How are my chances?

Colleges and Universities A-Z California Institute of Technology
1

<p>Indian in SC</p>

<p>Double major in Math and Computer Science</p>

<p>Unweighted GPA: 4.0</p>

<p>Courses:
Before 9th:
Algebra 1(H)
Geometry(H)
Spanish 1</p>

<p>9th:
Physical Science(H)
Biology(H)
Algebra 2(H)
English 1(H)
Global Studies 1 (H)
Spanish 2
PE
Freshman Success
Computer Apps</p>

<p>10th:
AP Statistics (5)
AP World History(4)
Precalculus(H)
English 2(H)
AP Biology (5)
Chemistry 1(H)
Spanish 3</p>

<p>11th:
AP Chemistry(5)
AP Calculus BC(5)
AP Physics B(5)
AP English Lang. and Comp.(4)
AP U.S. History(4)</p>

<p>12th:
In School:
AP Physics C- Mechanics
AP English Lit. and Comp.
AP U.S. Government
AP Macroeconomics
AP Computer Science
AP Music Theory
Research 1(H)</p>

<p>USC:
Vector Calculus
Differential Equations</p>

<p>Self Studying:
AP Physics C- E&M
AP Microeconomics</p>

<p>Class Rank - 4, top 1%, 97-98 average in courses.</p>

<p>SAT:Trial 1
Math, CR, Writing
800, 750, 720; 2270 total
Trial 2
Confident that I can get to
800, 800, 750 (2350) by October 6, or at the very least (800/780/750/2330)</p>

<p>SAT II:
Math II, Chem., US. Hist.
800 800 750</p>

<p>EC:
4 yrs District Robotics Team (120 hr. per year)
4 yrs Science Olympiad(event leader all 4 years, overall physical science leader 11th, 12th- leader for all Science team academics) (40 hr. per year)
3 yrs Math team (40 hr. per year)
3 yrs SAT TEAM</p>

<p>Awards/Honors:
2nd Place College of Charleston Math Comp. Level 2, 10th grade
2nd place Chemistry Olympiad Regional competition
National Chemistry Olympiad Qualifier
6th place Forensics 9th (Sci. Olymp)
5th place Forensics 10th (Sci. Olymp)
4th place Exp. Design 11th (Sci. Olymp)
3rd place Optics 11th(Sci. Olymp) -medal
1st place Chem Lab 11th(Sci. Olymp) -medal
<em>all Sci. Olymp. awards at state competition</em>
National AP Scholar</p>

<p>Community Service:
20 hr. at Nearby Hospital
20 hr. volunteering at local library
30 hr. at Hindu Temple
102 hr. tutoring at high school</p>

<p>Research
Currently doing research in using C programming(self-taught) to generate several positive expectancy automated stock trading systems (validated with statistics beyond AP Stat), and then minimizing drawdowns(losing streaks), through diversification of automated trading systems.</p>

<p>Getting recs from AP Calc teacher, AP Chem teacher, and AP Lit
All known for giving good recs.
Calc and Chem like me a lot...</p>

<p>Essays are pretty good.</p>

2

<p>I like your chances. You definitely display a passion for science, which is a huge plus for CalTech. Can’t say for sure but in my opinion your odds of getting in are greater than your odds of being rejected.</p>

3

<p>Honestly my friend, if you do not get it… I wont understand why. </p>

<p>Goodluck! (post back when you make it in!)</p>

4

<p>did you apply EA?</p>

5

<p>I don’t know if I should apply EA. Will it help?</p>

6

<p>Your application is very similar to most accepted students. That doesn’t mean that you’ll get in but your profile matches what would be expected of a Caltech student.</p>

7

<p>Okay, my main concern is that I didn’t do that well on AMC12 (94.5, just short of cutoff for AIME), and didn’t make it to Chem Olymp top 150, or any other big national award. How much will this hurt me?</p>

<p>Anymore advice on EA? I know Caltech has EA, and it doesn’t seem to be restrictive, so will it help?</p>

8

<p>Also, I don’t know how much this will help my chances, but on my transcript, I have a 100 in Physical Science, 99 in Precal, 100 in AP Stat, 96 in AP Bio, 97 in AP Chem, 100 in AP Physics B, 100 in AP Calc BC. Other than Bio and somewhat Chem, I had high grades in all of my STEM classes.</p>

9

<p>I don’t think your percentage will make much of a difference. Typically grades in the 96-99 range are due to careless arithmetic/selection errors. It’s like getting a 780 on the SAT, they likely view it as just another A. I will note though that 100 in a class brings bragging rights for a few years to those who care (pretty much no one).</p>

10

<p>Okay, also, should I list my AMC12 score on my app? 94.5.</p>

11

<p>You can if you want; it won’t hurt you.</p>

12

<p>Okay. Any suggestions on EA?</p>

13

<p>you have good credentials. but remember, there is no simple regression equation for admission. kids ‘better’ than you have been rejected, and ‘worse’ admitted.</p>

<p>if cal tech is your #1 choice, apply by all means. it’s unlikely that you will get in just because you applied early.</p>

14

<p>Okay. Thanks, also, how much will bringing the SAT score from 2270 (1550) to 2350 (750 on writing) help?</p>

15

<p>Nothing you can do at this point will help more really. You have a realistic chance though.</p>

16

<p>Okay, thanks for the concise reply. Guess I’ll just cross my fingers and apply!</p>

17

<p>I am wondering…why you ask… If you cannot go to Caltech, who else can…</p>

18

<p>the true Sheldon!</p>