Chances?

Colleges and Universities A-Z California Institute of Technology
1

<p>I posted this in the MIT forum, but am reposting here as well since Caltech is my second choice college right now:</p>

<p>I'm a Sophomore in High School this school year, and am planning on applying Senior year. I am female and a Russian immigrant, and have lived in the US since age five.</p>

<p>Classes taken and grades:
(In 7th grade I was in a special program at a magnet school in Chicago.)
7th grade:
Honors Environmental Science: A
Honors Intro to Comp Sci: A</p>

<p>(Here I moved to PA and transferred to a new school.)
8th grade:
Advanced Geometry: A
Advanced Bio 1: A</p>

<p>9th grade:
Advanced Chemistry 1: A
Advanced Zoology: B
Advanced Honors World History 1: A
Advanced Honors English 9: A
Advanced Algebra 2: A
Phys Ed 9: A
Health 1: A
Spanish 2: A
AP Computer Science: A</p>

<p>10th grade (currently, with likely grades):
AP Statistics: A
Advanced Chemistry 2: B
Advanced Honors PreCalc: A
Advanced World History 2: A
Advanced Microbiology: A
Advanced Genetics: A
Advanced Honors English 10: A
Phys Ed 10: A
Spanish 3: A</p>

<p>In 11th grade, I'm planning on taking:
Spanish 4
Phys Ed 11
Health 2
AP BC Calc
AP Physics C
AP English 11
AP US History
Hopefully a Chem or Bio course at Penn State</p>

<p>In 12th grade, I'll be taking:
AP European History
AP English 12
Advanced Topics (Math)
Phys Ed 12</p>

<p>I'm planning on getting an internship at a Penn State lab for 12 grade, since I won't be taking many classes, or perhaps taking classes at Penn State.</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
Science Olympiad: grades 9 and 10, VERY dedicated, will have captain position in grade 12; 5 hours a week, every week of the school year until May-ish
Slalom Kayaking: grades 9 and 10, 0-15 hours a week
Piano: I've been taking classes since age 6
Math Club: grade 10
Technology Student Association: grade 10
Knowledge Masters: grade 10
Science Bowl: grade 10
Speech and Debate: grade 9
Odyssey of the Mind: grade 9</p>

<p>I don't know my rank, but I'm in the top 10% of my class and am farthest ahead in science (no one else in my class has taken Chemistry 1 in their Freshman year). I'm in the most advanced possible classes in all subjects except History, in which I am taking the second to most advanced course this year because it conflicted with Chem 2 and could not be scheduled.</p>

<p>Random Interests:
I've bred frogs since age seven, and love frogs with a passion.
One of the few things that interest me more than frogs are math and science, especially biology, chemistry, and computer science.
I love reading and writing, and have won various writing competitions.
I enjoy kayaking, canoing, camping, hiking, jogging, and just being outside.
I really enjoy programming, especially in Java, and have been writing programs just for the fun of it since seventh grade. I also enjoy web design.</p>

<p>What would you say are my chances of being accepted to MIT if I continue on my planned course, and what improvements should I make to better my chances?</p>

2

<p>If you're applying to Caltech, my advice is to do everything possible to pull up that advanced chemistry score to at least an "A-" If you need to drop some of your EC's for the next month then you need to do that.</p>

<p>They might ignore the zoology grade because it's not a fundamental subject, but getting a "B" in math or science will seriously dent your chances.</p>

3

<p>Ouch.... Does it help that it was a B+ and a 12th grade course, and that I was the only freshman to take it?</p>

4

<p>yes, but still this is Caltech. Your typical caltech admit was very advanced and they got "A"s if not A+s. </p>

<p>I assume you're on the semester system, right, and the B+ is only a quarter grade that is given to give you an indication of where you stand in the class? If so, the semester grade is the only thing that matters since quarter grades typically aren't on the transcript.</p>

5

<p>Okay so I've taken 4 semesters of physics. I got a B my first semester my sophomore year but As the other 3 semesters 5s on both parts of the Physics C, and 800 on SATII Physics. I guess I just kind of assumed they would overlook the B with the other As and high test scores. Was it wrong to assume this? I mean its too late for me, but in my case it was just a really rough semester, so if there's something going on with lyddiefrog this semester, could high test scores make up for the B? Like if he couldn't pull up the B, but managed to get a 5 on the AP and 800 on SAT II chemistry and A next semester would Caltech overlook the B?</p>