How can I prove that I am more than this?

Colleges and Universities A-Z California Institute of Technology
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<p>PLEASE EXCUSE THE LENGTH OF THIS POST. I'm scatter brained and don't organize my thoughts. Also, if you do not want to read this lengthy post just skip straight down tot he question.</p>

<p>Alright let me go ahead and say that my records don't really show anything special about me and that I am very introverted. I do not participate in community service and I would hate to be in the ASB student council. I also have a vendetta against "memorizers," people who get the highest grade in a class because they memorize formulas and definitions rather than figuring them out for themselves. I also come from a a family of seven, eight if you count my grandma, living in the same house on an income of about 40,000 dollars a year.</p>

<p>I am currently the President of Programming Club.
I will be VP of Physics Club if it gets created next year. If not, I will create it and be President.
My current GPA is around 4.2 weighted.
SAT (with writing): 1870 (I took it on less than 4 hours of sleep and hopped up on energy drinks, I'm retaking it this June)
SAT (math + CR): 1340</p>

<p>My senior year schedule is going to be:
AP Literature
AP Chemistry
AP Physics C
AP Calculus BC
AP Statistics
AP Biology</p>

<p>I have received an A in every Science class I have ever taken but received an 88% in the first semester of Calculus due to my low homework percentage. Had I done my homework it would've been anywhere from 92% to 96%.</p>

<hr>

<p>So far my chances are pretty slim, right?</p>

<p>Well here is what I know for sure: There has never been a time that I did not understand a Math or Science concept taught at school. There was only one time that I had trouble with something and that was in Calculus when the teacher defined slope as 'dy/dx'. He never explained what dy and dx were and actually said that it was "just notation and that we should pay no attention to it." So I asked my dad and it turns out they are just minimal points, minimal change. After I found out what the d(variable) meant I pretty much understood everything again. (Just goes to show that without the basics you understand nothing)</p>

<p>I know, I know, High School is nothing compared to college. Still, I think I am unrivaled in terms of passion (and maybe ability) in these fields in my class. </p>

<p>There have been times, however, that I would struggle with my own personal findings. I enjoy this struggle and enjoy it even more when I find an answer. So if Caltech ends up super-challenging, I would welcome it.</p>

<p>I am an intermediate level programmer and I self-taught myself programming when I was in 10th grade. I am taking Programming 1A right now and I must say, it moves realllly slowly. I don't know why I signed up for it to be honest...</p>

<p>Anyways, I am sure that I am a stereotypical case and that you guys are tired of reading these kinds of posts, but I would like to know how I would be able to prove my potential and my capabilities beyond what my grades and test scores show.</p>

<p>Please be blunt, but kind. I don't want to read a post that says "HAHA you only got an 1870?! Wow, I got a 2400!" </p>

<p>If you haven't figured it out, I'm a Junior in High Sthcool.</p>

<p>P.S.: Reading everyone's stories on here is really discouraging...</p>

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<p>What you want to do is stand out while pursuing your passion. If you enjoy programming, find some interesting problem in the field and contribute. The open-source nature of many big projects make this easy for even a high-schooler to contribute. You can try to find a way to work on a formal research project (ie, at a university you live near to).</p>

<p>You need to think of tangible items that demonstrate your passion and abilities (ie, stuff that you can describe on your application form). Fortunately, Caltech seems incredibly lenient on this. You can just send a math proof, a research article you're working on, a link to a website, a computer program, etc. as a supplement.</p>

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<p>You definitely have the passion to succeed in the STEM fields. No matter where you go, things will improve for you once you hit college because the research projects and courses will interest and engage you.</p>

<p>It sounds like you're sick of the rigmarole in high school. That's a familiar feeling. I would warn you that jumping through hoops - like doing unnecessary hw and memorizing formulas - is a life skill. Sacrifice that extra time for your goal of attending a research college. And before you say, "But I could have used that time to do science!", realize that you need the time management skills to do it all at once. If you stay in academia your schedule will always be divided eight ways from Sunday.</p>

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<p>webhappy has the right idea.</p>

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<p>snowcapk:
Thanks, I'll keep that in mind. It's just really hard to do the same thing over and over again without going insane.</p>

<p>webhappy:
That's a great idea! I was planning to make a game once I attend college that has plot and characters based on that college, but I guess I can make something else that is more academic.</p>

<p>I was thinking of maybe a 3D-Physics Engine/Simulation, but somehow I think that that is not enough. So I'm going to take your advice and also do a little research on current programming projects. I live near a CalPoly, would that be a good place to search? As for open-source, I have a pretty good idea on that already. </p>

<p>The Physics Engine alone is going to take me some time, considering I haven't mastered graphics yet. Actually, does Caltech even care if it looks pretty? And will they think less of it since there are probably other Physics Engines out there that would be more professional than mine? Hmm, maybe I should do it on something else...</p>

<p>Thank you guys, you just gave me new hope of being able to attend.</p>