<p>Hi Everyone I am a International Student Applying to Caltech</p>
<p>I am a Taiwanese living in El Salvador and my scores are the best in the Class. I got 2170 in SAT I (800 in M, 700 in CR, and 670 in W) one sitting, and 800 in Math II, 800 in Chem, 800 in Physics and 800 in Chinese Listening for my SAT II. I also got 40 points in IB, where I got 7 in Math HL, Physics HL and Chemistry HL. I also got 7 in Spanish B, 6 in History SL and 4 in English A1. There has never been anyone in my school who got 7 in Math, Physics and Chemistry HL subject. However, no one got into Caltech before either. BTW I also got 4 in GPA.</p>
<p>I founded the Engineering Club in my school and was one of the leaders in Science Club. I became helper/leader for Electronics Club for my Physics Teacher. I won the national Knowledge Bowl Competition. I am also a national ranked Archer.</p>
<p>However the problem is that I don't have any renown mathematics competition awards (mainly my school don't offer any of them). I got a UKMT gold award and best of school award, however that was in 8th grade. Though I did won something in Math Relay, but Math Relay is a joke. Since I am a foreigner I never thought I could join the Salvadran Math Olympiad team, so I never did. I did a Mathematics EE on how to solve Menage Problem using Graph Theory, and this is my only "research" (Its not even with a college professor). Besides that I also need financial Aid. </p>
<p>So I know the odds are stack against me (I need financial Aid and I got almost no research or won any renown competition). So should I even consider applying? The application fee is quite high and I can't get fee wavers because of various circumstances</p>
<p>You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Your stats are fairly good, and people who applied to Caltech without competition wins can definitely get in. I’m in that same pool.</p>
<p>Caltech (in our experience) has one of the best offerings of financial aid, though I can’t say at all what the situation is for international students. Asking for financial aid will have no bearing on your acceptance (I believe Caltech is need blind for internationals), so I would recommend that you apply.</p>
<p>Yes caltech is not need blind for international!
I am an international student from Taiwan too, and I am accepted to caltech EA even though I don’t have any big math competition , olympiad either.(but I’ve done some research) So I guess u can give it a try. Just show your passion!</p>
<p>If you do apply, linting2012, submit your EE as a research paper. It doesn’t need to be affiliated with a University, and they will like that you took the initiative to do individual, original research, entirely of your own creation. </p>
<p>Qualification for that statement: IB student admitted EA</p>
Wish me luck.</p>