| I don't think that's quite the case. The GPA disparity probably comes from Caltech caring less about some Bs in humanities classes and being "well-rounded" than HYPSM do. Bs in science or math classes, unless there's a really good reason for them, are serious red-flags to the adcoms. In my experience, the "genius slacker" type, even the ones that got all As in high-level math and science classes in high school, don't do too well at Caltech. Being smart can only carry you so far. The best students here are not only extremely smart but also work ridiculously hard. |