Chance a US German Asian! Any comments will be appreciated!

Colleges and Universities A-Z California Institute of Technology
1

<p>Hi all, you may wonder what a German Asian is :>, I was born in China, and moved
to Germany when I was nine. I went to a US High School in Michigan for the junior year and will graduate 2012.</p>

<p>The purpose is to decide whether I should go American for college or rather German, because in Germany there are great colleges such as Munich, Heidelberg or Aachen, those are on the same level as ranked ~#20 US colleges and they don't require tuition, in addition to that I have good chances to get in them.</p>

<p>Objective:</p>

<p>*** I speak German, English and Chinese fluently(all three are on the same level, all "first language") I have an A2 degree in French(equivalent for SAT II with listening) I have studied 2 years of Latin and 2 years of Ancient Greek**</p>

<ul>
<li><p>ACT: 29(I took it 3 months after I arrived in US, language barrier etc.)
Will take one/two times more, looking forward to get at least a 32</p></li>
<li><p>SAT I: Will take in Oct</p></li>
<li><p>SAT II: Will take in German, Chinese, Math, Physics and Chem</p></li>
<li><p>Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.0 in 1st semester, 3.7 in second (I was straight A in Germany)</p></li>
<li><p>Rank: School neither ranks nor release val GPA</p></li>
<li><p>AP: Will take in Chem, Physics and German</p></li>
<li><p>Senior Year Course Load: AP Chemistry, AP Calculus, AP Literature</p></li>
</ul>

<p>Individual Awards- (weakness on my application): Non(there are no such awards in Europe)</p>

<p>Team Awards- all in Germany/Europe)
* Basketball:two-times U16-Division II Champions
U16-European Championship Ro32
* Tabletennis: ITTF junior-world-championship Ro16</p>

<p>Subjective:</p>

<ul>
<li><p>Extracurriculars: Basketball(SG/PG, teamcaptain), Lego NXT robotics/programming team(Teamcaptain), choir(3 years), Chem Lab</p></li>
<li><p>Summer Activities:
-Volunteered in a orphanage(200 hours) and church basketball league(50 hours)
-travelling: I visited about 30 countries on 3 continents, visited all EU countires plus UK, Swiss and Norway</p></li>
<li><p>Work: FIBA licensed basketball-referee for Division IV, about 15 games experience</p></li>
<li><p>Essays: Working</p></li>
<li><p>Teacher Recommendations: N/A</p></li>
<li><p>Counselor Rec: N/A</p></li>
</ul>

<p>Other</p>

<ul>
<li>Apply for Financial Aid?: No</li>
<li>Intended Major: Math or Physics(I have a passion for Fusion Power technology)</li>
<li>State: MI</li>
<li>Country: US(my high school)/Germany(permanent residency)</li>
<li>School Type: Privat</li>
<li>Ethnicity: Asian</li>
<li>Gender: Male</li>
</ul>

<p>I recognize there are certain glaring weaknesses in my application, also do I realize that I lack awards. The fact that I'm Asian (east Indian) may hurt me; however, my stay in Germany, US and my language skills should make it up. I just hope all of the above factors and whatever weaknesses you may see will add up to multiple rejections from all of these top schools.</p>

<p>Best Regards and Good Luck to everybody else applying!</p>

2

<p>If you have been on these forums for some time, you would know that I will direct you a to post which has two further links which are a must read for any one wanting to apply to Caltech.</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/california-institute-technology/1182824-suugest-reading-two-threads-before-you-post-chance-me-caltech-type-request.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/california-institute-technology/1182824-suugest-reading-two-threads-before-you-post-chance-me-caltech-type-request.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Again being Chinese (or is it East Indian or German, not very clear from your post) does not really matter at CalTech. They look for a passion for math a science.</p>

<p>A statement in bold that says “I have a passion for Fusion Power technology” will not be sufficiently unless you are some how able to demonstrate that you have a real passion and that you convince the admissions committee of your interest in math and science.</p>

3

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</p>

<p>I think you’re doing college admissions wrong…</p>

4

<p>You have a chance, and should apply if Caltech is what you want. You could emphasize WHY you have such a drive to further the research into fusion power, how it would benefit society and the environment, etc. I’m sure that admissions will recognize that research into such a field is not possible from a high schooler, but a reasoned, passionate expression of interest in such could go a long way.</p>