yet another "chances" thread

Colleges and Universities A-Z California Institute of Technology
1

<p>If people don't mind aNOTHer posting of stats... </p>

<p>I'm basically a junior, but it's my second year of high school. I'm planning to drop out at the end of next year, which will be my third year of high school, because I'll have finished all the math and science courses my high school offers. I'm hoping to get into Caltech or MIT, but worried about not having significant research or sciencey extracurriculars (there's a science team and a math team at our school, but they're very decidedly non-competitive. The teachers running them want to keep things "fun" rather than focused.)</p>

<p>Courses (by June 2006)
AP Calculus BC
Linear Algebra (MIT curriculum; independent study)
Multivariable Calculus (Wellesley College)
Differential equations (Wellesley College)
Complex Analysis (Wellesley College)
AP Chemistry (skipped first-year chemistry)
AP Computer Science AB
AP Biology
AP Physics
AP German, German V (skipped German III)
three years English, two years history</p>

<p>Scores:</p>

<p>SAT-I (as sophmore): 1600
SAT IIC Math (8th grade): 800
AP Calculus BC (freshman): 5, AB subscore 5
GPA (weighted, out of 5): 5.0</p>

<p>Awards (freshman year, class of around 250-300):</p>

<p>Freshman science award for research project
Freshman history award
Extraordinary Achievement in Mathematics
German II Award
Student of the Quarter, science/technology</p>

<p>Extracurriculars/other stuff:</p>

<p>tutor at Tutoring Plus, an after-school homework center for inner-city middle- school students
active Key Club member (led Alternative Gift Fair project each year)
internship at the New England Anti-Vivisection Society (summer between freshman and softmore years)
AMC-10/12 participation (all 3 years)
USAMTS (so far, score of 47/50) (junior and senior years)
Math team
Science team
Flute (auditioned wind ensemble)
Trombone (band)
volunteer online tutor at MathNerds.com</p>

<p>any general "feelings" about my chances are welcome - thank you so much for reading!</p>

2

<p>So I do know people who have "dropped out and gotten in" but it's certainly not the well-trod path. Uhmm... you look like a smart cookie, research would be the clincher. I also assume that you're going to have strong recs, not "This guy is really smart, but a douche who no one can stand" recs, that I imagine someone who is planning on dropping out could have?</p>

<p>galen</p>

3

<p>Thanks, galen. Yes, I think I'll have pretty strong rec's, although I suppose saying that kind of defeats my defense against being too arrogant. (But I'm not dropping out because I really hate high school, or because I think I've learned everything I could there - it's mainly a course-scheduling problem for senior year, and my teachers understand that. To the best of my knowledge, they don't dislike me.)</p>

<p>Anyway, I'm quite relieved that your response wasn't simply laughter ^^ Danke!</p>

<p>~Kim</p>

4

<p>what would make it perfect is if you qualified for USAMO/ siemen's/ intel. But i think you have a great shot.</p>