The California Institute of Technology does not beat around the bush with what it demands from its students. The academics are stringent, the workload is high, and the admissions process is famously competitive. However, as their admissions website puts it, “the payoff? You’ll change the world. But you’ll sacrifice an easier road, and a lot of sleep, on the way.” William Shockley (Class of 1932), the “Father of Silicon Valley,” was able to get through it, as well as 46 living Nobel Prize-winning affiliates (making Caltech have the highest per capita affiliation with the Nobel Prize of any institution in the world). This ethos is what has given the university its reputation as one of the world’s most prestigious universities.

The Caltech curriculum consists of 28 majors (termed “options”), 12 minors, and several interdisciplinary programs. Undergraduates are required to take courses in mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, laboratory work, scientific communication, physical education, and humanities and social sciences. The majority of undergrads also participate in research, which explains why The National Science Foundation found that Caltech has the highest percentage of alumni who go on to receive a Ph.D. of any American university. In addition to its undergraduate program, the university also operates many major research facilities, including the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a variety of observatories, and the Keck Institute for Space Studies. It also manages the Einstein Papers Project, which handles the archive and literary estate of that former Caltech professor who many know as Albert.

Students live in residential houses during their time at the Institute, a system that replaced fraternities on campus in the 20th century but maintained the student loyalties and communalism of Greek life. Twenty percent of students participate in athletics, and there is a healthy visual and performing arts scene on campus. Perhaps the most well-known student tradition is the prank war, in which students carry out elaborate technological farces every year, including changing the Hollywood sign to read “CALTECH” in 1987 to national news coverage. The Institute has a longstanding rivalry with MIT that has historically devolved into this prank war as both schools compete for the reputation as the most prestigious technological institute in the world.

The university was established in 1891 by politician Amos G. Throop in Pasadena, California. In 1911, President Theodore Roosevelt gave a speech at what was then termed the Throop Institute, declaring his desire for the university to train students in “cultural scientific” and “industrial” fields. During the early twentieth century, a series of high-profile faculty appointments and military contracts cemented the Institute’s reputation on the cutting edge of scientific advancement and technological innovation. While under the presidency of Lee A. DuBridge, Caltech opened its doors to federal funding and expanded into the research juggernaut it is known as today. Now, the Institute has become synonymous with innovation in seismology, quantum physics, soft robotics, and sustainability.

For the Class of 2028, Caltech received 13,863 applications, but only accepted 315 of those students, for an acceptance rate of 2.27%, beating out rival MIT (much to their chagrin!). The competitiveness of their admissions cycle is no joke, but their admissions website highlights the main qualities they look for in prospective applicants: “a love of math,” “a passion for chemistry and physics,” “an appreciation for humanities and the social sciences,” “resilience,” a “collaborative spirit,” “creativity,” and a “single-minded determination.” They add that “You don’t have to say you’re “well-rounded” — we know you love STEM first and foremost.” In other words, they understand that their best applicants can’t lay claim to an extensive interest in every pursuit because they want to be the best researchers and innovators in each field. At New Ivies, we’re here to help our students demonstrate to Caltech why and how all of that specialized focus has paid off!

What are California Institute of Technology looking for?

We determine whether you will be a good fit for Caltech based on a number of factors. Certainly, the courses you have enrolled in and the grades you've received in high school are important. However, there are other important attributes we'll consider. As admissions officers, our job is to set you up for success. This is what we want to see from a student who is admitted:

A love of math

There will be math. Lots of it. It's the foundation for every course at Caltech. Higher-level mathematics demands abstract thinking and problem solving, skills we hold dear. And we want students excited to go into the weeds as they master the subject. If you're hoping to simply push through your required math classes on the way to your major, you will not be happy here.

A passion for chemistry and physics

Most groundbreaking achievements in science and technology incorporate chemistry and physics at some level. Well before you do a deep dive into your major, Caltech's core curriculum will immerse you in the basic sciences, humanities, and social science.

An appreciation for humanities and the social sciences

The core curriculum for first-year students is more than math. In fact, your first year involves just as much writing and analysis-intensive coursework in the humanities and social sciences (HSS), with additional coursework required in each of the years that follow. In fact, 82% of undergrads enroll in HSS courses every fall. Why? Because while you're neck-deep in a hard-to-conquer problem set, we want to be confident that you can think critically, hone your problem-solving skills, write well, and express yourself in these courses and in your future research endeavors.

Resilience

Thomas Edison said all his fruitless experiments to invent the lightbulb weren't failures—he'd simply found 10,000 ways that didn't work. At Caltech, professors expect that before long, you'll find yourself in way over your head. So we want to know: When you're in the middle of a seemingly unsolvable problem set, are you likely to fold up your tent? Or push on?

Collaborative spirit

You can be an introvert. But you won't thrive here if you expect to be able to go it alone all the time. From engineering, to geophysics, to chemistry, to computation and neural systems, the majors here are team sports. In fact, the entire Caltech experience is built around students collaborating in small groups: The places you live (on-campus residences where most students stay for four years), the problem sets you solve, and the interdisciplinary research you'll conduct all benefit from blending multiple perspectives.

Creativity

Caltech sits at the intersection of curiosity and creativity. Techers possess many traits, but the way they blend these may be most universal. You want to know how things work for their own sake. You're not thrilled about retracing well-worn paths. You may even have a North Star you're reaching for already, your reason for research, and are thirsting to reach for it in new ways. A Caltech education can show you the way there, enabling you to create and follow your own unique path to invention and discovery.

Inclusivity

STEM at Caltech is inherently interdisciplinary and will challenge your viewpoints. The community at Caltech is one that demonstrates respect and appreciation for diverse perspectives in their personal, academic, or extracurricular activities. Through multiple spaces at Caltech, Techers are actively engaging with different viewpoints, challenging their own assumptions, and contributing to the advancement of STEM through inclusive environments.

Single-minded determination

Have you ever heard of Alex Honnold? He's a rock climber who has conquered some of the world's most daunting faces—without ropes. He winds up achieving what other elite climbers might think twice about conquering. Techers are a little like Alex: They don't have a voice in their head that says, "Enough." The payoff? You'll change the world. But you'll sacrifice an easier road, and a lot of sleep, on the way.

An outlet

You don't have to say you're "well-rounded"—we know you love STEM first and foremost (and maybe second- and third-most, too.) And while academic aptitude and commitment are a given here, it can be rejuvenating to regularly pour your focus into something else.

We've found that self-care, and having someplace to turn when it all gets to be a little much, is really important. Whether that involves athletics, theater, music, art, speedcubing, or something else (rock climbing?), we like to learn about the other pursuits you're passionate about, and why.

Admissions Statistics

ADMISSION INFORMATION

APPLICATION DATES & DEADLINES

Additional essay questions of the application.

Required STEM Academic Interest Question

Your STEM Future - STEM Academic Interests

Caltech has a rigorous core curriculum and students don't declare a major until the end of their first year. However, some students arrive knowing which academic fields and areas already most excite them, or which novel fields and areas they most want to explore.

If you had to choose an area of interest or two today, what would you choose?

*Note that you are under no obligation to follow this choice if admitted.

Why did you choose your proposed area of interest? If you selected 'other', what topics are you interested in pursuing? (Min: 100 / Max: 200 words)

Required Short Essay Questions

Your STEM Present - STEM Curiosity

Regardless of your STEM interest listed above, take this opportunity to nerd out and talk to us about whatever STEM rabbit hole you have found yourself falling into. Be as specific or broad as you would like. (Min: 50 / Max: 150 words)

Your STEM Past - STEM Experiences

At Caltech, we investigate some of the most challenging, fundamental problems in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. We are interested in learning more about your engagement with STEM.

Select one of the following two STEM Experience prompts to respond to:

1. Tell us how you initially found your interest and passion for science or for a particular STEM topic, and how you have pursued or developed your interest or passion over the last few years. (Min: 100 / Max: 200 words)
2. Tell us about a meaningful STEM-related experience from the last few years and share how and why it inspired your curiosity. (Min: 100 / Max: 200 words)

Creativity in Action Question

The creativity, inventiveness, and innovation of Caltech's students, faculty, and researchers have won Nobel Prizes and put rovers on Mars. But Techers also innovate in smaller-scale ways everyday, from imagining new ways to design solar cells or how to 3D-print dorm decor, to cooking up new recipes in the kitchen. How have you been a creator, inventor, or innovator in your own life? (Min: 100 / Max: 200 words)

Required Short Answer Questions

Now it's time for a little fun! Choose two of the four questions below and answer both in 250 words or less.

It's up to you how you use your 250 words, whether that means you use exactly 125 words for each answer or you tell us about a niche interest in 30 words so you can spend 200 telling us more about you.

There is no ‘right' way to choose which question to answer. If you're all STEMmed out, feel free to tell us about a creative hobby. Or if you just can't get enough math, tell us about a concept you can barely wrap your head around. Just remember the Caltech Honor Code and stick to 250 words for both answers combined.

• What is an interest or hobby you do for fun, and why does it bring you joy?
• If you could teach a class on any topic or concept, what would it be and why?
• What is a core piece of your identity or being that shapes how you view and/or interact with the world?
• What is a concept that blew your mind or baffled you when you first encountered it?

(Two Essay Boxes, each with Min:1 Max: 249 words)

Optional Academic Short Answer Question

OPTIONAL: Have you had any extenuating circumstances (such as limited course selection or disruptions), that have affected your coursework, but that are not described elsewhere in your application? If so, tell us about them here.