seal-caltech
California Institute of Technology

Application Requirements

Caltech
National College Match Application Requirements
for College Match Finalists

 

If you have ranked the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) as one of your choices, the following Application and Financial Aid materials must be submitted to the college as soon as you are notified of your finalist status on October 22. It is highly recommended you begin this process in early October.

  • The deadline to submit these requirements is November 1, 2012.
  • If you do not submit the required materials by November 1, 2012, the California Institute of Technology may choose not to consider your application for the College Match.
  • If you are not selected as a National College Match Finalist, please review the college-specific requirements for QuestBridge students who wish to apply through the Regular Decision process.

 
Please review the FAQ for QuestBridge students applying to Caltech.

Required Application Materials
1.

Official test scores
Request official score reports from the College Board and/or ACT as soon as you are notified of your QuestBridge finalist status on October 22. You should not use the "rush reporting" service.
SAT code: 4034
ACT code: 0182
Caltech requires the SAT or ACT with Writing, and two SAT Subject Tests including Math Level 2 and one of the following: Biology, Chemistry, or Physics. All must be taken prior to November 1.
For more information about testing and testing deadlines click here.
2.

Official transcripts
Mail to:
Undergraduate Admissions
Caltech
MC 10-90
Pasadena, CA 91125

 

Required Financial Aid Materials
1.

2013-2014 CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE (including Noncustodial PROFILE, if applicable)
CSS PROFILE online
(Available October 1)
Caltech's CSS code: 4034
2.

A copy of your parents' 2011 federal income tax returns (signed, with all schedules, attachments, W-2s, and other earnings statements). Include personal and corporate/partnership tax returns. Submit directly to Caltech using this cover sheet. Mail to:
Financial Aid Office
Caltech
MC 110-87
Pasadena, CA 91125
3.

The CSS/Financial Aid/PROFILE Business/Farm Supplement, if your parents own a business or farm.
4.

If your parents are separated or divorced:

a. Your noncustodial parent must submit the online Noncustodial PROFILE using the login ID and password that will be emailed to you when you complete the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE.

b. Your noncustodial parent must also submit copies of their 2011 federal tax returns with all schedules, attachments, W-2s, and other earnings statements. Submit directly to Caltech using this cover sheet.

c. If you do not have any contact with your noncustodial parent, then you may submit a request to waive the requirement of their financial information. Your request must include a statement from a third party who can verify your situation. The Noncustodial Parent Waiver Petition is available online at http://www.questbridge.org/images/ncp_waiver.pdf.

 

 

Caltech
Regular Decision Application Requirements

You may apply to Caltech via Regular Decision by completing the steps below.

  • Request Regular Decision application forwarding on your "Application Management" page between November 30th and December 14th.
  • Submit all required additional materials depending on your status below.
  • Caltech requires all applicants to submit Common Application and Caltech supplement to be considered for admission.
  • All additional materials, including standardized tests are due by the Caltech Regular Decision deadline, and you will be notified of the admissions decision according to their normal deadlines.

For more information, please see the FAQ for students applying to Caltech.

Question Finalists - Ranked Caltech for College Match Finalists - Did Not Rank Caltech for College Match Non-Finalist
Can I use my QuestBridge application in lieu of your regular application?

No. Submit the Common App.

No. Submit the Common App.

No. Submit the Common App.
What additional materials do I need to submit? Submit all required Common App components, including:
  • Caltech supplement
  • Teacher recommendations
  • Secondary school report
  • Official transcripts
  • Official test score reports
  • Mid-year school report
More info

If you have already sent your transcripts and test scores to Caltech as part of your College Match application, you do not need to re-submit them.		 Submit all required Common App
components, including:
  • Caltech supplement
  • Teacher recommendations
  • Secondary school report
  • Official transcripts
  • Official test score reports
  • Mid-year school report
  • QuestBridge Caltech Fee Waiver Form (available on your "Application Management" page.
More info

Submit all required Common App components, including:

  • Caltech supplement
  • Teacher recommendations
  • Secondary school report
  • Official transcripts
  • Official test score reports
  • Mid-year school report

More info
Is the application fee waived? Yes.
Please select the "Other" fee waiver option on the Common App and indicate that you are a QuestBridge finalist.		 Yes.
In order to apply your fee waiver, you must submit the QuestBridge Caltech Fee Waiver Form directly to Caltech. The Form is available on your "Application Manage" page after you submit your request for regular decision forwarding of your QuestBridge application.		 No.
You may request an application fee waiver through your high school counselor.
What financial aid forms are required? More info More info More info
What are the application deadlines? Early Action: Nov. 1
Regular Decision: Jan. 3
More info		 Early Action: Nov. 1
Regular Decision: Jan. 3
More info		 Early Action: Nov. 1
Regular Decision: Jan. 3
More info
Can I apply Early Action? No. No.
Students who participate in the College Match but do not rank Caltech may not apply Early Action.		 Yes.
Adhere to normal deadlines.

 

 

Caltech's Testing Requirements

Each of our partner colleges has different requirements for standardized tests that students must take in order to be considered for admission. Please review the testing requirements for Caltech below. Refer to the National College Match Requirements (above) for instructions regarding submission of test scores to the colleges.

Must take one of the following combinations:

  • SAT Reasoning Test and 2 SAT Subject Tests including Math Level 2 and one of the following: Biology (Ecological), Biology (Molecular), Chemistry, or Physics; or
  • ACT with Writing and 2 SAT Subject Tests including Math Level 2 and one of the following: Biology (Ecological), Biology (Molecular), Chemistry, or Physics


All tests must be taken prior to the application deadline.

Please see our Standardized Testing page for a complete list of the standardized tests and testing deadlines required by each QuestBridge partner college.


**TOEFL is required  for non-native English speakers who have not studied for at least two years in an English-speaking country.