<p>My son is very strong in science, math, tech. He has taken Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Geometry, pre-Calc, AP Calculus AB, Bio, honors Chem, AP Chem and programming and classes with straight A's in all of them. Everything else mostly Bs. But a couple of Cs in Japanese and honors English. </p>
<p>He scored 5 on AP Chem and 5 on AP Calc AB. ACT composite score 34, with 36 in science, 35 in math, 32 English and high 28 or so combined English/writing (didn't do well in writing). </p>
<p>Overall unweighted GPA is around 3.5 and weighted around 3.8. </p>
<p>Only activity was astronomy club. </p>
<p>Does he have a chance? His classmate, who will probably be Valedictorian, and won the Harvard Book Prize, said that when it comes to math and science , "he's better than anyone else". </p>
<p>He is interested in majoring in physics or applied mathematics. He just seems like a Caltech type.. Does he have much of a chance?</p>
<p>FWIW, this year (Senior), he is taking AP Calc BC, AP Computer Science, AP Physics, AP Human Geography, AP Macroeconomics and AP English Composition/Literature. Obviously, no grades yet.</p>
<p>By the end of senior year, he will have taken 6 years worth of math, since he took Geometry and Pre-Calculus in the summers after Freshman and Sophomore years.</p>
<p>He is an AP scholar with scores of 5, 5, and 3 in Calculus AB, Chemistry, and US History, respectively.</p>
<p>Probably worth a shot but unless he has some stellar (national recognition type) awards in math or science, he’ll have his work cutout ahead of him. It’s just that there are lots of people like him who also have excelled in other subjects (who also still have their work cut out for them in getting in).</p>
<p>If you think he’s a caltech type, then I’d suggest he apply and also explore similar schools as well that might not be quite as competitive.</p>
<p>A good indicator of whether your son is a good fit for CalTech is his performance in AP Calc BC and AP Physics this year. My son and I recently attended a presentation by CalTech admissions staff. I asked the question about the pros/cons of applying early vs regular. The response was to apply early if student has taken AP Physics/AP Calc BC by junior year. Otherwise, student should apply regular since would likely be deferred until first semester grades were received in these two classes. I interpreted response as CalTech’s reliance on these two classes to assess fit. Lastly, your son could consider taking a leadership role in astronomy club to enhance his application. The class size is small at 240, so acceptance is difficult. Good luck to your son!</p>
<p>Sure, he’s decent at math and science. But to be frank, there are many, many students in the US who are much better than your son in every regard.</p>
<p>I don’t want to come off as harsh or, as you will see, arrogant. But finishing AP Calculus BC at an early age and all the AP science courses with As is nothing. I did every single AP test/course (all Calculus, all sciences, statistics, CS, physics C) by junior year. I have a near-perfect GPA in an extremely AP-heavy courseload. I scored a 36 on all sections of the ACT.</p>
<p>I’m sorry if I’m coming off as self-centered or arrogant. But the reality is that there are many students like me, and many more who are even better (and some who are much much better).</p>
<p>Of course, tests/grades are not everything. If your son has a true passion for math/science, then Caltech may accept him. But from what you’ve listed, his ECs indicate nothing about that. Has he taken/will take advanced math courses? Has he done any sort of olympiads, e.g. math/physics? You say that he’s in the astronomy club, but has he really done anything with astro? I personally know someone who is very into astronomy, and nothing you’ve listed indicates a deep passion for astronom, math, or physics.</p>
<p>I appreciate the feedback. The last comment underscores a comment I got from a friend who works in admissions for another school. He’s a good candidate for a number of very good schools. Being in the top 1% on college boards sounds great -and it is. But while yo are in a somewhat select group, there are still thousands of others in that group, some of whom are the top .01%.</p>
<p>I also won the Harvard Book Prize and will say that my opinion on anything means basically nothing Your son sounds smart but I think his GPA and ECs will hinder him. Worth a shot, but remember who he’s competing against. Maybe his essays will prove to the school that he is indeed a “Caltech type.” </p>
<p>I also second the advice of looking at other engineering schools.</p>
Your son sounds smart but I think his GPA and ECs will hinder him. Worth a shot, but remember who he’s competing against. Maybe his essays will prove to the school that he is indeed a “Caltech type.” </p>