Can u plz make my day.. HELP!?

collegealum314
Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:39:54 +0000

See this thread for what you need to get into Caltech.

http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/california-institute-technology/442418-anyone-wanting-know-their-chances-getting-into-caltech.html?highlight=chance

Caltech doesn’t offer pharmacy as a major. And community service and non-academic achievements to affect admissions. They also don’t care about diversity of backgrounds…they do in some way take into account the availability of academic ECs, but they’ll take the people that they think will perform the best.

I don’t think Caltech is a good fit for you, especially considering your high school doesn’t offer strong preparation in the sciences. I would have doubts that you would be prepared. You would be better off at UCLA. Caltech is very sink-or-swim, and there are valedictorians from great high schools that are “sunk” there.

One thing that will make your application stronger…take a college class at a real university this summer and get an “A”. Many universities offer programs where high school kids can take college classes with college students. Make sure that these are legitimately college classes–there are also easier classes for high school students which are given at universities. Also, if you can get an “A” in a college class (calculus, bio, chem, physics), then it will be easy to ace the SATII in that area. (Two are required for top-notch schools.) I suggest you take calculus during the summer (though you can’t finish it all in one summer.)

Alternatively, if you don’t feel ready for that, look into MITES. I think this program at MIT can fill in some of your academic holes. If not, they would know where to go.

Honestly, I don’t know how you feel about religious studies, but it might be advantageous to transfer to another high school for senior year.

Your background is unusual and many top schools might find that interesting, but Caltech doesn’t care about that sort of thing. For the SAT, I’d guess about a 35-36 is competitive in math and science, or 34 overall.