What Does it Take to Get Into Caltech

The California Institute Of Technology, More Commonly Known As “Caltech”, Is A Leading US University For STEM Research...

This unique college is known for a variety of traditions, including a rigorous, STEM-based (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) core curriculum, a thriving prank culture, and a unique housing program that helps students feel right at home. Most of all, Caltech is known for their driven students. If you’ve demonstrated a consistent interest in STEM research throughout high school and are ready for the challenge of completing Caltech’s application process, you’ve come to the right place.

In order to find out how to get into Caltech, keep reading this college guide. We’ll cover everything you need to know to increase your chances of getting accepted to one of the most prestigious research institutions in the US.

What You’ll Find In This College Guide:

• Caltech’s Ideal Student
• What You Need To Get Accepted Into Caltech
• Caltech’s Campus Life
• From Application to Career: What You’ll Experience At Caltech
• Your Future at Caltech

Caltech's Ideal Student

The average GPA and standardized test scores for incoming freshmen are:

• GPA: 4.0 (unweighted)
• SAT: 1560
• ACT: 35

CONSISTENT INTEREST IN STEM RESEARCH

Your passion for STEM subjects will most likely be showcased in the academic history section of your Caltech application, but Caltech admissions is just as interested in your passion for research as your grades.

By showcasing a consistent interest in STEM research throughout your application, you’ll have the chance to showcase your skills and why you’re a perfect fit for Caltech’s rigorous programs.

• Why is STEM research exciting for you?
• What were some of your favorite discoveries in the classroom or during a project?
• How does STEM fit into your future?

Since Caltech is interested in why you’re passionate about STEM, they encourage their applicants to include an evaluation from a mentor or teacher that oversaw one of your research projects in high school.

AMBITION AND COLLABORATION

Caltech admissions wants to see how you challenged yourself in high school. Since most of the work you’ll be doing at Caltech involves group work, it’s vitally important that you work well in group settings.

• Did you challenge yourself with advanced classes?
• Were you involved in any group projects?
• What did you learn about  yourself as you collaborated with other STEM-minded students? Do you function well in a group?

Likewise, ambition is a very important part of STEM research; without it, scientists wouldn’t push boundaries and find new, innovative ways to make their research relatable. In order to be successful at Caltech, you need to be ambitious and able to collaborate with others.

UNIQUE SET OF INTERESTS

The word “unique” can sometimes throw students off and convince them that they need to try to be interesting on their application. Resist the urge to over-exaggerate facts about yourself in order to appear more unique. Instead, be honest about your personal interests.

• Do you have a hobby outside of school that isn’t related to STEM or academics in general?
• Do you play any sports?
• Do you have a goal that isn’t education-related?

LOVE FOR YOUR COMMUNITY

Lastly, this wouldn’t be a true college application without a focus on community service. STEM research has the potential to change communities for the better, so make sure you include how you see your research benefitting society.

• Is there a specific cause for why you want to go into a STEM field?
• How do you plan on implementing your research in your community?

WHAT YOU CAN ACHIEVE: CALTECH’S PROGRAMS

• Chemistry and Chemical Engineering (#2 in the U.S.)
• Physics (#2 in the U.S.)
• Environmental Science (#2 in the U.S.)
• Computer Science (#4 in the U.S.)

In total, Caltech offers 28 majors and 12 minors that are related to STEM, divided into six departments:

• Biology and Biological Engineering
• Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
• Engineering and Applied Sciences
• Geological and Planetary Sciences
• Humanities and Social Sciences
• Physics, Mathematics, and Astronomy

IN SUMMARY: CALTECH’S IDEAL STUDENT

Each year, Caltech looks for students who will carry their passion for STEM research into their classrooms, dorms, and their surrounding community. However, Caltech’s ideal student also understands that balance is important, and academics can’t take up one hundred percent of your time.

Show Caltech admissions that you have interests outside of STEM research. Be honest about your ability to work in groups, and why you challenged yourself with difficult classes in high school. Talk about your ambition in the STEM field, and how you plan on carrying this passion over into your community in unique and meaningful ways.

What You Need To Get Accepted Into Caltech

Caltech’s admission rate is highly selective, just 6.4% in 2019. Out of 8,367 applications, only 231 students were granted admission.

Caltech is a small but mighty college. Their focus on the most challenging STEM issues in the world are what make them a haven for a very specific kind of student, and their application process is tailored to find those students. Caltech’s requirements are extensive, and students usually have to begin preparing for their application as early as their sophomore year. If you’re ready for the challenge, you can get started today!

THE APPLICATION

You can begin your Caltech application by using one of the following two options:

• Common Application
• Coalition Application

Regardless of the application method you use, you’ll have to complete the Supplemental Application Essays specifically designed for Caltech admissions. This option will automatically be provided for you on either application platform.

THE SUPPLEMENTAL ESSAYS

The supplemental essay prompts are short answer questions that are based in STEM research. This is where you can showcase your passion for STEM research and your interest in implementing it into your continued education.

Caltech admissions has precisely crafted these questions in order to learn more about who you are as a person and as a student interested in science. Don’t be afraid to showcase your own unique voice and experiences here!

STANDARDIZED TEST SCORES

After completing your general information and refining your essay answers, you have the chance to provide your SAT or ACT scores. Caltech accepts both tests and don’t prefer one over the other. Caltech admissions will need your scores from the following standardized tests:

• SAT or ACT
• SAT Mathematics Level 2 Subject Test
• SAT Subject Test in Science (choice of one): Ecological Biology, Molecular Biology, Chemistry, or Physics

Caltech will accept self-reported scores, so sending them through College Board or your counselor isn’t required.

Note: Caltech doesn’t require the writing section of the SAT or ACT; as a result, these sections will not be considered during the admissions process.

REQUIRED ACADEMIC HISTORY

With Caltech being one of the most rigorous and prestigious STEM colleges in the US, Caltech admissions needs to ensure that all applicants are well-prepared for their challenging curriculum.

At the time of submitting your Caltech application, you must meet the following academic course requirements. This history adequately prepares you for Caltech’s core curriculum.

• Math - 4 years
• Physics - 1 year
• Chemistry - 1 year
• English - 3 years (4 years is recommended)
• U.S. History & Government - 1 year (not required for international students)

In addition to this academic history, you’ll be given a math or physics placement exam upon acceptance to Caltech that will help admissions know where you need to start.

TEACHER EVALUATIONS

Caltech admissions asks applicants to provide two sources of credibility from two teachers. These teachers can be from any year of your high school career, but they must teach specific courses in order for their evaluations to be accepted.

• 1 evaluation from a math or science teacher
• 1 evaluation from a humanities or social science teacher

Be sure that you choose teachers who can provide an accurate picture of your classroom performance and your personal skills.

While Caltech only requires two evaluations, they welcome applicants to submit up to two additional evaluations if they feel that their first two are insufficient. These letters can be submitted through the application platform you’re using, or emailed to the Caltech admissions office directly.

THE APPLICATION FEE

Caltech’s application fee is $75, and can be submitted through the application platform you’re using. If you’re in need of a fee waiver, Caltech gives applicants multiple methods to request one.

DEADLINES

• Early Action: November 1
• Regular Decision: January 3

Early action applicants can expect a response by mid-December and regular decision applicants should receive a response in mid-March. The deadline to respond to Caltech’s admission decision, regardless of the deadline you applied under, is May 1.

CAN I GET INTO CALTECH?

Caltech’s application process is far from simple, and prospective students need to begin preparing their application earlier than most of their peers. Don’t let this discourage you, however; through good preparation and execution, you can submit an impressive application to Caltech.

Similar to most colleges, you can make your application stand out by connecting your goals with Caltech’s mission, vision, and values. They’re not just looking for a stellar student who has a passion for STEM. They want students who will help them accomplish their goals too.

On your application, make sure you highlight why STEM research is important to you, and how you plan on using what you learn at Caltech to make your community a better place. Draw attention to your skills in collaboration and group work, since these components make up a majority of Caltech classes.

Don’t be afraid to use your own voice, as well. Don’t just talk about STEM; be sure to include your own interests! Caltech admissions knows that they’re accepting people first, students second, so don’t be afraid to show them what you like to do outside of school.

Caltech's Campus Life

When you start classes at Caltech, you’ll officially be known as a Techer. Life at Caltech is extremely community-oriented, so you’ll find your niche on their southern California campus in no time!

THERE’S NOTHING LIKE COLLEGE IN CALIFORNIA

Caltech is located in Pasadena, California, within driving distance of Los Angeles, which means that you’ll be attending college in one of the most bustling places in the U.S. Whether you love outdoor recreation, music and the arts, or virtually anything else, you’re going to find your ideal activities in California. Plus, you can’t beat the sunny California weather. You might enjoy it so much during the year that you won’t want to leave for summer break!

STUDENT ACTIVITIES

Caltech offers countless opportunities for students to participate in activities outside the classroom, as a much needed break from the rigor of Caltech’s curriculum. Because of the stress and pressure of core classes combined with independent research, students need an outlet to de-stress.

Students can join clubs, sports teams, or organized student groups based in music or theater. A large majority of Techers play an instrument or a sport, and find that this activity helps them work harder in the classroom. Breaks are necessary, and no one knows that better than Caltech.

SPORTS AND RECREATION

Caltech’s athletic department offers 20 NCAA Division III sports for their students to play, either competitively or on an intramural team.

In addition to sports, Caltech places a special emphasis on their students’ well-being, whether that be physically or emotionally. Caltech’s recreational programs offer free fitness classes, nutrition education, and great facilities for students to use.

A UNIQUE RESIDENTIAL EXPERIENCE

As a student at Caltech, you can choose your housing experience from one of their 11 undergraduate houses. Each residency has its own traditions and activities, creating a unique housing arrangement for every student.

At the beginning of your freshman year, you’ll have the chance to visit each residency and learn about the activities they do together, where they eat, and what the social environment is like. You can rank each residency based on your top choices, and the housing office does their best to always places their new freshmen in their first or second choices. Students can choose a new house every year, or opt to live in the same house for all four years of their time at Caltech.

In addition to their housing program, Caltech strives to create thriving connections for their students by building a community-based dining program. Caltech’s dining facilities function in a way that helps students join their friends or meet new people over meals.

The dining options are countless, ranging from cafeterias and coffee shops to restaurant-style dining, even for students with dietary restrictions.

CALLING ALL PRANKSTERS

Caltech is known for its pranks; residential houses often have harmless rivalries and prank each other often. If you love pranking people, Caltech is going to be heaven for you. The pranks that students have conducted in the past are grandiose, and are simply too impressive and complex to mention more than one here.

Perhaps one of Caltech’s most iconic pranks occurred in 1987, when a group of Techers changed the world-famous Hollywood sign into a Caltech sign overnight. With measures like this, you can probably see that Caltech students know no boundaries and will do nearly anything to nail a good prank; all in good fun of course!

From Application To Career: What You'll Experience At Caltech

Caltech is a leading university for STEM research. More than that, they know how to perfectly balance academic ambition and a fun college experience. Colleges often struggle to find that healthy balance, but Caltech does it seamlessly.

While their application process reflects how serious they take their curriculum, they’re also interested in who you are as a person, what your goals are, and how you plan on taking the Caltech experience with you into the world. Caltech will be with you every step of the way and is dedicated to providing its students with everything they need to make their community a better place.

YOUR APPLICATION

Your Caltech application should highlight your passion and ambition for STEM research and how it fits into your future. Be sure to highlight your ability to work with others on group projects, and the relation between your passion for STEM and your passion for your community.

Caltech’s ideal student has interests outside of school, so be honest about how you like to spend your time outside of the classroom.

YOUR ESSAY

Caltech’s essay prompts are short answer, which means that your essays should be concise and straight-forward. The prompts are available on Caltech’s admissions website, so make sure you get started on your essay with plenty of time to refine your answers.

Caltech admissions are interested in learning about who you are as a person first, and then who you are as a student. Don’t just talk about your impressive accomplishments; leave some room for who you are apart from your academic achievements in order to catch their attention.

YOUR COLLEGE YEARS

Caltech’s campus culture is unique, complete with an individualized housing environment, convenient dining programs, and countless opportunities to try new things. While Caltech is especially focused on their rigorous core curriculum, they understand that students need balance in order to perform well in the classroom.

Join a sports team, participate in a club, play a prank, and take advantage of their recreational facilities. While you’re a Techer, make sure you don’t spend so much time studying or conducting research projects that you miss out on all the other great things Caltech has to offer!

YOUR CAREER

Some colleges don’t place a strong emphasis on helping their students transition into the professional workplace. At Caltech, it seems like they begin preparing their students for their careers from day one.

Caltech allows students to work on their own research alongside their prestigious faculty, opening up connections and networking tools that can’t be found anywhere else. Upon graduation, Techers are more than prepared for their chosen career.

In 2017:

• 35 percent of graduates began graduate school immediately after graduation
• 60 percent of graduates had a job secured at graduation
• The average starting salary for graduates was $105K

Your Future At Caltech

If you’ve decided that you want to begin your journey to Caltech, you’re in very good hands. Caltech will provide you with the training, opportunities, and connections that will launch you into the rest of your life. Going to Caltech may be a lot of hard work, but it will be worth it.

Of course, if you’re having doubts about the strength of your application, don’t hesitate to reach out to one of WeAdmit’s professional counselors. We can take an objective look at your application and tailor it to Caltech’s requirements, giving you the tools and advice you need to one day become a Techer.

Caltech’s Application Process Requires Plenty Of Preparation, So Get Started Today!