<p>Uhh, rather the contrary, I’m pretty sure Carnegie Mellon and UC Berkeley are high enough reaches for you. Even then, I wouldn’t even be sure, since you’re applying for Engineering (you do have a hook since you’re female though). First off, you’re considered an international Asian student. That puts you at enormous competition. Your GPA is strong, and your ECs are pretty good. But your scores just aren’t up to par. </p>
<p>I have a friend whose scores were: 2180 SATI, 800 SATII Math II, 780 SATII Bio M, and 740 SATII Chem. He had similar GPA and his ECs were just as impressive. He was considered an international Asian student, and was rejected from UC Berkeley, deferred early then later accepted to Carnegie Mellon. Again, you might have a stronger chance because you’re a female applying to Engineering, but his scores were much higher.</p>
<p>To be perfectly honest, I hope these aren’t the only schools you applied to.</p>
<p>Caltech wants more diversity on its campus just like any other college and offers FA competitive with HYPSM to make sure that anyone can afford a Caltech education. Caltech likes being a QB partner so it can attract a more diverse student body.</p>
<p>However, what sets apart Caltech’s admissions policy from pretty much any other elite institution in the US is that there are no hooks at Caltech. No athletic recruitment. No AA. No legacies. They admit as much as possible only on scientific achievement and potential.</p>
<p>Caltech wants diversity but will not suffer any loss in STEM ability for race, ability to throw a football or being the child of an alum.</p>
<p>She’s lived in the United States for 4 years. I’ve lived in the United States for 10 years, and I JUST got my permanent residency card like last month. And unless you’re not a permanent resident or a citizen, you are considered an international student, and you will be competing for your spot against all the students applying from outside of the US.</p>
<p>Match at Berkeley and Cornell, reaches for the rest. Affirmative action is against you, you’re not focused on one extracurricular, and your SAT score is only alright.</p>