Verification of STEM Activities and Awards

Overview of Verification

The Caltech Honor Code states: "No member of the Caltech community shall take unfair advantage of any other member of the Caltech community." As future members of the Caltech community, we expect our applicants to also abide by the Honor Code in our process.

Why do we verify? Because we want to understand your story clearly, and celebrate the work you've done. Whether it's a research project, a national competition, a summer program, or something else entirely, verification helps us understand how you have explored your interests and where you have gone in your secondary schooling.

While we often verify supplemental experiences, we are not limited to just those. Our team may verify any part of your application: essays, letters of recommendation, creative work, etc. If you submitted it, we may verify it. Our verification process is all about making sure we are seeing the full picture, with the same level of context and care for every applicant.

This is not about second-guessing you. It is about learning more because we are genuinely interested. Caltech students are curious, driven, and deeply engaged. We want to understand the experiences that have shaped you, not just on paper but in practice.

Once you hit submit on your application, you will get access to the Beaver Breakroom, our applicant portal. That is where you will submit verification materials and anything else you have chosen to include.

What Happens After You Hit Submit

You have submitted your application! Now comes the next step in Caltech's verification process.

Through the Beaver Breakroom, you will be asked to provide a record or proof for any supplemental materials you included. Whether that is a research project, a STEM competition, a summer program, or some other cool experience, this is how you help us see the real story behind your accomplishments.

Why? Because we want to get the full picture; no guesswork, no assumptions. Show us what you did, how you did it, and why it is important to you. This process is all about clarity and context, so our admissions team can give your work the attention it deserves.

Including supplemental materials is completely optional. But if you decide to share, here are some examples of what we will want to see:

Letters or emails from teachers, mentors, or supervisors who know your work
Photos or videos that capture your work or you in action
Official certificates, awards, or recognitions
Links to websites, news stories, or competition pages where you're mentioned (links preferred)
Project summaries, reports, or abstracts that explain your role and what you contributed

Remember, the more you help us connect the dots, the better we can appreciate the unique path you have taken in the field of STEM.

Verifying STEM-Related Activities and Awards

The categories below outline the types of experiences Caltech may ask you to verify, along with the materials you will need to submit.

Research Papers or Publications

Submitting research is not a required part of the application process; in fact, only 35% of our admitted students from the incoming fall 2025 class submitted research papers or publications. If you plan to submit a research experience, you will need to:

Upload a brief summary of your project
Provide the name and email address of a mentor or supervisor from the same research site who oversaw your work
A letter of recommendation from that mentor, supervisor, adult collaborator, or administrator from the same research site

This is all about helping us see the full scope of your research experience, through the eyes of someone who saw it up close.

All materials related to research should be uploaded in the Beaver Breakroom after you have submitted your application.

Research Letters of Recommendation

When you list your recommender in the application, we will send them a direct link with everything they need to know for writing and submitting their letter.

Here's what to keep in mind:

The letter must be written by the individual you name in your application
Your recommender should have worked closely with you in an academic, professional, or mentorship capacity
You will need to provide accurate and up-to-date contact information

If you're a recommender, check out our writing advice for recommenders.

Science Fairs

If you participated in or received honors from a science fair (school, regional, state, or national, or international level), we want to hear about it. These might include science fairs, robotics competitions, etc.

A certificate, official award letter, or a public link confirming your medal, placement, or distinction

Upload these materials in the Beaver Breakroom as part of your supplemental materials.

Academic Competitions and Awards

If you participated in academic competitions (local, regional, state, national, or international), be sure to show it to us. These might include your state's science bowl, regional math leagues, AMC (American Mathematics Competitions), or even school district-level quiz bowls.

A certificate, official award letter, or a public link confirming your award, placement, or distinction

Upload these materials in the Beaver Breakroom as part of your supplemental materials.

STEM-based Summer Programs

If you have attended a STEM-based summer program (e.g. California's COSMOS, Ross Mathematics Program, MITES, or other local, state, or national programs), please upload one or more of the following:

A certificate or official email confirming your attendance
Post-program feedback, if available
A letter or confirmation that some programs may send upon request.

Upload these materials in the Beaver Breakroom as part of your supplemental materials.