Holistic Review

A Message about Holistic Review in light of COVID

In recent years, prospective students' questions about how COVID impacts their college application have increased. The Admissions Committee 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, three-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 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.

As the COVID-19 situation unfurled, Caltech's leadership moved swiftly to adjust. Scientists, scholars, and researchers are inherently unafraid of challenges because they tend to see the solutions beyond the problems. We shifted courses online, moved staff to a telecommuting model, 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 we hope you will consider for your undergraduate career. 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, 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.

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.

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.