Where to Apply Early: MIT/CalTech or Princeton?

Applying to College
1

Hi, thanks for reading! I really need some advice as to where to apply early, Princeton SCEA or MIT and Caltech EA. I am a white female from FL who wants to major in Astrophysics (w/ minor in Comp. Sci. and/or Literature). Financial aid is a huge factor, and from what I’ve heard, Princeton’s is much better. However, as a female interested in the sciences, my chances of getting in might be better at the tech schools. Love Berekely, but probably not enough aid. Would I even have a chance at either? I’m not sure if it’s even worth applying! Some things about me are:

IB Diploma Candidate
4.0 GPA unweighted (#1 out of 555, public school) and 4.9 weighted GPA
Most rigorous course schedule (the important ones are):
BC Calc Junior Year (5)
HL Math Senior Year
AP Chem Junior (4)
AP/IB Econ Junior Year (5 and 7)
IB Astronomy Senior Year
AP Physics C Senior Year
School Planetarium Intern

SAT: 2280 (770 W, 780 R, 730 M)
ACT: 33 (one try, no study)
signed up for chem and math 2 subject tests

Work: 11th and 12th grade, 10-20 hrs a week

Clubs: In multiple honor societies, president of NEHS and VP of Key Club
Taught myself html, java, and css to make a website from scratch for the Coexistence Club (we are docents for the local Embracing Our Differences art exhibit), looking to make more websites for clubs/charities
On the leadership/planning committee for my town’s Relay for Life
Did Duke Tip summer programs as a rising sophomore (Electrical Engineering) and junior (Nuclear Science)
Participated in SSTP at UF last summer and did research for 7 weeks in an Astronomy lab about spectrometers/instrumentation, won award for best research paper
Collaborating with lab partner to write a Siemens project in Astrophysics about our research
Extended essay on literature

Essays: I like to think that they are pretty strong (I loooove writing, I am a published author from 4th grade haha); I mention my passion for astronomy too
Recommendations: English teacher who I am very close with and Astronomy teacher who I intern with, I can get an awesome supplemental one from my research mentor if it will help

Sorry for so much info, but I’m pretty unsure and nervous! There’s probably nothing too special about my application but hopefully I have a shot! Any input on where I should apply early? I’m torn!
THANKS SOOOOO MUCH!!!

2

" I am a published author from 4th grade haha" What does this even mean?

Also - ChanceMe forum?

3

@Anonymoose3 like I got a book I wrote published when I was younger (I used to want to be an author) pretty silly though I know… and what’s that?

4

Realistically- you need to have a much higher Math SAT score- at LEAST 770- to have even a chance of acceptance at Caltech or MIT.
The low-high SAT Math scores for admitted students at Caltech in 2015 were 770-800.

Take the SAT again in Oct or Nov and then apply regular for admission

In addition , for Caltech, you have to submit a SAT Math 2 subject test- and the hi and low scores of admitted students for THAT test were 800-800.

https://www.admissions.caltech.edu/content/class-profile

5

I am torn between thinking the publication is insanely impressive or that it’s really not and just kind of a hallmark of your privilege (in that case it might not look so hot on apps). I’m leaning toward the latter because of sheer age.

How much work did it take to get published? Was it good? Did it sell a lot of copies?

6

@menloparkmom - I would argue that it depends on major (MIT just gets a lot of math/tech major kids), and that if OP wanted to go to MIT for, say… public health or chemistry it wouldn’t be as big of a deal.