I am starting to apply to colleges and my three top choices are MIT, Caltech, and Princeton. I plan to major in chemical engineering and I am very passionate about math and science. However, I do not have many extracurriculars related to math and science and I know Caltech especially looks down upon that. I was wondering if anyone knows whether I have a better chance applying to Princeton SCEA, or Caltech and MIT early action?
I have taken/am taking the following AP classes:
AP Physics 1 (Score: 5)
AP Chemistry (Score: 5)
AP Calculus AB (Score: 5)
AP English Language and Comp. (Score: 5)
AP Statistics
AP English Lit. and Comp.
AP Calculus BC
AP Biology
My test scores are:
ACT Composite: 35 (36 M, 34 R, 35 E, 35 S)
SAT Math 2, Chemistry: 800
GPA 4.45
For extracurriculars, I am extremely invested in violin (I’ve been playing for over 12 years now), I run varsity cross country, I tutor students in math every day, and I am a varsity soccer player.
Awards include:
National Honor Society
AP Scholar with Honor
National Merit Scholarship Letter of Commendation
I have more awards but they are specific to my school/community
I have also been chosen to participate in MIT’s Weekend Immersion in Science and Engineering Program this year.
So, do you guys think I have a chance at Caltech, MIT, or Princeton. If so, which one do I have the best chance at?
Easy on the humble brag, bud.
OP, you probably have the best chance at Caltech as you have a high ACT but not much else. Your awards are effectively non existent, but your Athletics may help you a bit.
@harvardmaths okay thanks for answering. Also I do a lot more ECs than I listed above (just not more science related ones) and I have a lot more awards. I just included some of the most prestigious ones for the sake of time. I was mainly worried about my lack of math/science related ECs for admittance
@skieurope @HarvardMaths That was rude and completely uncalled for.
@CaliCash then refrain from posting completely unproductive comments that add nothing to the discussion and are clearly meant to be condescending and in bad taste.
Caltech also likes to see huge community involvement because they have their pick of “academically perfect” students and are seeing the need to have students who can function outside of a classroom “bookish” environment.
I don’t know if you have worked in a food bank, shelter, volunteer, (something that is not self serving) but that could be a weakness for you if you don’t have that exposure.
It’s really hard to say. What’s your approximate class rank? Obviously, you have the scores for these schools and I assume the grades but you have essentially no science and math ECs so I don’t see how MIT or Caltech would see you as a good fit. I asked about your gender because if you’re a female, you have a slightly better chance. If you’re an Asian male, you chances are much lower. I could see you getting into one or more of the schools or getting completely shut out from them. It all depends on how strong your other ECs are, how far you’ve gone in violin, what kind of recs you receive and if you can pull off writing good engineering essays (for Princeton e.g.) with such little EC STEM involvement to date.
I don’t see the weekend immersion program as significant but perhaps others have a take on this. Good luck?
Eventhough you have good scores, but you do not have any extraordinary achievement in math and related fields to distinguish you from the rest!
…Many high achievers skip Calculus AB and jump directly into BC in junior year!
@HarvardMaths It was not uncalled for or unproductive. Chance Me’s in and of themselves are unproductive. I was just calling the OP out for bragging about their scores and humble bragging. It’s something that happens a lot on CC and it’s of no use for students. It creates more pressure and stress for students when they see someone downplaying something almost perfect.
@CaliCash I read OP’s message carefully and I really don’t see any part where s/he is bragging, or even a hint of a “humble brag” as you call it? He (or she) was merely posting all objective data points for us to consider. A humble brag to me is when someone who clearly has high scores/grades says I’m not sure my scores/grades are good/high enough (when clearly they are near perfect) or when someone posts SAT II: 750 (will retake) or posts something like SAT I (2250 first take, will try to get higher). OP was worried about his/her ECs and was asking us if this was enough for his/her top school and which is the best fit. OP did not insinuate one way or the other that the grades/scores are too low or too high…?
Guys, please stay on topic. I see no bragging. He has to tell us his stats so we can chance him.
OP, I see meh ECs and tests scores/ GPA. Sorry that it’s not what you want to hear but I don’t think you are in for those 3 schools.