=20

California Institute of Technology

Caltech Undergraduate Admissions

FAQ

Video=20 Clips

Contact = Us

Mailing = List

For High = School=20 Counselors

For=20 Parents

Frequently Asked Questions

About = Caltech=20
Printable=20 Version of General FAQ (pdf)
General = Information=20
Academics=20
Research=20 Opportunities and Facilities
Extracurricula= r=20 Activities
Campus=20 Life
Pasadena=20 and Los Angeles
Life After = Caltech
Getting to Know=20 Caltech

Applying to = Caltech -=20 Freshman Admissions
Printable=20 Version of Applying FAQ (pdf)
High School=20 Preparation
Submitting = the=20 Application
Filling Out the=20 Application
Recommend= ation=20 Letters and Supplementary Information
Early = Action
Special Programs = and=20 Circumstances
Admission=20 Decisions
Admissions = Policy
Financial=20 Aid

Transfer=20 Admissions

About Caltech

General Information

Where is the = campus?
Caltech is=20 located in Pasadena, California, a "suburb" of Los Angeles with = many=20 shops, restaurants, and cultural venues and beautiful, leafy residential = neighborhoods.

What is Caltech's=20 mission?
The mission of the California Institute of = Technology=20 is to expand human knowledge and benefit society through research = integrated=20 with education. We investigate the most challenging, fundamental = problems in=20 science and technology in a singularly collegial, interdisciplinary = atmosphere,=20 while educating outstanding students to become creative members of=20 society.

How many students are enrolled at=20 Caltech?
In the fall of 2007, there were 634 = undergraduate men=20 and 279 undergraduate women, and 861 graduate men and 359 graduate=20 women.

How many faculty members are there at=20 Caltech?
As of December 2007, there were 296 = professors, 104=20 emeriti faculty, 60 research faculty, 100 visiting professors, and 53 = other=20 faculty. There are 535 postdoctoral scholars, 24 senior postdoctoral = scholars,=20 and 108 visiting postdoctoral scholars.

Academics

How are academics structured at=20 Caltech?
All students must complete a core curriculum, = which=20 lasts from the beginning of freshman year through the middle or end of = sophomore=20 year. Students begin taking classes in their intended major as early as = freshman=20 year, then progress to upper-level courses in their major through their=20 sophomore, junior and senior years.

Is Caltech on the = semester or quarter system?
Trick question! The answer = is=20 neither. Caltech has three terms, or trimesters, each academic year: = fall term=20 begins late in September and runs to mid-December; winter term runs from = January=20 to late March; and spring term runs from April to mid-June. Caltech = offers no=20 summer courses.

Does Caltech have a summer=20 session?
Caltech does not offer courses in the summer. = However,=20 many students are involved in research projects on campus through the Summer = Undergraduate Research=20 Fellowships (SURF) program.

How many credits do = students=20 take per term?
The credits per class differ depending = on the=20 hours required for class time, homework, and lab time, where applicable. = Most=20 students take four to five classes per term.

When do = students declare a major?
Students typically choose an = academic=20 option (the Techer term for "major") at the end of their freshman=20 year.

Can students create their own majors or double=20 major?
Absolutely. Our students have many interests, = and we=20 want them to pursue their passions, so we give them the opportunity to = create=20 their own major through the Independent Studies Program, in which they = design a=20 customized course of study under the guidance of faculty. Double = majoring is=20 also possible - about 20% of students are currently pursuing two=20 majors.

Can students take graduate level=20 courses?
Yes - and they do. There is no clear = separation=20 between coursework for undergraduates and graduate students. Students = naturally=20 progress through the curriculum and often by the end of their junior or = senior=20 year end up in graduate classes in their option (the Techer term for=20 "major.")

Does Caltech have a premed=20 program?
Yes, Caltech offers a premed=20 program that advises students throughout their time at Caltech and = assists=20 them through the medical school application process. Clinical experience = and=20 research opportunities are also offered to premed students through = arrangements=20 with Huntington Memorial Hospital, City of Hope, and Children's Hospital = Los=20 Angeles. Every year, many of our students are admitted to the nation's = most=20 selective medical schools. Caltech also has an active Premed Club and a BS/MD program in cooperation with = the=20 University of California San Diego Medical School. =

What if I=20 also want to study humanities and the social = sciences?
Not only=20 are you required to do so at Caltech, you'll want to. Almost 30% of = Caltech's=20 course offerings are in the humanities and social science division, with = fascinating classes and excellent professors. There are opportunities to = learn=20 about topics completely unrelated to science, and also to merge your = interests=20 through coursework and research. A number of students will double-major = in a=20 science field and a humanities/social science field each=20 year.

Can I take classes at other colleges and = receive=20 credit?
Caltech has special arrangements at nearby = Occidental=20 College and the Art Center College of Design. Students can also arrange = to=20 receive credit from other colleges with permission of the appropriate=20 division.

Are there opportunities to study=20 abroad?
Yes. Caltech offers four study = abroad=20 programs: the Cambridge Scholars Program, London Scholars Program,=20 Copenhagen Scholars Program and the Edinburgh Scholars Program.=20

What are typical class = sizes?
Classes tend=20 to be small: 37% of classes have fewer than 10 students, 69% have fewer = than 20=20 students, and 92% have fewer than 50 students.

What = is your=20 student-to-faculty ratio?
3:1

Who = teaches=20 the classes?
Our professors teach our courses, not our = graduate=20 students. There are a few larger lecture classes, like the core math and = physics=20 courses, in which teaching assistants will help answer questions in = smaller=20 sessions. These sessions are not required, but are available for all = students,=20 many of whom find them to be very helpful.

Do = professors=20 interact with undergraduates?
Yes; it is one of the = hallmarks=20 of Caltech's teaching and learning culture. Professors hold regular = office=20 hours, frequently email students, lunch with them, and take questions = after=20 class. Not only are they teachers, they also serve as mentors, helping = students=20 choose their fields of study, research topics, and summer and = post-graduation=20 options.

How do graduate students and undergraduates=20 interact?
In some cases, graduate students take some of = the=20 same classes as undergraduates, or act as teaching assistants for some = courses,=20 and a few serve as residence assistants in the undergraduate houses. Due = to the=20 many research opportunities available, many undergraduates find = themselves=20 working alongside graduate students in labs and collaborating with them = on=20 research projects. Caltech is an intimate community where clubs and=20 extracurricular activities are open to all, so graduates and = undergraduates may=20 play soccer together, sing in the same choral group, or tutor together = in local=20 schools.

Research Opportunities and Facilities

Is it = difficult to=20 pursue research at Caltech?
No, in fact, you could say = that the=20 Caltech undergraduate education is research. Students constantly do = research in=20 and out of the classroom to learn and contribute to science at the = highest=20 level.

How many Caltech undergraduates do research = outside=20 the classroom?
In the 2008 graduating class, 74% of the = graduating seniors had "SURF"ed at Caltech. Still others did research = during the=20 academic year or in other ways outside the SURF = program.

Can=20 students do research in the humanities and social=20 sciences?
They can and they do. In addition to pursuing = research projects through SURF, many students work independently with = their=20 professors and often explore the intersection of humanities and social=20 science.

Do undergraduates publish in major=20 journals?
Yes. Frequently.

What are = the=20 technology resources on campus?
Needless to say, = Caltech is=20 very well-wired. In addition to high-quality computing = facilities and=20 services, there are centers for Advanced Computing Research and Digital=20 Media.

What library resources are=20 available?
In addition to five campus libraries, Caltech Library = Services=20 offers online access to all major research and scientific=20 databases.

Extracurricular Activities

Do Techers study all the=20 time?
Of course not! Most students are in class or in = lab in=20 the mornings and early afternoon but spend their late afternoons and = evenings=20 participating in a wide range of activities. Each student's class = schedule and=20 study habits are unique, but Techers always find time to pursue their = outside=20 interests. They get involved in everything from music and sports to = community=20 service and cultural clubs. There are over 150 clubs and=20 organizations on campus, and Techers are always encouraged to start = new=20 ones.

Do Techers play sports?
Athletics=20 is one of the most popular activities on campus, from = intercollegiate=20 varsity athletics (Division III) to House intramurals to club teams. = Students=20 with all levels of experience are encouraged to play. =

Do=20 Techers play music?
In addition to music courses taught = by=20 faculty, extracurricular music groups of all sizes and styles are also = very=20 popular on campus and in the community. Students also have = round-the-clock=20 access to an excellent Music House devoted to practice and performance=20 space.

Campus Life

Ho= w is the=20 housing arranged?
Caltech has eight undergraduate = "houses,"=20 which are designed like dorms, but have the intimate and collegial = atmosphere of=20 a home. Students are involved in choosing their house at the beginning = of=20 freshman year after participating in "rotation," the process of learning = about=20 each of the houses.

Are freshmen required to live on=20 campus?
Yes. Students are not required to live on = campus after=20 their first year, but most do. Caltech guarantees housing for all four = years,=20 and all but a few students choose to live either in the houses or in=20 Caltech-owned and Caltech-adjacent homes and = apartments.

Can=20 students live off campus?
After freshman year, students = can=20 choose to live in Caltech-owned apartments or houses on or near the = campus or=20 rent from the local housing market.

Do students = choose their=20 roommates?
Yes. Students choose their roommates all = four=20 years.

Are the houses coed?
Yes. The = houses=20 and the floors within the houses are coed.

Is there a = Greek=20 system?
No. While there are neither fraternities nor = sororities=20 on campus, the houses provide a strong sense of community and = camaraderie within=20 the larger Caltech community.

What is the board=20 plan?
Caltech provides a sit-down dinner with table = service in=20 each house on weeknights, where the food is served family style. Each = house also=20 has an "open kitchen" for breakfast and lunch where items like cold cuts = for=20 sandwiches are available. The board plan includes a stipend for dining = in other=20 campus cafes. On the weekends, students enjoy their meals in local=20 eateries.

What if I have dietary=20 restrictions?
Caltech provides ample kosher, halal, = vegetarian,=20 and vegan options. The dining staff also can accommodate other dietary=20 needs.

Do I need a car?
No. Many = amenities=20 are within walking distance of campus; there are also public = transportation=20 options and other students to carpool with.

Can I = keep a car=20 on campus?
Yes. Students, including freshmen, can have = cars on=20 campus. There is designated and convenient student parking. However, = fewer than=20 a third of undergraduates have cars on campus.

Do I = need a=20 bicycle?
No. The campus is compact, and it is easy to = get=20 around on foot. If you'd like a bicycle, it's easy to ride around campus = and=20 there are ample bicycle racks for parking.

What do = students=20 do for fun?
Everything and anything! The houses hold = parties=20 regularly and the student government hosts campus-wide barbeques, = dances, and=20 concerts. On any given night, students may be holding a movie marathon, = playing=20 midnight Capture the Flag, or hanging out in Pasadena. =

What=20 are the resources for religious life on campus?
While = there is=20 no formal chaplain's office, there are a number of religious communities = on and=20 around campus, including the Caltech-Hillel, Muslim Students = Association, and=20 Christian Fellowship.

What kind of academic and = personal=20 support is available at Caltech?
In addition to = academic=20 advisors, each house has Residence Assistants (RAs) and Upper-class = Counselors=20 (UCCs) to support students in all aspects of college life. The resources = of the=20 Counseling Center are always available to students as well. Students are = also=20 involved with the Women's Center, the Office of Minority Student = Education, and=20 the International Student Programs Office.

What = health=20 services are available at Caltech?
There is a = comprehensive=20 on-campus Health Center with doctors, nurse practitioners, and = counselors on=20 staff. The highly acclaimed Huntington Memorial Hospital is minutes away = for any=20 needs that may arise.

Pasadena and Los Angeles

What is Pasadena=20 like?
Pasadena blends the best attributes of city and = suburban=20 life. While you can easily walk or take a short bus ride to many shops,=20 restaurants, and theatres from campus, Caltech is nestled in a beautiful = residential area with quiet streets ideal for jogging or=20 bicycling.

Is it safe?
Caltech is in = a safe=20 residential neighborhood. The campus has its own 24-hour security = services as=20 well.

How far is Caltech from Los=20 Angeles?
Los Angeles is essentially a sprawling mix of = diverse=20 communities. Downtown is about 20 minutes away by car, while Hollywood, = the=20 Westside, and the beaches are about a 45-minute drive=20 away.

Do students hang out in Los Angeles for=20 fun?
While some students prefer staying on campus, many = others=20 explore the city on the weekends. Pasadena also has an active night = life,=20 particularly in Old Town.

What outdoor activities = are=20 available?
There is a nature preserve with hiking = trails two=20 miles north of campus, and the Angeles National Forest is a 20 minute = drive=20 away. The beaches are a 45-minute drive away, mountains with ski slopes = are a=20 90-minute drive, and the desert (most notably, Joshua Tree) is about two = hours=20 away.

What is the weather = like?
Glorious!=20 Contrary to popular belief, there are seasons in Southern = California-they all=20 just happen to be very pleasant. The fall is warm (80s), the winter is = brisk=20 (60s), and the spring is balmy (70s). In the summer, the temperatures = sometimes=20 hit triple digits, but usually hover in the low 90s.

Life = After=20 Caltech

What do = graduating seniors=20 do?
In 2006, about 60% of the seniors went on to = graduate=20 school, 30% accepted employment, and about 10% pursued other activities, = like=20 research fellowships or travel.

Where do Techers go = to=20 graduate school?
Every year, students are admitted to = the top=20 programs around the world. Last year, Stanford, MIT, Caltech, and UC = Berkeley=20 were among the more popular schools.

Where do Techers = go to=20 medical school?
Every year, students are admitted to = the best=20 schools across the country. Last year, Harvard, UC San Diego, and USC = were among=20 the schools chosen most often by seniors.

What = resources are=20 available for choosing career paths?
Caltech has an = excellent=20 Career Development Center with skilled and dedicated counselors who = guide=20 Techers to the right post-graduation decisions.

Is = there an=20 alumni network?
The Alumni Association has active job=20 connection and network services. Given the unparalleled preparation a = Caltech=20 education gives students, alumni are always eager to hire fellow = Techers. There=20 are alums around the country who organize recruiting, networking = activities and=20 social events.

Getting to Know = Caltech

W= here=20 should I stay when I visit the campus?
Pasadena offers = a wide=20 range of hotels and other accommodations. If you are likely to be = looking for=20 something to do during the evenings away from campus, we recommend that = you look=20 for a hotel near Old Town. We've noted some of the hotels on our Local = Accommodations page.

Does Caltech offer overnight = stays?
Caltech does not sponsor overnight visits. All = admitted=20 students are invited to participate in our April Prefrosh Weekend = program, when=20 students can stay on campus Thursday through Sunday. Admitted students = who=20 cannot attend Prefosh Weekend can arrange for Caltech in a Day, a = day-long=20 personalized visit.

Can prospective students sit in = on=20 classes?
You are welcome to sit in on classes. Consult = the=20 current schedule of courses and plan accordingly. Please stop by the = admissions=20 office first to get a map and directions to the = classroom.

Is=20 there someone I can mail or talk to on campus?
You can = contact=20 your admissions=20 counselor. If you'd like to speak with a current student your = admission=20 counselor can direct you to someone who shares your interests..=20

Will I be at a disadvantage in the admission process = if I=20 don't visit campus?
No. We don't require visits, nor do = we=20 consider whether you have visited as a factor in making our admission=20 decisions.

Applying to Caltech - Freshman = Admissions

High-School = Preparation

What kind of high-school preparation = should I=20 have?
4 years of math (including calculus)
1 year of = physics
1 year of chemistry
3 years of English (4 years = recommended)
1=20 year of U.S. history/government (waived for international=20 students)

What if my high school does not offer = Advanced=20 Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB)=20 courses?
Many schools don't offer the AP or IB = curricula.=20 Regardless of the curriculum your school offers, we expect that you will = have=20 challenged yourself with demanding courses. The Caltech curriculum will = require=20 that you have completed rigorous courses in calculus and in physics. If = these=20 courses are not available in your high school, we strongly encourage you = to take=20 them at a local college or online.

Do you give more = weight=20 to AP courses?
We expect that students have challenged=20 themselves in the context of what their high school has to offer. Some = schools=20 offer AP courses, some IB courses, and some neither. Students without = courses=20 designated as AP or IB won't be disadvantaged if those courses weren't = available=20 within their school.

Is it better to get a "B" in an = AP=20 course or an "A" in a regular course?
This is a popular = question. Realistically, students admitted to Caltech are mostly getting = "A"=20 grades in the AP/IB or other most rigorous course they are=20 taking.

If I have exhausted the math and science = courses at=20 my high school, what should I do?
Consider taking = courses at a=20 nearby college or an appropriate online course, or arranging an = independent=20 study project at your high school.

Is there a = minimum GPA=20 you require?
No. Most admitted students, however, = perform near=20 the top of their graduating class.

What if my high = school=20 doesn't rank students?
This isn't a problem. Your = school will=20 usually send us a profile that includes a grade distribution that allows = us to=20 see how your performance compares to that of your=20 classmates.

What tests do you = require?
The=20 SAT: Critical Reading, Math and Writing
OR the old SAT I: Verbal and=20 Math
OR the ACT (with or without the optional writing section)
AND = SAT=20 Subject Test Mathematics Level 2
AND One of the following SAT Subject = Tests:=20 Biology, (Ecological), Biology (Molecular), Chemistry, or=20 Physics

Is the TOEFL required for non-English=20 speakers?
If your native language is not English, and = you have=20 not studied for at least two years in an English-speaking country, we = encourage=20 (but don't require) you to take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign=20 Language). Both paper-and computer-based TOEFL are=20 acceptable.

Are there minimum SAT/ACT scores you=20 require?
No. There are no cutoffs and we do not admit = "by the=20 numbers." The mid 50% for students admitted to the class of 2011 are as = follows:=20 SAT 2170-2310 and ACT (English/math) 33-35.

If I take = the=20 SATs or the ACT more than once, which results will you=20 consider?
When we review your application we have all = of your=20 test scores available to us. We will look at all of your scores, paying=20 particular attention to the general pattern of scores and emphasizing = the=20 highest score for each individual exam.

Can I take or = retake=20 the SATs or ACT after the application deadline?
You = can, but=20 the scores may not arrive in time for consideration. You should complete = tests=20 by October for Early Action and by December for Regular=20 Decision.

Should I pay extra money for the express = delivery=20 of my scores?
No. Never pay to have scores delivered = via an=20 express service. We receive the scores electronically. Normal delivery = is the=20 fastest way to have your scores matched to your application in our=20 office.

Do you prefer the ACT or the = SAT?
We=20 do not have a preference, but please note that we require SAT Subject = tests for=20 all applicants.

If I am admitted, will you give me = credit for=20 AP or IB courses, or for college classes taken in high=20 school?
When we review your application, we will take = into=20 account that you have enrolled in a rigorous course of study. Caltech = does not,=20 however, grant credit based on AP or IB examination results. New = students will=20 have the opportunity to take placement exams in math, physics, = chemistry, and=20 writing. How students score on these exams sometimes results in their = being=20 placed in upper level courses and being given credit for Caltech = courses.=20

Submitting the Application

When are applications=20 available?
Freshman applications are typically = available after=20 July 1 of each year. Transfer and 3/2 applications are usually available = by the=20 end of August.

Can I apply=20 online?
Yes. In fact, we encourage you to apply online. = We have=20 many fewer problems with lost applications and missing documents when a = student=20 applies online.

Do I need to submit official AP or = IB=20 scores?
We ask you to self-report available AP or IB = scores on=20 the application, and we will consider them when we are making admissions = decisions. There is no need to send official reports. =

Are=20 interviews required as part of the application = process?
We do=20 not conduct interviews. You are, however, encouraged to visit the campus = to=20 participate in an information session and campus tour. In addition, if = you'd=20 like to speak to Caltech alumni in your area, please contact the Alumni=20 Association at 626.395.6852.

Filling Out the = Application

Can I attach a resume = rather than=20 fill out the activities section?
You may attach a = resume, but=20 you must still fill out the activities section on both the Common = Application=20 and the Supplement. We are interested in which activities are most = important to=20 you. If you include additional information, please be sure that it = follows the=20 format used on the application and supplement.

How = long=20 should my essays be?
The Common Application and Caltech = Supplement provide general guidance as to the length of each essay or = short=20 answer. If you go over a word limit by a sentence or two, don't worry = about it.=20 Be sure that your responses are well developed and respond fully to the = question=20 or prompt.

How long should my short answers=20 be?
At least as long as is necessary to answer the = question and=20 no longer than the space allowed. We limit you to the space provided = because we=20 aren't looking for long answers. These really are designed to be = short=20 answers.

What are you looking for in the short = answers and=20 essays?
You. We want to hear your stories in your own = voice.=20 The writing matters a lot in our deliberations. Take your time and make = sure=20 your writing reflects who you are.

What if I have = something=20 else to tell you?
If there is other information you = want to=20 submit, for example, extenuating family or personal circumstances, you = can add=20 it to the "Additional Information" section on the Common Application or = Caltech=20 Supplement.

Recommendation Letters and Supplementary=20 Information

Who should I=20 ask to write my recommendation letters?
Always choose = junior=20 or senior year teachers who know you well and like you a lot. We require = one=20 letter from a humanities or social science teacher and one letter from a = math or=20 science teacher. Junior or senior year teachers are important because = they are=20 able to describe your intellectual abilities as they are today rather = than as=20 they were when you were much younger.

Should I submit = more=20 than two teacher recommendations?
We only require two. = However,=20 if you'd like to send additional teacher recommendations, they should = provide=20 new information and speak directly to your ability to do demanding = college-level=20 work or scientific research.

Do you accept = supplementary=20 recommendation letters?
Yes. If you have conducted = research, we=20 strongly encourage you to submit a letter of recommendation from your = mentor.=20 You also may submit other recommendation letters if they add information = to your=20 application that we would have not otherwise = known.

Can=20 recommenders send the recommendations via = email?
Recommendation=20 letters should be submitted either via the online Common Application or = via=20 regular mail. We do not accept letters of recommendation via=20 e-mail.

Do you accept research = papers?
Yes.=20 If you have research experience in math, science, or engineering, you = are=20 welcome to submit a copy of any research paper or report you have = written.=20 Papers must be submitted as a PDF file and e-mailed to:=20 papers@admissions.caltech.edu. Please clearly mark your = full=20 name and birth date on your submission. To assure consideration, papers = should=20 be submitted no later than the application deadline. Papers that do not = have=20 your name and birth date clearly indicated on the first page may not be=20 considered.

Do you accept music CDs, art slides, or = other=20 materials?
If you would like to submit additional = materials=20 (CDs, music, written submissions, or art samples) you may mail them to = our=20 office postmarked by our admission deadline. Please note that we may not = always=20 use supplemental materials in our evaluation process but sometimes find = them=20 helpful. All supplementary materials should be clearly labeled with your = full=20 name and date of birth.

Early Action

Who should apply under Early Action (vs. = Regular=20 Decision)?
Students should consider applying under = Early Action=20 if they:

Can demonstrate strong academic preparation and achievement, = without the=20 benefit of senior-year first semester grades

Have taken all required standardized tests by the October test = date;=20 and/or

Want to apply for the Medical Scholars = Program
Is there=20 an advantage to applying Early Action?
You get an = earlier=20 reply, but there is no strategic advantage or disadvantage to applying = Early=20 Action. Our Early Action program is non-binding, and students admitted = under it=20 will have until May 1, like all other admitted students, to decide on=20 matriculation.

What happens if a student is not = admitted=20 Early Action?
Students can be denied or held over to = the=20 Regular Decision round. Those who are held over will be reevaluated and = receive=20 a decision at the same time as Regular Decision=20 candidates.

If I am denied Early Action, can I = reapply=20 Regular Decision?
No. You can only apply once during an = admissions cycle. If you are denied admission Early Action, you must = wait one=20 full year and reapply for admission (as a freshman or=20 transfer).

What is the percentage of students who are = typically held over to Regular Decision?
While it = varies from=20 year to year, approximately 40% of our Early Action applicants were held = for=20 consideration during the Regular Decision round. In 2007, just over 16% = of those=20 held over were ultimately offered admission.

If you = are held=20 over to Regular Decision, are you at a disadvantage compared to the = applicants=20 who only applied Regular Decision?
No. There is no=20 disadvantage.

Special Programs and Circumstances

What is the Medical Scholars=20 Program?
It is an eight-year BS/MD program in which = students=20 first earn an undergraduate degree at Caltech and then pursue a medical = degree=20 at the University of California, San Diego, Medical School.=20

How do I apply to the Medical Scholars=20 Program?
You must complete a Caltech application by the = Early=20 Action deadline, indicating an interest in the program. If you are = admitted to=20 Caltech early, you will be instructed to submit another essay and = recommendation=20 letter; both should detail your interest in medicine. You may then be = selected=20 for an interview and then for a place in the=20 program.

Can students apply to Caltech = before senior=20 year, without having finished high school?
Yes. A high = school=20 diploma is not required for admission to Caltech. We have a number of = such=20 candidates each year, and we evaluate them exactly as we do four-year = high=20 school students, expecting a comparable high-school=20 preparation.

I'm an international applicant - Is any = part of=20 the application process different?
The application = process is=20 nearly identical. We expect the application, transcripts, and = recommendation=20 letters to be in English or translated into English. =

If I am=20 an international student who needs financial aid, will this hurt my = chances for=20 admission?
Because of the limited financial aid for=20 international students, a family's ability to pay Caltech's tuition and = fees is=20 a consideration in our admission decisions. Twenty-two international = students=20 admitted to Caltech last year were offered some form of financial = assistance.=20 Because a student cannot receive financial aid if they apply for = admission=20 indicating that they do not need financial assistance it is imperative = that=20 those students needing financial assistance apply for financial aid = despite the=20 increased competition for admission.

Admissions = Decisions

Who evaluates freshman = applications?
The=20 Freshman Admissions Committee is responsible for admitting the freshman = class to=20 Caltech. The committee is composed of admissions staff, faculty, and=20 undergraduate students.

How are decisions=20 made?
The Freshman Admissions Committee devotes = substantial=20 time and resources to the evaluation of applications for each freshman = class.=20 Each application is read by a regional admissions counselor and then = routed to=20 the director of admissions or to the faculty and students for = evaluation. All of=20 these evaluations conclude with a written summary of the file. At this = point,=20 either a final decision is made based on these evaluations or the = application is=20 further considered by a committee made up of admissions staff, faculty, = and=20 students before a final decision is made.

What is the = most=20 important part of the admissions process?
The focus of = the=20 Admissions Committee is to admit students on the basis of significant = potential=20 in mathematics, science, and engineering. There is no single academic or = personal profile of students who have such potential. In particular, = there is no=20 specific SAT score or grade-point average that ensures or precludes = freshman=20 applicants from gaining admission. All of the components of the freshman = application contain important information regarding academic potential, = and all=20 affect the chances of admission. Prospective applicants should note, = however,=20 that they have control over the quality of two parts of their freshman=20 application in particular: the rigor of the courses selected in the = context of=20 the school curriculum and the application essays. Applicants would do = well to=20 treat these as especially important parts of the admission process - by = choosing=20 to enroll in an appropriately rigorous course of study and by submitting = thoughtful and carefully written essays.

How = important are=20 test scores?
Test scores matter, but are always = evaluated in=20 the context of the whole application, including curriculum, grades,=20 recommendations, and essays. Test scores alone do not determine a = student's=20 admission decision, and small differences in scores are insignificant.=20

How many students apply?
There were = 3,952=20 applicants for the class of 2012.

How many students = are=20 admitted?
688 students were offered admission to the = class of=20 2012.

How many students are wait-listed and then = admitted=20 from the waiting list?
Approximately 540 students were = offered=20 a place on the waiting list for the class of 2012. Approximately 20 = students=20 were offered admission from the waiting list.

Do you = rank=20 high schools?
No. We evaluate each applicant in the = context of=20 the opportunities and resources specifically=20 available.

Admissions Policy

Is it=20 harder for me to get in if there are a lot of applicants from my high=20 school?
No. We neither read nor evaluate applications = in any=20 sort of grouping. Each application is considered individually against = the entire=20 pool. Our goal is to admit the best possible class; therefore, we may = admit all,=20 some, or none of the students from any particular high=20 school.

Do I have an advantage if I'm from=20 California?
No. Caltech is a private institution , so = it=20 doesn't matter which state a student comes from. We work to ensure that = we have=20 a geographically diverse applicant pool, but we don't consider geography = when=20 making decisions.

Financial Aid

Is Caltech = need-blind in=20 admissions?
Caltech is need-blind for all U.S. citizens = and=20 permanent residents and need-sensitive for international=20 students.

Do you give athletic=20 scholarships?
As an NCAA Division III institution, we = are not=20 permitted to offer athletic scholarships.

Do you = offer merit=20 scholarships?
In order to strengthen our need-based = financial=20 aid program even further, we will be redirecting our freshman = merit-based=20 scholarship programs to our need-based financial aid program, effective = with the=20 class that will enter in September 2009.

Transfer = Admissions

When are = applications=20 available?
The freshman application becomes available = on July 1=20 of each year. The transfer and 3/2 applications are generally available = by=20 September 1.

When is the transfer exam=20 available?
Transfer exams are made available to your = selected=20 proctor after March 1.

How can I study for the = transfer=20 exam?
We recommend that students review the content of = areas=20 covered in Caltech core physics and math courses. See Transfer=20 Applicants for more information.

What courses = should I=20 take at my current school to prepare for Caltech?
A = strong=20 background in physics and math is necessary to do well on the transfer = exams.=20 Otherwise we would recommend any rigorous course of study that = emphasizes math,=20 science, and engineering courses.

For which courses = does=20 Caltech offer transfer credits?
Transfer credits are = determined=20 on an individual basis by the faculty at the time of enrollment. It is = not=20 possible for us to advise students about credit transfer before they = arrive on=20 campus.

Caltech Undergraduate Admissions
1200 = E.=20 California Blvd MC 1-94 Pasadena CA = 91125
626 395=20 6341

ugadmissions@caltech.edu