<p>im really interested in applying to Caltech EA 2007, and i really need some advices.</p>
<p>im a recent immigrant. i came to US just two years ago(late second semester in 9th grade). im an asian from a big public high school in california.</p>
<p>GPA: 3.79 unweighted (all my B's are from english or history, a C+ in freshmen english that i took last summer, but A/A- in junior english)
SAT: 2100(800 math, 650 CR, 650 writing)retake in october
SAT II: 800 IIC, 800 Physics, 800 Chem, 800 Chinese, 720 Biology
APs: 5s in calc BC, physics C EM&Mech, chem, bio, and comp sci A(i only took Ap comp sci A and AP physics B in school, because my school requires me to take the classes that are in the graduate requirement first. so i self-study almost all my aps)</p>
<p>others:
AMC 116.5(11th), 99.5(10th)
AIME 7(11th)
Math Team 10th, 11th</p>
<p>Research:
Im very fortunate to have a chance to begin doing research just one or two months after i came to US, and i have been doing research since then. I dedicate 6+ hours everything during school year and 20+ hours every week during summer to work on my research. I hope i can finish my paper before october. my research topic is pretty interesting and btw my mentor is a caltech graduate, and ill be getting my college rec from him.</p>
<p>im still undecided whether i should apply to Caltech EA or cornell/northwestern EA(schools that i have a better chance at), because i know caltech is extremely competitive and my SAT score(2100) is kinda low for caltech. my gpa isn't good too. my competition performance isnt good either.</p>
<p>My experience on the matter is only reading the stats of accepted/rejected people, but here's my two cents: As long as your english skills don't stop your essays from showing your personality and passions, and your reqs are great, I think you definitly have a chance.</p>
<p>Being an international puts you into a group with quotas I believe, so depending on exactly what your US status is, that could make stuff more difficult for you. Ben Golub will, no doubt, show up on this board ot answer that for you. If not, PM him. He's a Caltech student and admissions officer, and just generally amazingly helpful to everyone.</p>
<p>sol -- your application seems strong. Your perfect math/science SAT's will help you, and you should definitely put the AIME score on (we would be impressed with a 7). Your research also makes your application stronger, and you seem really dedicated.</p>
<p>If your retake bumps the verbal scores up a little, that would be fine, but if not, don't worry. We understand the scores mean different things for people who just came to the US recently.</p>
<p>In any case, I think your chances are strong. Give it a shot :)</p>
<p>I'd actually given that a lot of thought- geeky me. I was thinking if you named a bunch of variables, such as a good essay, a great essay, an average essay, a 700-740 sat, a 740-780 sat, a 790-800, and did a series of equations, it seems like you could solve for an approximate value. To clarify: Let x,y,z...=1 if true, 0 if false.
w=good essay, x=bad essay, y=700-760 math, z=770-800 math.
If: Aw+Bx+Cy+Dz>=[something arbitrary], accept. You would plug in examples from known accepts or rejects and once you had as many (preferably more) apps. than capital letters, you could solve for them. I tried it using just two variables (as this can be graphed for a visual representation using slopes) and was reasonably close. Anyway we coudl get our hands on even really old data of applicants? Something tells me that'd break a million and four laws, but the worst answer I could get is a no- the automatic response for not asking. So how bout it?</p>
<p>That advice is definitely excellent, zoogies. Your best application is very unlikely to be your best, so don't apply first to the school you want most. Just trust me on this one.</p>
<p>I definitely agree. That's good advice for anyone. </p>
<p>My MIT EA application was complete and utter crap. Caltech was the last app I filled out, and I think it was my best one. Save your best for last. </p>
<p>
[quote]
Cornell is indeed ED... From my experience, your best application won't be your first one.
[/quote]
Actually, Cornell's applications skyrocketed in the past 2 years from 19,000 to 28,000. They were nervous about predicting yield with unprecedented numbers of applicants, so they drew heavily from their ED pool this year (38% early as opposed to 18% regular). It was almost like Tufts Sydrome. There was a very significant advantage to applying early.</p>
<p>So even though everyone's last few apps are their best, you still need to consider if you'll get a boost from applying early (particularly true for ED if you're sure which school you want). Worst case scenario, if you ever had a chance at all, you'll be deferred (not outright rejected early) and then you can send in updates essays or whatnot before the regular decision period. Colleges understand you're doing the EA/ED apps sooner and they won't be as polished as some of the RA ones. Don't discount the benefits of applying early!</p>
<p>I won't dispute the advantages of applying early (especially given your figures from Cornell ED), just pointing out that Cornell was ED and the OP mentioned applying there EA. Although by the time I finished all my other applications I really wished I could have my EA one back...still, it was a good excercise, applying somewhere early. </p>
<p>I did all mine on the very last day they were due. I still remember spending band period with a huge bunch of papers spread out on the floor, stapling like mad. Percussionists can get away with that kind of thing back there. ;-)</p>