<p>I was interested in transferring to Caltech because it was the school that I was determined to gain entrance to. I really don’t understand why, but I believe it is because I would like to challenge myself as much as possible and that I would like to be around only smart people (unlike how it is at my community college. Anyways, I currently attend Pasadena City College. I have been told by many people, including faculty, that PCC has had the history of being able to have several transfers that go on to some of the Ivy League schools, as well as Caltech. That is why I chose to attend PCC in the first place. Currently, I have several concerns about the courses I need to take, when I should transfer, etc. I had a horrible record in high school and would like to keep it away from the admissions process as much as possible. I will try to achieve as high of a GPA as I possibly can and I will try to complete the Scholars Program that PCC offers.</p>
<p>I read that the transfer entrance examination assumes that the student has had a year of basic college calculus and physics. I will probably apply next Fall, so as to avoid having to display my high school records. If I am correct, then I will need to take the transfer entrance exam around the date that I apply. My school only offers a sequence of three Calculus courses, one Linear Algebra and its Applications course, one Differential Equations course, and a sequence of four Physics courses. I believe that Caltech students pretty much cover all of the material that I will be learning at PCC in just one year. Is it recommended that I apply as a second year student, even though I would have finished two years at my community college?</p>
<p>Should I complete the courses that I have mentioned by the time that I apply to Caltech? If so, then it will be a bit difficult to pull off. I am currently taking Calculus I, which is a requirement for the first Physics course. During the winter, I would have to take that first Physics course. During the spring, I would take Calculus II, the second Physics course, and Linear Algebra. Hopefully, I will then be able to take Calculus III and the third Physics course during one Summer session, and Differential Eq and the fourth Physics course during the second Summer session. It is highly unlikely that this will be possible, so I am unsure of the best course of action. </p>
<p>Any other advice or recommendations would also be appreciated, because I am rather clueless regarding what my plans are and what I need to do.</p>
<p>Finish all the math available no matter what. As for the physics, just focus on getting Mechanics, E&M, and basic relativity under your belt. Don’t worry about necessarily completing the entire sequence. If you knwo the content of a good basic mechanics text (take your pick) and Ed Purcell’s E&M book from the Berkeley physics course, you are set.</p>
<p>Realistically, the only hope is to finish two years and then apply as a Caltech sophomore. If you view this as a waste of a year, consider applying to another school. But I think if you follow the above plan of action, you’ll be well prepared for Caltech year 2 and would excel here.</p>
<p>Sounds like a decent plan. My parents ask me if I would be losing a year, but I think of it as having an extra year. This is because if I were to transfer to a school such as UC Berkeley as a third-year student, I would only have two years left of knowledge that I can gain from there. If I am forced to transfer as a Caltech sophomore, that means that I would still have a potential three years of knowledge to be gained. </p>
<p>If I have to know the content from one of those physics books, then I might as well try my hardest to get all of my math and physics done by next fall. There is seemingly no disadvantage in this. I acquire the knowledge sooner and I prepare myself for the exam. </p>
<p>Because of the low chance that I have of being able to transfer to Caltech, I will also apply to other schools as a junior-level student. We’ll see how all of this turns out. </p>
<p>Is there any other information that may be helpful to me?</p>
<p>Would a possible courseload/scheduling mistake be accepted or would it be looked down upon? I just took too many classes this fall and I fear that I may end up with a B in my chemistry class. =(</p>
<p>Well, as with any admissions situation, you can wash out your suboptimal performances with stellar performance elsewhere. But, realistically speaking, if you can’t select a courseload you can ace at PCC then we would be suspicious of your ability to handle the intensity of Caltech. So make sure not to bite off more than you can chew in the future.</p>
<p>Well, I spoke to a transfer advisor today and I was given an educational plan that shows how to transfer to Caltech. It indicates the courses that I need to take and says that I must have “grades that reflect the skills necessary to be successful,” which means all A’s, haha. </p>
<p>It indicates some courses for the first year and says that “students may apply after completion of one year and the above courses. Sat or TOEFL scores are required.” So, that would mean that I would apply as a second-year student. Then it says, “if students should elect to stay at PCC for a second year, the following courses should be completed:” and it lists the last math class offered at PCC, the last two physics classes, and two biology classes. With those classes, the SAT is no longer required and I guess that I would be applying as a third-year student. I don’t know, it’s an agreement between Caltech and PCC. Sadly, I don’t think I can do the first year outline of courses because I am in the first Calculus class, and the first semester indicated on the paper shows the second Calculus class, the first Physics class, and the first Chemistry class. I will take the first Physics class during the Winter to make up for what I needed to have this semester, regarding physics. Then, it shows that I need to have the third Calculus class during the second semester, along with the second Physics class (which I will have, right on track). The third Calculus class I can make up for by taking it during the Summer.</p>
<p>The strange thing is that I don’t understand how I would apply and take the transfer entrance exam, when I haven’t even completed the selection of courses for this first year. I could complete all of the courses outlined by the first Summer session next year, so I guess that I would be able to transfer then because I would have the courses that I need to apply. I don’t know if that will be permitted…for me to take all of these classes by the first Summer session and be able to have applied and to take the entrance exam…</p>
<p>It’s a bit strange how I need to take two biology courses if I stay for the second year at PCC and how I seemingly don’t need to take our Linear Algebra course that is offered…this is bizarre. The schedule for Caltech students that I am looking at, doesn’t indicate that students must take Biology, except for Bio 1, which doesn’t seem like a traditional Bio class that Bio majors take… =/…</p>
<p>They’re just filling your schedule with the bio. And linear algebra would be a very good bet; take it instead of at least one of the biology classes.</p>
<p>If I apply right now and complete only one year at PCC, will I have to submit my high school records? I assume that the paper does not lie when it says that I need to take the SAT and submit the score. </p>
<p>I would love to apply right now and be considered for next year, based on the agreement paper from Caltech and PCC. I could finish all of the courses required by the first Summer session next year. I wonder if they would allow that…</p>