<p>The problem is that almost all of the applicants to Caltech are talented in both math AND science.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t ever not report qualifying for the AIME, but I just don’t see it as giving you a competitive edge (at Caltech, specifically) unless you score a 4+.</p>
<p>Caltech has a very self selecting applicant pool, and I am very positive that a higher percentage of their applicants take the AIME than any other school (probably by a large margin.)</p>
<p>Now, if math is your WORST subject (as in, you’re more of a humanities person,) then it obviously shows a LOT of balance in an applicant to be that successful in their WORST subject.</p>