<p>This is hypothetical in that I'm not quite done with all of my coursework but I know I can achieve all of this. I plan on applying in 2009 to enter in 2010. </p>
<p>-GPA - 3.8 (I KNOW this is kinda low for Caltech standards but it's the best I can hope for due to some C's that I got early on in CC). </p>
<p>-Older student applying (22). I don't know if this is good or bad. I've heard both. Mostly I've heard good things because they are more confident you are mature enough to handle the work load. Who knows. </p>
<p>-Honors Society. Community Service. Physics Club (member not president or anything) </p>
<p>-Recommendation from a member of California's Board of Education</p>
<p>-I know so far I seem like a mediocre candidate for Cal Tech, what with a 3.8 and not much else to show for myself, but what if I totally N-A-I-L the Cal Tech entrace exam. Like, 90% or above. I know this must help a lot because I've heard of people with 4.0's not getting in and people with 3.7's getting in, all due to their performance on the exam. I'm confident I can nail this exam. </p>
<p>-Unusual circumstances - I'm not even sure if transfer students write a letter to Cal Tech or not or if they take into acount personal circumstances/obstacles overcome and all of that, but if they do I am a sort of flunk out-to-obsession with physics sort of story. I failed completely in high school and the beginning of CC, I'll spare the forum the details but basically I was severely abused physically and mentally growing up and was quite a nihilist for some time and developed a passion for science that basically saved my life. I'm not trying to sell this off as a cheap sob story or anything, it's just the truth. Some kids grow up with rad parents that support them in school and some kids like me grow up in living hell holes and end up almost 'offing themselves due to depression, and then get their **** together. I just think it ought to be taken into account.</p>