs (why the hell would u retake a 790?????) , and GPA are excellent. your ecs are ok, so i would say you stand a decent shot. why aren't u applying to stanford?</p>

3

<p>Uh seems like he likes science/math and therefore MIT/Caltech. Why Stanford?</p>

<p>Strong academics, decent ECs. As good of a chance as anybody.</p>

4

<p>God, if you could get a reference from someone at NASA, you'd be in for sure. Anyone you could contact?</p>

5

<p>Why Stanford? Because Stanford is an excellent school (and that includes the sciences, esp. comp sci).</p>

6

<p>stanford is definitely on my list...Also, is there any way i can explain the experiments i have done? I'm wondering if i should make them into optional supplements or detail them on the activity sheet (as an attachment).</p>

<p>some other stats: 1st trumpet for band, presidential service award (bronze), and i actually have a title in the engineering firm (head of engineering)...</p>

<p>i guess a problem i have is not knowing whether i should ask the ceo of the firm or the nasa mentor to write the optional rec. as far as i know, you're only allowed 1 op rec...true?</p>

<p>thanks once again</p>

7

<p>No shiit Stanford is an excellent school. Why not Harvard? Why not Princeton? Why not Harvey Mudd? Obviously because this guy likes Caltech/MIT.</p>

8

<p>^ You asked why he would apply to Stanford. I answered you. Just because he likes math and science doesn't mean he only likes Caltech and MIT.</p>

9

<p>I will be entering 9th grade next year and my classes are listed below:</p>

<p>Pre Calculus
AP Physics
AP English
AP World Studies
AP Medical BIO. (Expiramental class for this year at my school)</p>

<p>How do i better my chances?</p>

<p>P.S. Its my first post so i have no idea what I'm doing.</p>

10

<p>jamesford: I meant why would he pick S OVER the others</p>

11

<p>I most likely will do ea to caltech, but can someone please answer my question?</p>

<ol>
<li><p>is there any way i can explain the experiments i have done? I'm wondering if i should make them into optional supplements or detail them on the activity sheet (as an attachment).</p></li>
<li><p>i guess a problem i have is not knowing whether i should ask the ceo of the firm or the nasa mentor to write the optional rec. as far as i know, you're only allowed 1 op rec...true?</p></li>
</ol>

<p>some other stats: 1st trumpet for band, presidential service award (bronze), and i actually have a title in the engineering firm (head of engineering)...</p>

<p>THANKS</p>

12

<p>I think you have a great chance, and I think if do real engineering work at that firm (not just an intern that gets people coffee) and show them so of the projects you worked on I would think you should have no problem what so ever.</p>

<p>As far as the NASA mentor and CEO thing is concerned, if they allow only one rec, then I would go with the person that knows you best (probably the CEO)</p>

13

<p>thanks viciouspoultry...yeah, i design all the wiring and layouts for the construction that they do. i've also presented some of their layouts (mostly the electrical engineering aspects of it) at certain conferences as well. my post is literally director of elec engineering for the company.</p>

14

<p>Some reasons he might pick Stanford over MIT/Caltech
1. Great athletics
2. Decent ratio of girls to guys
3. Location (Caltech gets good weather, but see #2)
4. Large enough student body
5. Beautiful campus</p>

<p>And so on.</p>