<p>Though I realize that no one will be able to accurately chance me, I would like some advice as to whether I should apply to CalTech at all.</p>
<p>SAT I : (700CR, 630M, 680W)
SAT II: 730 Math II, 700 Phys</p>
<p>GPA: 3.82
Ranking: 1/1
School: Home-school
Recommendations: Incredible, got three from my CS professor, and two humanities professors
Counselor Rec: Also Incredible, from my father (homeschool, after all)</p>
<p>ECs:
Heavy Involvement in Church, including hosting a five week sermon series
Designed Alpha Website for Employer
Study of AI Theory Philosophy
Extra-Curricular Study of Python Language
Community Parkour Group
Study of Science Fiction works
Heavy Involvement in Theater, including a nationally recognized AV design.
Work as cashier for four years
Political Volunteer Time</p>
<p>Hook: Home-schooled, 100+ College Credits (w/3.6 GPA)</p>
<p>Things working against me:
Low GPA for College classes
- Due to three Cs into Pre-Calc, Calc I, and Phys 101 (addressed in essay, due to under-estimation of the difficulty of the courses)
Low SAT Scores
No Science or Math Olympiads because I'm homeschooled</p>
<p>Things Working For Me:
- Mathematics through Calc 2 & Linear Algebra
- Well over 30 credits of humanities
- Started College Classes at 13
- Got AS Degree in CS at 17
- Member of College Honors Society & PTK
-Love for mathematics, though I'm not terribly proficient.</p>
<p>Caltech - Major Reach (Worth it, or not?)</p>
<p>That 630 M and the Cs in college math/phys would make me think that you wouldn’t make it through Core. You also do not sound like a good fit for Caltech (strong interests in humanities and religion). At Caltech, math/science will be your life, often to the detriment of other interests. You sound like you would be happier somewhere more well-rounded which also has a strong math/science program.</p>
<p>Yeah, I realize that those are the two main flaws of my application, though don’t you think the 730, though still low, in the Math II would supplement in abysmal 630 in SAT I math?</p>
<p>Also, for the college courses, I explain in an essay, that I had over-estimated the ease of the course because of past experience, and that my further classes, Calc 2, Discrete Math, and Linear Algebra, were all much better. </p>
<p>Do you think including these items in the app would make me competitive?</p>
<p>As to whether or not I would enjoy a strenuous math/science curriculum, I can honestly say that I would most definitely would. The only reason I don’t have more math and sciences, is that the college didn’t offer them.</p>
<p>Also, I thought I should mention, I retook Pre-Calc the next semester and got an A, so I have only two C’s on my transcript, though the class is still on my transcript.</p>
<p>I don’t think the 730 is high enough to help you. It’s not bad enough to get you rejected on its own but it’s also not good enough to make up for the SAT I. </p>
<p>Are you applying this application season? If not, you should retake the SAT I. </p>
<p>The C’s in math at college and your explanation might be ok if it weren’t for that score. However, the adcom is unlikely to overlook two red flags in one application. I won’t say there’s no chance it won’t happen, but it’s unlikely. Whether you want to take that chance is obviously your decision. I can’t tell you whether it’s “worth it” for you or not. It’s not my time and money that’s going to be put into the application. </p>
<p>Also, it’s not just that Caltech has a rigorous math/science curriculum, it’s also that its humanities/social sciences aren’t very rigorous from what I’ve seen (except for economics) and if you have a real interest in humanities they’re likely to disappoint you.</p>
<p>A 720 on Math IIc is actually pretty low for people wanting to go into math and science. I’d say your low SAT Math and Math IIc scores are indicative of a lack of really fundamental math abilities such as algebra and geometry. These skills are really important to have down, since if you’re making lots of simple math mistakes on the SAT, imagine what happens when you’re trying to do physics problems which involve two pages of math.</p>
<p>I do not normally post on chance threads as I have no knowledge of what exactly is in the package and what the adcom priorities are or the other hundred variables. Also, for CalTech there is an excellent thread that is self explanatory.</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/california-institute-technology/442418-anyone-wanting-know-their-chances-getting-into-caltech.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/california-institute-technology/442418-anyone-wanting-know-their-chances-getting-into-caltech.html</a></p>
<p>That said, I will point out one thing: The middle 50% for SAT Math for Caltech is 770-800. So 75% of the students have between 770-800 (or 34-36 in ACT).</p>
<p>A 630 in math would put you somewhere in the bottom 1%. As a general rule, the further you are away from the norm on the lower side, you chances become exceedingly difficult. There are exceptions of course, especially in schools that allow for hooks, but the only hook in CalTech is a demonstrated passion for math and science. Hence the math portion of the SAT is very important to CalTech.</p>
<p>Rather than ask others for advice, I think you have the information to answer your own question.</p>
<p>a lot of caltech people actually took college courses during high school years. for me, i took physics and math starting junior year. caltech expects top students to drain their high school courses, take college courses and receive good grades in those classes. also, i think 5 letters of recommendation might not be a wise choice. what are you trying to portray here? you’re letting your profs talk for you b/c you can’t speak for yourself? 2-3 letters are probably enough. yeah, you should look for somewhere that’s more well-rounded. Caltech is highly specialized in STEM fields…but good luck! :] im sure you’ll get in somewhere amazing no matter what.</p>