Supplemental Materials
Supplemental Materials
Caltech applicants showcase their STEM and extracurricular passions in numerous ways. We want to see your passions and welcome you the opportunity to provide optional supplemental materials that you believe will help our admissions committee learn more about you. Supplemental materials are not a required component of your application to Caltech.
What type of supplemental materials can you submit?
We understand that supplemental materials can take many forms. Depending on the type of work, you may submit your materials as either Research or a Portfolio.
- Research papers and Publications: Have your curiosities in STEM led you to participate in research? At Caltech, there's no shortage of opportunities for undergrads since over 90% of students conduct research and about half get involved after their first year. However, research is not a required part of the application process, and only 42% of admitted students have participated in research prior to Caltech. We encourage you to learn about what we look for and more about our Research Submission requirements
- Portfolio: A portfolio is not a required part of the application, but can showcase your interests, creativity, skills, or accomplishments. This may include engineering projects, coding projects, science fair posters, STEM presentations, artwork, music, writing, maker projects, or other original work. Check out the kinds of work you can submit, whether they are STEM or non-STEM
After you submit your application, you will receive a link to the Caltech application portal, Beaver Breakroom. The Beaver Breakroom will allow you to upload the materials you indicated on your application that you will be submitting.
Unsure whether your supplemental material should be submitted as Research or a Portfolio? Click here to take our online quiz! Have more questions? Check out our FAQ's below!
FAQs
No. Supplemental materials are completely optional and are not required for your application to be considered for admission. You should only submit supplemental materials if you believe they provide additional insight into your interests, skills, or accomplishments.
No. Many applicants are admitted without submitting supplemental materials. We encourage you to submit them only if they meaningfully add to your application.
Yes! If you have both research and portfolio materials that you'd like the admissions committee to review, you're welcome to submit both.
That's okay! Some projects can fit into more than one category. Use our Research or Portfolio Quiz to help determine the best submission type.
You'll indicate on your application whether you plan to submit supplemental materials. Once you submit your application, a link will be sent to you to access the Beaver Breakroom. Through the Beaver Breakroom, you will be able to submit any supplemental materials you wish to include.
