Caltech, hot on the heels of announcing that it will require first-year applicants to report ACT or SAT scores in order to be considered for Caltech’s Class of 2029, has now released its supplemental essay prompts for the 2024-2025 admissions cycle. While a number of short essays are options, Caltech also requires first-year applicants to respond to several prompts.
Located in Pasadena, California, Caltech benefits from its proximity to major research institutions, high-tech companies, and cultural attractions in the Los Angeles area. This location can provide students with amazing, varied, and unique opportunities for internships, networking, and social activities. Caltech is also known for its unique academic culture, characterized by collaboration, curiosity-driven research, and a focus on solving complex problems. Students who thrive in a challenging and intellectually stimulating environment often find Caltech to be a perfect fit. Most importantly, Caltech faculty members are leaders in their fields, and undergraduates have the opportunity to work closely with them on cutting-edge research projects. This hands-on experience can be invaluable for students looking to pursue graduate studies or enter industry.
When a first-year applicant applies to Caltech through the Common App or QuestBridge application, the student will also submit the Caltech Specific Questions (for QuestBridge applicants, these questions come if the student becomes a Match Finalist and he or she has ranked Caltech). The essays are an opportunity for first-year applicants to share more about themselves in their unique voice. While there are no right or wrong answers, Caltech does share the following advice with prospective undergraduates before they set out to complete their supplemental writing for Caltech:
- Remember, Caltech is an unapologetic STEM institution. Literally, there is no way to write about too much STEM in your supplemental questions. So lean all the way in on the STEMiest of STEMmy topics (yep, those are made-up words but totally appropriate). Review our What We Look For page before you get started.
- Faculty at Caltech review files of the most competitive applicants. So don’t worry that your science won’t make sense to a lay-person because our faculty with PhDs conducting research that will change the world will understand what you’re saying. We promise.
- 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.
While Caltech is of course a school that attracts the best and brightest STEM students from around the world, it’s also an institution that clearly wants such students to be able to communicate well in English in their applications. For the vast majority of applicants using the Common App to apply to Caltech, the 650-word Common App essay is already a huge challenge. The fact that Caltech gives such applicants the chance to write 1,500 more words in response to the prompts below should act as a big heads up to each first-year applicant that he or she shouldn’t just be substantively qualified to succeed at Caltech. He or she must also be prepared to make an articulate and compelling case for his or her admission to Caltech throughout his or her overall application.
All Fall 2025 applicants are also encouraged to review Caltech’s guidelines on the ethical use of AI before submitting their supplemental essays.
Required STEM Academic Interest Question
Caltech has a rigorous core curriculum and students don’t declare a major until the end of their first year. However, some students arrive knowing which academic fields and areas already most excite them, or which novel fields and areas they most want to explore.
If you had to choose an area of interest or two today, what would you choose?
*Note that you are under no obligation to follow this choice if admitted.
Why did you choose your proposed area of interest? If you selected ‘other’, what topics are you interested in pursuing? (Min: 100 / Max: 200 words)
Required Short Answer Questions
STEM Curiosity Question
Regardless of your STEM interest listed above, take this opportunity to nerd out and talk to us about whatever STEM rabbit hole you have found yourself falling into. Be as specific or broad as you would like. (Min: 50 / Max: 150 words)
STEM Experiences Questions
At Caltech, we investigate some of the most challenging, fundamental problems in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. We are interested in learning more about your engagement with STEM.
Please share two STEM-related experiences:
- Tell us how you initially found your interest and passion for science or any STEM topic, and how you have pursued or developed this interest or passion over time. (Min: 100 / Max: 200 words)
- Tell us about a STEM-related experience from the last few years and share how and why it inspired your curiosity. (Min: 100 / Max: 200 words)
Creativity Question
The creativity, inventiveness, and innovation of Caltech’s students, faculty, and researchers have won Nobel Prizes and put rovers on Mars. But Techers also imagine smaller-scale innovations every day, from new ways to design solar cells to how to 3D-print dorm decor to experimenting in the kitchen. How have you been a creator, inventor, or innovator in your own life? (Min: 200 / Max: 250 words)
Caltech Values Question
Caltech’s values include respect for a diversity of thoughts and ideas. How have you cultivated this value in your own life? (Min: 50 / Max: 200 words)
Optional Short Answer Questions
We know, we know … you see optional and start to wonder if we mean it. But in this section, we truly do! See these as completely optional opportunities to show us more of your personality.
Optional. We promise.
- If there are aspects of your life or social or personal identity that you feel are not captured elsewhere in this application, please tell us about them below. (Max: 150 words)
- When not surveying the stars, peering through microscopes, or running through coding marathons, Caltech students pursue an eclectic array of interests that range from speed-cubing, reading, yoga, playing musical instruments and theater arts, to solving puzzles, hiking, painting, and building or inventing new gadgets. We understand that everyone needs an outlet or two. What is a favorite interest or hobby, and why does it bring you joy? (Max: 200 words)
- Did you have a hard time narrowing it down to just one interest or hobby? We understand – Caltech students like to stay busy, too. Tell us about another hobby or interest! (Max: 150 words)
Optional Academic Short Answer Questions
OPTIONAL: Have you had any extenuating circumstances (such as limited course selection or disruptions), that have affected your coursework, but that are not described elsewhere in your application? If so, tell us about them here.
