<p>Hello guys !</p>
<p>I'm french and just 14 YO...
I love maths/physics/biology ! But i prefer physics and i want to be an astronautical engineer!
So i'd like to know if people who are at MIT,Caltech...are just gifted or people who have hard worked in their high school!</p>
<p>Thank you !</p>
<p>And I'm not gifted, just a bit smarter than average...lol!
And i really want to go there and i'm really motivated so i can work hard, but i don't know how to do, someone there can help me?
I really love science and i see some people who know things that my Phd friend doesn't know, and i'd like to know how the do?
Thank you to all of you !</p>
<p>Thomas Edison said “Genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration.”</p>
<p>Do you have to be a genius or near genius to get into CalTech. I am sure it helps -
.</p>
<p>I would say most CalTech students are above average, and work very hard. They are required to show above and beyond. A 4.0 GPA and 2400 in SAT and 800 in SAT II math and nothing else will most probably not cut it. You also have to demonstrate a passion for math and science. </p>
<p>You may want to read this thread.</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/california-institute-technology/577759-why-caltech-different-open-letter.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/california-institute-technology/577759-why-caltech-different-open-letter.html</a></p>
<p>Yeah, i know but why don’t try if i have a chance? =)</p>
<p>OP… I don’t know about anyone else at CalTech but my S was just accepted to CalTech… I would say that although he is smarter than average, he just plain “worked his butt off”. He has a passion for physics and I believe that is what drove him to work so hard. Anyway, best of luck to you.</p>
<p>Thank you,</p>
<p>And what do you mean by work so hard? I love physics, i want to know everything about, but actually, i don’t by what start…</p>
<p>I do not know much about the French system but here is what typical US students do</p>
<p>1) Take the most rigorous curriculum in Math and Science including AP/IB and possibly even some college classes. So take advanced calculus, not just the basic level.
2) Be involved in science related activities like robotics club, math Olympiad etc.
3) Take part in Science projects and submit to competitions like Intel and Siemens, this includes co-authoring papers, getting internships etc. especially during the summer in scientific labs.
4) Have other activities like music, sports etc.
5) Be within the top 10% of your class or higher. </p>
<p>So to summarize, you need to take the most difficult classes especially in math and science and excel in them, you need to have other activities outside of class that demonstrate your interest and your achievements in science and math. In addition be involved in other stuff that shows you also have other interests. </p>
<p>Others may want to weigh in and it is difficult to describe especially as the French system may have different opportunities. Also not everyone has this type of profile but many do.</p>
<p>Oh!! We don’t have any rigorous curriculum…In 2 years, i may will participate at the coucours g</p>
<p>Again, I would assume that the admissions committee is aware of the French system as I am sure that there are students from France or nearby countries that have got into CalTech. You might want to try and find someone who has got into competitive US Colleges like MIT, CalTech, even Harvard, Yale, Harvey Mudd and find out what they did to polish up their resume. What additional activities did they take part in? Did they find some reserach opportunities in a European Lab?</p>
<p>You have to be creative. You may want to post your question in the International thread as there are people more knowledgeable about Foreign schools in that forum.</p>
<p>Even all US students do not have the same opportunity, especially those is smaller schools in non urban areas, but those students still are able to show a passion for math and science.</p>