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Application Requirements

The following is a list of materials required for a complete application for first-year admission. If your application is missing any one of these components, it will be considered incomplete.

Required for all first-year applicants:

  • Common Application or Coalition Application with the Supplemental Application Essays
    • Caltech does not have a preference between the Common Application or the Coalition Application. We advise that you use the best platform for your application process.
    • Caltech is also a QuestBridge Partner. Students may apply for Caltech through the QuestBridge National College Match.
    • NOTE: The application asks if you have any relatives who have attended and/or worked for Caltech. We do not use this information for evaluative purposes, and we do not give preferential treatment to applicants based on this information. Caltech does not consider or track a student's legacy with the Institute, nor do we track or consider a student's connection to prospective or current donors.
  • $75 application fee or fee waiver (by request)
  • Standardized test scores
  • Teacher evaluations
  • Secondary School Report: This is a document that is sent to Caltech by your high school college counselor. It provides context about your school that helps the Admissions Committee evaluate your application holistically.
  • Academic transcripts

Additional requirements for international citizen applicants:

  • TOEFL scores: Required of all international citizens unless 1) your native language is English or 2) you have studied for two or more years in a school where English is the language of instruction. The latter must be completed prior to the application deadline. We do not accept the IELTS or any other substitute for the TOEFL requirement.
  • International Financial Aid Statement of Intent: When an international citizen applies for freshman admission, the application prompts questions to confirm their understanding of our financial aid policy and thus confirm their financial aid intent towards Caltech. Caltech is need-sensitive for international citizens because the total amount of financial aid funds is limited for these students, and we remain committed to meeting the demonstrated need of all admitted students. See our International Citizens' page to read the full extent of our financial aid policy for international citizens.