I have a really big problem. I really want to go to CalTech, I have a passion for physics that I just discovered. I am seventeen and have not had the best grades. I used to be majorly depressed and bullied, because of that I never went to school and my grades were failing, my teachers think I am a bright student with an amazing future, but because of my grades I’m super stressed about getting into CalTech. I am a very efficient math student now, but had to take Algebra over, my teacher recommended me to be a math tutor. I constantly correct my teachers and go ahead of the class. Although, like I said, my grades have suffered. I grew up in a poor family, so poor to wear if it rained outside, it rained inside. I didn’t have the resources to do my homework and at times I didn’t have any light to do it either. I had no heating for a while, and I lived in the mountains of Washington. I don’t want to make excuses, but I’m almost at the point of crying because of my grades and because I’m so unsure. I have met families who have daughters and friends who attend CalTech that have said that I have a good chance, but again, they don’t know my grades. My GPA started at a 0.33 and now has risen to a 3.8, I was supposed to go into honors and a.p. classes next year. I had gotten my future teachers to look passed my grades with all of my teachers recommendations. Though I moved to California recently to gain citizenship for college. I’m very, very stressed out and would love someone else’s opinion on this. I’m so determined to do this, I have been working so hard, and I don’t think it is enough.
I think you have put too much emphasis on just going to one school. What happens if you don’t get in? Thousands of students apply to Caltech and don’t get in.There are lots of schools all over California, why are you pinning all of your hopes on one school?
I don’t understand the gaining “citizenship for California”. California is not a country where you gain citizenship. Are you an international student? Funding will be really hard because, although they do provide need-based aid, it’s what they think you need, not what you will actually need to attend. So it will be an expensive choice.
Do yourself a favor and apply everywhere.
I am assuming you mean “residency??” for California. Cal Tech is a private university, so it will not matter if you have California residency or not. As @aunt bea stated, there are so many great schools besides Cal Tech so apply but also find schools that match your stats and not try to fit your stats to a particular school.
All you can do is your best, focus on your school work and present the best application possible. Apply widely so you have many options and discard the notion that Cal Tech is the only school for you. If physics is your passion, look at Harvey Mudd, UC Santa Barbara (CCS), Cal Poly SLO, UC Berkeley to name a few good physics schools in California.
GPA is only part of the application. What are your test scores and EC’s? Do your EC’s reflect your passion?
I am applying everywhere, but I’m focused on Caltech because they offer more opportunities for research as a student with better equipment, and the school in general offers better help for my mental health and stress levels. I did mean residency, thanks for the correction, I always get that mixed up in my head, and I am doing all of that, but my family is really pushing me to attend Caltech because they think it’s the best match for me.
You gotta get in first. Unless you have a family member that screens applications for CalTech, their opinions don’t really matter.
If it is your dream school, you should apply- kinda like the lottery, you can’t win if you don’t play, right…
Just have several viable alternates as back ups.
What are your GPA and SAT/ACT?