<p>As I had mentioned in my earlier posting, I do not normally chance people or provide feedback on chances as I have no idea as to what the actual profile looks like. However I do suggest that students look at what the college needs and how they fit in. That does not mean you should not apply to stretch schools. In fact you should, but you should choose your stretch schools where you have the best fit between what the school looks for and what you are interested in. CalTech may be a super stretch for one student, but Harvard or Stanford or Princeton may not be as much a stretch for that same student. </p>
<p>There is also a cost to applying beyond the application fees. There is the time and effort to get recommendations, write essays, pay for test scores etc. Given that there is limited time, where best should the OP focus on: CalTech or another stretch school that he or she may be interested in?</p>
<p>Let us begin by what CalTech wants (this is from their own website
[Caltech</a> Undergraduate Admissions: The Admissions Process: How We Make Decisions](<a href=“http://www.admissions.caltech.edu/applying/decisions]Caltech”>http://www.admissions.caltech.edu/applying/decisions)</p>
<p>*
Academics
We first look for academic ability by evaluating test scores, grades, and recommendations. Caltech students are gifted in math and science and also are good test takers. If you have low math and science test scores, we will look for evidence of abilities in other parts of your application. Even if you have done well on your standardized tests, we will confirm that ability with your grades and teacher recommendations. Caltech students are not only good at math and science; they love those subjects, too. We will look for your love of learning in your curriculum and teacher recommendations. If you have taken courses or done research outside of school, be sure to include those transcripts and, if possible, recommendations from those experiences.*</p>
<p>Given below is the 2009 standard test score data for CalTech</p>
<p><a href=“College Navigator - National Center for Education Statistics”>College Navigator - California Institute of Technology;
<p>Test Scores: Fall 2009 (enrolled first-time students)
Students submitting scores Number Percent
SAT 245 97%
ACT 89 35%
Test Scores 25th Percentile* 75th Percentile**
NOTES:
- 25% of students scored at or below
** 25% of students scored above</p>
<pre><code>* Data apply to first-time degree/certificate-seeking students.
- Institutions are asked to report test scores only if they are required for admission.
</code></pre>
<p>SAT Critical Reading 690 770
SAT Math 770 800
SAT Writing 680 770
ACT Composite 33 35
ACT English 33 35
ACT Math 34 36</p>
<p>The OP is 2 points below the cut off for the 25%tile of ACT composite and also two points below for the math portion. Now if the OP took the ACT again and got a 36, then the dynamics change. In absence of that, what is that the OP can show as passion for science and math. </p>
<p>I am not going to answer that question for the OP, but the OP should ask himself and herself “Can I show enough of passion for Science and Math that will compensate for the low ACT score”?. If the OP can show that then he or she should apply. If they cannot answer with a strong yes, then the next question is “Where is my time best spent, taking a chance on CalTech or some other school”. The answer very well may be CalTech, but the only person who can answer that is the OP. All I am doing is to point the OP to some facts and the OP can make the decision.</p>
<p>Kalwadner gave his opinion honesty as the OP asked for an honest opinion. I do understand that the others would suggest that OP should apply if he or she is very interested in CalTech. However point to be noted is that CalTech has an incoming class of only 225, hence there are not too many seats to compete for.</p>