<p>ttg,
at MIT, I would agree that its not about the numbers. At Caltech, however, numbers appears to be a bigger part of the story. The thing that surprised me was that there were as few cross admits between MIT and Caltech as there were. Of course, Caltech will be a reach for the OP even it he improves his SAT's. But if he reaches for Caltech, he will likely be in very good shape at other excellent schools.</p>
<p>Understood ohio_mom- I didn't realize there was so few crossadmits between those schools. Very interesting. Though, if we just look at the statistics, then, of the Original Poster, a 640 Math SAT I and a 700 Chemistry SAT II is far, far below CalTech standards. Yes, there are a lot of other excellent schools out there, and those are the schools the Original Poster should be looking into (rather than wasting for time on the handful that he's "chosen").</p>
<p>TTG</p>
<p>ttg -
yes - the math and chem scores are certainly issues. But if he nails 'em next time other schools will throw money at him even if Caltech is too finicky.</p>
<p>"at MIT, I would agree that its not about the numbers. At Caltech, however, numbers appears to be a bigger part of the story."</p>
<p>I was told that it was the other way around...since Caltech is like 1/10 the size of MIT, they have more time to review the apps, right?</p>
<p>tanonev,
the MIT admissions dean says she is concerned with 'passion'. I thought this was all talk, too - I didn't think they would go too far off their admissions grid this year - but if you look at the CC postings, MIT looks pretty darn holistic for a tech school. My son was interested in tech schools for a while, so I tracked them last year out of family interest, and this year because they are interesting places. The results this year were surprising to me. </p>
<p>If you are considering some of these schools, there is something to be gained by looking at the profiles of admitted, wl'd and rejected students that is lost in summary statistics. It may give you a little hint as to what gears are in the admissions black box, and whether they will grind you up or send you through intact.</p>
<p>I know what I can dream about and what I cannot. MIT is one that I once did dream about but I probably won't apply there (unless something miraculous happens.. 800/800/2400? Who knows?). But you see I'm not the type who goes to a school based on it's "extras". I go there because I've heard of it and like it's acedemics. It's just a odd thing. I once went to a private school that try to make you well rounded (albeit in middle school). I hated it with a passion. I'm actually looking at UCBerk a lot more than Caltech or the other Ivys. </p>
<p>And Ohio_mom I'll take your advice and look into the stats on those schools. But SAT IIs first..</p>
<p>800/800/2400 alone isn't enough for MIT...</p>
<p>Remember, I got accepted to Caltech but rejected from MIT
If you want, you can see what I had for my app...
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=14400%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=14400</a></p>
<p>yeah, tanonev's ECs were a little lacking even though he had phenomenal scores...and he's Asian---Double whammy</p>
<p>Yikes tanonev. That's damn impressive. You in Stanford now? </p>
<p>Well there's not much I can do besides doing real good on the SATs. Atleast I think so. </p>
<p>What should I do to make my app stronger?</p>
<p>I'll be going to Stanford in the fall...</p>
<p>Yeah, my biggest weak point was that I didn't do much EC (unless you count game programming) until my last year, and by then, it was too late, even though I really did apply myself...</p>
<p>It's never too late, roy...join USACO NOW and prepare for the exam next year...
<a href="http://ace.delos.com/usacogate%5B/url%5D">http://ace.delos.com/usacogate</a>
If you can do really well, you can still "wow" the admissions
Then try your luck in the AMC/AIME/USAMO series...</p>
<p>And as for raising your SAT scores, grab a TI-89 calculator and learn to use it...that will help out your low math score...</p>
<p>In short, if you invest your summer wisely, you still have a shot</p>
<p>Alternatively, you can get really really good at SSBM, compete nationally, and have a nerdy but hilarious EC (I mean this only semi-seriously)</p>
<p>when is the next USACO? I don't know anything about it. I don't even know what USACO is. No one in my school talks about it and no one told me what it is either. I was also about to take the Golden State Exam but budget cuts caused them to cancel it unfortunatly.</p>
<p>I really regret not continuing Speech and Debate. Unfortunatly I was horrible. I should've just kept doing Impromptu..</p>
<p>One of my friend is starting an acedemic club next year and I might be an officer, so that might be good.</p>
<p>Oh ya, I got a TI-89 calc and I know how to use it. I used a TI-83 for my SAT, untill it died on me and I used my scientific calc. I will replace batteries this time around.</p>
<p>USACO = USA computing olympiad</p>
<p>Follow the link...there are exercises that you can do in C++, Pascal, or Java</p>
<p>Next exam is next October/November (?) and it all happens online</p>
<p>The other thing that you can do is a really good job on your applications. There are a lot of things that matter on the margin - your essays, how your EC's are listed, the thought and care that go into your short answers. I reviewed my share of essays last year - and I will tell you that they were not all gems. Your essays enable you to speak directly to the adcoms. Even if you are not the worlds greatest writer, you can still present yourself with clarity, depth, and authenticity.</p>
<p>Also, you can send in a short update letter with your midyear grades. If you have competed - or done anything else outstanding - after you have submitted your application there is still a chance that it may be considered. Again, all of these can help if your app is teetering between accept and WL. </p>
<p>Best of luck on your SAT II's this Saturday. I made my son take an extra calculator for the IIC (I know, we moms nag a lot). Since I am nagging - try to get enough sleep tonight and Friday so you are well rested for the test. You've got a great class rank and class schedule - just have to beat the rest of the details into order!</p>
<p>ohio_mom- the problem is that there is no indication that his scores will rise drastically any time soon. </p>
<p>royrules22- UC Berkeley would probably still be a reach for you. Overrepresented minority, from an overrepresented school, from an overrepresented region; and with below average standardized test scores. Those community classes might help, but then again Berkeley is not, by any means, lacking in strong, academics-minded students. Typically students who get into Berkeley with lower statistics are URM, from a disadvantaged background, valedictorian, or have superior extracurricular activities- none of which you got. I said it once, and I'll say it again- you're best bet is either at UCI or one of the Cal Poly's. Best of luck,</p>
<p>TTG</p>
<p>Well, I brought my board scores up by an average of 90 points per per section over the summer (back in the paleolithic) ... so I know it can be done.</p>
<p>9 months later I found this website again cleaning up my favorites. Here's how it played out in the end (or is playing out).</p>
<p>I applied to:
UC Irvine
UC Santa Cruz
UC Davis
UC San Diego
UC LA
UCB
Caltech
Stanford
Harvard
Cornell
Carnegie Mellon
NYU
Harvey Mudd</p>
<p>So far I've gotten into:</p>
<p>UCI
UCSC
UCD
UCLA (reach TTG?)</p>
<p>still waiting on the rest. Praying I get into UCB</p>
<p>Final SAT Scores</p>
<p>SAT I: 640 Writ, 740 Read, 680 Math (Dec 05)
630 Writ, 680 Read, 700 Math (Oct I think)</p>
<p>Math IIC: 770
Chem: 730</p>
<p>Congrats! Best of luck with the remaining colleges.</p>
<p>oh yea
disregard my aforementioned comments...i was stupid back then....</p>
<p>^ Back then..? How are you different now?</p>
<p>Jaykay! Aw, what I said just now was mean.</p>
<p>Lol. Thanks. Yes the comments here did help. As you can see my college list was heavily shortened in the real one (money was a factor too :p).</p>