I thought this might be a better way to get an opinion. I am seventeen years old and am in love with physics and mathematics. My teachers have all said that I was super bright and that I have an amazing future ahead of me. I am so determined to get into Caltech, but I haven’t had the best grades. I don’t want to make excuses by any means, but I have posted a “What Are My Chances” thread, against my better judgement. I have grown up in a super, super poor family, and have had traumatic, life changing experiences; for better or for worse. I was bullied and majorly depressed, to where I didn’t care about my future and couldn’t get up in the morning. I am not that way now, but it definitely affected my academic success. I am going to be a senior, and this is my fourth high school. My GPA started at a .33 my freshman year, and this last year it ended as a 3.8. I’m so stressed, as previously said, but I have the determination of a bull. I had no electricity for a long time and no water, the essentials for living in modern times as an American. I have had the worst chances at school, and have had to take care of my younger brother, my mother suffers from mental illnesses and my whole family has tried to help to no avail. Most of my family has above average intelligence and says that I probably do to. Though I’m not a genius by far. I don’t know what to do, but I have to get in. I think advice from someone who goes there or works there would be majorly helpful.
I was a Chemistry major at Cornell, but after doing college visits with my two high school students, I too was hooked on Caltech. Smart people, gorgeous campus, small school.
My best advice would be to answer the common app question about what you find fascinating about math or physics including a problem you’d like to solve. That’s where you can really shine and show adcoms you are a fit for this school. Ask the college counselor to address your homelife and responsibilities at home that may have contributed to lowish gpa early on in your HS career. Keep the trajectory up and kill 'em on SAT or ACT and subject tests. On ECs on common app demonstrate what and how you will contribute to their community.
Thank you so much! I have been so worried, I’m super great full right now. I didn’t even know that was possible, I will definitely do that.
Your love for science really shines through, and your story is very touching. I’m really rooting for you this application season. However, do re-think this statement: “I don’t know what to do, but I have to get in.”
No, you don’t have to get in. You are amazing; no acceptances or rejections can say otherwise. College, no matter where you end up, will be an awesome journey. Hopefully, it’ll make you the best scientist you can be ('cause scientists rule); however, the best scientist you can be is from within. Not one, particular college will bring that out. I’ll keep reiterating: you’ll have an “amazing future” no matter which college you attend.
Regardless, here’s some advice:
Have you checked QuestBridge out? It seems like you’d be a good candidate for it. It lets you apply to Caltech (free of charge) and also provides context to your past (this can be easily made up with essays, though).
How much “science” have you done so far? It can be reading books, doing “real” research, having fun with “sciencey” extracurriculars, or whatever. Caltech is really trying to make sure you’re committed to science. And I mean really committed. At PFW, I got the vibe that Caltech’s curriculum and environment seeks to create hardcore scientists–not so much entrepreneurs, artists, or whoever (I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with it, or that it’s impossible…many people actually do the BEM option, I’ve heard). Do what you love, and if science is what you love (it seems like it really is), make sure to keep at it.
If you have any other questions, feel free to PM me.