<p>ahh that makes more sense, do you go to a specialized math/science high school im assuming? its rare for such advanced topics in mathematics to be offered below the college level</p>
<p>no not at all</p>
<p>just a huge public school
theres 640 in my class, about 30 take multivaraible/linear algebra. Im not any smarter than any of them, I just like math a lot more so I decided to go to a local university to take courses.</p>
<p>" I don't want to have to go through the trouble of applying if I don't have at least close to a 40-60 chance " No one has that kind of chance at Princeton, unless you are a DA or a Siemen's winner.</p>
<p>lol ya. well not that good of a chance. Basically, do I have a better chance than the odds I would have from pure luck?</p>
<p>No, because statistically, there are so many strong students who are also applying there. If you are not a legacy, URM, scholar athlete, state or national award winner, [ you get the drift] you have the same chance as everyone else- about 1 in 10.</p>
<p>Despite all being great schools, if "prestige" and dropping the "H" bomb is important to you, the obvious choice is Harvard.</p>
<p>Do not worry about your Olympaid placement etc. Your course schedule in Math IS very impressive for a high school student, I think you have a fair/reach chance at all the top schools...including Cal tech and MIT. Have your considered Columbia SEAS or Cornell? I know you want Cali, but there are more choices for top tier schools if you would like to expand your horizon. </p>
<p>FYI, for the math classes you stated the smae courses are taught more in-depth at these top tier schools ;) Still very impressive....I should know since I studied pure math.</p>
<p>Going to a prestigious school is imporant to me, but not because of the prestige. I hate being called arrogant and will do anything to not come off as such, so really, Harvard being Harvard is not a plus at all for me. I care more about learning than anything, and I just don't want to ever think that I could have received a better education than I did just because I never tried to apply. Basically, I'm very petrified about where I go because I'm afraid that hwerever I go, I might not learn as much as I could have if I had gone somehwere else, like Caltech MIT Princeton etc. My mind tells me this is very naive, and that if I apply myself I will learn a lot anywhere, yet I cannot still get over this fear.</p>
<p>3.8 is a minimum for HYPS .. at a competitive school .. unless you're an URM/have a hook.</p>
<p>i have over a 3.8 not counting freshman year and before
does this matter?</p>
<p>o well....ive already decided not to apply to ne of the three....it seems from what has been posted that any chance i would have would not make it worth my while</p>
<p>thanks a lot for your input!</p>
<p>see ya</p>
<p>good luck! come back in april and let us know where you got in and where you're going!</p>
<p>I think you should apply to one of these, if you are still looking at this thread. Your profile shows that you have a clear passion for the things you like to do-math and physics. These schools are so random in their selection that nothing can be specifically stated as an xx% chance, but I think that the admissions counselors could see something in you for sure.</p>
<p>dude, i definitely think you can get inot the schools you mention. Go ahead and apply.</p>