<p>Hello,</p>
<p>I was just accepted to the local university's early entrance program and am going there. However, I still have my sights set at Caltech and know that Caltech has a transfer admission program, with more slots available than other schools because a lot of people at Caltech drop out. I do have a few questions though.</p>
<p>1: Why does Caltech accept more transfer students from 2-year colleges than from 4-year colleges? Do these students have an advantage?</p>
<p>2: Do I have to be far beyond the recommended requirements to be considered for transfer? Are the applicants even stronger than freshman applicants?</p>
<p>3: Are similar factors used in transferr admissions as in freshman admissions?</p>
<p>4: Is there any way to prepare for the Caltech transfer admissions exam?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Alex C</p>
<p>Since i'm hoping to transfer I am wondering about these points also. Since I am at a 2-year college I am happy about there being a slightly higher chance but it doesn't make sense.</p>
<p>I don't see how we could possibly have any advantages. Most of the professors have dumbed their classes down so much I can barely stand it. They all seem like they used to actually teach upper level mathematics and sciences but now they just want a not so depressing class average.</p>
<p>Also, because of the above point I am really worried about those entrance exams. I can get A's in every class and I am sure I will have an okay understanding of physics but I don't see how I could possibly be at a Tech level. My only idea is to use MIT's openclassware program and do a lot of self study.</p>
<p>I was thinking that Caltech might be nicer to 2-year applicants even if they aren't as qualified as 4-year applicants because 2-year applicants generally have much more motivation to succeed at Caltech. In that case, natural aptitude should matter the most, rather than class load because you haven't had very good classes up to this point and Caltech should understand.</p>
<p>Yeah, that makes sense. Still though, the numbers aren't good for any transfer students. They took something like 32 CC transfers in the last five year I think.</p>
<p>More than 4-year students though so that speaks for something.</p>
<p>As I understand admissions goals, we don't do "nice" so much as "we think this guy could be elite but his high school sucked." Since you get to pick what college you want to go to on a much greater scale than you can pick your high school, your logic doesn't extend that far.</p>