What are my chances at Caltech and MIT?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hi everyone, </p>

<p>I am a rising junior this year, but I have already started to look at colleges. I have visited about 15 schools so far, but Caltech and MIT are by far my favorites. I am a gymnast, and MIT has gymnastics, so this school would be my favorite of the two. I was just wondering if anyone had any suggestions for getting into these schools.</p>

<p>As far as extracurricular goes, I am only heavily involved in gymnastics and community service. I do gymnastics for about 25 hours a week (5 days), and also ran a half-marathon once. I have done many community service activities through my church and Key Club at my school. Some examples are helping at the Los Angeles Food Bank last summer, and this summer I am going to South Africa to help with a Vacation Bible School for the kids there.</p>

<p>At my school I am involved in many clubs. I am part of NHS, Society of Women Scholars, Dance Club, Key Club (Community Service), and NASA Club (I was the treasurer this year but didn't do much, and will more than likely be the president or vice president next year). I also hope to start an Apple Co. club this year.</p>

<p>I currently have a 4.0 unweighted GPA and a 4.67 weighted GPA. I will list the classes I have taken and plan on taking for my 4 years.</p>

<p>Freshman: Hon Biology, Hon Geometry, Hon English 1-2, Dance and Life Fitness (PE Credits), Intro to Engineering, Piano, and Spanish 3-4.</p>

<p>Sophomore: AP European History, Hon Pre-Calc, Hon Spanish 5-6, Dance, Hon Chemistry, and Hon English 3-4.</p>

<p>Junior: AP US History, AP Chemistry, AP English 5-6, AP Calc BC, Hon Spanish 7-8, and either AP Comp Sci A(if offered) or German 1-2.</p>

<p>I do not know my senior year classes yet except that one will be AP Physics.</p>

<p>I have taken the PSAT's and did not do as well as I hoped. I got 75 on math, 73 on writing, and 57 on reading. I am taking classes to improve my reading, and will retake the PSAT's and the SAT's this year. I have taken the PLAN's (Practice ACT's) and received a 28 (out of 32) on them. I will take the ACT this year as well.</p>

<p>Finally, I am a Caucasian female from Scottsdale, AZ. Oh yeah, and I'm teaching myself C over the summer, and will hopefully learn xcode and cocoa as well so I can write software for my new 3G, SDK iPhone.</p>

<p>Thanks for all your help.</p>

2

<p>a very very strong chance it seems. But SAT scores would help provide a more accurate picture....
still a very strong chance!!!!</p>

<p>well done and good luck (PS: you dont want to go to Caltech :P ...check out their male:female ratio)</p>

3

<p>Thanks, Sidfromaus. What would you consider SAT scores in the "safe zone" for either of these schools?</p>

4

<p>Don't worry about your PLAN scores, they are pretty useless in determining what you will score on the ACT. Your PSAT looks good, so you will probably do pretty well on the SAT.</p>

5

<p>MIT says that anything over 2250 is considered just as highly as a 2400. Therefore, if you get over a 2250...you can be sure that it isnt the SAT scores that kept you out of MIT. </p>

<p>PS: For MathII try gettin as close to 800 as possible...especially with your courseload</p>

6

<p>My concern about applying to MIT is that I heard you are only able to put 5 EC activities on the application. Is this true? If so, I don't know which 5 would look best.</p>

7

<p>Well I only saw 5 ECs on your original post so shouldn't you be fine?
My count:
1. NHS
2. Society of Women Scholars
3. Dance Club
4. Key Club (Community Service)
5. NASA Club</p>

8

<p>junior year is the most important. do well, and you'll have a great chance =]</p>

9

<p>UC-Berkeley has one of the BEST gymnastics program and superb academics as well... another school you should consider cuz u seem like a competitive applicant</p>