Lori Meadows
The California Institute of Technology, or Caltech, is a prestigious, privately funded STEM institution located in California, USA. With an acceptance rate of just 3-6.7%, getting into Caltech is highly competitive. The institute defines international applicants as students who are non-US citizens or permanent residents attending secondary school outside of the US. While the application and review processes are the same for all applicants, financial aid funds for international students are limited. To apply, international students must submit their high school transcripts, GPA, SAT or ACT scores, letters of recommendation, application essays, and interviews. They must also submit English proficiency test scores unless their native language is English or it is the primary language of instruction in their secondary school.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Application Portals | Common Application or Coalition Application |
| Application Cost | $75 |
| Acceptance Rate | 3% |
| Application Requirements | High school transcript and GPA, application form, letters of recommendation, essays, interviews, extracurriculars |
| Letters of Recommendation | 2 secondary school teachers (1 STEM, 1 Humanities/Social Sciences) |
| Financial Aid | Need-based financial aid that meets 100% of demonstrated financial need |
| Application Fee Waivers | Available if applying for financial aid |
| Language Proficiency Tests | Required for international students whose native language isn't English |
| InitialView | Recommended for international students |
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What You'll Learn
- Application requirements: SAT/ACT scores, essays, letters of recommendation, and interviews
- Financial aid: Need-based aid is available for international students, but it may impact admissions decisions
- Language proficiency: Non-native English speakers must submit test scores
- Curriculum: Challenging courses, honours, and AP/IB classes are favoured
- Extracurriculars: Unique, specialised activities and Tier 1-2 interests are preferred
Application requirements: SAT/ACT scores, essays, letters of recommendation, and interviews
Application Requirements for International Students
The California Institute of Technology, Caltech, is a highly selective institution with an acceptance rate of just 3%. The application requirements for international students are the same as for domestic students, with the exception of financial need considerations.
SAT/ACT Scores
Caltech requires applicants to submit either SAT or ACT scores. A high score is essential for a competitive application. It is recommended that applicants aim for a score of at least 1570 in the SAT or a 36 in the ACT.
Essays
Supplemental application essays are required as part of the application process. The essay questions are designed to help the admissions committee learn more about you, your interests, and your preparedness for the Caltech curriculum.
Letters of Recommendation
Caltech requires letters of recommendation from two secondary school teachers. One letter should come from a STEM (science, technology, engineering, or mathematics) teacher, preferably in math (calculus or beyond), physics, chemistry, or biology. The other letter should come from a humanities or social sciences teacher, preferably in English, history, government, or economics.
Interviews
Interviews are a required part of the application process. International students are encouraged to provide an InitialView conversation and writing sample. InitialView is a service that provides unscripted conversations and writing samples to give admissions officers insight into how applicants communicate and think. This service is not mandatory, but it is recommended for all international applicants. Additionally, international students whose native language is not English need to submit English proficiency test scores. Caltech accepts the Duolingo English Test (DET), IELTS, or TOEFL.
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Financial aid: Need-based aid is available for international students, but it may impact admissions decisions
As a prestigious, privately-funded institution, Caltech is committed to meeting 100% of the demonstrated financial needs of all admitted students. However, it is important to note that Caltech is need-aware for international students due to limited financial aid funds. This means that financial need may be a factor in the admissions decisions for international applicants.
If you are an international applicant planning to apply for financial aid at any time during your undergraduate studies at Caltech, you must apply for it simultaneously with your application for admission. If you receive financial aid for your first year, you may reapply for subsequent years. However, if you do not apply for or receive financial aid during your first year, you will not be eligible to apply for aid for any other academic period. Exceptions may be made for citizens of Canada and Mexico.
Caltech offers need-based financial aid to international students, and the application and review processes are the same for all applicants. The financial aid application requirements for international students differ from those of domestic students, and you can find out more about the required documents on the Caltech website. Additionally, if the application fee presents a financial hardship for your family, Caltech offers fee waivers.
To apply for financial aid as an international student at Caltech, you must submit your application through either the Common Application or Coalition Application, along with supplemental application essays. Caltech is also a QuestBridge partner, allowing students to apply through the Quest Bridge National College Match. The cost of the application is $75, and the acceptance rate is highly competitive, at only 3%.
In addition to the application, international students whose native language is not English must submit language proficiency test scores. Caltech accepts the Duolingo English Test (DET), IELTS, or the TOEFL. English proficiency exams are not required if your native language is English or if English is the primary language of instruction in your secondary school.
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Language proficiency: Non-native English speakers must submit test scores
International applicants to Caltech are required to submit their language proficiency test scores if their native language isn't English. The California Institute of Technology accepts the following tests: the Duolingo English Test (DET), IELTS, or the TOEFL. These tests are used to evaluate an applicant's capability in English, including reading, writing, speaking, and comprehension.
Caltech requires applicants to submit their original documents and an English translation if the language of instruction in their school is not English. The institute recommends that an English teacher or school official translate the documents. However, it is important to note that Caltech admissions officers are trained to understand different education systems, so there is no need to convert grades to the American system.
International applicants are also encouraged to provide an InitialView conversation and writing sample. InitialView is a service that provides unscripted conversations and writing samples to give admissions officers insight into how applicants communicate and think. Fee waivers are available for those who may find the cost of InitialView prohibitive.
While there is no minimum requirement for English proficiency exams, Caltech will conduct a one-on-one English evaluation with an ESL instructor during orientation for students with limited instruction in English. These students may also be asked to enrol in an English as a Second Language (ESL) course.
It is worth noting that Caltech defines international applicants as students who are non-US citizens or permanent residents attending secondary school outside of the United States. If an applicant is in the US as an asylee, refugee, or undocumented student, they are considered a domestic applicant.
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Curriculum: Challenging courses, honours, and AP/IB classes are favoured
The California Institute of Technology (Caltech) is a prestigious institution with a highly selective admissions approach and an acceptance rate of just 2.27%. The school is committed to enrolling the brightest students from around the world.
To be eligible for Caltech admissions, you need a strong curriculum and a minimum 3.0-3.5 GPA (90%) along with a strong background in mathematics and basic knowledge of science, social sciences, and humanities.
Caltech admissions officers are trained to understand your education system, so there is no need to translate or convert grades to the American system. However, all application materials must be submitted in English, and Caltech will not review applications with untranslated parts. If the language of instruction in your school is not English, you must submit the original document and an English translation. You can consider asking an English teacher or school official to translate the document.
Caltech requires letters of recommendation from two secondary school teachers: one from STEM (calculus or beyond, physics, chemistry, or biology) and one from Humanities/Social Sciences (English, history, government, or economics). If you have not taken a humanities/social science course in your final two years of secondary school, you can substitute the required teacher evaluation with another letter from a teacher in a different core subject.
In addition to the above, if you have taken Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) examinations, you will be asked to submit those scores as well.
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Extracurriculars: Unique, specialised activities and Tier 1-2 interests are preferred
Caltech is a highly selective institution with an acceptance rate of just 3%. The admissions process is the same for all applicants, regardless of their nationality or location. However, international students whose native language is not English must submit language proficiency test scores.
Caltech's academic culture emphasizes extracurricular enrichment, and the admissions committee looks for students with interests outside of school that they are dedicated to. While there are no "required" extracurriculars, students are encouraged to pursue activities they are passionate about and that showcase their unique talents and interests.
When it comes to extracurriculars, specialised activities that demonstrate a Tier 1-2 interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) can set applicants apart. This could include participating in science fairs, robotics competitions, or mathematics olympiads. For instance, the Caltech Y offers opportunities for students to get involved in tutoring, conservation work, and community events. Additionally, the Caltech Center for Inclusion & Diversity (CCID) provides a safe space for students to connect and explore their identities, promoting education, advocacy, and allyship.
Beyond STEM-related pursuits, Caltech values a well-rounded student body with diverse interests. Students are encouraged to explore their creativity through the Performing & Visual Arts department, which offers classes and involvement in music, theatre, ceramics, painting, and silk screening. Athletic pursuits are also valued, with about 25% of students competing in NCAA III sports and several club sports teams available.
In conclusion, when considering extracurricular activities for a Caltech application, international students should focus on specialised activities that align with their passions, particularly in STEM-related fields. However, demonstrating a well-rounded personality through involvement in the arts, athletics, or community service can also strengthen an application.
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Frequently asked questions
International applicants whose native language isn't English need to submit English Proficiency Exam scores. This can be the Duolingo English Test (DET), IELTS, or the TOEFL. If your school instruction is not in English, you will need to submit the original document and an English translation.
Caltech is a highly selective institution with an acceptance rate of 6.7% in 2020-21. It is recommended that you have a strong academic background, with an SAT score of at least 1570 or an ACT score of 36. You should also have a high GPA and take challenging courses, such as Calculus, Statistics, and Chemistry.
Caltech requires letters of recommendation from two secondary school teachers: one from a STEM subject (preferably Calculus or beyond) and one from Humanities/Social Sciences. You will also need to submit application essays, and it is recommended that you include extracurricular activities.
