My Chances At Caltech?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Greetings to the College Confidential Community. Starting this Fall 2013, I will be a Sophomore. I am a prospective applicant to Caltech as it is one of my dream schools. Although it is a bit early to judge, I wanted to hear from you if I stand out as a competitive applicant. Any criticism to my future application is welcome.</p>

<p>A Little History About Me: As a student, I've always been stubborn yet passionate about the subjects I study. STEM Obviously interests me the most and I have felt this passion ever since the 1st Grade. </p>

<p>My Current Stats: 2012-2013</p>

<p>Freshman Course Load: </p>

<p>English 1 Honors
Geometry Honors
Biology 1 Honors, Gifted
World History Honors
Marching Band / Concert Band
Career Research and Decision Making
Workplace Essentials PS / Level 2</p>

<p>Summer 2013 - DE: College Algebra</p>

<p>Unweighted GPA: 4.000</p>

<p>Weighted GPA: 4.600</p>

<ul>
<li>Summer 2013 - I am currently doing Dual Enrollment: College Algebra at Community College.</li>
</ul>

<p>SAT - N/A</p>

<p>ACT- N/A</p>

<p>PSAT- 135/240 (Didn't study and just tried to see how I would do.</p>

<p>PERT - Math 146/150, CR 110/150, Writing 108/150</p>

<p>Extracurricular Activities: Mu Alpha Theta Math Club, Science Competitors Club, Asian Culture Club, Marching Band, Piano and Clarinet Lessons, Badminton.</p>

<p>Major Awards (USAMO, Intel, Etc.) - None</p>

<p>Minor Awards - 7th Place at Regional Algebra 1 Competition
6th Place at Regional Geometry Competition
District Envirothon Champion on Special Topics and Current Issues
Performed In Honors Jazz Musics Festival
Principal's Honor Roll</p>

<p>Income Bracket: Less than $10,000. (I live with my single mother.)</p>

<p>Gender: Male</p>

<p>Ethnicity: Asian (Indian)</p>

<p>Next Year (Fall 2013), I plan to take the following courses: </p>

<p>English 2 Honors
Pre Calculus Honors
Chemistry 1 Honors
AP European History
AP Environmental Science
AP Physics B</p>

<p>Conclusion: As of now, those are my current stats. There is more to me than meets the eye. Although I am quite immature and stubborn and a tad arrogant, I truly have a passion for STEM. I believe that going to Caltech isn't my ultimate goal. Attending Caltech is rather the next logical decision to fulfilling my passion of working in a STEM Major. I ask all College Confidential Members to Rate Me as if I was a senior entering college as I truly do need as much constructive criticism as possible. This can include What Are My Weaknesses and such. Thanks to all members in advance. </p>

<ul>
<li>In addition, I realize I made a thread like this for MIT, but I really need the opinions and advice from the CC community. Once again, thanks to all members in advance.</li>
</ul>

2

<p>Your PSAT seems too poor even without any preparations… Caltech has one of the highest SAT averages… Also there is no significant ecs and awards on stem… It’s a reach I guess.</p>

3

<p>Being a freshman, you have a long way to go before posting here. Just work as hard as you can. Caltech only want the top of the tops. Nothing is impossible so far, but there is no way to tell your chance at this moment.</p>

4

<p>Oh boy. That PSAT is (I’m sorry) completely terrible, even if you didn’t prepare. Your SAT must be really fantastic, or else it will look like you just study really hard, don’t have a social life. Good news is there’s lots of time to improve. You can do it! Good luck! :)</p>

5

<p>Wow…that PSAT score…honestly, I don’t know if it’s even possible to raise your score THAT much in 4 years. I’d start looking at other options, but keep CalTech as a reach. You should start taking SAT/ACT tests, find which is better for you, and pinpoint your weaknesses.</p>

<p>Chance back?
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1515686-chances-homeschooler-top-universities.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1515686-chances-homeschooler-top-universities.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

6

<p>I forgot to mention this on OP: I recently took the SAT a few months back I scored a 2080 (M - 800, CR- 600, W- 680).</p>

<p>I also sat for the SAT Subject Test in Math I, and I am yet to get my score back.</p>

<p>(P.S. This time I sudied :slight_smile: )</p>

<p>Edit: I also scored a 30 ACT Composite.</p>

7

<p>My first piece of advice is to stop thinking about getting into Caltech. Do what you love in and out of the classroom (read: take you STEM extracurriculars to the next level), rank in the top 10% of your class, score above 700 on each SAT section and/or above 30 on the ACT, be genuinely nice, and the rest will fall into place. This would be a great article for you to read, granted that it’s written by an admission officer at Caltech’s rival:
[Applying</a> Sideways | MIT Admissions](<a href=“http://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/applying_sideways]Applying”>Applying Sideways | MIT Admissions)</p>

<p>In addition, you should also read this:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/harvard-university/1420290-chance-threads-please-read-before-posting-one.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/harvard-university/1420290-chance-threads-please-read-before-posting-one.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>The problem with planning to get into Caltech so early (as you seem to be doing) is that in the (likely) event that you’re rejected, you’ll have wasted your high school career trying to conform to what you think a college wants and will have sacrificed your own passions and individuality as a result.</p>

8

<p>Take the AMC 12.</p>

9

<p>Cold fusion. </p>

<p>If you can do this, both Caltech and MIT would love to have you.</p>

10

<p>I Forgot to add this but I DID make the AIME. I signed up for both AMC 10A and AMC 10B, but I forgot when AMC 10A was. I actually forgot the date by accident :(. However on AMC 10B, I scored a 120.0 which was just enough to qualify me into the AIME :D. On the AIME, I probably only got the mercy question right since I was only in Geometry. </p>

<p>Additional Accomplishment(s) - Scored 120.0 on AMC 10B and Qualified for AIME.</p>

11

<p>I have some of the math stuff too (qualified for AIME thrice and did some research) but many of the applicants are very very qualified and without better test scores it’s probably a reach. However you have at least one more year so this can change quickly and your accomplishments are at very least a good start.</p>

<p>Btw when you say your weighted GPA, is that with APs = 6.0 and honors = 5.0?</p>

<p>Also I was immature and arrogant in 10th grade as well so don’t worry.</p>

<p>Chance me back if you want! <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1515027-chance-me-ill-chance-you-back.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1515027-chance-me-ill-chance-you-back.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

12

<p>I honestly think that it’s too soon to determine for you, but thank you for chancing me! Just continue on with your good grades though :)</p>

13

<p>Yes math64. APs = 6 and Hs = 5</p>

14

<p>Honestly, it is too early to tell. Just maintain your grades to a 4.0 (UW) and pick any one thing to be extraordinary at… that is what these top colleges are looking for.</p>

15

<p>Caltech does not accept the Math Level 1 test.</p>

16

<p>I took the Regular SAT and got a 800 on the math section.</p>

17

<p>I know but you said you took Math Level 1 in June, which is not accepted by Caltech.</p>

18

<p>Well, I just took it to see how I would do. Waiting for myr esults, but I probably scored an 800. Does Anyone else want to chance me. I Promise I’ll chance back. :D</p>

19

<p>Cal Tech is one of those schools where even the kids with the bet stats and resumes get rejected from. My advice would be too work hard and look at other schools as well because Cal Tech… well yea Cal Tech isn’t too easy to get into.</p>

20

<p>You could have a shot if you score at least a 2200 and take more AP courses. Provided you do well in those, you should have a shot.</p>