Caltech Summer Preview: Women in STEM
Applications for WiSTEM 2025 will be available in late-spring 2025. Complete this WiSTEM 2025 interest form to receive updated information as it become available.
Women in STEM (WiSTEM) 2025 is a free event for rising high school juniors and seniors that will take place August 7-8, 2025, with an optional Athletic Camp on August 6. The program focuses on the experiences of students whose gender identity has been historically underrepresented in STEM, particularly those who identify as female, non-binary, and/or gender expansive, but we accept applications from any students who wish to participate.
While WiSTEM is hosted by Caltech's undergraduate admissions office, acceptance or non-acceptance to WiSTEM has no bearing on the first-year undergraduate admissions application process and a student's chances of acceptance by Caltech.
Application Deadline: TBA (Late Spring 2025)
Note: WiSTEM is a free program to participate in. However, a limited number of overnight housing spots will be available during registration on a first-come, first-served basis. Caltech is not able to cover the cost of students' transportation to campus.
Caltech's Women in STEM (WiSTEM)
- Are you a student graduating in 2026 or 2027 interested in taking your passion for STEM to the next level? Or would you otherwise benefit from WiSTEM programming?
- Does the prospect of solving the world's toughest scientific challenges motivate you?
- Are you interested in learning what makes Caltech a place uniquely designed to produce the world's best and brightest innovators and researchers?
Ultimately, we hoped students learn what Caltech can offer and are left with an increased understanding of whether it is a place they can see themselves learning and growing through their college years.
In past years, we have showcased the exciting frontiers that Caltech women are exploring in the STEM fields, such as WiSTEM 2024's keynote speaker, Dr. Katherine L. (Katie) Bouman, whose research helped generate the first image of a black hole at the center of our galaxy.
Dr. Bouman is a Rosenberg Scholar and Assistant Professor of Computing and Mathematical Sciences (CMS) at Caltech. Prior to starting at Caltech, Dr. Bouman was a postdoctoral fellow with the Event Horizon Telescope project which published the first picture of a black hole in April of 2019. Her research focuses on computational imaging, which allows researchers to observe phenomena that have been traditionally difficult or impossible to detect. Dr. Bouman's research group also reflects the interdisciplinary nature of science at Caltech, with experts in signal processing, computer vision, machine learning, and physics all working together to achieve new scientific breakthroughs and technological innovations.
WiSTEM is designed to provide prospective students with information about the undergraduate experience. Registrants will be exposed to the depth and breadth of opportunities for students who identify as female, non-binary, and/or gender expansive at Caltech through panels, mock lectures, information sessions, and more that touch upon academic offerings, residential life, career opportunities, and research. We accept applications from any students who wish to participate in our program. All guests will be equipped with in-depth information about the application and financial aid processes. Students will learn more about Caltech's competitive application process, and connect with the Admissions Counselors who will read submitted applications in the fall.
Students will gain:
- Insight into the multitude of STEM opportunities available to Caltech undergraduates
- Information about Caltech's competitive application process
- Knowledge of Caltech's academic offerings through panels and mock lectures
- Connection with various Caltech community members, including faculty and current students
Parents will gain:
- Insight into the admissions process and how you can help your student prepare a strong application
- Information about our rigorous financial aid program
- Knowledge of student support services available at Caltech
Registration
Each registrant is allowed to register only one adult guest.
Schedule
Click here for the WiSTEM 2024 schedule.
Click here to learn more about the optional athletic camp.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
No, Caltech will not pay or reimburse students for any costs associated with students' transportation to campus, including flights, train rides, or gas. Caltech is also unable to pay for hotel accommodations for students and their families during the program. If you are interested in participating in an all-expenses paid program at Caltech, consider applying to Caltech Up Close. Caltech Up Close fully covers the costs of students' travel to campus and overnight accommodations. Unfortunately we are unable to offer financial assistance to attend WiSTEM at this time, but Caltech Up Close may be another great option to explore campus at no cost to you or your family.
A limited number of on-campus overnight housing will be offered on a first-come first-served basis to admitted participants during WiSTEM registration. When space runs out, students can join the overnight housing waitlist, and will be notified if space becomes available. Students who do not register to stay overnight are responsible for finding their own overnight accommodations off-campus.
No, WiSTEM is free to attend! However, participants must cover the cost of their own transportation to campus and any overnight accommodations they make off-campus.
Yes, during WiSTEM 2024, there was a $75 fee to attend the optional athletic camp. The fee for WiSTEM 2025 will be published in late-spring 2025.
If you have any questions about WiSTEM, please contact the Office of Admissions at [email protected].