Caltech's Need-Blind Admissions: Does It Include International Students?

is caltech need blind for international students

Caltech is a highly competitive educational institution that offers need-based financial aid to international students. The application and review processes are the same for all applicants, and the institute is committed to meeting 100% of the demonstrated financial needs of its 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 admissions decisions for international applicants. International students applying for financial aid must do so simultaneously with their application for admission.

Characteristics Values
Need-blind status for international students Need-aware
Financial aid for international students Available
Application process for international students Same as domestic students
English proficiency requirement for international students Required, unless English is the native language or the primary language of instruction in secondary school
Financial aid application requirements for international students CSS Profile, Tax Returns or Wage Statements, Net Price Calculator
Types of financial aid offered to international students Scholarships, grants, work-study, loans
Caltech's commitment to meeting financial need 100% of demonstrated financial need met through a combination of scholarships, grants, work-study, and loans
Caltech's policy on loans No-Loan Policy; financial need is met with grants and on-campus employment, not loans
Expected student contribution $1,800 per year, typically covered through part-time work

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Caltech is need-aware for international students

Caltech defines international applicants as students who are non-U.S. citizens or permanent residents attending secondary school outside of the United States. The California Institute of Technology (Caltech) is need-aware for international students. This means that the total amount of financial aid funds for international students is limited, and financial need may be a factor in the Institute's admissions decisions for these applicants.

Caltech is committed to meeting the full demonstrated financial need of all admitted students. They offer need-based financial aid that meets 100% of the student's demonstrated financial need. This is done through a combination of scholarships and grants (which are gifts and do not have to be paid back), work-study, and loans. The need analysis formula takes into account factors such as income, assets, certain expenses, and family size.

If an international applicant plans to apply for financial aid at any time during their undergraduate career at Caltech, they must apply for it when they apply for admission. If the student does not apply for or receive financial aid for their first year, they may not apply for aid for any other academic period. An exception to this rule may be made for citizens of Canada and Mexico.

While Caltech is need-aware for international students, they do not consider an applicant's ability to pay when making admissions decisions. All students are required to contribute to their education costs, with a student contribution of $1,800 per year expected. Most students cover this through part-time work during the academic year or summer.

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Financial aid for international students

Caltech defines international applicants as students who are non-U.S. citizens or permanent residents attending secondary school outside the United States. If you are in the U.S. as an asylee, refugee, or undocumented student, you are a domestic applicant.

Caltech is need-aware for international students because the total amount of financial aid funds for international students is limited. This limitation may result in financial need being a factor in the Institute's admissions decisions for international applicants. 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. However, 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 offers need-based financial aid that meets 100% of the demonstrated financial need of admitted students. The need analysis formula takes into account factors such as income, assets, certain expenses, and family size. The financial aid package may include scholarships and grants (which do not need to be paid back), work-study, and loans. Most students from families earning less than $100,000 can expect a no-loan financial aid package that covers tuition, fees, housing, and food.

If the application fee presents a hardship for your family, Caltech offers fee waivers. Additionally, if the cost of InitialView is prohibitive, fee waivers are available. International students are encouraged to provide an InitialView conversation and writing sample, in addition to English proficiency exam scores.

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English proficiency requirements

Caltech defines an international applicant as a student who is neither a US citizen nor a permanent resident and who has attended secondary school outside of the United States. International applicants at Caltech are required to submit English proficiency scores unless their native language is English or English is the primary language of instruction in their secondary school.

The following English proficiency exams are accepted:

  • Duolingo English Test (DET)
  • IELTS
  • TOEFL

The English proficiency exam must be taken prior to the application deadline. International applicants are also encouraged to provide an InitialView conversation and writing sample. InitialView is a recommended but not required component of the application. It is not a graded test, but rather an opportunity for applicants to showcase their communication skills and thinking abilities. If the cost of InitialView is prohibitive, fee waivers are available.

All application materials must be submitted in English. If the original documents are in a language other than English, Caltech requires both the original document and an English translation. The translation can be completed by an English teacher or school official. Caltech will not review an application if any part of it is not translated into English.

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Application and review processes

Caltech defines international applicants as students who are non-U.S. citizens or permanent residents attending secondary school outside of the United States. The application and review processes for international students are the same as for domestic students, except for financial need considerations.

International students are required to submit the following as part of their application:

  • English translations of their original academic documents, if the language of instruction in their school is not English.
  • Two letters of recommendation from secondary school teachers: one from a STEM subject (preferably calculus, physics, chemistry, or biology), and one from a humanities/social sciences subject (English, history, government, or economics). If an applicant has not taken a humanities/social science course in their final two years of secondary school, they can submit another letter from a teacher in a different core subject.
  • English proficiency 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), IELTS, or the TOEFL.
  • An InitialView conversation and writing sample are recommended for international students. InitialView gives admissions officers insight into how applicants communicate and think. If the cost of InitialView is prohibitive, fee waivers are available.

In addition, international students who are unable to take standardized exams due to unavailability or technical challenges in their country can explain this in their Caltech-specific application and choose other ways to demonstrate their academic preparation.

Caltech offers need-based financial aid to international students, meeting 100% of their demonstrated financial need. However, Caltech is need-aware for international students due to limited financial aid funds, which may influence admissions decisions. Therefore, international applicants must apply for financial aid at the time of admission if they plan to seek financial aid during their undergraduate career.

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Scholarships and grants

Caltech offers scholarships and grants to international students based on financial need. The total amount of financial aid funds for international students is limited, and Caltech is need-aware during the admissions process. However, the university is committed to meeting 100% of the demonstrated financial need of admitted students through a combination of scholarships, grants, work-study, and loans.

International students can apply for Caltech scholarships at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. These scholarships are need-based and cover expenses such as application fees, catering, accommodation, personal expenses, and transportation for each semester. International students may renew their scholarships depending on their needs. Additionally, Caltech offers fee waivers for the InitialView conversation and writing sample requirement for international applicants.

To apply for Caltech scholarships, students must submit the Scholarship Data Form, including transcripts, identity proof, household income documents, and citizenship proof. The selection process is conducted by the California Institute of Technology and the Federal Government based on academic and non-academic factors such as extracurricular activities, community service, and work experience.

There are also various external scholarships, fellowships, and grants available to international students studying at Caltech. These include the Higher Education Scholarship Test for Indian Students (HEST), the Education Future International Scholarship, the Center for Cyber Safety and Education Certification Scholarship, and the Richard D. Stehly Memorial Scholarship by the ACI Foundation.

Frequently asked questions

No, Caltech is need-aware for international students. This means that financial need may be a factor in admissions decisions for international applicants.

Caltech offers need-based financial aid to international students, meeting 100% of their demonstrated financial need. Financial aid packages are typically composed of grants, which do not need to be repaid, rather than loans or work-study.

International students are encouraged to provide an InitialView conversation and writing sample. English proficiency scores are also required unless English is the applicant's native language or the primary language of instruction in their secondary school.

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