<p>My school's an extremely competitive school in the Bay Area (we're 63% Asian)
I'm Asian myself.
GPA: 3.92 UW
Rank: 60s, 70s out of 500?</p>
<p>I'm a pretty strong math student.
Twice USAMO qualifier.
AMC-12: 130
AIME: 11</p>
<p>Took AP Calculus BC + Stats in 10th grade.
Scores:
AP Calc BC: 5
AP Stats: 5
AP Chem: 5
APUSH: 4
AP Physics C: Mechanics: 5
AP Physics C: E/M: 3</p>
<p>I self learned AP Physics though, so that might mean something....</p>
<p>I finished Differential Equations + Linear Algebra at CC. Received A's in both.
Currently taking Multivariate Calc at CC.</p>
<p>Old SAT I: 1600
New SAT I: 2330
SAT IIs: Math IIC: 800/ Writing: 800/ Chem: 770
PSAT: 232</p>
<p>Planning to retake Chem + take Physics in October.</p>
<p>ECs:
- Senior Orchestra member of one of the best HS orchestras in Bay Area
- 2 years Marching Band Corps
- 4 years trumpet
- 1 year JV Cross Country
- 1 year Track + Field
- 3 years teaching advanced math to jr. high students
- run my own SAT Math prep course
- A lot of misc. local/state math contests
- Founded school's Math Club
- Math Club President
- Planning on starting a Poker Club next yr (not for apps, but for fun)
- Have total of around 300 service learning hours (from tutoring, proctoring math contests, volunteer band corps)</p>
<p>I'm looking at an engineering major. Think I can get in CalTech EA?</p>
<p>You're a very strong applicant for CalTech, and applying EA would definitely be a good decision. Congrats on the outstanding scores and good luck!</p>
<p>I think you can get in. You should emphasize the USAMO if possible (that is definitely a hook at CalTech). Also, if possible let the college know how competitive your high school is.</p>
<p>The 3 in AP physices will raise eyebrows at CIT. Also, you have none of the math/science honors (Intel, Westinghouse, Siemens, RSI) that most of your competition will have. Class rank under top 10%. I just don't see it.</p>
<p>Well suze, he made the USAMO twice. I'd say that is on a par with Intel, Westinghouse, Siemens, and RSI. And contrary to your statement, most of the competition does NOT have those prestigious honors. A very small minority of the applicants do.</p>
<p>Around how many that have attended Intel, Westinghouse, Siemens, and RSI will also be applying to CalTech EA?
I doubt his class rank will keep him out!</p>
<p>P.S.- You can always hide AP scores from admissions, but I doubt a single 3 will hurt you (AP's are virtually negligible when it comes to admissions).</p>
<p>I think Suze is correct. Do you know how few students Caltech takes not in the top 10% of their class? USAMO is great, but all the acceptees will have that plus Intel and RSI. They will have math and science ECs that will take pages to explain. There is more bad advice here than good. If anyone has higher stats than you, you proclaim them in.</p>
<p>It's hard to say whether his rank is decent enough or not. We do not know how competitive his school is (it might not be nationally recognized, but that does not mean it's not a good school). Perhaps students from his high school typically go to top-tier colleges? All in all, if his school is really as difficult as he proclaims, then he is a very competitive applicant and I would be surprised if he didn't get in.</p>
<p>P.S.- soulzmischief, so how difficult is your school anyway?</p>
<p>Here's what you're not getting Krabble, there are a ton of high schools in the bay area that are competitive and majority Asian. All of the students at such schools very much want the same top colleges. So the 15% or more ahead of him at his school are joined by thousands upon thousands of Bay Area Asians who also want to call Caltech home (or HYPMS etc.), many, many with 800s across the board, top 10%, Intel, RSI and other amazing accomplishments. So I suppose you'll probably be surprised.</p>
<p>Sorry, but how many of those RSI, Siemens, etc. are in competition with him (for CalTech)?</p>
<p>P.S.- By the way, look at his GPA. How many B's do you think he got? Maybe they were in elective classes or PE? Perhaps there are many students in his class that have 4.0's. I don't see why 3.92 GPA is too low just because it's just shy of the first decile.</p>
<p>Ummmm, actually, he's totally correct. That's exactly who applies to CIT. I'm pretty much the only RSI grad I know not applying to MIT and CIT. The CIT class is under 200! It takes so much to get in. I don't think someone not in the top 10% at the handful of hardest magnet and prep schools in the Country has a chance. And that's not even mentioning the HUGE number of brilliant internationals in the pool.</p>
<p>Wow, amazing amazing stats. The only thing that would keep you from getting in is your rank. But, I think they will see your amazing scores (especially on the AIME, wow) and let you in.</p>
<p>suze, do you realize that virtually every RSI alumni gets into MIT and CalTech? If you want to go to one of those schools, you should definitely apply.</p>
<p>Our school had 56 NMSQT semi-finalists last yr. Three perfect SAT I scores this year. '05 had 26 valecdictorians. 12% of our class is going to Cal. Yeah, our school's pretty tough.</p>
<p>Yeah, I got a B in PE, another in World history, and 2 more in APUSH. I dont think CIT will care that much about the B's in history... hopefully</p>