EA Chances

Colleges and Universities A-Z California Institute of Technology
1

<p>Background:</p>

<p>HS: Public, very rarely sends grads to ivies or other top-ranked schools
Gender: Male
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Location: Chicago Suburbs
Year: Junior
*
APPLYING EA*</p>

<p>Academics:</p>

<p>GPA: 4.5/4(W), 3.9/4 (UW)
Rank: top 4%
Freshman Year: All Honors Classes
Sophomore Year: All Honors, AP World(5)
Junior Year: All Honors, 2 AP's (Chemistry, APUS); anticipating 5 in Chem, 4 or 5 in APUS
Senior Projected Schedule:
AP Calculus BC
AP Biology
AP Physics C
AP Spanish
AP English Literature</p>

<p>I have received A's in every math class I have taken and a B in one semester of biology, but I'm not worried about 1 B.</p>

<p>I haven't taken an actual practice SAT test yet so I cant give a score, but these are other practice scores so far:
IACT (sophomore year): 34
PSAT (earlier this year): 215</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:</p>

<p>-JV Tennis (10)
-Varsity Tennis (11,12)
-Math Team
-1st place at regional competition (Sophomore)
-state qualifier ^^
-Scholastic Bowl (9-12)
-JV (9,10)
-Varsity (11,12), will be Captain (12)
-planning on doing research over the summer
-will be a NHS member
-running for senior class board</p>

<p>I realize that many of my EC's are in the future (will be, planning, etc.), but please evaluate my chances using these as factual, since at my school, I'm pretty sure these positions are guaranteed (not to sound conceited, but I want to know my chances accurately, or to the best of CC's ability).</p>

<p>Also, I am not sure whether applying EA is the right choice. Caltech is my first choice, and this I am sure of, but are my chances too minute that I may risk rejection and lose the chance to be evaluated in the RD pool? Or are my chances good enough that I may be at least waitlisted and can make it to the RD pool.</p>

<p>Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks again all.</p>

2

<p>I am also a first-generation college student, if that helps any.</p>

3

<p>I would say a lot will depend on your essays and recs. As from your current stats nothing stands out as a big red flag to me, so keep it up and make sure your essays are good (demonstrate passion). </p>

<p>A note about the PSAT. My SAT score was lower than what it predicted, but for some of my friends their SAT scores were better. Just make sure you give yourself enough time to retake SATs if needed. </p>

<p>You mentioned research. Definitely do it. I submitted three independent research papers with my application, and I think it helped. In any case, when I talked to Ray Prado, the admissions director for the Chicago area, he said to DEFINITELY submit any independent research, so if you're thinking about it, do it.</p>

<p>And I'd definitely apply EA if it's your first choice. It's my first choice; I applied this year EA and got in, despite having SAT scores barely in the middle 50% range. You have the physics and math recommendations for applying EA, so I'd say go for it.</p>

<p>If you'd like to talk more, since we're from the same area, my AIM is in my profile.</p>

<p>Hope this helps.</p>

4

<p>anyone else?</p>

5

<p>buuuuummp.</p>

6

<p>I would try to pull up the SAT score a bit from your PSAT especially for EA. Take it and leave plenty of time for a retake. You want close to 800 on the Math section and 700s on the other two.</p>

<p>I would say your odds of being actually rejected EA are pretty low. People who have even a chance to be accepted RD are deferred, and at least as I'm reading your profile you have a realistic chance for sure.</p>

<p>Oh also, NHS generally doesn't matter for college admissions, unless you do a whole lot of volunteer or tutoring stuff through it or something (and then it's the stuff you do, not NHS, that matters). If you can list another activity or interest in that spot instead, I'd do it.</p>

7

<p>Does anyone else find it strange that adam_dewitt7 is bumping a thread concerning egzbaseballa77?</p>

8

<p>Czar: balla has very similar stats to mine, and since I am too lazy to post my own stats again, I wish to see his chances so I can gain a better understanding if my own. Looking back now, it does seem strange. Sorry for the confusion.</p>

9

<p>If he has very similar stats to you, won't people who review it (since they only know the stats) have similar reviews? </p>

<p>In any case, Adam, relax. There are really only two types of chances at Caltech- qualified or unqualified (with the exception of GODLIKE). If you're qualified, as you are, it's a crapshoot. Caltech can only accept so many people. </p>

<p>Worry less about chances and spend more time doing things you enjoy doing</p>