SAT II Physics: 760

<p>I'm planning on applying to Caltech EA. The two subject test scores I will submit will be 800 on Math IIC and 760 on Physics. A little background: I've been hanging around Caltech since I was 12 or 13...I've always wanted to go there; it is my dream school. I would hate for it to remain plainly a dream because of one subject test. I know college apps are supposed to be holistic, and I know various other things influence adcom decisions. I'd still like to know what I am facing. I don't want this to be a chances thread because I'm not sure I want someone to tell me my chances at Caltech (although looking at other threads has been ridiculously painful). Bottom line: what does a not-800/790 look like to Caltech?</p>

<p>Thanks everyone.</p>

<p>PS. I might apply as a chemistry or an applied mathematics major.</p>

<p>...are you saying 760 is low? :( It's not...(is it?). It's definitely up there... </p>

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<p>Trust me, it is for everyone.</p>

<p>First, it doesn't really matter what you put down as your desired major, since we evaluate applications to the entire university, not to some specific program. What you say you want to does tell us something about you, but it's not like putting down a different major will make it easier to get in.</p>

<p>As for the 760, it's generally quite a good score. The only time when it would cause even a little bit of a question for me is in the case where somebody had taken the AP Physics B class at an outstandingly good school prior to taking the SAT II Physics. Then you should be thoroughly prepared. But in most cases, the Honors Physics/AP Physics C courses won't have covered a lot of the slightly out there topics that are on the test, so it's a little much to expect people to get an 800.</p>

<p>So a 760 will not hurt your chances and you should focus on all the rest of your application :)</p>

<p>Haha, zoogies: thanks, it's good to know you guys know exactly what it's like. </p>

<p>Ben, your reassurance means a lot. Thanks for the response. I'm not nearly half as worried as I was last night. I'll definitely focus on other parts of my application. Here goes everything ...:)</p>