California Institute of Technology

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Caltech-QuestBridge Supplement Member Questions, and all supporting documents

QuestBridge teacher recommendations should include one from a Humanities or Social Science teacher AND one from a Math or Science teacher. 

Once Caltech receives the applications from Finalists who want to participate in the National College Match they will be emailed with instructions on how to access their student portal where they will access, complete, and submit the Caltech-QuestBridge Supplement.  Sample questions include:

• Have you previously applied to Caltech?
• Though not binding, please indicate two of your proposed areas of study at Caltech.
• Describe three experiences and/or activities that have helped you develop your passion for a possible career in a STEM field? (Each description of your experience/activity should range between 10-120 words.)
• Much like the life of a professional scientist or engineer, the life of a “Techer” relies heavily on collaboration. Knowing this, what do you hope to explore, innovate, or create with your Caltech peers? (Your response should range between 250-400 words.)
• The process of discovery best advances when people from various backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives come together. How do you see yourself contributing to the diversity of Caltech's community? (Your response should range between 250-400 words.)
• Caltech students are often known for their sense of humor and creative pranks. What do you like to do for fun? (Your response should range between 250-400 words.)

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Official Transcripts

Students must submit official transcripts from their high school(s) and any other institution where they have taken courses. You must have either completed the following courses or be enrolled in them at the time of your application. Students who have not completed these courses will not be properly prepared for Caltech's core curriculum.

• 4 years of Math (including Calculus)
• 1 year of Physics
• 1 year of Chemistry
• 3 years of English (4 years recommended)
• 1 year of U.S. History/Government

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Test Scores (Official or Self-Reported)
SAT code: 4034
ACT code: 0182

The following standardized tests are required for a complete freshman application. We do not accept any substitues for these tests:

• SAT or ACT
• SAT Subject Test in Mathematics Level 2
• One SAT Science Subject test: Biology (Ecological), Biology (Molecular), Chemistry, or Physics

QuestBridge Finalists must take all required tests in or before October to be eligible to participate in the College Match. Caltech will not accept any November testing for the College Match.

We will accept self-reported test score information directly from students submitted either through the application or through your Caltech Student Portal. We do not require official test score reports from applicants. We will request official test score information from students who are offered admission. The Admissions Committee reserves the right to withdraw the applications of students who do not submit all of our required testing.

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2019-2020 FAFSA
FAFSA code: 001131
Available: Oct. 1

US Citizens and Eligible Noncitizens only.

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2019-2020
CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE
CSS code: 4034
Available Oct. 1

Please select "Early Action" as your admission application type. 

If your parents are divorced or separated:

• Each parent will need to complete their own CSS PROFILE application. We recommend that the student and custodial parent start the PROFILE application first. To keep their financial information private, your parents should not share their College Board log-in credentials with each other.
• Your noncustodial parent must also submit copies of their 2017 federal tax return with all schedules, attachments OR a copy of their 2017 IRS Tax Transcript, W-2 Forms, and other earnings statements. See directions below.
• 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. Download the Noncustodial Parent Waiver Petition and submit directly to the Financial Aid Office (See Contact Information below).

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A copy of your parents’ 2017 IRS Tax Return Transcript

(Only submit if you are Matched to Caltech)

Submit the following to the CollegeBoard's IDOC service:

• Signed copy of your parents' 2017 IRS Tax Return Transcript and W-2 Forms.
• Caltech Supplemental Application
• Verification Worksheet
• Parents' & Student's Income Tax Transcript

If your parents own a business or farm:

• Business/Farm Supplement

If applicable:

• Student Non-Tax Filer's Statement
• Parent Non-Tax Filer's Statement

Please note that the IDOC service does not become available until October 1, 20187.

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Cal Grant GPA Verification Form

(Only submit if you are Matched to Caltech)

 For Residents of California, please submit the Cal Grant GPA Verification Form.

Early Action

Finalists who do not match cannot be considered for admission through Early Action to Caltech, but instead can be considered in the Regular Decision process.

Regular Decision

All Finalists who rank Caltech for the College Match, but did not match to a binding college can apply under Regular Decision. We do not consider the QuestBridge application for Regular Decision and students must apply through the Common Application or the Coalition Application. 

Finalists who ranked Caltech and submitted all materials (but did not match to a binding college)

Finalists who did not rank Caltech

Common Application or Coalition Application with Caltech Questions, and all supporting documents.

Please include your Common Application ID or Coalition ID on all forms.

You are welcome to use any information and/or essays that you submit for the QuestBridge application and the Caltech-QuestBridge Supplement. Review your Supplement confirmation email to access and use any of the information and/or responses that you submitted.  If you would like to reuse content, you must cut and paste them to your Common Application or Coalition Application.

Caltech requires the submission of 2 teacher recommendations with your chosen application platform: 1 from a Humanities or Social Science teacher AND 1 from a Math or Science teacher.

In addition to the two required teacher evaluations, students are welcome to submit an evaluation from a mentor or supervisor who knows them in a different context. If you have published a scientific research paper, you may submit the full paper to Caltech. Instructions on how to submit these papers will be included in your application confirmation email. 

As a QuestBridge applicant, you qualify for a fee waiver. To select this fee waiver, please follow the instructions on the Common Application or Coalition Application fee waiver section of the application. To view these instructions, select ‘Yes’ when asked if you qualify for a fee waiver.

When the application asks you about CBOs (Community-Based Organizations) that you have worked with, please select QuestBridge.

Please include your Common Application ID or Coalition ID on all forms.

You are welcome to use any information and/or essays that you submit for the QuestBridge application. If you would like to reuse content, you must cut and paste them to your Common Application or Coalition Application.

Caltech requires the submission of 2 teacher recommendations with your chosen application platform: 1 from a Humanities or Social Science teacher AND 1 from a Math or Science teacher.

In addition to the two required teacher evaluations, students are welcome to submit an evaluation from a mentor or supervisor who knows them in a different context. If you have published a scientific research paper, you may submit the full paper to Caltech. Instructions on how to submit these papers will be included in your application confirmation email. 

As a QuestBridge applicant, you qualify for a fee waiver. To select this fee waiver, please follow the instructions on the Common Application or Coalition Application fee waiver section of the application. To view these instructions, select ‘Yes’ when asked if you qualify for a fee waiver.

When the application asks you about CBOs (Community-Based Organizations) that you have worked with, please select QuestBridge.

Midyear Report

Official Transcripts

Update including recent grades

Students must submit official transcripts from their high school(s) and any other institution where they have taken courses. You must have either completed the following courses or be enrolled in them at the time of your application. Students who have not completed these courses will not be properly prepared for Caltech's core curriculum.

• 4 years of Math (including Calculus) 
• 1 year of Physics 
• 1 year of Chemistry 
• 3 years of English (4 years recommended) 
• 1 year of U.S. History/Government 

Test Scores (Official or Self-Reported)
SAT code: 4034
ACT code: 0182

If you have already sent Caltech your scores and have new scores, please submit the most recent scores.

The following standardized tests are required for a complete freshman application. We do not accept any substitutes for these tests: 

• SAT or ACT
• SAT Subject Test in Mathematics Level 2
• 1 SAT Science Subject Test: biology (ecological), biology (molecular), chemistry, or physics

ALL required tests (listed above) must be completed prior to the application deadline. We will accept self-reported test score information directly from students submitted either through the application or through your Caltech Student Portal. We do not require official test score reports from applicants. We will request official test score information from students who are offered admission. The Admissions Committee reserves the right to withdraw the applications of students who do not submit all of our required testing.

Finalists who ranked Caltech and submitted all materials (but did not match to a binding college)

Finalists who did not rank Caltech

2019-2020 FAFSA
FAFSA code: 001131
Available: Oct. 1
Deadline: Mar. 2

US Citizens and Eligible Noncitizens

2019-2020
CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE
CSS code: 4034
Available: Oct. 1
Deadline: Feb. 1

Noncustodial Parent Profile
(if applicable)
Deadline: Mar. 16

2017 IRS Tax Return Transcript and W-2 Forms
Deadline: Mar. 16

(Submit the following materials once you are admitted to Caltech)

Submit the following to IDOC. Please note that the IDOC service does not become available until October 1, 2018.

• Signed copy of your parents' 2017 IRS Tax Return Transcript and W-2 forms.
• Caltech Supplemental Application
• Verification Worksheet
• Parents' & Student's Income Tax Transcript

If your parents own a business or farm:

• Business/Farm Supplement

If applicable:

• Student Non-Tax Filer's Statement
• Parent Non-Tax Filer's Statement

Cal Grant GPA Verification Form
Deadline: Mar. 2

(Submit once you are admitted to Caltech)

For Residents of California only