<p>Scientists have other passions too… Einstein and his violin, Feynman and his bongos, Oppenheimer and his poetry. Don’t overlook a school just because you don’t think you can make it! CalTech might be a reach, sure, but you should try. Just convey your passion through the essays and get recs from math/sci teachers. Preferably teachers of the “harder” sciences or upper level math classes, say physics or multivariable calculus/linear algebra, if you’ve taken them.</p>