Chance of getting acceptance from Caltech

Colleges and Universities A-Z California Institute of Technology
1

<p>My first choice is Caltehc, since I am going to be a pure molecular biologist(rather than working on medicine or biotechnology) Since I was 7, I have long been vigorously to be a world's leading biologist.
But I guess I am too weak to be get there.
These are 'expected' stats of mine.(Some are actual, surely) Would there be a slightest shadow of getting into there.</p>

<p>School: South Korea's top Science high school, but not well known in the U.S for it is established in 2003.(I will be one of the first graduates, except for early graduates) Previos year, two students, early-graduating my school, admissioned for the U.S colleges. Both of them got acceptance from caltech.(Though both of them didn't enrolled for Caltech; one for MIT, another for Columbia) </p>

<p>GPA: it quite rigorous with college-level math and science courses
10th grade
1st semester: 4.15/4.3 (Mostly A+ but B+ in Math)
* college course: General Biology I
2nd semester: 4.15/4.3 (All A+ except for B0 in Math T.T)
* college course: General Biology II
11th grade
1st semester: 4.19/4.3
* college courses: Genetics, Human Physiology, Calculus I
2nd semester: 4.21/4.3
* college courses: Molecular biology, Plant physiology, Cell biology,
Organic chemistry
12th grade
1st semester: 4.15~4.2/4.3(expected)
* college courses: Calculus II with multivariables
2nd semester: Will not be sent before in admission
(for I am attending Korean school)</p>

<p>AP Exam:
Biology, Chemistry, Calculus BC: 4~5(expected)</p>

<p>SAT 1: 2200 or a little bit higher(expected)
SAT 2: Math IIC 800, Biology E 800, World history 750~800(expected)</p>

<p>Work experience/Leadership/Volunteering/Sports: Virtually NONE
(totally far away from so-called "Well-rounded person", right?)</p>

<p>Extracurricular Activities / Honor
10 th grade
- Research Group on Neural physiology in Seoul University
(team representative)
- GERI summer camp in Purdue University
- Online Biology Studying Club
- school Biology Club
- preparatory APEC Leadership camp
- Biology Olympiad Winter camp
* Korean biology olympiad - Broze medal
* Environmental book review contest - Honorable mention</p>

<p>11 th grade
- Research Group on Developmental Genetics in Seoul University(Team leader)
- Founder and leader of of Biology Olympiad preparation club
- member of School Press
- APEC Leadership camp
- Biology Olympiad Winter camp
* Best Research group award
* Korean biology olympiad - Gold medal and semi-finalist of Korean representative for internional biology olympiad</p>

<p>12th grade
- Tutor of of Biology Olympiad preparation club
- member of School Press
- Preparing for Publshing a paper on Developmental Genetics of Drosophila BXC genes.
- preparing for debate contest on Enviromental issues
* Busan city superintendent of Education's Award for best student in science</p>

2

<p>Now that's what I call focus. It's true that international admissions are a much tougher ticket, but the research and olympiad wins are exactly what we like to see. You've got better than a slight shadow of a chance of getting in.</p>

3

<p>and there are about 10 students more competitive than me in my school. Would it be possible for me to get the chance? Another bad point of mine is that I spent full focus on biology while Caltech want physics and mathmatics(As you see, my math grade is not so good, and I didn't took other disciplines of natural science)</p>

4

<p>If the 10 students ahead of you are a problem, kill them. What grades did you pull down in calculus? If they're better than your earlier B+, they might not matter so much. As far as the differences between international and national medals go, I can't comment on that, and will defer to Ben's opinion.</p>

5

<p>Your focus is impressive. Your research work will put you above some kids who <em>only</em> do Olympiads. We value research over contests here. The fact that your award is "only" national in a very competetive country is not that much of a liability. Your chances are not overwhelming -- international admissions is terribly hard. But you've got a fighting chance. I wish you luck.</p>

6

<p>In Calculus I, I got A-, and in calculus II with multivariables, I expect to get A- or A0(Getting A+ is virtually impossible.. Only 3 got A+ until now, in the pool of Nation's top students in Mathmatics. The Professor say that "If you fully understand the subject, you will get C")</p>

<p>Ah, anyways, your location seems to be Caltech?
You are a caltech student?(Undergrad or grad?)
Or, you are a caltech staff of some sort?</p>

7

<p>Do the U.S colleges know that Korea is competitive in Olympiad</p>

8

<p>"But you've got a fighting chance."</p>

<p>Sounds quite hopeful.. does that mean more than 50%?</p>

9

<p>"Do the U.S colleges know that Korea is competitive in Olympiad"</p>

<p>Yes :)</p>

<p>"Sounds quite hopeful.. does that mean more than 50%?"</p>

<p>Hard to say. Probably means somewhere around that number.</p>