<p>Because this year, as a junior, I qualified for the USAMO (definitely will get a 0!!!!). w/ 118.5 AMC 12 and 12 AIME. I studied so much for the AIME so much that I slacked off in my Real Analysis class, and got a D+. I have a 4.0 GPA, and am taking 3 AP's at school. Have a 1550 old SAT, too. I am really worried this will negatively affect my chances at Caltech, and to obtain an Axline scholarship. On a side note, I took Calc III last semester with an A, and Number Theory last year with a B. I got a 4 on the Calculus BC exam last year. I'm taking ODE's and Linear Algebra next year, and will easily get an A in both (I've taken both previously in a college class at summer without a grade, so I know all the material. Heh.) Also, I am entering a project in Siemens and Intel next year, and I am pretty sure I can get into regionals in both. Its definitely not national-level (it is definitely out of the top 200), but I am pretty sure I'll at least be a semifinalist.</p>
<p>Can I still get into Caltech? Do I have a remote chance for an Axline scholarship?</p>
<p>No way, to get into Caltech you should be able to ace that with your eyes closed. (I never took real analysis, nor did I ever qualify for the USAMO, not even close, and I've never done any research)</p>
<p>My guess is that USAMO qualification will carry a lot more weight at Caltech than it would at other schools, but it still is secondary to academic grades. Maybe if you placed very well in the USAMO is could off-set it, but I don't know.</p>
<p>I think you have to be pretty near perfect to get an Axline. Po-Shen Loh told me at MOP at that MOPpers will get Axlines more often than not, but I sure didn't. Then again I only made MOP once (10th grade- missed it 11th grade) and never did any research. (Shrug).</p>
<p>So a D+ certainly is a huge "uh oh" on any application. That said, a 12 on the AIME is remarkably good, and will cover enough weight. Most folks don't even take real analysis, so it's probably not going to kill you. Is it going to scuttle chances for an Axline? Yeah, I'd say it's pretty likely to hose that chance; will you still be admitted? I'd have to see the rest of your application, but if you got a 12 on the AIME you're at least looking at a strongly competitive application.</p>