My Chance at Caltech

Colleges and Universities A-Z California Institute of Technology
1

<p>I apologize for adding yet another chance thread here!</p>

<p>Hi! I'm a rising Senior and Caltech is my dream school. Here goes..</p>

<p>Gender: Male</p>

<p>Ethnicity: Asian</p>

<p>Intended Major: Aerospace Engineering</p>

<p>Grades: 4.0 Unweighted GPA (Highschool)
3.8 GPA (University)</p>

<p>*Note: my school offers very little AP programs (3 or 4), 2 of which are mandatory to take in senior year.</p>

<p>**Everyone takes the same core classes at my school! Meaning english, math, history, engineering, science, classes are the same. Only electives and free periods vary.</p>

<p>***University courses do not apply toward my highschool GPA. </p>

<p>Freshman Year:</p>

<p>Introduction to Engineering Design
Integrated Math 1-2
English Accelerated 1-2
Physical Earth Science Accelerated
Health Occupation
Spanish 1-2
Student Council</p>

<p>Summer of Freshman Year: University Courses
Introduction to Chemistry - Grade: A
Chemistry Laboratory - Grade : A</p>

<p>Sophmore Year: </p>

<p>Principles of Engineering Design
Integrated Math 3-4
English Accelerated<br>
World History Accelerated
Biology Honors
Spanish 3-4
Student Council</p>

<p>Summer of Sophomore Year:
General Chemistry - Grade: A
Chemistry Laboratory - Grade : A</p>

<p>Junior Year: </p>

<p>Integrated Math 5-6 (mostly Pre-Calculus)
English Accelerated 5-6
University General Biology (2 semesters - Grades: B+ & A-)
University General Biology Laboratory (2 semesters - Grades: A & A)
University Elemental Probability & Statistics: Grade: A
University World Geography: Grade: A-
Biotechnology 1-2
U.S. History
Spanish 5-6
Student Council</p>

<p>Summer of Junior Year:
General Chemistry II - Grade: In progress
Chemistry Laboratory - Grade : In progress</p>

<p>Test Scores:</p>

<p>SAT: 2050
ACT w/ writing: 32</p>

<p>SAT Bio: 740
SAT Math 2: 660</p>

<p>*Retaking ACT, Bio, Math 2, and taking Chemistry during Senior Year
Extracurriculars:</p>

<p>VEX Robotics:</p>

<p>Program Director/Leader
Team Captain
Qualification for VEX World Championship, California State Championship, and U.S. Nationals Championships
Awards: Excellence, Programming, Design, Spirit</p>

<p>American Red Cross: </p>

<p>Active member
First Aid and Natural Disaster certified member
Blah blah blah</p>

<p>JV Tennis:</p>

<p>Member for 3 years</p>

<p>Miscellaneous: </p>

<p>Attended LA Country Science Fair :P
Currently interning as a laboratory technician and planning on researching at the laboratory soon</p>

<p>Final Words: </p>

<p>Some of you guys might tell me that I lack in extracurricular. I agree. However, I chose to focus on two or three e.c. instead and be an active member in those organizations. In addition, robotics takes extreme dedication and effort. As leader and team captain, I have to work with other leaders to train new members, organize meetings, etc. My schedule is literally filled up with robotics and Red Cross activities. </p>

<p>I believe I took the most challenging courses my school offers. I willingly chose to take university level courses to challenge myself and to obtain some college experience. I definitely learned that at the university level, professors do not baby you to an A. You have to study hard and completely understand the material to excel on the tests. </p>

<p>Please criticize and destroy this thread in whatever way you please.</p>

2

<p>Don’t be so hard on yourself. I can’t tell you what your exact chances are, but your stats look quite good. Your extracurricular activities are fine. The fact that you’ve taken so many college courses and done quite well in most of them is quite impressive. Your accomplishments in robotics are quite admirable as well. Good luck!</p>

3

<p>I hear that sat2 math is very important, so work on bringing that up. There are some good suggestions ofer on the sat prep thread.</p>

4

<p>Hi, this is what I personally think… Keep in mind that I am simply a rising senior so my input might not be that significant.</p>

<p>Your courses do not seem to be extremely rigorous. However, as you are limited by your school, it should not be too big a factor.</p>

<p>Your extracurriculars are fine. You clearly seem to love robotics. A hint here. For your essay, you might want to somehow relate robotics into your major.</p>

<p>Test Scores…
Caltech is truly a place where exceptional people go. I know that test scores aren’t truly a fair indication of intelligence, but it can’t be avoided for colleges. Also seeing as you’re Asian… You’re going to want to shoot for a 2300+ on the SAT or a 35+ on the ACT. For students more orientated around math/science, I’ve found that the ACT is actually a lot easier to do well on than the SAT. In addition, your SAT II scores are horrible (I’m not trying to be offensive, just honest). You’re going to want to get 800 on your Math II and at least a 780 on your Chemistry. If you can get these test scores up, I feel as though you’ll certainly have a chance. Currently however, which your test scores, you do not. Work hard, study for those standardized tests during the summer (there are great links and advice on CC) and good luck to you!</p>

5

<p>Keep in mind, Caltech doesn’t offer Aerospace engineering as an undergraduate major. I think most students interested in Aerospace major in Mechanical Engineering with an Aerospace minor, but someone please correct me if I’m wrong. I can’t really comment on chances, but good luck!</p>