Should I apply? Research skills and patents.

Colleges and Universities A-Z California Institute of Technology
1

<p>I'm selecting places to apply to. So far I've got Olin, Princeton, Brown, and Rose-Hulman. I am interested in undergraduated research opportunities. </p>

<p>I will admit first off that my situation is abit strange, but onto the stats:</p>

<p>I'm a senior. As of the present, I have a US patent granted in cryogenic electronics cooling, and two more pending. I co-write a two-page sized section in a professional publication (american welding journal) quarterly starting from last year. I'm also trying to get an article published, about my research projects in electronics cooling. I'll have an answer on that in a month. </p>

<p>I've participated in science fair quite some bit. </p>

<p>My junior year GPA was 3.97 unweighted (one A-). I can say with certainty my GPA this year will be about the same.</p>

<p>I participated in a one laptop per student in my high school, and have decent community service hours due to that program. </p>

<p>My senior year I'm taking AP Biology, AP economics, AP Physics C independent study with a teacher, Application Programming in C++ independent study, Environmental science year long research project on transgenic crops, and of course world lit, and current political problems (I took Government junior year.)</p>

<p>I took AP Calc AB independent study junior year. To bad I forgot the formula for a semicircle on the free response and got a 3 on that AP.
I have a pretty good working knowledge of calc though; I'm breezing through physics C 1.5 weeks into it already.</p>

<p>I've got a American history AP credit, but I guess thats pretty much useless for an engineer. </p>

<p>Catch is this: </p>

<p>My SAT1 is 670 and 630 for reading and math respectively. 27 ACT. </p>

<p>I'm taking 3 SAT2's: physics, bio M, and math2 in october so I won't have too much time to redo my SAT1 scores, and I don't think its worth it as I'm rather busy. </p>

<p>Second, my 9th grade GPA is 3.0. Its lowering my overall GPA. Funny though that I had C- algebra advanced honors 9th, and yet had A in trig the year after in 10th, and took AP calc 11th. Now I'm taking AP physics C because I took AP calc. </p>

<p>So, therein lies the big problem. Will I be rejected? I think so, based on the math scores of most other people I will be competing with.</p>

2

<p>I seriously doubt that, given your As in your later math classes, the C in 9th grade would count much against you. What you did in your later years in HS is much more important than what you did your first year, and it sounds like you've done impressively well.</p>

3

<p>your standardized test scores are low. you might want to retake and bring CR and M up to 700+...besides that, I think you're good.</p>

4

<p>It's not obvious to me that you would be able to pass core math, and if the admissions committee feels the same way, they'll probably have to err on the safe side and reject you despite your outstanding patents and research. You really do need to bring up that SAT I math above ~750 and absolutely nail the SAT II (>780, but 800 preferably) to have a shot, in my opinion. </p>

<p>The 3 on AB calc is a little concerning as well, but given that was an independent study, they may not find too much fault with that. The C- may be a bit of a problem, but only because it's in math which doesn't help to assuage doubts about your ability to pass all of the core requirements.</p>

<p>All in all, if you don't feel that the SAT I is worth retaking (i.e. you don't think there's a good chance you'll at least break 700 and/or you don't feel its worth the trouble - which is perfectly understandable I might add), you probably want to look at a school which doesn't require so much math of its students.</p>

5

<p>Simply forgetting the formula for semicircle can't bring your test score from 5 to 3.
Physics C (especially the first one and a half weeks) does not require finding the volumes of revolution or anything that usually causes trouble on AP Calc exams.
Although independent studies are a good way to show your self-discipline and willingness to learn, you can't really prove that if you are a senior, besides sending a letter from a teacher saying that you are indeed self studying. But even that can't assess or predict how well you learned/will have learned the material by the end of the school year, which is all that's important.
If you do decide to apply, make sure you can provide the AdCom with some tangible evidence of your progress with independent studying. </p>

<p>


</p>

<p>What if you accidentally forget, let's say, Pythagorean Theorem during the Math IIC test and you get 650, instead of 800? You have to admit, 630 on SATI Math, 650 on Math IIC and a 3 on Calc AB will not count in your favor.
So, it will be a good idea to find some time to take some practice SATs and do well at least on Math section. (If you still want to apply, of course).</p>

<p>On the other hand, having a patent is a very nice thing. So is co-writing in a AWJ.
But all the impressive things you listed above would be even more impressive if you had higher SAT scores (regretfully). (Still can't forget the fate of [url=<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=130263%5Dbrian-mc%5B/url"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=130263]brian-mc[/url&lt;/a&gt;] who built a nuclear fusion reactor at home, but was rejected by Harvard and MIT...)</p>

<p>That's that :)</p>

6

<p>I would definitely retake SAT I if I were you. Though I don't place much weight on them personally, colleges do unfortunately.
I had the pleasure of meeting brian-mc at Ocean Bowl, and he's incredibly intelligent.
You don't want a stupid thing like the SAT to keep you from getting where you want to go. I mean regardless of how busy you are, if you are really passionate about getting in, you'll make time.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

7

<p>Thanks for the honest responses.</p>

<p>I may end up retaking SAT1. I'll also try to get 800 on SAT2 math and physics. As to the independent study courses, they are for a grade, and I give progress checks and will have quizzes sometime. The courses will appear on my transcript. </p>

<p>One more thing, which I'm not sure is in my favour or not important. </p>

<p>My school only has AP Physics B, and no multivariable Calc because very few student take a calc course junior year (I was one of three or four out of junior class of 300 and some.) </p>

<p>My physics teacher, who teaches AP Physics B, is planning on offering AP Physics C next year (2008-2009), and is structuring the course based somewhat on what I do. </p>

<p>I'm actually the only student in my school taking physics C this year (both classical mech and electromagnetism.)</p>

<p>Would that count for anything?</p>

8

<p>You have time to improve your SAT score. If you plan to take SAT II in October, it's not late to take SAT in November. It's OK if you don't want to study for it, if your Math is really good. I assume it because you aim an 800 at Math 2. I don't think CR and Writing matter too much at Caltech, but Math does. You'll only lose one day of your busy life, but it's worth.</p>

9

<p>Your situation is the opposite of the one most Caltech applicants are in. The typical situation is near-perfect SATs, APs, and grades, and nothing really eye-catching in the extracurricular area (e.g. some community service plus one sport). You, on the other hand, have distinctive extracurriculars, are super-committed to science, and are clearly striving for the best opportunities available to you. On the other hand, you have low SAT and AP math scores by Caltech standards, as you yourself noted, as well as one worrisome gradne in math. To answer your most recent question, your independent study and clear willingness to go above and beyond what most people at your school do (with Physics C) is a huge help, but probably will not get you over the line without better numbers.</p>

<p>The bottom line is that with a student like yourself who clearly has a huge amount of passion and independence, Caltech is sometimes willing to overlook one big departure from the normal standard, which is: A- or better in math and science through high school; mid-to-high 700 on the SAT I Math; a 5 or at worst 4 on AP math and science tests (unless the school is clearly incapable of teaching those subjects well); and a score in the high 700s on the math SAT II Math.</p>

<p>With you, I think it's even possible that two such problems would be overlooked, but it's absolutely crucial that you get your SAT I Math score up. Apply regular action; take the test after October. Surely someone with your drive and commitment can spend enough time with an SAT I book to nail this. It is also nearly required (especially with a 3 on the AP Calc) that you really nail the Math SAT II. Assuming that you do both of those things, you have a quite serious chance of getting in with your unconventional profile... just because Caltech really loves people who are clearly committed to science. You just need to help yourself over the threshold of the front door with test scores.</p>

<p>Now, of course, whether that's worth your time is up to you. (Everyone would certainly understand if not.) With your current scores, your chance will be low, so you have to decide whether it's worth the time. With higher scores, I think it's definitely worth giving Caltech the chance to admit you, since you would clearly make a cool addition to the community.</p>

<p>P. S. cghen is right that it's the focus on core math that drives these types of decisions. Often, there is an awesome student whom the committee would really love to admit, but the worry is that the core courses will be so difficult for a student that it would be mean to let him or her in unprepared... that is one of the genuine drawbacks of having such demanding standards coming in.</p>

<p>Anyway, best of luck to you!</p>

10

<p>Thanks.</p>

<p>By the way, to anyone that knows, where did Brian-MC get in?</p>

11

<p>


It looks like he's going to RPI now.</p>

12

<p>Well to be honest, I don't have much to add to what anyone else said, but I will answer your original question. Of course apply! Even if you don't get in, if you don't apply, you'll have to live the rest of your life not knowing. And besides, with higher test scores you have good chances of getting in, so study for the tests, and apply because you'll have a pretty good shot.</p>

13

<p>Well, I would recommend reading a Princeton Review book on SAT and doing a lot of practice tests. Upping SATs is easy, and as long as you did that, you'd have a really good chance.</p>

<p>Don't worry too much about the 3. I got a B in a Calc II class and still got in.</p>

14

<p>I'd say you've got a way better chance at MIT. They don't seem to care nearly as much about numbers and I know average students who've gotten in on the basis of extracurriculars.</p>

15

<p>I would also try and increase your SATs or ACTS (especially math) if you can. I also recommend that you do apply to Olin. I applied to both Olin and Rose-Hulman and got into both but found that Rose-Hulman only cared about my numbers when I visited campus. Literally, professors and admissions people would ask me my SAT scores. Olin wants to make sure you will be able to succeed (so you need to show you can do well in math and physics), but they also really care about your passions and who you are as a person. </p>

<p>So, if you can get your math scores up a bit, I think that you would have a lot to offer Olin and would be in good company there (a handful of students also have patents and others are involved with things like one laptop per child).</p>