Chances at Rice, MIT, CalTech, etc.

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hello,
I'll be a rising senior this year and I was just curious as to if I'm on track.</p>

<p>-Applying to Rice, MIT, CalTech, Case Western, Cornell</p>

<p>-Unweighted GPA: 3.98 (one b)</p>

<p>-Weighted GPA: doesn't weight</p>

<p>-Taken Ap Euro (4), APUSH (projected 4 or 5), AP Chem (projected 5) and next year will be AP Bio and AP ES, while taking Calculus and Physics as college courses from a local university.</p>

<p>-Top 6% out of a class of around 250</p>

<p>-SAT/ACT scores -
SAT single sitting (and superscore) - 2220: 760 M / 730 CR / 730 Writing
ACT single sitting - 34 M / 34 E / 35 S / 33 R - 34 composite
ACT superscore - 34 M / 35 E / 35 S/ 34 R - 35 composite</p>

<ul>
<li>SAT 2 Scores - Will be taking Chem and Math 2 on the next test date</li>
</ul>

<p>-AP scores, past and planned exams- listed above, currently only a 4 on Euro but with more on the way.</p>

<p>-ECs --
Varsity soccer (3 years)
Club soccer (3 years)
Indoor soccer (3 years)
Science Olympiad (2 years - will be team captain this year)
Video Game club (2 years - founder and president)
JV soccer (1 year - Captain)
Girl's soccer manager (1 year)
NHS (2 years)
National History Day (1 year)</p>

<p>-Employment -
-Worked at a company designing virtual borders for an online photo album (6 Months)
-Soccer referee - 6 months</p>

<p>-Honors/awards -
Soccer All Conference (one year)
Soccer All Conference Honorable Mention (year before)
2nd Place Chem Lab at Regionals for Science Olympiad
2nd Place Team Web Design at Regionals for National History Day
Academic All State First Team (2 years)
Academic letter (all 4 years projected)
Athletic letter (3 years)
Lettered for Science Olympiad (one of only 5 out of ~20)</p>

<p>-Recommendations:
One from physics teacher - will have had for 4 classes by the end of this year, sponsor of two clubs I am in, absolutely loves me. Have ~20 minute conversations every day. Should be golden.
Other from soccer coach (also AP bio teacher) - played for him for 4 years, loves my work ethic. Should also be good.</p>

<p>Essays: One about my history and experiences in gaming, quite humorous. Other one is still up in the air.</p>

<p>-Additional information
Have taken all but one of the science classes my school offers (tried to take a freshman course this year that I had previously bypassed, department head (also physics teacher) said no.) Am taking AP environmental science as a self study this year though.</p>

<p>Thank you for your time :)</p>

2

<p>Oh…and I will be requiring financial aid. Just in case that makes a significant impact.</p>

3

<p>I would suggest 2300 SATs for MIT or CalTech. But otherwise your stats are pretty good for your other school choices. </p>

<p>Your EC’s are mostly sports minded though. I’d suggest to try adding in some other semi-important clubs (Key Club, Student Council, etc.). But if your letters of rec can exemplify how your practices were everyday and then how you went to study hard in school, well… you should be ok. </p>

<p>If you wanna take my advice, I’d perhaps start a volunteer charity type thing, where mentally challenged kids have their own leagues or something. If you can even start to put this together, I think it’d give you a much desired boost in your college admissions. Don’t have to, they’re all reaches to semi-medium high reaches anyway, but… heck… who knows?</p>

4

<p>Should I not send the SAT score then and just ride on my ACT?
I have helped handicapped kids play before but I won’t put it on my application since it was only once or twice and thus was not a consistent activity.</p>

5

<p>CalTech and MIT are huge on test scores. In fact, College Board reports that over 30% of MIT admitees had a perfect 800 in math on the SAT. No pressure :stuck_out_tongue: hahah</p>

<p>What’s your ethnicity? Did your parents go to college? Those are two important questions, because if you’re a URM or a first-generation college student, you now have a hook that will increase your chances significantly.</p>

<p>With all the info given, you have a <em>solid</em> chance at CalTech, MIT, Cornell, and Rice. What this means is that you’re average in the applicant pool. Most solid candidates are not admitted unless they have stellar essays or can somehow prove their uniqueness to the admissions committee. So great essays are a must.</p>

<p>I predict that you will be accepted by Case Western Reserve, and will get into at least one of the other schools you listed if you’re essays are exceptional. If you’re lucky, maybe two or more, but I wouldn’t count on it.</p>

<p>Best of luck!</p>

6

<p>

</p>

<p>Actually, MIT seems to be the top school that focuses least on test scores. Certainly, though, Caltech is big on having good scores in math and science.</p>

7

<p>I am white, and both of my parents went to college.
No hooks there.
Since my SAT scores are relatively low compared to MIT and CalTech averages, should I just hold them back?</p>

8

<p>Don’t hold them back. Apply to both: you’ve got a solid chance, like I said. You’d best take silverturtle’s word over mine, he’s quite the college expert :P</p>

<p>Just don’t expect to get admitted: if it happens, great, but it’s likely that you won’t.</p>

9

<p>Rice and Cornell are slight reaches. You’re in at Case Western. For MIT and CalTech, you definitely have a shot, but you may want to bring your SAT I up to a 2300+. Yeah, you don’t need to, but it will certainly improve your chances.</p>

10

<p>@Spatula, in my opinion “Spatula” is one of the coolest usernames ever. props</p>

11

<p>Your stats are definitely in range for Cornell and Rice, and so are your ECs, so you have a good shot at both of those. MIT and Caltech are difficult for everyone, but you’re in with a chance, especially if you do well on your SAT IIs.</p>

12

<p>If you’re applying to MIT, Caltech, Rice I assume that you’re into science/math. Have you done any kind of research or anything? Any projects entered into science fairs? That would definitely help</p>

13

<p>Your only safety here, Case, is not a good aid school. Do you need merit or need based aid?</p>

14

<p>Thanks for your help everyone.
I intend on majoring in chemical engineering, but no, I don’t have any research.
And I require need based aid over merit.
Also, I plan to play soccer at MIT or CalTech provided I am accepted, which explains all my sports-related extracurriculars.</p>

15

<p>@leapinglizards lol thanks!</p>

16

<p>Your stats fit in for Cornell and and Rice, but it doesn’t seem like you have too much special science ECs. Though the sports ECs might help if you are truly and excellent soccer player.</p>

<p>For MIT Caltech, I would really suggest some serious research experience if its not too late, and/or getting some basic science stuff such as USABO or USNCO national semi-finalist or something like that down. Intel or Siemens would really help you there. Honest, i don’t think those schools are THAT big on test scores, but rather on what you have done outside of school in terms of scientific achievements.</p>

<p>ChemE yeah, if i end up in Berkeley, thats what i’ll major in as well. (well actually, a join major of ChemE and Material Sci E)</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/954601-hypsm-hopeful-chances-2.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/954601-hypsm-hopeful-chances-2.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

17

<p>^^What does it mean to be USNCO semi-finalist?? just out of curiosity…</p>