Does Caltech Care About Extracurriculars?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Does Caltech care about extracurriculars? Caltech wants to know whether you have demonstrated a consistent interest in science, technology, engineering, or math, not just through your classes, but also through your extracurricular activities. This means striving for leadership positions in your STEM-related activities.

Does MIT care about extracurriculars?

We read applications from students interested in everything from apiculture (beekeeping) to building nuclear reactors in their garages. We realize our applicants are very committed to their schoolwork and with their limited time,

choose their extracurricular activities carefully.

What kind of student does Caltech look for?

Caltech academic requirements

Like MIT or Harvey Mudd, Caltech is looking specifically for

students who have demonstrated excellence in STEM

. Caltech students have excellent grades and some of the highest test scores in the country, but even that isn't enough.

Do top colleges care about extracurriculars?

What kind of people get into Caltech?

Caltech – SAT, GPA, and Class Rank


Members of the Class of 2024 possessed mid-50% scores of 1510-1570

. The range of ACT Composite scores was 35-36. A stunning 96% of this group placed in the top 10% of their high school class.

Does Stanford care about extracurriculars?

In reality, admitting applicants based only on academics leads to an uninteresting community.

Stanford cares about extracurriculars, too

, and doing well in just one area of school (or even all of school) isn't enough.

Is it easier to get into MIT as a girl?

Far more men than women apply to enter the Massachusetts Institute of Technology every year. The imbalance produces a perennial gender gap:

MIT's admission rate for women is significantly higher

.

Is it harder to get into Caltech or MIT?

Caltech and MIT are similarly competitive.

As for standardized test scores,

Caltech averages are slightly higher than those at MIT

, despite MIT's higher rankings. At Caltech, the average SAT score is a1545 and the average ACT score is a perfect 36. At MIT, the average SAT score is 1545 and the average ACT score is 35.

Are Caltech students smart?

Caltech, a school known for its prestigious STEM programming, has the smartest students in the country. An astounding

98% of students place within the top 10% of their high school classes

, and 79% of alumni ultimately go on to pursue a grad degree.

Is Caltech a party school?

Each house has a different personality and vibe, and students apply for the ones they vibe with the most in the first month of school. No matter which House you join, you are probably in for some unusual dinner traditions and, in true Caltech form,

very intense party planning

.

Is GPA or extracurriculars more important?

According to The Chronicle of Higher Education, the experience students gain through internships, jobs, volunteering and

extra-curricular activity is more important to employers than GPA

. Many experts surmise that involvement in a variety of activities make a student well-rounded and accustomed to working with people.

Can you get into Ivy League without extracurriculars?

The short answer is

no, you don't have to be a world-class achiever to get into an Ivy League school

. An extraordinary accomplishment can certainly make you a stronger candidate, but it isn't necessary, and there are many other important factors that come into play when these schools are making admissions decisions.

What extracurricular activities do Ivy League schools look for?

Some of the best extracurricular activities for the Ivy Leagues are those that

instill and hone leadership, teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills

. EAs that can help boost admissions chances are the ones that demonstrate passion, self-confidence and excellence in sports and the arts.

Is Caltech or MIT better?

QS World University Rankings: USA 2021

The California Institute of Technology falls slightly behind MIT, in 21st.

MIT scores better than Caltech

across three of the four indicators in the USA rankings: research, diversity and internationalisation, and employability.

What do Caltech students do for fun?

Together with Occidental College, Caltech offers

symphony orchestra, chamber orchestra, and concert band

; on campus we have two jazz bands and over 25 chamber music ensembles, men's and women's glee clubs, chamber singers, and several a cappella groups.

Is Caltech Ivy League?

Even today, these universities maintain their reputation, and they have a large presence among the top-ranked universities in the U.S. They are joined in this position by Stanford, M.I.T., and Caltech — schools that are

not technically Ivy League schools

, but tend to enjoy a similar reputation and social status.

Does NYU care about extracurriculars?

NYU extracurricular activity requirements

While having a rigorous academic history and strong test scores might get your child past an initial NYU admissions screen,

their extracurricular activities are what will set them apart as an exceptional candidate for NYU

. Your child's time outside the classroom is valuable.

What extracurriculars does Harvard like?

Can I get into Stanford with a 3.7 GPA?

What kind of person goes to MIT?

MIT students are

high-achievers

. To be accepted, you need to be one, too. You should have a strong plan for studying for the SAT or ACT so that you achieve the best score possible. If you're still in your freshman, sophomore, or junior year of high school, plan to take some advanced classes to up your GPA.

How many AP classes should I take for MIT?


There is no minimum or recommended number of AP courses

. AP scores are not part of an admission formula. We're not simply going to look at a weighted GPA and throw everything else out.

Can you go to MIT for free?

for the 2020–2021 academic year. And for most students with family incomes under $140,000 a year (and typical assets), we ensure that

scholarship funding will allow them to attend MIT tuition-free

.

What college has a 100% acceptance rate?

Is Stanford better than Caltech?

In summary: When it comes to international rankings, both Stanford and the California Institute of Technology are among the top universities.

Stanford has had better rankings in the last years, but Caltech is pretty close

. Caltech is an excellent option for scientific research.

What majors is Caltech known for?

The most popular majors at California Institute of Technology include: Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services; Engineering; Physical Sciences; Mathematics and Statistics; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; and Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies.

What is the average IQ at Caltech?

“It's the rare Caltech student whose IQ falls below 130,” explained Psychologist Weir. “The average is

somewhere around 140

.” (A classification amounting to “very superior.”) To single out the elite of this exceptional group, M.I.T. and Caltech are looking for something beyond pure IQ.

Which majors have the highest IQ?

What is the average IQ of a college student?

For the general population, the average IQ score is 100. Research has found that, among white, American college students, those with a 105 IQ score have a 50-percent chance of dropping out of college. They also report that

the average IQ of a college graduate is about 114

.

What are students at Caltech like?

Is Caltech good for pre med?

Why is Caltech so good?

“What makes Caltech special are our students.

They've got courage and are willing to swing for the fences

. They focus on ideas and experiments that haven't been done before. They are the heart and engine for the research that gets done.

Can you lie about extracurriculars on college apps?

How much do extracurriculars actually matter?

When recently surveyed, the majority of U.S. colleges said extracurriculars have “

moderate importance” (approximately 41 percent

) or “limited importance (approximately 34 percent) when factored into a student's overall college application, according to the National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC).

Do colleges look at senior year extracurriculars?


Colleges will be looking to see that you've kept your grades up and have continued involvement in your extracurriculars

. They want to see that students are still putting effort into school at this point. On the topic of extracurriculars, it's important to stay involved in yours throughout senior year as well!

Is junior year too late for extracurriculars?

Whatever your motivation, even though colleges want to see dedication over time—meaning the earlier you get involved with extracurricular activities, the better—

it is generally okay to join a club during your junior or senior year of high school.

Do hobbies count as extracurricular activities?


Almost any hobby or interest can count as an extracurricular

, but that doesn't necessarily mean it will, on its own, be a strong addition to your college application.

Carlos Perez
Author
Carlos Perez
Carlos Perez is an education expert and teacher with over 20 years of experience working with youth. He holds a degree in education and has taught in both public and private schools, as well as in community-based organizations. Carlos is passionate about empowering young people and helping them reach their full potential through education and mentorship.