Chances+ Questions

Colleges and Universities A-Z California Institute of Technology
1

<p>I am interested in majoring in Economics (and Math), and was wondering if Caltech's economics program is decent (I know it's probably not as good as the sciences, but I am still interested in i majoring in Econ).</p>

<p>Also, what are my chances if I apply EA next year?</p>

<p>I'm a white male from a competitive public school in Texas, if that helps.</p>

<p>GPA: 4.0<br>
SAT: 2210 (800 Math, 720 Writing, 690 Critical Reading)
SAT II's: 800 Math 2c, 800 Math 1c, 780 Chemistry, 760 Physics
ACT: 34 </p>

<p>AP Classes:
Calculus BC (self-study, 10th, 4), Statistics (self-study, 10th, 4), Physics C M (11th,probably a 4/5), Physics C E&M (11th, probably a 4), Chemistry (11th, probably a 5)</p>

<p>College Math Classes:
Calculus III (11th,4.0)
Linear Algebra (11th, 3.9)
Differential Equations (11th, 3.2)
Number Theory (11th, 4.0)
-Next year I'll be taking Real Analysis 1 and 2 at a local U, and Macroeconomics at a community college.</p>

<p>Math Competitions:
USAMTS Bronze Winner (11th)
AMC 12: 124 (11th)
AIME: 9 (11th)
Part of Texas ARML team in 11th
Math Club Prez in 11th grade (member 9th-11th)</p>

<p>Other Activities:
Went to a math camp for two years in summer
100 hrs community service at local hospital
Science Olympiad (10th-11th)
NHS (10th-11th)
JV Swimming (9th-11th)</p>

<p>Other:
My counselor rec should be decent, and I'm getting a rec from the professor I took NT with, and that should be awesome. </p>

<p>Thanks for any input!</p>

2

<p>I think you have pretty good chances, nice math contest stats btw. Economics at Caltech is rising fast and from what I've seen at Prefrosh, it's excellent and rigorous, which is what you'd expect from Caltech. However, Ben is the more authoritative source on both your chances and the economics program.</p>

3

<p>I think you should look at other schools for econ. Caltech is a great school, but its mainly for math and science people. Perhaps Harvard, or maybe MIT would be better for you.</p>

4

<p>if your essays and recs are at all out of the oridinary, i'd say you've made it. i'm gonna go out on a limb and say you already knew that. Your not axline or anything, but you'll make it in without too much trouble. the extra college stuff you did is a nice hook.</p>

5

<p>[shameless Chicago plug] The University of Chicago has one of the best economics and math departments in the country. <a href="I%20think%20the%20grammar%20in%20that%20sentence%20was%20wrong">/shameless Chicago plug</a>.</p>

<p>Consider looking there too.</p>

6

<p>Thanks for all the comments, guys. Math is really more of my primary interest, so Caltech is still veeeerrrry appealing to me. Yup, I'm looking into Chicago, as well.</p>

<p>On another note, is my SAT too low? What about my SAT II's (it seems like you need straight 800's on everything :()?</p>

7

<p>SATs seem fine</p>

8

<p>I know someone who has approximately the same SAT scores as you and she got in.</p>

9

<p>That is a pretty typical set of SAT scores for students we admit. The verbal and writing probably won't hurt you much.</p>

10

<p>Last thing, i promise.</p>

<p>I already sent all my ACT/SAT scores to Caltech; do I still need to send in a score report when I apply?</p>

11

<p>You will self-report scores on the application, but the Institute should have them now from the College Board. If Caltech doesn't receive them, they'll let you know.</p>