<p>Okay, I know this already sounds like an impossibility. But bear with me. </p>
<p>I'm a rising junior. I go to a very small school that doesn't offer AP classes and has like 3 available extracurriculars (no hyperbola here, I kid you not). I've been trying to start a math club since freshman year but there is literally no one else interested. I haven't pursued research yet, but I'm hoping to contact a professor this fall and look into a research-based summer program for next year. Again, I have no idea if any of that will actually fall through. </p>
<p>My passion is mathematical physics. I've pursued it as best as I can independently, reading and studying tensor calculus, general relativity, topology etc. I took a college course this summer and plan to continue taking more rigorous college physics and math courses next year ( unprecedented at my high school). I only recently found out about the AMC, but I intend to take it next year as well, even though I'm not really one for contest mathematics. </p>
<p>So my questions is: do I stand a chance at getting in if I can show my authentic fervor for mathematical physics, even if I don't have a laundry list of awards and EC's? Will the administration understand that I had less opportunity to get involved than a traditional caltech applicant, and that I had to be especially proactive? </p>
<p>Any suggestions about how I can further pursue these subjects (not only for the end of getting into Caltech, of course) in my somewhat unorthodox situation would also be appreciated :) </p>
<p>This may not answer your question, but I’ve read on this forum a response to a similar post regarding the whole “lack of opportunity in a small town” thing. I’m the same; I only just found out about major competitions like ISEF this year (I’m a rising senior) because we live in a small suburban town in which nobody every even really enters any national competitions whatsoever. </p>
<p>The most prestigious and impressive events, competitions, and awards are manifested in those that are held nationally and internationally. This includes things like AMC/USAMO (all of the Olympiads, really), Intel, Siemens, etc. Because of this and their generally easy accessibility, they can be considered easy opportunities. One who has even a couple of awards and such in these events most definitely outshines one who has several awards at a national level. Thus, there isn’t really much room for sympathy or understanding of an applicant’s locational situation because these opportunities, regardless of proactivity, are generally open to everyone (even those who don’t know about them). </p>
<p>I’d be happy for someone to tell me different, so if you can, please do. Otherwise, I guess there’s no accordance against background like how course rigor is evaluated based on your school and thus each applicant is treated similarly regarding these sorts of awards and EC’s.</p>
<p>Thanks for the quick reply capital! That view re: location and rigor is definitely valid, although not exactly personally ideal. I just wish I could have been informed earlier. Guess I’ll have to get moving on research for next year </p>
<p>Still, even if stuff like school size, proactivity etc are not taken into account, I’m curious if people can manage to get into Caltech without major awards or extensive science-related EC’s. Can a good essay and strong recs have a substantial impact? </p>
<p>It is not imperative that you have any national awards. As for your small school, admissions counselors will look at your school’s profile and know that you had limited offerings. They review applications “in context.” </p>
<p>Express your passion through your essays and have your recommenders also highlight that passion in their letters.</p>
<p>One option you might consider is taking an online AP Calculus and/or AP Physics course or self-studying and taking the corresponding exam(s) next May. </p>
<p>Be sure to also take 2 SAT Subject Tests (Math Level 2 and another science). </p>
<p>Musubi, thanks for the suggestions! I took the AP Calc exam this year and plan on doing the AP physics ones next spring. I’m slated to take Math level 2 this fall. Would you recommend also studying for AP chemistry and/or AP computer science? They’re not directly related to what I’m interested in, but I could see how a proficiency in those subjects would be valuable. </p>
<p>I’m also curious about the concept of online AP courses- never heard of that before! Will that count towards your weighted GPA like a real AP class? I’ll have to do some digging through other CC threads. </p>
<p>Anyway, it’s reassuring to hear national awards aren’t essential, and school size/opportunities are somewhat considered And of course, that passion displayed in essays and recs actually can make a difference. </p>
It’s very good preparation for college physics. If you like this type of problems, you could self study more from the following resources:
IIT-JEE exams
IPhO exams
PhD Quals
There’s lots of online resource for physics (a bunch of MIT physics courses are just online, check them out). You could also demonstrate your interest by teaching peers, start a physics club where you guys hang out and calculate random stuff.
If you get into caltech because of your physics badassness, great, if you don’t, well the worst case is you’ll be a physics badass somewhere else.
Ha, I haven’t been on this site in forever. Thanks everyone for commenting, I appreciate all your feedback. Hopefully it’ll be helpful for ppl with similar backgrounds in the future.
Just to give everyone a sense of closure, because I used to hate when people didn’t update threads like this with results/decisions: I ended up more deeply “showing my passion” for physics (to use a somewhat gross, admissions-pandering phrase) by getting involved in research for the last two-ish years of high school. I realized contests weren’t for me, but kudos to those who thrive in them.
As for the purpose of this whole thread, I actually realized I wanted something more well-rounded and didn’t end up applying to Caltech. I ultimately chose Princeton.
Best wishes to you all and to College Confidential!
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