I need suggestions on IMPROVEMENTS

Colleges and Universities A-Z California Institute of Technology
1

<p>Below is what I put in the Caltech Application, is there any way should I improve, or do I look one-dimensional?</p>

<p>International (Hong Kong - Asian), no financial aid</p>

<p>SAT: CR 640, M 750, W 590</p>

<p>Sub Test: Phy 800, Math 2 800, Chem 800</p>

<p>TOEFL iBT: 112</p>

<p>Honors and Awards:
International Math Olympiad Silver
Asia Pacific Math Olympiad Silver
Regional Math Olympiad Silver
City Physics Olympiad Champion
Full science (Physics, Biology, Chemistry) subject prize</p>

<p>And in additional information, I put the following qualifications:
8A's in O-Level (HKCEE, probably the most difficult O-Level in the world)
Took an A in A-Level when I was in Form 4</p>

<p>Activities outside class:
International Math Olympiad
Joint School Math Society
International Physics Olympiad Training
Summer Math Course at a local University
Projects with friends - Online game programming, Miniature Maglev Train
New Year Fair Stall - Product Design, production decisions
Non-varsity Sports</p>

<p>Work experience:
Private Tutoring</p>

<p>Common App Essay: "Discuss some issue of personal, local, national, or international concern and its importance to you." - I've written about the local wealth gap problem I observe and my belief that equal chances should be given to the poor and the rich. I am not sure if this shows much about me, but I have written why does the wealth gap matters to me.</p>

<p>Ethical Dilemma: I wrote a conflict I experienced in Form 1, in which I dared to challenge the stance of the whole class.</p>

<p>How I make fun: I wrote three examples of pranks I have done in my school, one of them requiring teamwork.</p>

<p>Additional Essay: I wrote about minor environmental living practices in my home. I also write a short passage to describe my role as the president of the Joint-school Mathematics Society and what I have learned through serving this post.</p>

<p>Would anybody mind to point out my weaknesses? If best, please tell me what way I can improve them (or whether I am already dead).</p>

2

<p>The only weakness I can see is that you are almost all Math and Science…which Caltech likes alot : ). You will definitely get in.</p>

3

<p>definitely may be a push for anyone but it looks like you’ll be very competitive</p>

4

<p>bump 10char</p>

5

<p>International Math Olympiad Silver Medalist?</p>

<p>My God dude, you’re definitely in.</p>

6

<p>If Caltech doesn’t accept you, I’m gonna be ****ed at the system.
The only reason that might reject you is because you may be an another asian with low SAT who’s only activity is math and science. But you are amazing. Any school is screwed up if they are dismissing such a talent for “personality”</p>

7

<p>Update: Thanks to the BB, I got 680 CR + 800 M + 800 W in Dec SAT.</p>

8

<p>Wow, from a 590 to an 800? Congrats. How’d do you do it?</p>

9

<p>@ arbitraryname: I did only the BB!</p>

10

<p>What is ‘BB’? o_O</p>

11

<p>The Blue Book.</p>

12

<p>A Silver Medal in the IMO?!? THE IMO?!? The only thing i can say is get your coach from the IMO team to write you a letter of recommendation. As an IMO Silver Medalist you shouldn’t need all that much else…</p>

13

<p>^Yeah, seriously…</p>

14

<p>Even if Caltech says no
At least one of Stanford, MIT, Princeton have to say yes, so I wouldn’t be so worried now.</p>

15

<p>@ TheYankInLondon: Good idea. Got one now from my coach.</p>