What kind of student 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?

What kind of students does Caltech accept?

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.

What does Caltech focus on?

Caltech's extraordinary faculty and students are expanding our understanding of the universe and inventing the technologies of the future, with research interests from quantum science and engineering to bioinformatics and the nature of life itself, from human behavior and economics to energy and sustainability.

What classes should I take to get into Caltech?

Take the math and science classes that will launch you into our core curriculum. And take classes that really spark your interest. Importantly - take more than STEM. All students are required to take 3-4 years of English and, if you are in an American school, we require one year of US History or Government.

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

What is the most popular major at Caltech?

The most popular majors at California Institute of Technology include: Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services; Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians; Physical Sciences; Mathematics and Statistics; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; and Business, Management, Marketing, and Related ...

Can an average student get into Caltech?

According to U.S. News, Caltech is considered a highly competitive school with an acceptance rate of 7%. Just over 8,000 students applied for the Caltech Class of 2024. Of those applicants, the Caltech total enrollment was only 244 students. The Caltech average GPA ranges from 3.9 – 4.19.

Why is Caltech so prestigious?

Due to its history of technological innovation, Caltech has been considered to be one of the world's most prestigious universities.

Why is Caltech so special?

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.

What does Caltech look for in essays?

If there is anything important about who you are, what you've done, or how you've experienced your life - we want to know about it. Holistic review means whole person review. We're here for whatever you want to share.

Is it harder to get into Caltech or MIT?

At a glance, Caltech and MIT are quite similar. They both have a mere 4% acceptance rate, although admitted freshmen at Caltech have higher test scores and grades, albeit by a very slim margin. On the other hand, MIT has a higher school ranking and slightly more prestige.

Do you have to be a genius to get into Caltech?

Admission to Caltech and M.I.T. is highly competitive, and they seek students who demonstrate exceptional academic abilities, creativity, and a passion for learning. While high intelligence is certainly an advantage, it's not the only factor considered in the admissions process.

What is the lowest GPA accepted to Caltech?

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. Are international students required to report a GPA? GPA's should only be reported for those schools attended within the United States.

Does Caltech look at class rank?

Getting into Caltech is very hard. It requires you to be highly exceptional by getting a high GPA and class rank, and it has a relatively low acceptance rate that decreases every year.

Is Caltech worth the money?

First and foremost, Caltech is already one of the best colleges in the nation, and often this means world-class opportunities that are well worth the cost. If you graduate from this school, you'll find yourself very competitive in your career. But beyond this, Caltech has a best-in-class financial aid program.

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.

Why does Caltech accept so few people?

First off, since Caltech is so small, it doesn't need to accept that many people to fill up it freshmen class. 900 undergrads total, so admissions needs around 240 students to come each year. Caltech would not be served better by encouraging tons more people to apply or by admitting more people.

Why I chose Caltech over MIT?

If you'd prefer a bigger, more diverse environment, then MIT might be a better fit for you, as it's got more students and extracurriculars. If you'd rather have a more intimate setting where you can get to know most, or possibly all, of your peers, Caltech would probably be the ideal choice.

Are Caltech students happy?

Undergraduate student representation and self-government are happily welcomed here, and the school “really cares about the undergrads and wants to keep us happy.” The school also does “a really good job of keeping students occupied and entertained while at the same time cramming a ridiculous amount of information into ...

Why is it hard to 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.

Is Caltech better than Oxford?

Overall, throughout the ranking's history, Oxford has finished first eight times, including every year since 2017. Caltech has topped the list five times, while Harvard has once.

How rigorous is Caltech?

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. We expect you to work with your classmates to find answers.

What are the demographics of Caltech?

The enrolled student population at California Institute of Technology is 27.6% White, 21.4% Asian, 13.4% Hispanic or Latino, 5.88% Two or More Races, 1.59% Black or African American, 0.125% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0417% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.