Holistic Review

A Message from the Director: Holistic Review in light of COVID

Dear Prospective Students,

I would like to take a moment to pause and invite you to re-frame the admissions process with us. If you are wondering what you should "do" in light of our elimination of the subject tests requirement, two-year moratorium on the requirement of and consideration of the SAT and ACT, and the impact of COVID, here goes:

Step 1: Take care of you.
Step 2: Take care of your family.
Step 3: Take care of your communities.

Repeat.

At any point when you are interacting with the Caltech Admissions process, me, or my colleagues, and you find yourself wondering or worrying about how you'll present to the Admissions Committee, take a deep breath and remember that we have all been impacted by this pandemic. The absolute best thing you can do for you and for your college application is take care of you.

I want to acknowledge that we all find ourselves in uncertain times. I completed my Bachelor's degree in 2003, so my college career was marked by the tragic events of September 11. I believed then that we were facing unprecedented times in higher education. Now, as a seasoned college admissions professional, I have to admit that I too am feeling that uncertainty of what comes next.

On the other hand, I find solace in those things of which I am certain. I am certain that one of the strongest communities to weather this kind of change is this one at Caltech. Scientists, scholars, and researchers, I believe, are inherently unafraid of challenges because they tend to see the solutions beyond the problems. In times like these, I am grateful to be part of a community of scholars such as this one.

I am also certain that you can count on Caltech to put our students' best interests at the center of our decisions. As the COVID-19 situation unfurled, our leadership moved swiftly to adjust. We shifted courses online, moved staff to a telecommuting model (so yes, I am writing this from my living room), extended the finals period, reoriented courses for spring quarter, and provided substantial financial assistance for travel planning to those in need.

In light of the recent resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement, our campus leaders hosted Town Hall events through which we could have meaningful dialogue, hold space for each other, and in particular, listen to the Black members of the Caltech community.

This is the community that I hope you will consider for your undergraduate career. I believe this is a community that is deeply immersed in inclusion, care, and collaboration. We have a long journey ahead of us, and each incoming class of students is going to define that journey with us.

If you continue to consider to Caltech, I promise that we will take great care of the story you share through an application. We have always reviewed students within the context of the opportunities available to them, and we will hold true to that practice. Additionally, we will be flexible and understanding of extenuating circumstances that may surround your college application process.

Step 1: Take care of you.
Step 2: Take care of your family.
Step 3: Take care of your communities.

Repeat.

As you navigate this process and explore your interest in Caltech, we will get to know you, so it is only fair that you know a little bit about me. I identify as a part-Native Hawaiian, part-Chinese, cisgender, able-bodied, hetero woman-of-size who was the first in her family to earn a college degree. I am humbled to be in this leadership role for a world-renowned research institution, and I am grateful for your interest in spending your undergraduate years here.

We care. Our care for you only goes so far; so we hope you are caring for yourself as well. Remember that as far as my colleagues and I are concerned, here's what is most important to us:

Step 1: Take care of you.
Step 2: Take care of your family.
Step 3: Take care of your communities.

Repeat.

I assure you that there is a chorus of admissions leaders and practitioners, including the entire Caltech Admissions staff, who are ready to support you in the months ahead.

With care and aloha,
Nikki

Nikki Kahealani Chun
Director of Undergraduate Admissions
Caltech
Pronouns: she/her/hers/'o ia