Chances? Worried because I have no research.

Colleges & Universities A-Z California Institute of Technology
1

<p>I'm an international student who applied to Caltech RD this year, and I want to know my chances. I have no research so I think that will probably do me in.</p>

<hr>

<p>Verbal - 800
Math - 780</p>

<p>Writing - 800
Literature - 790
Math Level IIC - 800
Chemistry - 750
Physics - 790</p>

<p>AP Eng. Lang. & Composition - 5 (didn't take the course)
AP Macroeconomics - 5 (didn't take the course)
AP Microeconomics - 5
AP European History - 5
AP Physics B - 5 (didn't take the course)
AP Biology - 5
AP Calculus BC - 5
AP Computer Sci. AB - 3 (didn't take the course)
AP Chemistry - 4 (didn't take the course)
AP Eng. Literature & Composition - 4
AP Physics C: Mechanics - 5
AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism - 4 (didn't take the course)</p>

<p>TOEFL - 293 (in 2002)</p>

<p>No legacies.</p>

<p>Courses for this year: Korean, Korean History, Probability and Statistics, Soccer, Eng. Reading Comprehension II, Eng. Conversation, Eng. Literature I, AP Eng. Literature, French Reading, AP European History, AP World History, Korean Cultural Heritage, AP Computer Science, AP Psychology, AP Biology with Lab, Differential Equations</p>

<p>=Forensics - Head of the school English debate club
=Broadcasting - Head of the school department of broadcasting
=Drama - Assistant director of the school drama club
=Writing - Second place in the 4th Chungmoogong Traditional Korean Poem Contest
=Journalism - Bronze Award in the 8th National School Newspaper Contest
=Traditional Korean Percussion - Played the changku.
=Athletics - Black Belt in Kumdo
=Peer Tutoring Program - Program Manager</p>

<p>Other: Head of delegation in VIMUN 2004, Representative of South Korea in the 12th International Philosophy Olympiad, Communications Manager in the ISville International School Network, Member of the Board of Directors for school MUN, Organizer of school chess competitions, Early Graduation</p>

<p>GPA: 4.84 (on a 5-pt scale) -> 3.87 when converted</p>

2

<p>Pretty darn good. Will depend a bit on creativity and personality -- bad essays could kill you -- but otherwise a pretty compelling record, especially the independent study and the novel programs you participated in (International Philosophy Olympiad, interesting!)</p>

<p>On that note, could you tell me a bit about that, the Olympiad? What sorts of essays did you write (topics?). How many of them were there? How did you like the experience?</p>

<p>Yeah, anyway, I'd say your chances are pretty good. Assuming everything else is in line with the summary, the most probable reason for NOT getting in, if that happens, is financial aid nonsense having to do with international applicants. I don't know whether you're applying for aid or not.</p>

3

<p>Ben, I have a question about independent study. I know my application is already submitted and all, but I'm just curious... how does Caltech know you're doing an independent study? My transcript only lists the classes I'm taking, not what I'm studying by myself. I can see how Caltech would know for my junior year studies (ie. AP taken for a class not on the transcript), but I'm kind of confused for senior year classes. Thanks.</p>

4

<p>The independant study would either be mention in
a) extracurriculars
b) letter of rec
c) essay</p>

<p>And to the OP, don't send in the Computer Science AP score (the 3, it looks bad). Other than that, compelling application. My hat is off to anyone from a non-English speaking country who can get better scores on their verbals than I did, and pull a 5 on the comp exam without taking the class.</p>

5

<p>Wow, for an international applicant your English is absolutely flawless, as evidenced by your 800 score on the SAT II Writing.</p>

6

<p>Galen answered icymoon's question completely, so I have nothing else to add... but in general, if you feel something is not reflected accurately in what you've submitted and there's something we should know, by all means get a white piece of paper, explain whatever, and send it to us labeled with your name and SSN.</p>

7

<p>ok thanks! :)</p>

8

<p>Do you think I could get a chances evaluation of my own?<br>
My stats are:
SAT I: 1600
SAT II:
800 Writing
790 U.S. History
780 Math IIC
770 Chemistry
730 Latin
730 Biology-E
ACT: 35
GPA: 4.0 out of 4.0 unweighted
I've already taken 6 AP exams and I will take 5 more.
AP Scores:
Chemistry: 5
European History: 5
U.S. History: 5
English Literature and Composition: 5
English Language and Composition: 5
Latin Literature: 5
BC Calculus: Not Taken Yet
Physics C: Not Taken Yet
AP Economics (Macro and Micro): Not Taken Yet
Latin Vergil: Not Taken Yet</p>

<p>Extracurriculars: plenty of JV sports, a medical research project, and 4 years as a Special Olympics coach.</p>

9

<p>By the way, I'm not applying for financial aid if that makes any difference.</p>

10

<p>Samp -- you're domestic, so finaid will make no difference. </p>

<p>Your academics are solid, but then again solid academics are a dime a dozen in the pool (although yours are certainly impressive). If you've successfully conveyed passion for science (as relates to your medical research, perhaps) in Essay 1 and your other personal qualities (perhaps relating to the Special Olympics) in Essay 2 then I'd say your chances are pretty good. The trap that kids with stats like yours most often fall into is that they think they are more or less shoo-ins, and fail to write vibrant essays. If the personal sideof your file is as compelling as the scores and grades, I'd say you should feel pretty good about the application.</p>

11

<p>in the 12th IPO we got 4 writing topics
1 from sartre, 1 from nietzsche, 1 from hans-georg gadamer, and 1 that was just simply Does science need philosophy?
it was a very interesting experience
i got to meet students from all over the world
places like slovenia, finland, etc.
too bad there wasn't anyone from the US</p>

12

<p>For the record, I got in. :D
I'm so happy!</p>

13

<p>Congratulations.</p>

<p>How are language issues resolved in the International Philosophy Olympiad? Since representatives from different countries write in different languages, do they have seperate readers for each language? </p>

<p>At any rate, it sounds exciting. It's a competition I wish I knew about when the chance to participate in it was still available. I took a philosophy course at school and frequently studied the subject on my own.</p>

14

<p>Thank you.</p>

<p>The participants must write in English, French, or German, and they may not write in their native language. They have separate readers for each of the languages, though many of the judges are bilingual/trilingual.</p>

<p>It is exciting! My only surprise was that the US didn't participate in it. I guess it isn't part of the IPA.</p>