<p>So lately I've been looking into Caltech for their Environmental Engineering and Biology programs. I was wondering if I had the qualifications to maybe get in, and if being a member of the female population would help my chances any. :D </p>
<p>ACT: 35 (35 M, 35 R, 35 S, 34 E, 31 W)</p>
<p>GPA: 4.42 W, 4.0 UW
Class rank: 2/65</p>
<p>This year I have taken AP Calculus, AP Biology, and AP World History
Next year I'm taking AP Statistics, AP Environmental Science, and independent biology research.</p>
<p>Extracurriculars: Piano, flute, Varsity Tennis (2 years) , Varsity XC (4 years), Varsity Track (1 year), volunteer hours for environmental organizations (planting trees, taking photos, computer graphics etc), working in the summer in state parks, tutoring, math league, AMC etc.</p>
<p>You seem to have the right ECs and aptitude for Caltech.</p>
<p>You do need two subject tests, one in Math and one in a science subject.</p>
<p>You do qualify, but the acceptance rate is low. Good luck.</p>
<p>Caltech: Reach (might want to try your hand at Cornell, too, but at least Caltech is worth applying to)</p>
<p>Test scores and GPA are definitely good for CalTech ← I have a female friend who will be going there next year and her stats are relatively similar. If you really play on your passion for volunteering with the environmental organizations, that is good. I think what’s weak in your application (from what I can see) is the lack of awards. I know my friend definitely got in partly b/c she’s nationally ranked in Science Olympiad and compete in Science Bowl, Math, and National Science Fair, etc.</p>
<p>Also you have to look into CalTech’s requirements - I think they require two subject SATs, one in Math II and another in a science field. Just make sure you meet their requirements!</p>
<p>Thanks guys, I didn’t know about the subject test requirements but I was signed up for the Math II and Biology tests for this June anyway. Hopefully those go well. </p>
<p>I do have some small awards like a school AMC award and a National Latin Exam award, but nothing like the National Science Fair. We’ll see.</p>
<p>It’s a reach, but it’s a reach for anyone. I’m a girl with similar stats (36 ACT, 4.45w, 3/250, 800 Math 2/770 Bio M, lots of extracurriculars plus leadership) and got deferred → rejected this year. Caltech is very focused on STEM-related qualifications, so definitely continue with AMC stuff and other science stuff. I definitely think that doing research would have helped my application.</p>
<p>They defer a lot of applicants in the early round and give you a chance to update your application with research, letters of recc, etc. I was planning on going all-out on that until I got into MIT a few days later 
Good luck to you! You definitely have a shot – just put work into those essays!</p>
<p>P.S. apply to MIT too!! woooo</p>
<p>What!? A girl applying to CalTech? You’re in!</p>
<p>In all seriousness, it’s probably a reach unless you do some sciencey ECs.</p>
<p>Yes. Many schools require SAT1 + 2 SAT2 or ACT with writing, while CalTech requires (Math2 + one science subject test) AND (SAT1 with writing or ACT with writing).</p>