One low subject test score for Caltech??

Colleges and Universities A-Z California Institute of Technology
1

Hi, I’m super stuck. I want to apply to Caltech early (literally in the next few days)
Here are my test stats:
ACT: 35
Math II: 800
Biology M: 720

I’m not sure whether I should apply now or wait around until RD (I’m retaking Bio in November) because I don’t want to throw away my chance.

Other relevant info:
International (British), AAA*AA predictions in A levels (3 sciences, maths and further maths AS), great ECs, did research and wrote a paper (although not published), decent essays (I think anyway)

Any help would be really appreciated!

2

You’re well qualified to be accepted. If you don’t get accepted, it won’t be because of the 35 or 720.

Good luck

3

Thanks! I’m just uncertain because international applicants already have such a slim chance, a low subject test score just gives them an automatic reason to reject me

4

Bump, any other opinions?

5

From what I’ve seen on CC if your research paper was not published then probably it will not impact admissions,
what are your extracurricular activities? What highest level of math/types of science did you take? Are you doing research at a college?

6

Your test scores are in the range.

7

In the UK, you can’t do research at a university like in the US. You have to have the university qualifications first so they can’t hold that against me. ECs: head of chess club (started by me), chairman of astronomy society (also started by me), sports (national kickboxing, squash captain, lacrosse teams), debate, MUN, school librarian, play producer.
A levels are a bit harder than APs and I’m taking twice the usual course load. I have merit awards in national olympiads and challenges. I was a runner up in a national maths in space competition.

8

Maybe too late for this advice, but what about taking the SAT II in chemistry or physics, rather than biology?

9

If hes already applied EA its too late to take another subject test.

10

Yes, and I don’t even know when the November tests are–possibly already over. But if the suggestion is not too late, it might help. I don’t think Caltech would care about the score in Bio being just 720, due to the wide variation in biology classes and the tendency of the SAT II bio to be somewhat fact-based (maybe less now than before, though). But I think that a higher score in Chemistry or Physics would render the Bio score totally irrelevant. As it stands, if I were a Caltech admissions official, I would wonder, why not Chem or Phys?

11

I did Chemistry in November on a whim. It was mostly because the Biology SAT was most similar to the first year of my A level course and therefore it was the least extra learning. I covered quite a bit of the Chemistry at the start of this year so hopefully that will go better. I sent the 720 I got at the start of Junior year and my math 2. Considering A levels are harder than SAT subject tests and have very different content, they’ll probably understand. Fingers crossed! (although the international application really counts against me) Also, I’m a girl for all those who referred to me with a male pronoun :slight_smile: