Chances?

Colleges and Universities A-Z California Institute of Technology
1

<p>I'm going to apply this fall. I hope to major in either math or, preferably, physics.</p>

<p>SAT: 770 Math, 780 CR, 690 Writing (8 essay)</p>

<p>SAT2: 800 Latin, 750 Chemistry, 730 Math2 (I think I'll take it again)</p>

<p>ACT: 33 Math, 32 Science, 33 Reading, 32 English</p>

<p>AP: 5 AB Calc, 5 Latin Literature, 5 Psychology, 5 World History (I taught my
self this one), 5 Lang/Comp, 5 US History, 4 Latin Vergil, 3 Chemistry</p>

<p>GPA: 4.00 unweighted, 5.08 weighted</p>

<p>Class Rank: 1/345</p>

<p>School Recognition: Latin, AP Calc AB, Honors Biology Student of the Year Awards</p>

<p>ECs: Ran Cross Country throughout high school and was captain this past year. Helped start and headed as captain the school Quiz Bowl team. Have played guitar for 7 years and won my school's talent show this year. I've taught Latin to two different 1st grade classes and tutored an elementary student as well. I've done Science Olympiad throughout high school as well.</p>

<p>I took two courses - Public Speaking and an very introductory Introduction to Logic and Programming - at a local community college and passed both with A's. Right now I'm at UNC Chapel Hill taking Calc 2 and Philosophy of Science. I should pass both with A's.</p>

<p>I realize that I'm lacking science related ECs, but I'd like to think that I don't have those opportunities around here (Fayetteville, NC). I actually go to a fairly crappy school, but I do as much as I can.</p>

2

<p>.....Bump?</p>

3

<p>That Math II score might cause some concern. I would retake it. As you mentioned, lack of science ECs. You have a chance, but Caltech definitely seems to a be a reach for you.</p>

4

<p>If you want to major in Physics, why didn't you take the SAT in Physics instead of chemistry? Maybe with a higher score in Physics, you could have a better chance. The Latin score won't count for Caltech. Try taking the Physics test if you feel comfortable, or retake Chemistry to have more chances.</p>

5

<p>yea u definitely need 800 on math 2-math I the curve is killer so its not bad, but math 2 even if u get 7 wrong u can get 800 so you really need that</p>

6

<p>I got in with sub-800 score. You don't "need" it but it helps.</p>

7

<p>Yeah, I would have taken the Physics SAT2, but I had just taken AP Chem at school and was better prepared for it. It's not like my declared major makes much of a difference anyway, right?</p>

8

<p>No it doesn't. I'm not sure if it's even considered during admissions since many people switch once they get here.</p>