QuestBridge
Caltech's goal is to bring together students from all backgrounds, bound by a love of STEM. Every year, we're fortunate to choose from among thousands of qualified applicants.
But some of the applications we want to see most never arrive.
Many underprivileged students who are academically qualified convince themselves that a top-tier institution is beyond their reach: Some believe they can't afford it, while others simply doubt they belong. Our partnership with QuestBridge, a nationwide nonprofit group, seeks the best of these students. By participating in the National College Match program, you could earn a full, four-year, no-loan scholarship to Caltech or another participating college or university.
How does it work?
You'll complete QuestBridge's National College Match application which includes information about your academic standing and activities, as well as a chance to share how you've managed to excel in the face of financial challenges.
Each year, QuestBridge selects thousands of finalists who are considered for the four-year Match Scholarship. You could be "matched"— or admitted early — to Caltech. Match Scholarship Recipients are admitted early to Caltech with a full four-year scholarship, worth over $325,000.
If Caltech is one of your choices, we'll evaluate your application using the same standards as everyone else's.
For a comprehensive overview of dates and deadlines, be sure to review the QuestBridge Dates & Deadlines page.
Who can apply?
The National College Match program is meant for high school seniors who have excelled academically and demonstrate financial need. Typically, National College Match Finalists come from households earning less than $65,000 annually (for a household of four) and have minimal assets. Any high school senior, regardless of citizenship, currently attending high school in the U.S. and planning to attend college in the fall after their senior year is eligible to apply. Caltech welcomes applications from undocumented students and those raised in the U.S. through the DACA program.
What is the process?
After submitting your National College Match application by the deadline, you'll rank up to 15 QuestBridge partner colleges you'd like to attend. QuestBridge selects finalists in mid-October. If you're selected as a Finalist and you've included Caltech on your ranked list, we will automatically receive your application. QuestBridge applicants, regardless of their status as finalists or non-finalists, don't have to pay our standard application fee.
Shortly after, we will send you an email with information about accessing our applicant portal, the Beaver Breakroom, and submitting additional material. The submission deadline is November 5. That material includes:
- Caltech supplemental application essays
- Official transcripts (if not previously submitted to QuestBridge)
- FAFSA (for U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens)
- CSS Profile is required for all Fall 2025 applicants
- Signed parent tax return or non-tax filer's statement
Letters of Recommendation
Finalists who want to participate in the Match and have ranked Caltech will receive an email about the Beaver Breakroom, where they can access, complete, and submit the Caltech-QuestBridge Supplement. The Supplement consists of required questions with responses between 150-250 words. Fall 2025 applicants will also be asked to review Caltech's guidelines on the ethical use of AI before submitting the required and optional essays listed here.
Caltech requires letters of recommendation from two teachers:
- STEM: math (calculus or beyond preferred), physics, chemistry, or biology
- Humanities/Social Sciences: English, history, government, or economics
If your QuestBridge recommendations do not meet Caltech's requirements, we highly recommend, but do not require, that you obtain an additional letter from a teacher in calculus, chemistry, physics, biology, or a humanities subject. If you are unable to secure an additional letter by the deadline, we will review your application using the two letters of recommendation submitted through your QuestBridge application. Should you choose to request an additional letter, please ensure your recommender submits it by November 6 via email to admissionsdocuments@caltech.edu, including your full name and date of birth.
Caltech recommends requesting letters from teachers who taught you in your final two years of high school, know you well, and can speak knowledgeably about your skills and performance in their classroom. You can review examples of classes that meet Caltech's requirements for teacher evaluations.
If I match, do I have to come?
Yes. If you match with Caltech after including us on your ranked list, the decision is binding. You'll need to withdraw any other applications you've submitted elsewhere.
What if I don't match?
Finalists who don't match with Caltech (or didn't include Caltech in their ranked lists) can still apply through the Regular Decision process. Select Caltech on QuestBridge's Regular Decision Form, and we'll connect with you to let you know which supplemental materials you need to submit.
Non-finalists who choose to apply through the Regular Decision process are eligible for a fee waiver. Indicate you qualify on the fee-waiver section of the Common Application and select "QuestBridge" in the CBO section.
FAQs about Caltech and the National College Match
Students who match with Caltech through the National College Match are awarded financial aid by Caltech through a combination of institution funds as well as state and federal aid.
Your Match Scholarship does not require you to finish Caltech in four years. While it is expected that most students complete their undergraduate studies within four years, the duration of your program may vary depending on your individual circumstances and academic progress.
All undergraduate students must fulfill certain criteria to remain enrolled in classes. Specifically, they must complete a minimum of 27 units per term and maintain a grade-point average (GPA) of at least 1.9. First-year students are exempt from the 1.9 GPA requirement during their first two terms since courses are taken on a pass/fail basis.
QuestBridge Match students who have earned a full, four-year, no-loan scholarship, are enrolled at Caltech, and maintain Caltech's academic standards, do not risk losing their scholarship. However, it's important to remember that all students, including Match Scholarship recipients, must reapply for financial aid each year. This is because changes in household income, assets, or other circumstances can impact financial aid packages. Renewing financial aid annually is a necessary process.
Matched students do not pay back their scholarship.
Yes, you are allowed to take a leave of absence from Caltech. To formally request a voluntary leave of absence for personal reasons, you need to complete and submit an undergraduate student leave form, which will be forwarded to the registrar and other appropriate offices. While on an approved leave, Caltech still considers you a matriculated student; however, you will not be currently enrolled and thus will not have all the rights and privileges of enrolled students.
Students on leave have limited access to Caltech's educational activities, programs, and services. During your leave, you will not be able to attend classes or labs, reside in Institute housing, or utilize certain student resources such as Student Wellness Services and Residential Life activities, programs, and services.
Your Match Scholarship is specific to your enrollment at Caltech and is funded by the institution itself. As such, it does not transfer with you if you decide to transfer to another university or institution.
While we understand that individual circumstances may lead to considering a transfer, it is crucial to note that the Match Scholarship is tied to your enrollment at Caltech and the financial support it provides is specific to your studies and experiences at our institution.
Additional questions?
For questions about your QuestBridge application and the National College Match, contact QuestBridge at questions@questbridge.org or by phone at +1 888-275-2054 or +1 650-331-3280.
To contact Caltech about our admission process, contact Karla Arriaga, Caltech's QuestBridge liaison, at questbridge@caltech.edu or call +1 626-395-6341.
To contact Caltech about our financial aid process, contact Nathan Rudibaugh, Caltech's Financial Aid-QuestBridge liaison, at nathanr@caltech.edu.
If you are a current student and have further questions or need more information about taking a leave of absence, contact Associate Dean for Undergraduate Students, Kristin Weyman, at kweyman@caltech.edu.