Request evaluation of chances

Colleges and Universities A-Z California Institute of Technology
1

<p>I'm trying to decide whether to apply EA or RD. Please assume RD for the purposes of this evaluation. I also request an evaluation of my chances for an Axline.</p>

<p>GPA: 3.94 UW (Most rigorous courseload in school)
ACT: 35 (36 math, reading, 35 english, writing, 34 science, 8 essay)
Please assume 800's on SAT Subject Physics, Math 2, US History (Practice tests scores -- taking SAT Subjects in Oct.)
Rank: approx 5/520
5's on Calc BC, AP Physics C, AP US, AP Euro. Taking AP Chem, Psych, World, Eng. Lit, as well as MCV/LA. Considering taking EPGY Light and Heat.</p>

<p>Please assume non-exceptional essays that demonstrate passion for physics/astro and math, especially problem-solving and research</p>

<p>Please assume 1 good, 1 stellar recommendation. Please also assume a letter from an MIT research mentor and from the Center for Excellence in Education.</p>

<p>I've attended academic summer programs in both the humanities and the sciences since the summer after 7th grade. Particularly, I attended RSI 2005.</p>

<p>Significant activities:
-Space science/research club -- design and submit experiments for space-based research competitions. Build experiments from scratch, write papers on results, often published. Secretary in 10th, President 11-12. Generally spend 35 hours/week on it. Recently designed workshop/seminar series for new members.
-Math team (local, regional, state, district, ARML)
-Individual Events -- speech team
-Spanish National Honor Society (Secretary 12th)
-Volunteer work teaching English literacy to immigrants, learning-disabled, those passed over by education system
-Volunteer work at library
-Physics internship at Northwestern University (tentative, 12th only)
-Orchestra 4th-10th grade, violin lessons 7th-12th</p>

<p>Significant awards:
National-level success in space research competitions. Experiments have flown on suborbital rockets, high-altitude balloons, and are slated to fly aboard the KC-135 aircraft and Space Shuttle. Papers written or in progress on all.
Various local-state math awards
Various local-state I.E. awards</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

2

<p>You have such a focus on research. I assume that the bulk of your essay and your ECs on your app. will be dominated by this and other math/science stuff. About the assuming aon the SAT IIs...I can't. Assuming makes it too easy and it will only give a misinterpretation on your chances. </p>

<p>Have you taken the SAT? Since Cal Tech is west coast, SAT might be good to take.</p>

<p>If anything, I guess the research would get you in. Also, explain the awards for research (INtel ISEF, Siemen's ? something else?)</p>

<p>ABout the Axline scholar, this is a huge mystery. I think there are soem threads about it, but there are no certain criteria to name a person an Axline scholar. It is a shot in the dark.</p>

<p>If you show your passion through good essays (MAKE SURE they are great), I think you have a good chance.</p>

3

<p>Thank you for your response.</p>

<p>I have not taking any SAT's yet (way too busy last year) but intend to take them this year. I will be taking subject tests on the Oct. and Nov. test dates, and the SAT reasoning in Dec.</p>

<p>The awards for research are NASA opportunities for place on various missions.</p>

<p>I write well only when I write long. My essays will not be outstanding. I don't think they will be weak, though, and they will deliver their basic point.</p>

4

<p>Seriously, RSI is about all you need. Just wondering, are u from the Chicago area?</p>

5

<p>Yes.</p>

<p>Mr. Golub in the past has stressed that nothing is "enough" -- caltech must like you through your essays (that's what I came away with; if I'm wrong, please correct me). I am very concerned about them.</p>

6

<p>^Cool. Were you on ARML A team this year? Do you know Lawrence? Are you Lawrence? I didn't know anyone from Illinois went to RSI this year.</p>

7

<p>No, red/white. I know Lawrence; I am not Lawrence. Two people went to RSI from IL.</p>

<p>May I ask where you are from?</p>

8

<p>You seem highly qualified. Your job now is to distinguish yourself from the thousands of other highly qualified candidates.</p>

<p>Why you? Why not the other guy, who seems equally qualified but may not have had the same opportunities as you?</p>

<p>Your essays man. No grocery list of stats will get you in if your character is not an asset to the Institute. This generally applies everywhere. Make sure your essays show that you may be interested in science and math and technology, but that you're not some machine.</p>

<ul>
<li>Timur S.</li>
</ul>

9

<p>RSI equals ACCEPTED</p>

10

<p>Ah, the heartwarming sight of the blind leading the blind...</p>

<p>sran, you've got an excellent portfolio. Take Olo's advice and spend some time working on those essays if you're worried about their strength, so you don't shoot yourself in the foot. Don't be afraid to trash an entire essay and start over if necessary. Sometimes you just pick the wrong theme and it doesn't work out. Also, don't write about Feynman, everyone does that. :P</p>

11

<p>Thank you, Mr. Pangolin.</p>

<p>I'm getting really worried about all my essays. Example: my MIT essays, which I've trashed and started over 4x, and of the 5 totally new versions, each has gone through drafts. I'm starting to worry about a similar situation occurring with my CalTech essays. No matter what I try I can't seem to show my science lust!</p>

<p>Awww, no Feynman? But I've been gorging on that! :) Seriously, I am trying something I don't think anyone has done before, in order to interest the admissions officer and show him/her "look, I'm looney! Please let me in! I'd be entertaining to watch!"</p>

12

<p>Goof: I got 31 on writing, not 35. Mistype. Another one: I am treasurer of SNHS, not secretary (mix-up).</p>

13

<p>"Ah, the heartwarming sight of the blind leading the blind"
Yes. What fools these mortals be. I sure wish I could see everything as clearly as you...</p>

14

<p>I'm just curious what you're basing your statements on. Have you ever heard the fable of the Emperor of China's nose?</p>

15

<p>If you go to RSI, you've probably already demonstrated an incredible amount of promise. People who have gone to RSI could probably make it into HYPSM without having done so, not to mention the merit that is given by top colleges for attending RSI. Sran meets that criteria; his scores, ECs, and research experience are all impressive. So I'd say he has a very high chance of making it into HYPSMC. Caltech would be stupid or conceited not to accept him. </p>

<p>And you don't just sound "curious;" I mean "the blind leading the blind" is a pretty bold statement to make. Many of your posts are kinda hostile and definitely needlessly sarcastic. You seem to not want anyone else to make it to Caltech.</p>

16

<p>Hey, no bad words or feelings please...there's enough discord in the world...I've gotten a bunch of advice, thanks very much for that, in keeping with the positive help-each-other theme I've found at this site, let's not exchange harsh words or anything like that.</p>

17

<p>I'm going to say he's referring to what I presume to be a bunch of high school students advising sran on whether he'll get into Caltech.</p>

<p>I do think you have a very impressive resume sran. Best of luck to you.</p>

18

<p>SteelPangolin's comment served to tell sran not to be complacent about his/her application. While noting that sran does indeed have a very nice portfolio, SteelPangolin actually provided the most helpful comment possible. Good essays never hurt, and bad essays can keep anyone out of Caltech. If one comes across poorly, despite their accomplishments the admissions committee could view them as someone who would not add to the Caltech community. </p>

<p>With respect to his "blind leading the blind" comment, I was thinking the same thing when I read confidential's post. Although SteelPangolin's posts are excessively sarcastic, I would not go so far as to say that they are at all hostile. Except for that one to the international student with the low SAT needing Fin. aid. That one could have been a bit more gentle.</p>

19

<p>Hiya. Sorry. I'm back. Was on vacation.</p>

<p>sran -- your achievements are impressive. You have to show that you have the <em>passion</em> for science in your essays (especially #1) -- and you definitely have enough evidence for this; given that, I think your shot at getting in is excellent.</p>

<p>As for the Axline, I can honestly say that I can't predict. You're certainly in the right ballpark, but your research has to be on the level of your very best peers (which it probably is) and you have to be a very convincing "package"; grades, recs, essays, everything has to be great. The Axlines are an investment in Caltech's future, so you have to essentially prove that something very very impressive is likely to come out of you if we spend the resources on you. So you have to sell your research and how important it is (to you and to the world at large), sell your personality and what you'd bring to your peers and professors to make their lives more interesting, and ultimately, sell the sheer force of your intellect.</p>

<p>Obviously, it's very hard to see if you did that from your unusually brief summaries of your activities and awards. When you flesh it out, it should be of sufficient quality to impress even people who are used to very impressive people. If not, redesign your application so that it has that effect.</p>

20

<p>Mr. Golub,</p>

<p>Thank you very much for your response. It is extremely informative, and I think I've learned a bunch from it.</p>

<p>I tried to keep the summaries short so that people would not get bored reading -- I know I would. I have a more fleshed out (and aesthetically pleasing) list I will be submitting.</p>

<p>A question: it looks like I will have to drop AP Psych in order to do my internship (which is still tentative -- resolution on Monday/Tuesday). Is that a problem?</p>