My circumstances are quite unique. I did not have a normal high school education, which I feel hurts my chances of getting into a school like Caltech. I’m applying to a few other state universities, but my dream has always been to attend this school or MIT. I’d like to double major in astrophysics and aerospace (astronautical) engineering, and then proceed to go to grad school to get a PhD.
I think the most important part of this entire summary is that I am disabled but have significantly gotten better over the past year, enough to not need a wheelchair anymore, and don’t have to be on medications for my medical conditions. I have a 504 plan and although my conditions are debilitating and serious at times, I still look completely normal and can function normally. I have multiple physical conditions.
That being said, I have had no other choice but to do online schooling over the past five years (I am now a senior). I can attend classes physically at an ALC, which I am doing to expedite the credits I fell behind in. When I was sick and going through the two year recovery of a major spinal fusion, I was unable to take a full course load so I got behind on my credits and am expected to graduate December 2016. A few schools (because I moved to a different state during those five years) had taken unfair actions towards me and when I could not handle the full course load, failed the classes that I was getting A’s in to lighten my work load despite the fact that I am disabled. Unfortunately, it lowered my 3.9 GPA significantly. I’m currently trying to raise it back up to a 3.7 or 3.8 and should be able to by the time I apply.
I haven’t taken the SAT or ACT with writing yet, although I am scheduled to take the ACT in May. I score about a 30 on the practice tests. I get straight A’s now. My online school does not offer AP classes, or I would have taken them throughout the years but I have not had the opportunity. As my teachers have never helped me, I have taught myself every subject in high school. I will have the opportunity to join the robotics team at my local high school in the fall thankfully. I’m also going to start taking PSEO courses this summer and will try to maintain above a 3.6 GPA in generals.
My question is, what are my chances of getting into those schools? I know they are very slim, but I’d like to hear your input.
I couldn’t say except that both these school are open to student with unique histories. You will need the SAT2’s in math 2 and a science. Try to nail them. Seems like you have shown your motivation and resilience-both important for both schools. Good luck to you!
Since you have a very special case, it is hard to say. Unfortunately, while your story is very compelling, MIT and CalTech are probably still reaches. I would suggest that, when you are well, you pour your heart into robotics. The most important thing good colleges want in a student is overcoming obstacles to pursue a passion.
Yes, I’m hoping that the robotics team will help give me the boost I need. I also hope they are able to see how passionate I am about pursuing those degrees. Thank you!
I’m sorry you’ve been through so much. You sound like a remarkable and resilient person,
You will need to aim for a much higher score than 30 on the ACT with perfect or near perfect math scores on both the SAT II and the ACT math section.
The thing is, you are talking about two of the most difficult schools to get through in the country. The workload is unbelievable at both schools. There is post by one of the veteran posters whose kid is at Caltech that if you aren’t adequately academically prepared to handle the rigors of the school, you can expect to get two hours of sleep a night. I believe it.
While your life story is very compelling, your academic qualifications don’t seem to be, I am only offering you my opinion so I hope you pursue whatever path seems right to you. Best of luck!
@dreaminginbootes I’m sorry you had to go through this - however do keep in mind that Caltech and MIT are among the most selective schools in the country, and they will only admit you if they think you have the potential to succeed there.
For example, I had a 4.0 HS GPA and 32 ACT and some national-level awards and was still rejected by Caltech.
Also, I know a lot of course 16’s (aeronautics/astronautics) at MIT and many say it is a very demanding major. So unless you are extremely well qualified, double majoring at all is difficult when one of them is course 16. Unless the second major is something like physics or 18 general (math), in which there is a fair amount of overlap.
Regardless of what happens, I hope you choose the path that is best for you. Good luck!
@Falcon1 thank you for your honesty, I really appreciate it! I’m trying to raise my ACT scores to a 33 or 34 since I got 30 on the practice tests without studying, but I’ll work on getting a 35 or 36. I’m hoping I’ll be able to do so and score high on the SAT II. If not I’ll retake them until I get a higher score I’m hoping both schools will take into consideration that I did not have the same opportunities as other students. I guess my job right now is to show as much potential as I possibly can.
@MITer94 thank you for being honest about my chances. Since I’ll be doing college courses in the summer through the fall and spring semester of next year, whether I get into MIT or Caltech, I’m hoping to maintain a 3.8 or 3.9 GPA and doing especially well in calculus, chemistry, and physics. I’m planning on raising my ACT score to be at least a 33 since I got a 30 without studying and I can always retake until I get a higher score more along the lines of what they are looking for. I’m hoping both schools will take into consideration that I didn’t have the same opportunities as other high school students, and that if I did I would have taken them.
I’m planning on getting a PhD in aerospace engineering specifically, and know how demanding the courses are at any school. Plus, MIT and Caltech have a larger workload. Astrophysics overlaps into astronautical engineering a lot, so I feel like I would be able to handle the double major. If it was something else, probably not. Hopefully everything goes well and one of them will accept me Now I will show as much potential as I can to them in the short time I have left.
