Possible to get in with low math GPA?

Colleges and Universities A-Z California Institute of Technology
1

<p>I would really like to get into CalTech, but I'm worried that my low GPA in math in high school math will block my way.</p>

<p>I've been selected for advanced math programs since 4th grade and started taking high school level math in 7th grade ( 2 years advanced, ~26 / 400 students in my class are in this ). I have generally however, hovered around a 92 and I had very poor grades in 10th grade precalc ( 89 avg, very poor final and midterm ). In 11th grade however, I Mook Calculus BC and I finished with a 95 avg and I was in the top 5% of my class. I also did very well in all of my other classes in 11th grade, including a 96 avg in AP Physics. </p>

<p>I have gotten a 5 on all of my APs that I have taken, World History, US History, Calc BC, Physics and self-taught computer science.</p>

<p>My SAT IIs: 800 Math II, 800 Physics</p>

<p>SAT I: CR: 730 M: 800 W: 650</p>

<p>ECs: violin (4 years), piano (4 years), varsity swimming (4 years), school science bowl team member (4 years), school science olympiad team member (4 years), philosophy club member (4 years), Model UN club member (4 years), CTY summer courses ( 2 years) , computer programming competitions such as Google Code Jam ( 2 years ), Masterminds team member ( 1 year ), web page design and coding for school ( 2 years ).</p>

<p>This summer I'm also working with a friend to build an Arduino-based autonomous UAV. I will be doing the majority of the work however since my friend is going to India tomorrow. All of the design, programming, wiring, testing, etc, is from scratch, we have used no kits or guides.</p>

<p>With the same friend, I have also been working on an open-source android project, called The Elements. We have been very successful, with over 30,000 dls + 4.5/5 avg rating by 1000+ raters. The project has gained other members that have begun to take part in the project, but the majority of the work is still done by us. I also have adopted another android open source project called FireTaps, which will likely be pretty successful as well.</p>

<p>Work:
summers of:
7th grade: swim lesson teaching
8th grade: swim lesson teaching
9th grade: swim lesson teaching
10th grade: swim lesson teaching + lifeguarding
11th grade: intern programmer for 1st playable, a game development company, lifeguarding.</p>

<p>I really want to get into CalTech, is there anything I can do to help weigh out the bad grades earlier in High School? Do I have any chance at getting into CalTech?</p>

2

<p>What do those averages translate to, letter-grade wise? At my school, those averages would’ve been A/A- (except for the 89, which would’ve been B+), which I don’t think is worth worrying about, especially with 800s on the SAT math. I think you’ve already done enough to outweigh your “bad grades.” Your math test scores are perfect. I don’t think the admissions committee will be worried about your math ability.</p>

3

<p>When I say really bad on the final/midterm I mean 68 bad not 89 bad. Can colleges see my midterm/final grades? Also, I thought that CalTech only wanted the best math/science students so this would still be a deciding factor. Regardless, what are my chances of getting in without many awards in math/science? I haven’t been the head of a math league or anything and I haven’t gone to mathcamp or anything.</p>

4

<p>

</p>

<p>I am not sure what the problem is. Normally, only the final grades for the semester or term are shown. Rather than ask on CC, can you ask you GC what is sent on the transcript? Are you an international student i.e. studying in a school outside the US. </p>

<p>I do not normally chance students, but refer you to this excellent 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&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

5

<p>It’s summer and my GC doesn’t work during the summer. There’s also 7 GC for 1500 students in my school.</p>

<p>I read that post, but I’m worried because it should have come naturally, without any effort or obsessing over my GPA. In Junior year, after a few things changed that I won’t go into, I was able to hold the 95+ in Calculus with almost no effort. There’s a difference between obsessing over a GPA and being so good it comes naturally.</p>

<p>Regardless, do you feel I would be a good fit for CalTech?</p>

6

<p>Anyone willing to chance?</p>

7

<p>Chances are worthless. All anyone can do is tell you whether your scores/grades are within range (they are). The rest is all based on things you can’t give us without sending us your whole app. Do your essays show your passion for math/science? Do you seem like “a Techer,” whatever that happens to mean, to the students on the adcomm? Do your teachers say something particularly interesting or impressive about you or do they write the wrong name on your rec? I think you have a “decent shot,” but what I mean by “decent shot” is that they won’t throw your app in the trash as soon as they see it. (Disclaimer: I have no evidence that they do this to <em>anyone’s</em> app).</p>

8

<p>Your former low scores will probably not affect your chances. Not even everyone at Caltech did perfect in science/math in high school.</p>