You indicate in your other thread that you are interested in studying chemical engineering. Caltech enrolls around 200-250 students per year with about 10-20 students graduating with a B.S. in chemical engineering per year, so at most 10% of any given class. And you are well aware that the overall admit rate in any given cycle is well under 5%. So, focusing on just one institution or your top choice is not an optimal strategy. Assuming that your intended major doesn’t change between now and senior year, you will need to construct a list of least 10 colleges that offer chemical engineering that interest you and seem to be the best fits. Caltech could very well still be at the top of your list & your #1 choice. But odds are odds & numbers are numbers so you really have no choice but to be open-minded! There is nothing unfortunate about being female or middle class or introverted or any other demographic or personality characteristic. Don’t be overly concerned about things you cannot control, like whether the PSAT or PreACT is offered, & lack of STEM activities at your school.
What does it take to thrive at Caltech?
A Portrait of an Admitted “Throop” Student:
