For anyone wanting to know their 'chances' of getting into Caltech

<p>bumping this thread again</p>

<p>Um… sorry if someone already asked this but does anyone know if it matters to Cal Tech if you’re the 1st gen to go to college or 1st gen to be born in the US? I’m both and I just realized that I may just be smart enough to have a go at the top so I’m trying to make up some ground my senior year haha. I know it’s unlikely but I just have to try.</p>

<p>Here are some CC threads that discuss what a first generation college student is</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/1124205-definition-first-generation-college-student.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/1124205-definition-first-generation-college-student.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/568331-can-you-precisely-define-first-generation.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/568331-can-you-precisely-define-first-generation.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>

</p>

<p>If your parents have attended college (not necessarily completed it) in any country then you are not first generation. By this definition, if they attended one semester of college, then you may not qualify.</p>

<p>You have to remember many CalTech students are children of recent immigrants i.e. their parents were not born in the US. They get no special preference, especially as some of their parents are highly qualified but got their degrees in another country.</p>

<p>CalTech generally does not pay much weight to factors like this (first generation etc.,) though MIT does. So even if you qualify as first generation, it is not going to help much at CalTech.</p>

<p>Thanks. Only one of my parents completed high school. My dad completed high school and he says that he took a year of english at a community college when he moved to the U.S. Even if scholarships disqualify me, couldn’t admission’s offices see that I gain no advantage from my dad taking a year of english?</p>

<p>How strongly does MIT look that factor? and do you think I could make up the difference at Cal Tech if I did a good job explaining my situation to Cal Tech in my essays? I didn’t have many EC’s related to science and math, because I’ve had no guidance. I’m going to start a Physics club with some friends this year and try to enter a competition or at least do some cool projects but that’s about it for the math/science EC’s. </p>

<p>To give you a better picture of who I am:</p>

<p>My senior year is pretty rigorous (I’ll be taking 9 AP tests total). I’ll independent study Calc BC and Physics C.
My junior year had only 3 because my schools counselor strongly recommended against 4 (I go to public school in AZ ha).
My grades positively correlate with straight A’s junior year.
Marching band for 3 years. I’ve played the saxophone since 5th grade and the piano since I was 5 (not “exceptional” at either).
NHS member (200+ hours of community service)
President of Media Production’s Club
SAT 2150 (math+reading 1480)
Did a practice ACT test (34), hoping to score that or 35 in September
Oldest of 5 siblings haha
Have worked 6-8 hours a week since freshmen year (tutoring)
weighted GPA 4.4ish, uw gpa 3.8ish
I think I love science ha but it’s been suppressed because of my large family/average income and family responsiblity (We used to be poor, my parents worked hard, we’re not poor anymore).</p>

<p>I know anyone’s chances are slim but do I even have a chance? I’m also looking at Harvey Mudd, UCB, UCSB, UCLA, USC, Cal Poly SLO so maybe chance me on those too?</p>

<p>This thread leads you to two other threads I suggest you read</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/california-institute-technology/1182824-suugest-reading-two-threads-before-you-post-chance-me-caltech-type-request.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/california-institute-technology/1182824-suugest-reading-two-threads-before-you-post-chance-me-caltech-type-request.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>I do not chance people, what I would suggest you read those two threads and look at your profile. You can definitely explain your interest in science and why you never had an opportunity to go deeper into it. Will it help? I don’t know but not everyone in CalTech has done reserach. The admissions committee does understand that some schools have more opportunities than others. You need to present you case. </p>

<p>However, first you need make sure you are competitive from a SAT score perspective. The top 75% of students admitted had an SAT score of 770 or greater in Math,</p>

<p>Thanks, I’ve read both of these already.
My math score was a 760. Do you think that if I got an 800 on math 2 it would nullify the other score? I also expect to score better on the ACT so I’m taking that instead of retaking the SAT (I got 35’s on the practice for math and science) (I only skimmed through the red book beforehand).</p>

<p>Thanks for the help.</p>

<p>Also do you know how strongly MIT looks at your background as a 1st-gen? (I realize I’m not “1st-gen” but I think they’ll understand.)</p>

<p>bumping the thread</p>

<p>hi i know this thread is old but i have one quick question i meet all the above requirements except the all As part freshman year before i got serious about my grades i got an A- first marking period in biology since then i have had all A+s in math and science courses but was wondering if this would affect my chances of getting in. thanks sorry to bother you just waanted to know if earlier grades would hurt me.</p>

<p>no …</p>

<p>bumping this thread again.</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>well there goes my chances…</p>

<p>Just to be clear, that is not true at all. I went to a tier two boarding school and got a B+ in calculus and a B- in algebra II during my time in high school.</p>

<p>how’s a B in AP BC at a top public school?</p>

<p>I can assure you that a single B means nothing in terms of chances, even in the more applicable classes to caltech.</p>

<p>It’s probably taken in the context of your exact high school (the school sends a profile along with your transcript, and the admissions staff are familiar with most top schools nationwide) and your other accomplishments. In general I would think you’d want to be in the A-range in all math/science classes, but of course that’s not a strict requirement for admission.</p>

<p>bump bump. This should be one of the threads in the beginning</p>

<p>I’m wondering what do CalTech students end up doing in the future with such strong abilities in math and science? I mean i understand any career related to science and math but why is it that they are passionate in going to Caltech meanwhile they can always go to other math and science oriented schools that are a bit easier to get in to. Unless this is about pride too.</p>

<p>I’m sure there are some people who do it out of pride, but a lot of it is honestly wanting to learn. Most of the people who come here want to get an intense and broad education, regardless of whether or not doing so will help them with their career. And if you don’t think that way, honestly, Caltech probably isn’t the right place for you.</p>

<p>Caltech also provides an advantage if you intend to go to academia (or even just grad school). It’s the only school I know of that deliberately tries to give students research opportunities every single summer; the opportunities are available at other schools, sure, but we have an entire administrative department dedicated to hooking people up with them.</p>

<p>Then there is the challenge. Some people may want to run a marathon race, which is a very tough challenge. Few want to do the ironman triathlon (which is a marathon plus) but there are still a few who do it. </p>

<p>Not trying to say that other schools are not tough, Caltech does it ratchet it up a notch or two. The Caltech alumni that I have talked to say, ya it was tough but I learned so much out that there that others are constantly amazed by their depth and breadth.</p>