just asked Caltech about the transfer exams...

aihara
Thu, 05 Apr 2007 05:00:32 +0000

Here’s my email to them:

Dear Admission Officer,

I have a question regarding the Caltech transfer exams in mathematics and physics. Can you please tell me what would be considered a “competitive” score in them? For example, if the test have 10 questions and a student get 8 of them right. Will that help him or hurt him?

I understand that Caltech might not want to give out information like this, if that’s the case, can you just give me a general “feel” about what kind of role the test plays in the admission process? Is it just a tool for Caltech to see if the student have the ability to succeed at Caltech? If so, I’m curious what expectations Caltech have for competitive students. Do one need to do “excellent”, “good” or “just pass” for Caltech to consider the student competitive?

Thanks

Here’s the response I got:

Thank you for your interest in Caltech.

The transfer application process is extremely competitive.

We admit approximately 10-12 students per year. Last year we had approximately 150 applications.

The transfer exam plays an extremely important part in the process.

As they change every year, at the discretion of the math and physics departments, only those applicants who score in the ?excellent? category on both exams will be considered for admission.

Sincerely,

Ray Prado

Associate Director of Admissions

Office of Undergraduate Admissions

California Institute of Technology

MC 1-94

Pasadena, CA 91125

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I have to say, I’m surprised they would disregard the whole applicant just because one didn’t do EXCELLENT on ONE test! I never thought any US school would do this. This is something China or India would do.

Anyway, I’m very good in physics. In fact I made it to the US Physics team semi finalists in high school. But guess what? Even though I thought I aced the math exam I thought I did horrible on the physics exam. There were 8 questions on the physics exam and I think I’ll get like 6 out of 8. First of all, I made a stupid mistake on one question that I really regret now that I think about it. Then, there is this question that ask one to know this formula which must be remembered, and I haven’t done physics in 3 years. And according to the instruction they gave, they are only testing for the “general knowledge”.

Anyway, I just feel something is not right when they require you to not just “pass” , or do “good”, but do “excellent” in order to even be considered. Given how one single test can be a rather poor indicator of a person’s ability.

So I guess even though I aced the math exam, my 6 or 6.5 out of 8 on the physics test wouldn’t qualify as “excellent”, and despite my super everything else on my application, my application would be thrown out without consideration.