<p>Well, you didn’t ask me, but Caltech has always been pretty adamant that it does not use AA in the decision process. I am not sure why they would mislead people.</p>
<p>Applicants who apply to Caltech tend to be the very best. They are self selected - for a woman to make it all that way in a male dominated area, they often tend to be stronger than the guys.</p>
<p>Caltech tries to encourage the stronger women and URMs to apply. This is very different than giving them preference for admissions. </p>
<p>Also, I am sure, that as a student who wants to attend one of the best science schools in the world, you realize that your observations cannot possibly be scientific. You are working with self reported and incomplete data.</p>