<p>I'm a girl, applied to Caltech EA. </p>
<p>My report card isn't perfect; I've gotten As and Bs in Precalc, Honors Physics [now AP physics B], and Calc BC. [A one semester, B one semester]</p>
<p>Also, a disappointment was
SATII Math II 780
Physics 770
AP Physics C Mech-4 [this was independent study]</p>
<p>the sat physics score is best explained by the fact that the year I took physics, it wasn't yet called AP Physics B, so the teacher wasn't obligated to teach optics >_<</p>
<p>However, I've been doing independent research that I've submitted to science fairs since my freshman year of high school, and have placed 3rd in California, along with some awards on the county level and from private international organizations and companies. I also submitted a research paper to admissions. [This paper was entered in Siemens but won nothing. To be revised and submitted to Intel] </p>
<p>My high school is notoriously competitive in California, and apparently Caltech knows it well. (Last year, at least four from my school were accepted, and one went.) I submitted three letters of rec, two of which were from science teachers. One of the teachers is a really tough physics teacher from my sophomore year, and my current AP chem teacher. My counselor told me that Caltech really takes his opinion into account. Problem is, I have no idea what he wrote, but I'm hoping it can't be too bad, because I did decently in his physics class before, and I've been doing fairly well in his class this year.</p>
<p>Other info:</p>
<p>GPA W: 4.74 UW: 3.92
Ranking at school: officially top decile; unofficially top 3%</p>
<p>Current courses this year
AP Physics C
AP Chemistry
Calculus 2 (Multivariable + Linear Algebra)
AP Gov/ AP Econ
AP English Lit
AP Japanese</p>
<p>Past scores:</p>
<p>SATI 2330 (740 CR 800 M 790 W)</p>
<p>SATII
MathII 780
Physics 770
Chemistry 800
Biology E 800
US History 780
Chinese 770</p>
<p>AP
Bio 5
Environmental Science 5
Calc BC 5 (AB subscore 5)
English Lang 5
Comp Sci A 5
US History 5
Euro 4
Physics C M 4</p>
<p>...but of course, I put my prettiest scores on the spaces allotted and squeezed the rest under additional info >____></p>
<p>Awards:
National AP Scholar
National Merit Semifinalist
FBLA Business Procedures 8th place (National)
California State Science Fair -3rd place (Electrical Engineering)
A slew of county level science awards that didn't fit on the app</p>
<p>Other: visual arts 7+ years, 2 instruments 10+ years, volunteer work 4+ years, internship at a lab for 4 years which was the basis for my research </p>
<p>To my knowledge, I'm one of the only students in my graduating class that is taking all of the advanced science courses offered at my school. This year especially, AP Physics C, AP chem, and Calc 2 are considered the three toughest courses at school, and my counselor was well aware of it when she wrote my app, as only one other senior has this course load. My quarter grades were all As except for Physics C [which was probably a B+] </p>
<p>My supplement long essay did emphasize how my scientific research had practical applications in the environment/my years of involvement.</p>
<p>So, does anyone know if dedication to science [and being a girl] will help Caltech overlook the blemished report card and test scores? >_<</p>
You have clearly shown to be really passionate about research and you look like you can deal with the academic work at Caltech. The only minus point I can think of are your lack of major awards. All in all, I think Caltech is a great fit for you!</p>