<p>I really want to get into caltech. I am going to become a sophomore this September, my unweighted GPA is a 3.9, I have completed all volunteering required (repair/solve errors in PCs at the local library), and I am pretty much at the top of my class in math/science. My school does not allow any student to take AP classes before Junior Year so I have no luck on that yet (although I did take an AP physics/USpho class in 8th-9th grade summer). </p>
<p>I have a passion for the sciences, especially Physics. I have participated in Math/Science comps in Middle school (but the caltech application does not seem to care about that). I plan to take the USPHO this year, along with AMC 12. I will also participate in the Intel Science Competition next year. I know caltech places heavy weight-age on teacher recs, my teachers tend to appreciate my passion for the sciences so I don't think I would have a problem with that. Out of my own interest, I plan to self-study physics from Fundamentals of Physics and Calculus by Apostol. I wan't to do some research next summer, this summer I was rejected because I was too young (they wanted sophomores but I applied anyways). </p>
<p>Unfortunately, my family is not rich enough to send me to things like EPGY, CTY, or COSMOS (and I've heard they don't help because people claim they are pay to play). However, if I get in, I will attend RSI or SSP (junior year). I study at one of the better schools in the Bay Area (one could say that its courses on a CP level are more challenging than AP courses in several other schools). It does not give extra GPA points for Honors classes though (although pretty much every other school in the area does)</p>
<p>I plan to do a research internship at either Berkeley or Stanford. Furthermore, my school does allow people to skip one grade level in math. However, that required you to take a test in the 6th grade, unfortunately I was on vacation and missed this opportunity (but 95% of the students in my grade level are not doing this either). </p>
<p>Here's my freshman report card:</p>
<p>Honors Biology: First Semester-A Second Semester-A</p>
<p>Honors Geometry: First Semester-A+ Second Semester-A+</p>
<p>CP English 9: First Semester-A+ Second Semester-A+ </p>
<p>French 1 : First Semester- A Second Semester- A+</p>
<p>PE 9 (Mandatory course): First Semester- A Second Semester- A</p>
<p>Health (Mandatory One semester course in first semester): B+</p>
<p>Geography (Mandatory One semester course in second semester): A</p>
<p>So any advice?</p>
<p>How good are my chances if I follow through on everything?</p>
<p>As for SAT and ACT, I will probably go to a 8 month tutor thing and end up with 2250/34 + scores. Furthermore, for SAT they will change the system when my batch takes it (2014). So it is not even worth worrying about now. </p>
<p>Thanks for taking your time to read this.</p>