<p>Hi there.</p>
<p>Caltech accepts the ACT and will take your scores on the ACT as authoritative. Your SAT II scores are fine. Your bad SAT scores will probably not enter into the process. Caltech likes to see high scores, but within the mid-high 700 range, we’re happy. Don’t worry.</p>
<p>Overall, your independent study of mathematics shows a lot of initiative and intelligence, and Caltech respects that. Your ECs are fine, not outstanding. Your chances are good, although of course admissions is a crapshoot. </p>
<p>As for physical and mental health issues, Caltech is very understanding and it will not count against you as long as, with reasonable acommodations, you can succeed here.</p>
<p>Now let me give some extremely unsolicited general advice. You are a very intelligent and accomplished young person, and you don’t need to make excuses for yourself. Making excuses is the worst part of your situation by far. It makes me worry seriously about your ability to deal with pressure and failure and challenges, which is the central aspect of Caltech. Everyone gets dealt a hand in life, and most people have unique problems to deal with, but you don’t need to justify every tiny failure with a reason why you would’ve done better if only this or that. Just relax. </p>
<p>You will be very powerful if you can just put your accomplishments out there and let them stand on their own, without excuses.</p>