Chances at Caltech or others ?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Any thoughts would be appreciated, I don't really know much about US studies.</p>

<p>Background:
Moroccan Male living in Morocco
Major : Anything premed, probably biology</p>

<p>School:
Regular Moroccan School for 9th grade
Private French school since tenth grade</p>

<p>Testing / Grades:</p>

<p>GPA : 3,5 approximately... that's because the private french school is the bitchiest about grades...can you believe that the equivalent of a C is considered a good grade in History and that B is the best grade anyone gets in History, for example ?
SAT I : 2400
Planning to take two SAT Subject tests in November</p>

<p>Rank : Maybe fourth of my class ? However I'm first in French, Biology and English, and Second in arabic</p>

<p>Languages :
Perfectly fluent in three languages :
French : Je parle français et j'adorerais étudier aux Etats-Unis, est-ce que ça fait une quelconque différence ? Si oui, veuillez me le faire remarquer dans vos commentaires !
Arabic : Assalam 3aleykoum... my first language
English : Yep, I'm the top student of my class in that subject</p>

<p>EC's :
Actually none...I was surprised at all those things that US schools propose to their students...we don't have any activites in my high school...
I also never had a job experience, which may sound crazy to you but is the most normal thing for a Moroccan student...People don't just hire you like that
Never volunteered for anything...Except visiting old people in a refuge and giving clothes to poor children...there's not that much opportunities in volunteering in Morocco, although it's a poor country...While there are so much in the US, which is the richest country in the world...does that make any sense ? Not to me
I suck at sports
My parents could never pay for music lessons </p>

<p>So, what are my chances people</p>

2

<p>I don’t personally go to Caltech, but one of my close friends does and he told me a lot about his admissions process. It may hurt you to not have any STEM-related extracurriculars, especially if you want to go to Caltech. But your SAT score is amazing!</p>

3

<p>I suppose it’s too late
What do you mean by STEM-related extracurriculars ? Like volunteering in hospitals ?</p>

4

<p>STEM is science/technology/engineering/math. Having extracurricular activities in these fields is very helpful. I think volunteering in a hospital is ok. My friend did chemical research at a university lab and interned at a pharmaceutical company. </p>

5

<p>That seems impossible to me but I’ll see what I can do
I have an aunt who works in a pharmaceutical company </p>

6

<p>My son was admitted to Caltech and will begin this fall. His school activities involved sports, community service, and leadership. He missed 2 questions on the SAT and had a great GPA, but otherwise, he had a very good score and, from what I understand, a phenomenal essay. He will be studying engineering.</p>

<p>You needn’t worry about being compared to US students since you will be compared to other students from your region of your country with similar activities. </p>

<p>Caltech seems to draw from students who want to continue their studies in engineering, math and research. It is a very small school. Are you sure you want to do pre-med at Caltech? You may want to read the attached article:
<a href=“Caltech”>Caltech;