Should I apply? (not a chance thread)

Colleges and Universities A-Z California Institute of Technology
1

<p>This is not a chance thread as much as it is a "should I apply" thread. I know, people are going to say "the only way to not get in is to not apply," but lets be realistic; there are kids who have a high shot and kids who their shot asymptotes (yes, asymptotes :b) to zero.</p>

<p>So, should I spend the money and try to apply? I don't want to put everything, but I'll put important stuff.</p>

<p>SAT (retaking): Math: 760
CR: 660
W: 750
SATII: Math II: 730
Physics: 710
USH: 680</p>

<p>Junior APs: Calc AB, Phsyics B, English, Comp Sci</p>

<p>Senior Year Schedule: AP Calc BC, AP Physics C, AP English, AP Spanish, AP Euro, IB Comp Sci, Independent Engineering Research (Working on paper on Fractals in Civil Engineering)</p>

<p>GPA: 96-ish Weighted
Rank: 20-ish</p>

<p>Extra-Curricular: Worked on top 100 app store app (#1 Bible app), built church's website, Comp Sci club, Math League, Peer Mediation, Cross Country (captain - undefeated team), Honors Societies, Student Council; nothing too far from the norm.</p>

<p>Summer: Worked real jobs 2 years, worked as engineering intern going into senior year. I wrote a technical paper for the company, which was eventually published by SNAME...it wasn't anything crazy important though.</p>

<p>Awards: Renseallaer Medal, AP Scholar with Honor, 2nd place state game programming competition, small math awards, Friendship Award (important at school, but I don't know if important to admissions officer)</p>

<p>THANKS SO MUCH FOR ANY INPUT :)</p>

2

<p>super reach</p>

3

<p>Well, it is going to be a reach no matter what, but I think it’s still worth applying. The only thing that’s really hurting you are your test scores… There’s one or two test dates available for seniors; I’d suggest retaking the SAT and bringing the CR to a 700+. (a higher math wouldn’t hurt either; it’s high enough, but higher is always better) And maybe if you start studying now, you can take the November SAT subject tests and get something higher than a 750+. </p>

<p>Another thing, have you considered taking the ACT?</p>

<p>Either way, I’d say apply.</p>

4

<p>Worth applying as-is.</p>

5

<p>I’m retaking the SATs, which I’ve been studying to get my CR up. I don’t think I’m going to retake the SATIIs, mainly because Cal Tech is the only school that doesn’t say like 710/730 is fine. I know their relatively low, but I don’t think that they hurt me too much for non-CalTech schools.</p>

6

<p>I think you’ve got a chance - your projects have shown real interest in engineering, and you have both math and CS extras. If you show enthusiasm for continuing such work in your essay, you have a real chance. IMHO.</p>

7

<p>How is this different from a chance me thread?</p>

<p>I would suggest that you should read these two threads first, they will answer most of your questions.</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;

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/california-institute-technology/442418-anyone-wanting-know-their-chances-getting-into-caltech-9.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/california-institute-technology/442418-anyone-wanting-know-their-chances-getting-into-caltech-9.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

8

<p>730 Math 2 is like 60 percentile or something…</p>

<p>I would recommend retaking</p>