Lori Meadows
The California Institute of Technology (Caltech) is a highly selective institution with a less than 4% acceptance rate. It admits a limited number of students each year, making it a dream college for many. Caltech is committed to meeting the full demonstrated financial needs of all admitted students. While it does not offer merit-based scholarships for international students, it does provide need-based financial aid packages to international students with significant financial needs. International applicants are required to submit English proficiency exam scores, letters of recommendation, and transcripts from their secondary school.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition of an international student | A student who is neither a US citizen nor a permanent resident and has attended secondary school outside of the US |
| Application process for international students | Same as for all applicants |
| Financial aid for international students | Need-based financial aid is available for international students, but funds are limited and may impact admissions decisions |
| English language requirements | English proficiency exam scores required unless the native language is English or English is the primary language of instruction in secondary school; accepted exams include Duolingo, IELTS, TOEFL, and TOEFL iBT |
| School report and transcripts | Required from a school official, including grades 9-11 or international curriculum equivalent |
| Standardized test scores | SAT or ACT test scores required; AP or IB exam scores also accepted |
| Letters of recommendation | Two letters required: one from a STEM teacher (calculus, physics, chemistry, or biology) and one from a humanities/social sciences teacher (English, history, government, or economics) |
| Verification of submitted proofs | Caltech reserves the right to verify submitted proofs, and any discrepancies may result in rescission of admission |
| Acceptance rate | Approximately 3-4%, highly selective |
| Additional resources | InitialView recommended for international applicants to provide insights into communication and thinking skills |
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What You'll Learn
Application requirements
International students applying to Caltech are required to submit a range of documents and test scores as part of their application. Here are the application requirements for international students seeking admission to Caltech:
- English Proficiency Exam Scores: International applicants are required to submit English proficiency exam scores unless their native language is English or if English is the primary language of instruction in their secondary school. Accepted English proficiency exams include the Duolingo English Test (DET), IELTS, or the TOEFL. The exam must be taken before the application deadline.
- Standardized Test Scores: Caltech requires either SAT or ACT test scores from all applicants, including international students. Additionally, if you have taken Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) examinations, you must submit those scores as well.
- Letters of Recommendation: Caltech requires letters of recommendation from two secondary school teachers. One letter should be from a STEM field teacher (preferably calculus, physics, chemistry, or biology), and the other from a humanities or social sciences teacher (English, history, government, or economics). If you have not taken humanities or social science courses in your final two years of secondary school, you may substitute the humanities/social science teacher's letter with another letter from a teacher in a different core subject.
- Official Transcripts: International applicants must submit official transcripts or records of their academic performance. These transcripts should include class titles, grades, and predicted grades or scores if available. If the language of instruction at your school is not English, you must submit both the original document and an English translation.
- School Report: This is a document provided by your high school college counsellor that offers context about your school and can include a letter of recommendation.
- Mid-Year Report: This report is due when first-term senior grades become available at your school.
- Supplemental Materials: While optional, international applicants are encouraged to submit supplemental materials that can include research papers, publications, or writing samples to help the admissions committee learn more about you.
- International Financial Aid Statement of Intent: International applicants must confirm their understanding of Caltech's financial aid policy and their intent to apply for financial aid during the application process. Caltech provides need-based financial aid and meets 100% of demonstrated financial need. However, the total amount of financial aid funds for international students is limited, which may impact admissions decisions.
It is important to note that all application materials must be submitted in English, and Caltech admissions officers are trained to understand various international education systems and grading scales. Additionally, international students are recommended to participate in InitialView, which provides unscripted conversations and writing samples to give admissions officers insight into the applicant's communication skills and thinking processes.
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Financial aid
Caltech offers need-based financial aid that meets 100% of the demonstrated financial need of admitted students. The financial aid policies are mostly the same for international students as for domestic students. However, the financial aid application requirements for international students differ from those of domestic students.
If you are an international applicant and plan to apply for financial aid, you must do so at the time you apply for admission. If Caltech offers you financial aid for the first year, you may reapply for aid in subsequent years. If you do not apply for or receive financial aid for your first year, you may not apply for aid for any other academic period. Caltech may make exceptions for citizens of Canada and Mexico.
If you are applying for financial aid and the application fee presents a financial hardship for your family, Caltech offers fee waivers. If the cost of the recommended InitialView conversation and writing sample is prohibitive for you, fee waivers are also available.
English Proficiency Exam scores are required of all international applicants unless 1) your native language is English or 2) English is the primary language of instruction in your secondary school. Caltech accepts the Duolingo English Test (DET), IELTS, or the TOEFL.
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English proficiency tests
International students are welcome at Caltech, and the institute supports international students, scholars, and their families in pursuit of professional and personal endeavours through individualized immigration advising, intercultural programming, and advocacy. The International Offices consist of International Scholar Services (ISS), International Student Programs (ISP), and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory International Office (JPL).
International applicants are defined as students who are neither US citizens nor permanent residents and who have attended secondary school outside of the United States. Caltech requires all international applicants to submit English Proficiency Exam scores unless 1) their native language is English or 2) English is the primary language of instruction in their secondary school.
Caltech accepts the following English proficiency tests:
- Duolingo English Test (DET)
- TOEFL iBT: a minimum score of 100 overall, with no sub-score below 20, is required
- IELTS (according to one source)
It is important to note that any part of the application that is not in English will not be reviewed. The English proficiency exam must be taken before the application deadline.
In addition to English proficiency tests, international applicants are required to submit:
- Two letters of recommendation from secondary school teachers: one from a STEM subject (preferably calculus or beyond) and one from Humanities/Social Sciences
- Official transcripts from secondary school (grades 9-11, or the international curriculum equivalent)
- Standardized test scores: either the SAT or ACT test scores
- School Report: a document that provides context about the applicant's school, completed by their high school college counsellor
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Admissions statistics
California Institute of Technology (Caltech) is a highly selective institution with an acceptance rate of around 3-4%. The institute is home to some of the brightest minds in the STEM field and ranks 15th in world rankings. It has produced 39 Nobel laureates.
Caltech admits a limited number of students, making the competition tough. The institute is committed to meeting the full demonstrated financial needs of all admitted students. However, it is need-aware for international students due to limited financial aid funds. This means that financial need may be a factor in admissions decisions for international applicants.
For undergraduate admissions, international applicants must submit the following:
- English proficiency exam scores (such as the Duolingo English Test, TOEFL, or IELTS, although IELTS is not recommended as Caltech does not accept these scores) unless their native language is English or English is the primary language of instruction in their secondary school
- Official transcripts from their secondary school (grades 9-11 or the international curriculum equivalent)
- Mid-Year Report (due when first-term senior grades are available)
- Standardized test scores (either the SAT or ACT test scores)
- School Report, which provides context about the applicant's school and can include a letter of recommendation from a school counselor
- Two letters of recommendation from secondary school teachers, one from a STEM subject (calculus, physics, chemistry, or biology) and one from the humanities/social sciences (English, history, government, or economics)
Additionally, international applicants are recommended to submit an InitialView, which includes unscripted conversations and writing samples to give admissions officers insight into how they communicate and think.
Caltech does not specify a minimum GPA, but a strong GPA above 3.5 is expected for most programs. Similarly, while there are no minimum requirements for standardized test scores, applicants are advised to aim above the program's average.
For graduate admissions, a bachelor's degree in a relevant field from an accredited university with a strong academic record is required. GRE scores are typically required for master's programs in science and engineering, and aiming above the program's average strengthens the application.
Caltech does not offer merit-based scholarships specifically for international students, but some Caltech scholarships awarded to full-time students (including international students) may be renewable based on academic performance and financial need. These are typically a combination of grants and loans. Certain graduate programs also offer teaching assistantships to help offset tuition costs.
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Immigration advising
Caltech welcomes international students and is committed to meeting the full demonstrated financial need of all admitted students. The application and review processes are the same for all applicants, and Caltech offers need-based financial aid that meets 100% of demonstrated financial need. However, the total amount of financial aid funds for international students is limited, which may result in financial need being a factor in admissions decisions for international applicants. International applicants must apply for financial aid at the time of admission.
International students are required to submit English proficiency exam scores unless their native language is English or English is the primary language of instruction in their secondary school. Caltech accepts the Duolingo English Test (DET), TOEFL, or the TOEFL iBT (with a minimum score of 100 overall and no sub-score below 20). Unlike other US universities, Caltech does not accept IELTS scores. There are no minimum requirements for English proficiency exams.
International applicants are also required to submit letters of recommendation from two secondary school teachers: one from a STEM field (preferably calculus or beyond) and one from the humanities or social sciences. If an international applicant has not taken a humanities or social science course in their final two years of secondary school, they can substitute the required teacher evaluation with another letter from a teacher in a different core subject.
Caltech admissions officers are trained to understand international education systems, so there is no need to translate or convert grades to the American system. However, any part of the application that is not in English must be translated. Official transcripts from secondary school must be submitted by a school official, and if the applicant has taken college classes while in high school, college transcripts must also be provided.
In addition to the application requirements, international students may benefit from submitting an InitialView interview and writing sample, which gives admissions officers insight into how the applicant communicates and thinks.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Caltech accepts international students. However, it has a very low acceptance rate of around 4%, making it highly selective.
International students must submit their English language proficiency test scores unless their native language is English or it is the primary language of instruction in their secondary school. Caltech accepts the Duolingo English Test (DET), TOEFL iBT, and TOEFL. Students must also submit transcripts, letters of recommendation, and SAT or ACT test scores.
Yes, Caltech offers need-based financial aid to international students who demonstrate significant financial need. However, the total amount of financial aid funds for international students is limited, which may be a factor in admissions decisions. International students must apply for financial aid at the time of admission and may reapply for aid in subsequent years.
