just asked Caltech about the transfer exams...

Colleges and Universities A-Z California Institute of Technology
1

<p>Here's my email to them:</p>

<p>Dear Admission Officer,</p>

<p>I have a question regarding the Caltech transfer exams in mathematics and physics. Can you please tell me what would be considered a "competitive" score in them? For example, if the test have 10 questions and a student get 8 of them right. Will that help him or hurt him?</p>

<p>I understand that Caltech might not want to give out information like this, if that's the case, can you just give me a general "feel" about what kind of role the test plays in the admission process? Is it just a tool for Caltech to see if the student have the ability to succeed at Caltech? If so, I'm curious what expectations Caltech have for competitive students. Do one need to do "excellent", "good" or "just pass" for Caltech to consider the student competitive?</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

<p>Here's the response I got:</p>

<p>Thank you for your interest in Caltech.</p>

<p>The transfer application process is extremely competitive.</p>

<p>We admit approximately 10-12 students per year. Last year we had approximately 150 applications.</p>

<p>The transfer exam plays an extremely important part in the process.</p>

<p>As they change every year, at the discretion of the math and physics departments, only those applicants who score in the ?excellent? category on both exams will be considered for admission.</p>

<p>Sincerely,</p>

<p>Ray Prado</p>

<p>Associate Director of Admissions</p>

<p>Office of Undergraduate Admissions</p>

<p>California Institute of Technology</p>

<p>MC 1-94</p>

<p>Pasadena, CA 91125</p>

<p>++++++++++++++++++++++++++</p>

<p>I have to say, I'm surprised they would disregard the whole applicant just because one didn't do EXCELLENT on ONE test! I never thought any US school would do this. This is something China or India would do.</p>

<p>Anyway, I'm very good in physics. In fact I made it to the US Physics team semi finalists in high school. But guess what? Even though I thought I aced the math exam I thought I did horrible on the physics exam. There were 8 questions on the physics exam and I think I'll get like 6 out of 8. First of all, I made a stupid mistake on one question that I really regret now that I think about it. Then, there is this question that ask one to know this formula which must be remembered, and I haven't done physics in 3 years. And according to the instruction they gave, they are only testing for the "general knowledge".</p>

<p>Anyway, I just feel something is not right when they require you to not just "pass" , or do "good", but do "excellent" in order to even be considered. Given how one single test can be a rather poor indicator of a person's ability.</p>

<p>So I guess even though I aced the math exam, my 6 or 6.5 out of 8 on the physics test wouldn't qualify as "excellent", and despite my super everything else on my application, my application would be thrown out without consideration.</p>

2

<p>It is likely that transfer admission is more difficult than come in as a freshman. You are now being compared with Caltech students who have had the advantage of rather unusual educational experience at Caltech. It is harder to receive such experience in other setting. This could explain why only small numbers of applicants succeed.</p>

3

<p>That is exactly how I feel as well. The questions where I remembered the equations I think I did well on but those where I just didn't have the equation memorized, there is no possible way. I think I did a little better on the math since we had a little more choices.</p>

4

<p>what were these exams like?</p>

<p>Is it mechanics and E & M at the level of the AP or harder than that?
Is the math part just calc through multivariable?</p>

5

<p>Try not jumping to conclusions. You don't even have the results back yet, and are already lighting the torches. I don't know how difficult the questions were, but a 6/8 on a Caltech physics exam could very well be considered "excellent". In some classes here, the final exam averages have been around 40%.</p>

<p>
[quote]
So I guess even though I aced the math exam, my 6 or 6.5 out of 8 on the physics test wouldn't qualify as "excellent", and despite my super everything else on my application, my application would be thrown out without consideration.

[/quote]

For argument's sake, let's say you were not accepted due to one subpar test grade, but as in previous years, ten other people are accepted. This means that at least ten people probably had applications as strong, and even higher test scores than yourself. And those people are rightfully admitted. I don't really understand your complaint.</p>

6

<p>The way it was done during my time on the transfer admissions committee was that only the applications with acceptable test scores were even really looked at by the whole committee. However, this didn't mean "perfect" test scores by any means, and once that hurdle was passed the actual admissions decision was basically made on the rest of the applicant's application.</p>

<p>The chair of the committee my year (and several others) was a History prof, so I'm sure things are plenty holistic and not just looking at numbers.</p>

7

<p>Thanks for Joe. That's was insightful.</p>

<p>So you mean once a candidate do "acceptably well", rather than "excellent", he'll still get his application looked at?</p>

8

<p>These terms are subjective and I think it is impossible to use them to tell which test scores specify the boundary between considered and unconsidered applications. I think it would be an unwise policy on the part of the transfer admissions committee to only consider the applications with perfect or near perfect scores. With that type of test, any highly competitive applicant otherwise can make errors on any given day whose application should rightfully be reviewed and considered.</p>

<p>I know on my exam, there were interruptions that may or may not have an effect on my score. For example, while I was taking one of my exams, the FBI came in to ask my test proctor background questions about a former student entering a job of trust. That was one major distraction among others.</p>