Help a junior on the road to CalTech! :)

Colleges and Universities A-Z California Institute of Technology
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<p>I know how great of a school CalTech is for people actually extremely intrested in math and science...I feel like caltech is a much better school than MIT (especially in the field of astronomy and astrophysics) and, as a result, i've made my decision that caltech is a school i should apply to. </p>

<p>However...as a junior, i want to maximize my chances of getting in. Please help me find things i should do this year so i can have the best chance of getting into Caltech!!!</p>

<p>And yes, i know my SATs suck.....they're from freshman year, when i didn't know what i was taking until i looked it up on collegeboard after i took it. That's definitly going to be step one on my road to the Ivies. </p>

<p>I'm a 15 year old Indian male from Illinois (skipped a grade). I go to a completely new school that opened my freshman year. Unlike many of my peers, I try to create opportunities that aren't availible in a regular public high school experience. </p>

<p>I can speak English, Telugu, a tiny bit of Hindi, and i'm getting closer to becoming fluent in Chinese. </p>

<p>The majors that i'm most intrested in are Astrophysics, Physics, and Mathematics. </p>

<p>SAT I: 2000 combined, 620 CR, 660 W, 720 M. (Note: this SAT was from freshman year; my scores have likely skyrocketed since then. Numerous practice tests have told me i'm in the 2200-2300 range now, and i have started some SAT coaching programs as well. and of course, i'm consistently averaging an 800 in math now.)</p>

<p>SAT II: Haven't taken yet, but I will take Math II and either Physics or Chemistry. </p>

<p>ACT: 32 Composite, 31 English, 35 Math, 31 Reading, 32 Science, 30 English w/ Writing (got a 9 on writing). </p>

<p>GPA: 4.5 (w), 3.79 (uw). However, i've heard that Princeton does not consider freshman year GPA.....if that's the case with CalTech, 4.64 (w), 3.93 (uw)</p>

<p>Additional School Stuff: Only B i've ever gotten in a science class was freshman biology. hopefully, that doesn't hurt my app too much. I've also been forging a new science curriculum for myself....there has been no precedent to anyone ever taking AP Physics and Chem in Junior year, but because i go to a new school i've been trying to set precedents and take the toughest science courseload i can. </p>

<p>Class Rank: My school does not provide class rank anymore, but I'm in at least the top 5% of a 650+ student body. </p>

<p>APs: Freshie year: Computer Science, 4. Human Geography, 5. </p>

<p>Sophomore year: European History, 5. </p>

<p>Junior year: Physics C: Mechanics, Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism, Chemistry, Language and Composition, US History, Calculus BC. </p>

<p>Senior Year: US Government and Politics, Comparitive Government and Politics, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Literature and Composition, Biology, and probably Art History (self taught)and Psych (self taught). Also, will be taking Calculus III in conjunction with the University of Illinois....although it's not an AP, it's worth mentioning :P</p>

<p>Volunteering: Volunteered with an FEA tutoring station at my school, along with feed my starving children.....probably 40 hours or less in total. I'll probably find a way to bring that up, though. </p>

<p>ECs: </p>

<p>Math Team - Leader for 2, most probably 3 years (by end of senior year). Achievements include 2nd place at regionals freshman year, making state freshman year, leading 2 teams to 3rd at confrence sophomore year, and MANY more to come junior year. </p>

<p>Science Olympiad - Leader for 1, most probably 2 years. Main event is Astronomy, I also partake in technical problem solving and protein modeling (and whatever else my coach tells me to do). Being a new program, we have yet to achieve anything except for the 2011 Spirit award.....with me at the helm next year, hopefully that will improve. </p>

<p>Scholastic/Quiz bowl - Varsity player for 2, probably 3 years. Started off as a reserve jv player, worked my way up with tremendous studying and the like. I have attended a couple of camps for the purpose of increasing my ability at quizbowl, I have definitly improved a lot. Achievements include 2011 Turnabout Tournament All-Tournament (Answered the most tossups), won 2011 Confrence Tournament, 2011 Regionals Tournament, came 3rd at 2011 Masonic Regionals (earning us $200).</p>

<p>Tennis - JV player for 1, probably 3 years. Made the team freshman year, didn't make it sophomore year. I pretty much view tennis as a fun sport, and i'm definitly not extremely serious about it. I have gone to a lot of clinics and coaches to improve my skills, though. I possess 1 JV letter. </p>

<p>Religious Group - I am Hindu, and have helped form a group from the ground up. Since then, we've had 3 public concerts, with attendance ranging from 50-400 people. We have performed at the Chicago Telugu Association, in front of famous actors from India. At that same performance, we earned a cameo on an international television channel (TV9 in India)that was broadcasting the CTA performances. </p>

<p>Chinese - By far, my biggest EC. i'm coming closer and closer to being able to speak the language fluently. My speech and tones are both superb; my writing, while sloppy, is pretty good as well. My teacher recognized my talents early and sent me to a Chinese speech competition in freshman year....which i pulled a gold medal in, without much effort. I promptly did the same in sophomore year, and my gold medal run probably won't end. Next year, if i excel with the speech competition, I will probably earn an all-expense paid scholarship to Taiwan to study. I have also done lots of translating for Chinese ambassadors from Beijing that visited our school. I helped them learn about the American education system and culture, and in the process, i got to know about theirs.</p>

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<p>seem competitive. your “roundedness” may be your undoing.</p>

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<p>“Roundedness” is not a problem. What is a problem, however, is that there is no evidence of intense love of and dedication to science/math (what people on CC like to call a ‘spike’). Show your love of these fields and anyone has a chance at Caltech.</p>

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<p>I see what you’re getting at. Would starting new clubs for science-oriented students like me count towards this ‘spike’? What about participating in like…the US Chem Oly and Physics Oly? I’m planning on doing both next year by starting a science bowl team, a mu alpha theta chapter, and a science national honor society at our new school. and of course, taking the respective chem and physics exams for the competitions</p>

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<p>Just to clarify: I’m not saying you don’t have a love of these subjects but it wasn’t apparent in what you wrote. Participation in those contests doesn’t really help to be honest, while obviously success in them does. Anyway, just make sure to write a good Feynmann essay whenever you apply to maximize your chances; that’s the best advice I can give you.</p>

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<p>Ohh, okay. Well then, I’ll try to get even more involved with math and science next year…and hopefully gain the ability to write a Feynman level essay lol</p>

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<p>Basically, you have to [noparse]SHOW[/noparse] that you love doing math and science to get accepted at Caltech. You still have a year and summer. Get to it.</p>

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<p>You seem to have good chances.
But being Indian will work against you.</p>

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<p>@HitMan: that’s where my problem is though…i feel like i’ve done all that i can do with math and science under the constraints of my curriculum. i’m trying to start new programs and do as many competitions as i can, but the administrators are very hesitant to allow students to come up with ideas for clubs and the like. also, being a new school, i don’t have too much access to science competitions…i have to take them at another, well-established local school. I know i should find something outside of school but i just don’t know what i’m looking for. </p>

<p>@Shaggy007: these are the years i will dislike my ethnicity…being indian is hurting me at every college lol</p>

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<p>Being Indian, or any race for that matter, does not hurt you in Caltech admissions.
Caltech admissions does not use affirmative action.</p>

<p>Caltech won’t care about your religious activities. Ability in foreign language and humanities is always good, but obviously they expect math/science to be your emphasis.<br>
Consider taking one of the olympiad exams. If you have mastered the AP material, you probably can make the semis.
Also, it’s not just about how well your math and science olympiad team does. There are individual awards too, right? Have you medalled in your event?</p>

<p>Also, you should consider taking the AMC. By and large, you should be able to make the AIME if you are Caltech material.</p>

<p>Winning a state science olympiad medal or two, doing well on regional and or state math competitions, and qualifying for AIME are typical qualifications of Caltech admits, though not sufficient. </p>

<p>There’s a generic chance thread on this forum which may give you more idea of what Caltech wants. Also, considering how difficult it is to get into Caltech, you don’t want to limit yourself to one top school right now.</p>

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<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/california-institute-technology/442418-anyone-wanting-know-their-chances-getting-into-caltech.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/california-institute-technology/442418-anyone-wanting-know-their-chances-getting-into-caltech.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>Collegelalum is absolutely correct in saying that ethnicity should NOT be a factor in acceptance to Caltech. Caltech does NOT practice affirmative action, though MIT does. Caltech looks for excellence and drive, focus, and passion for science. It considers outside factors, such as musical talent, artistic ability, well-roundedness, and community activities, but they are not major factors in acceptance. If you look at MIT and Caltech’s percentage of URM’s, you can tell who selects students based on ethnicity. MIT has 21+ percentage of URMs, while Caltech has 6%. I find it refreshing to be at a school which recognizes a student for their excellence and proven ability, and which doesn’t take URM’s over other better-qualified students. There is still a great deal of diversity here, but NO one feels they were admitted because of an ethnic advantage.</p>

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<p>i feel like Caltech is probably the only school i’ve looked at that does NOT practice affirmitive action. that will probably help me. </p>

<p>Yes, i have medalled in science olympiad and math team events. however, our school does not offer AMC or AIME (though i’ve been pushing for the math team to include this as an activity).</p>

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<p>^See if you can take the AMC with another high school. All you do is sit and take an exam. </p>

<p>I might contact the AMC people directly. I’m sure some contact info is available on the web somewhere.</p>

<p>I suggest taking the SATII’s in subjects which you have already covered most or all of the AP class. Otherwise, you will have to brush up on the material yourself. You should be in the 750-800 range for most SATIIs.</p>

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<p>well I’m pretty much done with everything on Math II already…and i’m taking AP Physics C next year so i might have to study a little for that test (because it covers other stuff) but i should be good.</p>

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<p>Collegealum314 has mentioned one thread you should read, I am repeating that with another thread you should read</p>

<p>I would suggest that any wanting to find their chances for CalTech first read these two wonderful posts</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/california-institute-technology/442418-anyone-wanting-know-their-chances-getting-into-caltech.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/california-institute-technology/442418-anyone-wanting-know-their-chances-getting-into-caltech.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/california-institute-technology/577759-why-caltech-different-open-letter.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/california-institute-technology/577759-why-caltech-different-open-letter.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>You are a strong applicant. Consider trying to show your love for science/math though.</p>