What are my chances so far for Caltech?

Colleges and Universities A-Z California Institute of Technology
1

gender: Male
race: Asian (International)
projected major: Engineering - probably mechanical or aerospace

weighted gpa: As of Junior year 4.6-ish (I take IB, although I’m not sure if I calculated this correctly)
unweighted gpa: ~3.6-ish

ACT: (without preparation) 30(with writing), gonna retake it
SAT 2: Math 2C is 750, retaking that and Physics in October
class rank: In the middle in a class of 24 (Only one class is IB)
TOEFL: (without preparation) 110, again, retaking this

AP Physics 1 and 2, both of which scores are not out yet but I don’t have high hopes

Extracurriculars
Plays Lacrosse in the school team - The resident face-off guy
I built a miniature Tesla tower by myself
Started a space program in our school (Got a team of students together, and developing rocket motors and such. We’ve already successfully made a solid fuel rocket engine)
Taught myself Violin and Drawing
About to submit a hard-sf novel to a writing competition
Volunteers regularly in fundraising for a charity that builds libraries
Volunteers in translating books into English and then sending them to other countries (Cambodia, Laos, etc.)
Volunteers in a multicultural children’s care center

2

May be a high reach for now because of your unweighted GPA and ACT score (avg at Caltech is 35). The competition will be even tougher from the fact you are an international Asian student. Participate in more STEM related activities this summer, maybe an internship, research program, or some science/math competition. But the Tesla tower and space program you founded is a good start. Good luck on the next ACT as well.

3

Unweighted GPA and ACT are lower than current admitted students.

4

Since I’ve posted this I’ve gone and taken a look at my GPA. It’s quite higher than I thought it was, around 3.8 or so. Still have to work on the ACT’s though… That was my first ever one. Thanks for the replies.