<p>I was only rarely bitter and often quite happy. Just FYI.</p>
<p>Caltech is a LOT of very hard work but that doesn't mean that there's nothing to be happy about or that bitterness is the necessary consequence!</p>
<p>1) research, advanced classes, national competitions
2) physics
3) Just make sure you're enjoying what you're doing now. If you try to force yourself into a mold that you perceive Caltech desires, you won't be happen in the long run. Persue your interests and base where you apply/matriculate on that.</p>
<p>Oh and count me as someone not bitter, and I'm a junior.</p>
<p>Oh, to answer the OP, though I'm not currently attending:</p>
<p>1) Test scores and grades, took the hardest classes available at my high school (which was only 6 APs to give you an idea), recommendations and essays hopefully showed that I was sincerely interested in science.
2) Aeronautics (which is what I came in planning to do), History (added for fun in my sophomore year).
3) Do the things you enjoy. I spent much more time on music activities in high school than I did on math/science stuff (although I also did some of those things of course) and I don't think it hurt me a bit.</p>
<p>1)Test score, grades, hard classes, good recommendations, good essays, and decent performance in math competitions (local competitions, AMC, AIME)</p>
<p>2) Applied Physics. I'd originally planned on doing physics, but when I saw applied physics (with all its lasers, microfluidics, statistical mechanics, etc.) I decided it seemed more interesting than regular physics, which is more heavily theoretical.</p>
<p>3) No matter where you end up going, try to do research! It's a lot of fun and teaches you in ways that a classroom never could. </p>
<p>Junior, happy (not bitter) despite the fact that every week I take 2 all-nighters in a row. While I will complain about my plight, the reason I take those all-nighters is because I am really interested in the classes with homework corresponding to those all-nighters (beside my poor time management habits from not needing to do any work ahead of time in high school). No one is forcing me to do it.</p>
<p>Wow. Thanks everyone. </p>
<p>I'll definitely try to go see the play and visit during the school week. Thanks!</p>