<p>I'm planning to apply EA to CalTech</p>
<p>My school's an extremely competitive school in the Bay Area (we're 63% Asian)
I'm Asian myself.
GPA: 3.92 UW
Rank: 60s, 70s out of 500?</p>
<p>I'm a pretty strong math student.
Twice USAMO qualifier.
AMC-12: 130
AIME: 11</p>
<p>Took AP Calculus BC + Stats in 10th grade.
Scores:
AP Calc BC: 5
AP Stats: 5
AP Chem: 5
APUSH: 4
AP Physics C: Mechanics: 5
AP Physics C: E/M: 3
AP Enligsh Lang: 5</p>
<p>I self learned AP Physics though, so that might mean something....</p>
<p>I finished Differential Equations + Linear Algebra at CC. Received A's in both.
Currently taking Multivariate Calc at CC.</p>
<p>Old SAT I: 1600
New SAT I: 2330
SAT IIs: Math IIC: 800/ Writing: 800/ Chem: 770
PSAT: 232</p>
<p>Planning to retake Chem + take Physics in October.</p>
<p>ECs:
- Senior Orchestra member of one of the best HS orchestras in Bay Area
- 2 years Marching Band Corps
- 4 years trumpet
- 1 year JV Cross Country
- 1 year Track + Field
- 3 years teaching advanced math to jr. high students
- run my own SAT Math prep course
- A lot of misc. local/state math contests
- Founded school's Math Club
- Math Club President
- Planning on starting a Poker Club next yr (not for apps, but for fun)
- Have total of around 300 service learning hours (from tutoring, proctoring math contests, volunteer band corps)
- 2 years of Gravel Pit, breakdancing club
- Co-founder of Project Omega, school's alternative Homecoming DVD; last year, our staff of 12 people put a LOT of effort in creating a Homecoming DVD which was worthy competition of our school's yearbook Homecoming DVD. We sold about 100 copies; yearbook sold a few dozen.</p>
<p>Senior Year Schedule:
AP Bio
AP English Lit
AP Physics B
Gov/Econ
AP Comp Sci
French IV</p>
<p>I'm looking at an engineering major. Think I can get in CalTech EA?</p>
<p>11 in AIME man? You're crazy math geek. If Caltech doesn't accept you, the admission officers there are stupid. Oh, and by the way, how did you feel about AP physics C, both of them. Did you take both test in the same year?</p>
<p>Yeah, I spent a lot of time prepping for Mechanics, and as a result, I had about a month to cram E + M. -_- Look what happened...</p>
<p>Weren't those two exams held at the same time though? Did you have to call them and reschedule one of the tests or anything? Or are they treated like 1 exam pretty much?</p>
<p>Each test is 1.5 hours long. You take em at same time.</p>
<p>Ah I see. Thanks. I think I'll give it a shot for both this year.</p>
<ul>
<li>Planning on starting a Poker Club next yr (not for apps, but for fun)</li>
</ul>
<p>Cool. We have a lot of poker players at Caltech. </p>
<p>Your resume is strong. Definitely mention the self-study aspect of your physics program. I really don't see anything wrong here. You can get into Caltech EA, just don't slack on your essays... you seem like a pretty cool, passionate kid, and you must let that shine through. The only thing that could kill you would be seeming obsessed/arrogant/hyperacademic. If your essays convey a sense of passion and fun, I'd feel very good about this app.</p>
<p>OK thanks a lot! I feel a lot more reassured hearing those words from you. That 3rd box question is a killer though, haha.</p>
<p>I think I've figured out who you are by looking up AMC's 56th Annual Summary of High School Results and Awards. Good luck to you in your college applications.</p>
<p>Tokenadult: what is in that results book?
How detailed is it?</p>
<p>The annual AMC results books have names (surname and initial letter of given name) and scores of test-takers who score above specified levels on each of the AMC tests. I get the book because I am a math coach. Anyone can buy the book. </p>
<p>Some of those names are familiar to me because I visit the AMC Web site a lot, and the AMC Web site lists the very top scorers (e.g., USAMO qualifiers). I also hang out on a Brand X Web site where a lot of younger math contestants regard some of the senior high top contestants as their heros: much as top high school football players probably have fans all over the country. Anything I say to or about a top math contest scorer is with the utmost admiration: I didn't participate in those contests when I was a kid, but I wish I would have and I'm glad my son does. </p>
<p>I didn't want to startle anyone here with too much stalking, but it is a fact that any member of the general public can look up a lot of information about the very top echelon of AMC test-takers. That's why one could never successfully lie about that kind of accomplishment, which is one reason why that kind of accomplishment is meaningful to the colleges looking for the best math students.</p>
<p>Wow, self -studied physics?!! 11 on the AIME? I'm jealous.</p>
<p>Oh wow, are you serious? Care to PM me with a name for verification? Yeah... I figured someone would eventually find out who I was through that. I've seen you on AOPS before too.</p>
<p>If you are interested in Poker Caltech is a great place to be. Lots of people play online here and are quite successful. A few more play in larger cash games and tournaments at casinos.</p>
<p>Huck Seed was a former undergraduate who left before he finished. He won the main event at the WSOP in 95 or 96, as well as numerous other larger tournaments. He also plays in very high limit cash games.</p>