Which would Caltech prefer? (Hypothetically)

Colleges and Universities A-Z California Institute of Technology
1

<p>A student with a 2400 SAT (Math : 800 CR : 800 Writing : 800) I but with 600 SAT II's (all Math and Science) </p>

<p>or </p>

<p>A student with a 1870 SAT I (Math : 800 CR 500 Writing : 570) but with 800 SAT II's (all Math and Science)</p>

<p>NOTE :
I know that there are other applicants would have the best of both situations that is why I am asking hypothetically</p>

2

<p>Well… I do not either of them will make it to Caltech. 600’s in SAT’s are not acceptable, an 1870 in SAT is far below the norm.</p>

<p>I am not sure one can really answer the question without knowing all the circumstances. Caltech has the luxury of choosing applications with the highest scores.</p>

3

<p>SAT scores don’t really get you in to Caltech. I think it’s more that smart kids passionate for math and science will tend to have very high SAT scores. If you have low scores in an area, I would think it would be a cause for concern, but if in reading/writing, it may be overcome. I really wouldn’t phrase this question though as “which one would Caltech prefer” so much as “what concerns will they have to overcome to be seriously considered for admission”. </p>

<p>The first applicant is particularly worrying because his math/physics/chem/whatever subject tests are on the lower end, which implies he may not be cut out for Caltech’s core curriculum.</p>

<p>The second applicant did poorly in reading/writing, yet clearly has enough reading comprehension ability to ace the math/science stuff. I think with an otherwise very strong application he could overcome this concern. You would expect to see these kinds of scores for someone who learned English as a second language.</p>

<p>Heck, I had 600’s on my reading and writing sections.</p>

4

<p>Here is the data from the latest Common data set.</p>

<p>The 25%tile for CR/writing is 710/700. Once you start going below this it becomes progressively more difficult. Can a student with a score in the high 500’s in CR/Writing get into Caltech. Yes, however the student has to be exceptional or be able to explain satisfactorily the scores. Yes for a foreign student, who has no exposure to English might be able to explain it, but they still need to have very strong credentials. A student from an English speaking country might be able to get in but needs to have a very strong ability to prove they can cope with the curriculum.</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>Here is what the website says</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>The critical statement is that small differences are insignificant. 690 as opposed to 700 may not matter very much but 570 to 700 is a big difference.</p>

5

<p>I don’t think Hypothetical student A would ever happen. For one, the subject tests are infinitely easier than the SAT reasoning, so if you get 2400 SAT1, you will most definitely get ATLEAST a 2300 SATII, especially if your taking the science SATII’s which have notoriously easy curves.</p>

6

<p>^
That is why it’s hypothetical</p>

7

<p>SAT 2s
10char</p>