<p>Upon getting deferred everyone's advice seems to be (including Rick Bischoff's !) demonstrate passion in math science or engineering but I'm not sure how I can do that anymore. I wish I had known what applying here was like because I never thought that many people took on serious research projects while still in high school until I began looking a couple of months ago.</p>
<p>With little more then a month left to send in materials I'm struggling to come up with answers on how I can demonstrate this quality. I really am passionate in many ways, so much as to have never considered undertaking anything but science, but not in a way that ends up manifesting itself on an award or certificate or published paper.</p>
<p>Is anybody else out there in the same situation?</p>
<p>I got in EA without research. It's not a necessary condition. If you're doing something for the sake of getting into college, you shouldn't be doing it. If it's something you love doing, then do it.</p>
<p>Glancing back at your posts, Science Olympiad was one of the few "sciency" things I did formally. (I also participated in some lackluster academic teams, but I devoted much of my time spent in school-organized activities towards debate, actually, so much so, that that's what my note on my acceptance letter was about) What else do you do in your spare time? The one thing I can say after one term at Caltech is that everyone I've met brings something to the table besides their hard-core love of academics. If we didn't, we'd all go insane and be very dull, boring people, but we're not.</p>
<p>Yeah. I agree with sonofsam. I got in without research, so it's definitely possible. I mean... I've done science fair projects, but I didn't submit abstracts or anything. </p>
<p>Seriously, just write about what you love to do, what you do every day, and emphasize the parts that relate to math, science, or engineering (because it IS Caltech). The 4 essays on my app all dealt with different aspect of me; 2 focused on more science-y stuff, and the others were more personal. Just DON'T FORCE ANYTHING. Represent yourself. And good luck. :)</p>
<p>I was accepted EA (just got my letter today, finally!) and my essay didn't have much formal stuff at all. I have a couple Science Olympiad medals and that's really it and I'd already mentioned them under the awards section. I didn't want to overstress the pt since I'd already mentioned it. </p>
<p>Instead, I wrote about little things. Like how a friend gave me a Klein bottle for Christmas last yr b/c I'd been obsessing about it or how, in a CD mix for my IB class, my song was "Feelgood by Numbers." I think they gave a more casual and personable approach to my hard stats and awards (it is Southern California after all).</p>
<p>There is the USAPhO (Preliminary Exam) in early February - if you can get your Physics teacher to get the test and at least 5 people from your school to participate in it, that could be a nice addition to your application...</p>
<p>P.S. Of course, don't do it for the sake of college - if Physics is not the thing you like, I am confident there are many other ways to demonstrate your interest in science/math.</p>
<p>rlaqhdus: just a guess - but they spend a certain amount of time processing the apps, and EA deferrals have already been processed. Remember at some point early on, you got an email saying if your app was complete or not, and gave you additional time to get it together? I am guessing that is the extra time they are giving you.</p>