Caltech has always been on the list of schools I was planning to apply too–albeit as a MAJOR reach school–but my standardized test scores have made me wonder if I still should spend the money to submit my app… I’m good at math and science, and am at the top of all my classes in these subjects (although that might not mean too much considering that I attend a rural public high school), but I struggle with the timed format of the SAT and ACT and the stress of test day. I scored a 30 in math on the ACT (but a 36 in science), a 760 on the SAT I, and a 770 on the Math II subject test. I’m especially disappointed about the subject test, because I was counting on earning a perfect score to help prove I’m capable, and I did a ton of timed practice tests to get my timing down so I could finish (I got 800’s on all of those). I know scores aren’t everything, but I also don’t have anything impressive on my resume to make up for these scores; I’m very active at my school and in my community, holding many leadership positions in both clubs and volunteer organizations, but nothing super-unique and no research (small town, first generation college student, no connections, ect…). I’m truly passionate about science, though, and I’ve visited Caltech and really liked it; however, I feel bad about the cost of another application fee if there’s no possibility I could get accepted.
Some more of my stats: 4.0 unweighted GPA; 5’s on all AP tests (Lang. & Comp., World History, and Bio); 770 Chem subject test; 800 molecular biology subject test; National Merit Semifinalist; taken every math/science course and every AP course offered at my school; plan to study chemical/biomolecular engineering
I’d really appreciate any feedback/advice!
What’s your total SAT score?
Also, have you run the NPC for Caltech to figure out roughly how much your family would be asked to contribute? Are they ok with that estimate?
My total SAT score is 2280, with a 790 in reading, a 730 in writing, and a 760 in math. Also, I forgot to put that I have taken the AMC 12 and scored an 84–I know that’s not an incredible score or anything, but it was the highest at my school. Math Club (which I am very involved in) sponsors it; because of our club we are the only school in our district and all the nearby districts that offers it to students… Does that count for anything?
I have run the NPC for Caltech, and it came out to about the same price as our EFC for all the other schools I’ve applied to. It’s going to be rough, and I’m most likely going to graduate with student loans, but I’ve made up my mind to apply to a scholarship every week; it’s been nine weeks so far and I’m still going strong, and hopefully that will help… Fingers crossed!!!
unless you have some other extraordinary achievements, it is highly unlikely that you will be accepted with those low math scores.
Make sure you have some safeties.
This is a world-renowned university. Be aware that it is a crap-shoot.
Thanks so much for the feedback!
@menloparkmom Yep, I just experienced that firsthand; I found out I was rejected from Stanford a few hours ago 
I don’t have any extraordinary achievements; in your opinion, does this make highly unlikely = basically impossible?
@“aunt bea” I do have many safeties, and additionally, as a California resident in the top 9% of my class, I am guaranteed a UC campus through ELC. I guess what I’m trying to decide is if this is a crap-shoot that holds even the slightest possibility for me to hit the target 
I know this is a subjective question, and a choice that I must ultimately make myself; however, I really want to ensure that whatever decision I come to, it is one that I am satisfied that I will not regret.
The top 9% of the state is a HUGE number.
ELC means the UC system selects your campus, and right now, you get into Merced. It doesn’t mean you get into wherever you want.
2280 likely gets you over the “test score” hurdle, though a school like Caltech probably (certainly?) looks for essentially perfect Math-related scores.
It looks like you have safeties covered (assuming you can pay for them), which is a good thing.
If you love Caltech as much as it sounds like you do, I think you should go for it. Put your passion for the school into well wrought essays. They know you’re a viable candidate at the other elites, so try to convey to Caltech that you will be improving their yield if accepted.
There are no guarantees at the elite schools obviously, Caltech included. So if you hadn’t planned to do so – and assuming you want to go to a top-25ish school – I suggest applying to at least a few more such schools to improve your chances.
Match-range (high to low matches) schools would provide additional options – not a bad idea to apply to a few matches. (for you they comprise schools like Boston College, Tulane, Lehigh, Wake Forest and U of Rochester)
Good luck!
Why are people agreeing with OP that his math scores are low? 760 SAT 1 and 770 SAT subject test are both great scores, and your 2280 is stellar (so is 1550 Math+CR). Is that superscored or single-sitting? Of course it’s a crapshoot because Caltech is such a great school, but I would say you deserve to be in the running for a spot. Also, as a California student, I think you’ve got a great shot at UCLA/Berkeley. Keep in mind the UCs don’t care about extracurriculars as much, and your 4.0+2280+AP scores+subject test scores are all up to par.
the OP’s Math Number is low for Caltech, where the 25%in math of accepted students on the SAT math 2 test is 790 and the 75% is 800.
The Caltech common data set information states that Standardized test scores are very important, whereas GPA is important .
And as Caltech’s admissions decisions are not as holistic as most other colleges, she would be better applying to other less reachy colleges, especially in light of her rejection by Stanford.
Thanks @“aunt bea” , I know that if I am not accepted at the UC campuses I’ve applied to, I do not get a choice of which one I get into through ELC. I just meant that even if my other safeties and matches don’t work out, I have the UC-selected ELC campus as a backup; it’s a huge relief–especially in light of this recent rejection–to know that I will at least get into college somewhere! And @ambitionsquared , I did apply to UCLA and Berkeley, thanks! The 2280 is a super-score, but my single sitting is 2270 (same but 720 in writing, timed writes are definitely not one of my strengths!).
@menloparkmom Yikes! I knew that the 75% was at 800, but I wasn’t aware that the bottom 25th percentile was at 790! I guess the lack of holistic review is also something I’ll really need to consider, because honestly, given my lack of extraordinary EC’s, holistic review is really where my only hope lies when it comes to any elite school, isn’t it?
Thanks everybody, all this information has been really helpful as I try to figure this out!
It will be tough to get in.
Many schools understand that students in rural areas where there is little competition and opportunities do not have stellar ECs that someone in another school. In fact, many students with basically no ECs get into Ivies and other top schools because in their area, there are no ECs to do.
That said, if there is one thing that someone like you can excel at it is grades and test scores. Your GPA is great, but your math test scores are way below the standards for Caltech.
However, you can get in. Your chances are probably the same as the admission rate (which is not bad).
Just remember that you don’t want to think “if only i applied to caltech and got in”
apply. unless you dont have money. then maybe dont apply. but probably apply.