What does Caltech look for?

Caltech is looking for students with incredible potential in STEM. Potential. There is no prescribed way of getting into Caltech. You don't have to have scientific research or get a Nobel at 12; read more about what you should do to prepare for Caltech.

What qualities does Caltech look for?

How can I increase my chances of getting into Caltech?

With a GPA of 4.19, Caltech requires you to be at the top of your class. You'll need nearly straight A's in all your classes to compete with other applicants. Furthermore, you should be taking hard classes - AP or IB courses - to show that college-level academics is a breeze.

Does Caltech care about extracurriculars?

Caltech also takes special note of any involvement in math or science extracurriculars. As a world-renowned science and engineering institute, Caltech wants students who naturally use math and science in different parts of their lives.

What does Caltech focus on?

In 1920, the institution originally founded as Throop University was reimagined and renamed as the California Institute of Technology. With a new focus on science and engineering, and the addition of graduate students to the campus, it became a true research institute.

How to get into a TOP STEM SCHOOL - 4 things your Caltech application MUST have

What kind of students get into Caltech?

You'll need a rigorous academic record to get into Caltech. Aim for a weighted GPA of 4.19 and SAT/ACT scores of 1570 and 36. Competitive applicants also take academically challenging courses, such as AP or IB courses, and demonstrate their passion for STEM in their admission essays and extracurricular activities.

What is the most popular major at Caltech?

Can I get into Caltech with a 3.5 GPA?

Caltech does not have a minimum GPA requirement. However, most successful applicants have a US GPA of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale and/or are in the top 5 to 10% of their class.

Who gets accepted to Caltech?

Caltech does, however, provide statistics on standardized tests for previous admissions cycles. According to the CDS, 45% of admitted students (101 people) submitted SAT scores, and 34% (77 people) submitted ACT scores. The middle 50% SAT range was 1510–1570, and the middle 50% ACT range was 35–36.

Does Caltech care about volunteering?

Caltech recognizes the need to balance the desirability of volunteer service with the need to protect the Volunteer's interests and the need to minimize risk to both the Volunteer and the Institute.

Why is Caltech so prestigious?

Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering Institute that marshals some of the world's brightest minds and most innovative tools to address fundamental scientific questions and pressing societal challenges.

Why is it so hard to get into Caltech?

It is tough to get into Caltech. As one of the leading science and research universities globally, the school receives many applications, which reduces its acceptance rate every year. To get accepted into the school, you must be exceptional and among the top five to 10 percent in your class.

How do I get a full scholarship to Caltech?

All scholarships and grants at Caltech are need-based, as the Institute does not have a merit aid program. Undergraduate students who fill out a financial aid application will be automatically considered for scholarships and grants from Caltech and the federal government.

What does Caltech want in a student?

Caltech is looking for students with incredible potential in STEM. Potential. There is no prescribed way of getting into Caltech. You don't have to have scientific research or get a Nobel at 12; read more about what you should do to prepare for Caltech.

What does Caltech look for in essays?

We ask for experiences from your high school years because we want to get a sense of who you are today. So focus on a recent experience and give us a glimpse of how you do STEM. Struggling to think of an experience to write about? Not all STEM experiences will look the same (and imagine how boring that would be!)

Does Caltech care about demonstrated interest?

Note, Caltech does not consider or track demonstrated interest; nor do we track if a student has participated in a visit or information session when evaluating a candidate for admissions.

Is Caltech harder than 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.

How rigorous is Caltech?

Our approach. Caltech is hard. Our coursework will push you outside your comfort zone, even if STEM is your comfort zone. No matter how much math you've taken, you will face problem sets here that you can't solve on your own.

Why is Caltech acceptance rate so low?

This low acceptance rate is due to the highly competitive nature of the applicant pool. Caltech attracts some of the brightest and most accomplished students from around the world, with a strong emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Can I get into Harvard with a 1.3 GPA?

The GPA requirements for Harvard University are between 3.9 to 4.1. You will need an incredibly high GPA and will likely be graduating at the top of their class in order to get into Harvard University.

How many students does Caltech accept each year?

Caltech Acceptance Rate 2023

There were 16,626 applications to Caltech for a place in the 2022-23 freshman class; just 448 were accepted. This Caltech acceptance rate of 2.7% was lower than MIT's in the same cycle.

What is the hardest major at Caltech?

Chemical engineering has the most requirements so it requires a lot of work. Electrical engineering also tends to be regarded as one of the harder majors but I think this is because of a handful of especially unforgiving and time-consuming classes. Physics and math can be conceptually very hard.

What are the top 3 majors in Caltech?

Is Caltech more prestigious than MIT?

MIT is generally considered more famous than Caltech because of its large size, longer history, and broader range of programs. MIT was founded in 1861, almost 30 years before Caltech, and has had more time to establish itself as a leading academic institution. The location also plays a key factor.