<p>I really threw everything I had into my application for Caltech, since it's been my dream school since I was in 5th grade. The only regret I had after sending in my application is that the thesis the data I worked with in my research went to hadn't been published so I couldn't upload it. So now, I don't know what I can add to my application because I really tried to give it everything. Is it worth uploading an art supplement? A recommendation from my 5th grade teacher, who I initially told I wanted to go to Caltech when he asked? New essays?</p>
<p>It worries me that even though they say being deferred puts no disadvantage in consideration, the acceptance rate from the deferred pool is less than half that of the total acceptance rate. I'm just distraught and seeking some advice.</p>
<p>If it’s really your dream, there’s no way that you should give up so easily. Recognize that there’s a high probability you won’t get in, pursue other college options, but throw everything else you’ve got at Caltech.</p>
<p>I agree. Don’t get a recomm from 5th grade teacher, but someone you know NOW, who can add to what you can contribute to Caltech. You have a few months before adding to your application, so make the most of it. Keep in mind, you were deferred, not denied. That means you are still a strong candidate.</p>
<p>Definitely roll over to RD…sometimes it’s as simple as too many EA applications. You don’t know- maybe you were the next one to be accepted and will stand out in the RD round. I believe you get a chance to reaffirm your interest, reiterate that this is your dream school, perhaps state that you will attend if accepted (yes?). I didn’t quite understand your sentence about your research but if you were saying you have important new accomplishments or honors, yes, include them. You also have first semester grades. You should check to see if they would accept any additional essays or recs - but no, not 5th grade teacher…please don’t be discouraged!</p>
<p>For the research… the analysis I did was a fairly significant part of someone’s PhD thesis, which hasn’t been released yet, so there was some apprehension on her part (I guess? maybe on my mentor’s part) about me having something to upload. Because the research is ongoing, a paper with me as a full coauthor is still in the works. Nothing to do but try, I guess - and of course, there’s always other schools, even if they’re not Caltech.</p>
<p>You may not be able to provide the paper (and honestly, they probably wouldn’t read the whole thing in admissions if you did provide it). But if you did not tell them you would be co-author, include that in an email to admissions (let them know it is your top choice school if it truly is, and tell them you will be co-author of a paper due to be published in <future month="" year,="" whatever="" it="" is="">. And any other accomplishments. Do not send the 5th grade teacher item in – they really don’t care about that. And do not give them more essays, they already have tons to read. If you have more accomplishments, send that info. That is really what would do the most good, along with confirming your continued interest.</future></p>
<p>You really don’t have much to lose from rolling over to RD. If you consider how much effort you’ve already put into your application, it doesn’t make much sense to give up now.</p>
<p>I was in your situation in 2010, I was deferred MIT and Caltech early. It was probably because I was an asian male without anything SUPER out of the ordinary.</p>
<p>But in the end I did get accepted in RD. So it’s not impossible.</p>
<p>But at the end of the day, as for any top 10 school, I was really lucky to get in. Every top school is going to be be a crap shoot so don’t get too caught up with a specific school. Just focus on being yourself and it’ll all work out regardless. Looking back even if I hadn’t got into Caltech, I’d still be just as happy at Berkeley (and still be equally ok career wise).</p>