California Institute of Technology
Leading science and engineering institute in Pasadena, CA. Founded in 1891, Caltech enrolls only around 1,000 undergraduates total, making it one of the smallest research universities in the country. The Honor Code, "No member of the Caltech community shall take unfair advantage of any other member," allows unproctored, take-home exams across most courses. Caltech operates NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, giving undergraduates unusually direct access to real space-mission research. Small size, massive research opportunities, intense academics.
Source: College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education. Figures reflect the most recently published class — always confirm current-cycle numbers on Caltech's official admissions site before applying.
Test Scores & Chances
Caltech does not have a published middle-50% SAT/ACT band on file, so this guide shows no chance estimate yet. Sign up free and a counselor can still help you plan around Caltech's testing policy.
Application Deadlines
Source: Caltech admissions, 2026–27 (fall 2027 entry), verified Oct 2026.
Required Supplements
- Common App
- Caltech Questions
- School Report
- 2 Teacher Evaluations
Optional but recommended:
- Interviews (Alumni)
Requirements vary by cycle. Confirm what Caltech currently asks for on its official admissions site.
What Should Your Caltech Essay Focus On?
- Show passion for science/engineering through specific projects
- Demonstrate you're a maker/tinkerer who loves solving problems
- Be authentic about your nerdy interests
- The "meaning of the universe" style questions want creativity
What Is Caltech Looking For in Applicants?
- Genuine passion for STEM intense enough to sustain an undergraduate class of only around 1,000 students total
- Real hands-on experience with science or engineering, not just strong grades in the subject
- Collaboration skills suited to a campus built around an Honor Code that allows unproctored exams
- The ability to thrive in an unusually intense, small, research-heavy environment
See where you stand at Caltech.
Skora estimates your chances from Caltech's acceptance rate and its admitted students' test scores, then gives you feedback on every essay. Free to start.
See my chances