<p>MIT actually does not require the regular SAT test for non-native speakers or English - you can apply with just the TOEFL and SAT Subject tests. I’m not sure what the testing requirements are for other schools, but if they’re similar, I think your son has a very strong case for admissions - though it will still be pretty though, especially as an international.</p>
<p>I suspect after his time at Cornell, your son’s TOEFL score might improve if he took it again soon after returning. His current score isn’t that bad, but exposure to numerous English speakers this summer can’t do anything but strengthen his skill with the language. The suggestion to get a native English speaking tutor is also a great idea.</p>
<p>Though I agree that MIT and Caltech are the better school for my son, I still hesitate to consider it.They just admit one or two Chinese UG every year. The chance is little and the work-load is very heavy. As all you said, the language barrier makes him more difficult to study than native students. So I hope that he can use the UG period to adept himself in a new circumstance, and the apply MIT or Caltech for graduate school.</p>
<p>I completely agree his Spoken English needs to be improved. After taking the TOEFL test, I urged him to practice more daily English and campus English (He stays in the school and doesn’t have time for a private tutor). </p>
<p>When we firstly apply for summer school in Cornell, we supposed to a language program CCCPP (China-Cornell College Preparatory Program). The date we got the invitation is the deadline of the program. it is humorous. Then we change to physics and calculus.</p>
<p>he is definitely improving and found no problem in Cornell. He is very active in the class discussion, and has participated Cornell Summer Times and Leadership Groups. Later I found it is even better for his English improvement. Unlike CCCPP students all from Chinese, his classmates are all native English speakers. One of his friend attending a English program in UC Berkeley, found that all students are from non English speaking countries.</p>
<p>It’s a pity that the TOEFL test registration is full till November, there are so many Chinese students planning to study aboard! Hopefully the AO will consider his Spoken English is ok through his Cornell Summer College experience.</p>
<p>All forms of the TOEFL test are full (Paper, computer, and iBT)?</p>
<p>ONLY iBT is available in China.</p>
<p>42% of Caltech’s undergraduate students are ethnic Asians, greater than the percentage of students who are Caucasian. It is probably true that most are Americans of Japanese, Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese descent but I still imagine Caltech accepts a fair number of International students from Asia. Caltech has joint video-conference Math classes with students at Tokyo University in Japan so I think the school is very receptive to closer contacts with East Asia and working with Asian students. China is the largest and fastest growing country in Asia and I would not be surprised if Caltech would want even closer relations with Chinese students. </p>
<p>Being in Massachusetts on the east coast MIT is not as focused on Asia as Caltech is but about 25% of its students are ethnic Asians and I am sure they include International students. Ethnic Asians make up about 4-5% of the U.S. population but I do not know if that includes people like my wife who’s father was American Caucasian and mother was Japanese.</p>
<p>All of you encourage my son to try top reach schools, so I think the strategy should be like this:</p>
<p>ED: Cornell</p>
<p>EA: UMich (reach) UIUC(match)</p>
<p>RD: UC Berkeley, USSB, UWashington, UT Austin (their deadline is on Dec.1, so we must apply before getting the ED and EA result), U Rochester (they are generous to give merit scholar to Chinese students)</p>
<p>Please recommend a SAFETY SCHOOL with EA and good PHYSICS major. If he is admitted a EA school, then he can apply more reach schools.</p>
<p>Please correct me if there is anything wrong. Thanks.</p>
<p>Will Purdue, which EA is available, be a good safety school? Thanks.</p>
<p>Should I delete UWashington Seattle and UT Austin? I think they are too similar to the others, but less outstanding than others in physics.</p>
<p>After checking, I found EA is not available for international students in Purdue, just forget it.</p>
<p>Foshan,</p>
<p>Why not let him try Caltech EA? It sounds like people are saying it could be a match. With national physics awards (my son’s a 2 time physics olympiad semi-finalist here in the US and it’s a pretty big accomplishment), I would think he’s got the stuff for those types of schools.</p>
<p>Ok,I will ask him to try. Thanks.</p>
I do believe your son comes from RDFZ!!! me too