<p>I am currently a senior in High School and would like to transfer to a school such as California Institute of Technology as soon as possible. My primary concern is that I did very poorly in high school (G.P.A, SAT/ACT scores, extracurricular activities, etc.) and because of that reason, I was not admitted to college and will be going to community college until I can transfer into a four year university. How much of one's high school performance will be taken into consideration in the transfer admissions process? I know that admissions are incredibly competitive but I will do nearly anything to be accepted. I will be taking 19 credit hours at the University of Washington this summer and plan to get a 4.0 but I doubt that will mean much to California Institute of Technology. I am planning on preparing for the SAT subject tests but other than that, I feel that I will not be able to reverse any other damage done in my high school years. How can I improve my chances of getting in and will doing the typical "stuff" be enough to undo my high school years and allow me to legitimately compete with the stronger applicants who have most likely prepared their entire life? If you do not feel that my chances are reasonable despite the hard work that I will put in, please tell me that you feel so and offer suggestions on how what other options I might choose. If it is of any consequence, I would like the receive a major in mathematics or computer science and receive a minor in Japanese. Thank you so much for your assistance in this matter and I will await your replies.</p>
<p>Transfer for Caltech doesn’t require SAT.</p>
<p>Successful transferring requires space available at the school, a strong performance at college taking courses that show that you can move right into the new school’s offerings, and a good reason for transfer. Colleges love to take transfers who are bursting the seams of their first college and who are seeking more in their field.</p>
<p>I would not bother transferring - what’s wrong with the University of Washington? People only transfer when they feel like the current college they’re at is not challenging enough, even when they take the hardest classes. I highly doubt that is the case in your situation. If you graduate at UW at the top of your class, you’re at no disadvantage than a Caltech transfer. If you don’t graduate at the top of your class, you shouldn’t be transferring in the first place.</p>
<p>its a bad idea to transfer, I think it’s best to do well in UW and then aim for Caltech in grad school</p>
<p>Have you looked at the website for transfer students</p>
<p>[Transfer</a> Applicants - Caltech Caltech Undergraduate Admissions](<a href=“http://www.admissions.caltech.edu/applying/transfer]Transfer”>http://www.admissions.caltech.edu/applying/transfer)</p>
<p>here is the brochure </p>
<p><a href=“http://www.admissions.caltech.edu/documents/35-transferbrochure2011web.pdf[/url]”>http://www.admissions.caltech.edu/documents/35-transferbrochure2011web.pdf</a></p>
<p>You have to take an exam to transfer at Caltech. So yes you can get a good GPA etc etc but at the end of the day you have to take a very tough exam in math and physics. Last year of 208 students from a two year institution, 15 were admitted. </p>
<p>Also , FA may not be the best.</p>
<p>So go though the details and determine if you want to try it.</p>