Acing California Institute of Technology’s (Caltech) 2024-2025 Supplemental Essays
The California Institute of Technology has unveiled its supplemental essay prompts for the 2024-2025 admissions cycle. Admittedly, they are asking a lot of questions, even by elite university standards. As usual, the optional essays are not really optional.
Therefore, this is a must-read article for anyone applying to Caltech who wants to ace their supplemental essays.
Your STEM Future: Academic Interests
Because of the rigorous courses in the core curriculum, Caltech students don’t declare a major until the end of their first year. However, some students arrive knowing which academic fields and areas already most excite them, or which novel fields and areas they most want to explore.
One thing that sets Caltech apart from other universities is their explicit request for applicants to discuss their academic passions and interests in a technical way. So don’t hold anything back.
For this question, I wouldn’t spend time on an origin story. Instead, dive straight into discussing the problems within your chosen field of study. Showcase your technical understanding of these issues, and explain why the opportunity to solve these problems or similar ones excites you like nothing else. After delving into the frontiers of your field, talk about your enthusiasm for engaging with this subject as you continue to learn and strive to contribute to its body of work in a meaningful way.
1. Regardless of your STEM interest listed above, take this opportunity to nerd out and talk to us about whatever STEM rabbit hole you have found yourself falling into. Be as specific or broad as you would like. (Max: 150 words)
This is another "nerd out" essay. However, unlike the last one, this essay aims to showcase how you learn about the subjects you are passionate about. I recommend dedicating 40 percent of this essay to explaining how you independently advance your knowledge and capabilities in a specific field. The remaining 60 percent should focus on what you learned while going down this rabbit hole, demonstrating a technical understanding of the topic you learned about, and explaining why you find it fascinating.
At Caltech, we investigate some of the most challenging, fundamental problems in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. We are interested in learning more about your engagement with STEM.
Please share two STEM-related experiences:
1. Tell us how you initially found your interest and passion for science or any STEM topic and how you have pursued or developed this interest or passion. (Max: 200 words)
This is where you can include an origin story. You don’t want to start at the very beginning, though. Try to pick a recent, opportune moment in your life that explains the experiences that sparked your interest in the problems you discussed in your "Why Major" essay. From there, delve into the stories behind some of your best extracurricular activities that align with your major of interest. Also, mention specific sources, such as textbooks or databases of journal articles you turn to learn more about your interests.
2. Tell us about a STEM-related experience from the last few years and share how and why it inspired your curiosity. (Max: 200 words)
In this essay, you want to show the reader the nitty-gritty details of your engagement in a STEM-based activity. Use first-person accounts to describe what you were doing, allowing the reader to put themselves in your shoes as much as possible. Focus on the events that took place during this activity, particularly those that led to questions popping into your head, questions whose answers you would pursue after the activity was finished. Be sure to tell the reader what these questions were.
Creativity in Action
1. The creativity, inventiveness, and innovation of Caltech’s students, faculty, and researchers have won Nobel Prizes and put rovers on Mars. But Techers also imagine smaller-scale innovations every day, from new ways to design solar cells to how to 3D-print dorm decor to experimenting in the kitchen. How have you been a creator, inventor, or innovator in your own life? (Max: 250 words)
This is a very open-ended question. Just about any time you improved upon something, built something on your own, designed something, or truly stood out in a social or academic context would be relevant. For example, you might discuss how you pioneered a new combo or opening play in a competitive card game or customized your own clothes to stand out. Explain the thought process behind your actions and the detailed steps you took to achieve them. You could also talk about clubs you started and how they were innovative because they addressed an unmet need at your school. Be sure to highlight any assumptions you questioned that others might not have considered which were essential to your creative accomplishment.
Caltech’s Values
1. Caltech’s values include respect for a diversity of thoughts and ideas. How have you cultivated this value in your own life? (Max: 200 words)
In this essay, you should highlight how exposure to a peer's differing perspective has benefitted you by enhancing your worldview and teaching you something new. The best way to express this is through a personal anecdote. While one anecdote is sufficient, you may choose to include two if it strengthens your narrative. After sharing your anecdote, explain your general approach to receiving information that contradicts or challenges your current beliefs.
Optional Short Answer Questions
1. If there are aspects of your life or social or personal identity that you feel are not captured elsewhere in this application, please tell us about them below. (Max: 150 words)
In this essay, state a non-trivial perspective or view that you hold, and explain how this view originates from your lived experiences as viewed through the lens of the identities you hold.
2. When not surveying the stars, peering through microscopes, or running through coding marathons, Caltech students pursue an eclectic array of interests that range from speed-cubing, reading, yoga, playing musical instruments and theater arts, to solving puzzles, hiking, painting, and building or inventing new gadgets. We understand that everyone needs an outlet or two. What is a favorite interest or hobby, and why does it bring you joy? (Max: 100 words)
The key to this essay is to showcase how your skills in STEM, particularly the aspects of your STEM education and capabilities that you emphasize the most in your application, can be used to enrich activities that are not formally related to STEM. For example, you could explain how understanding kinematics can make you better at billiards. Try to demonstrate how you use STEM concepts to enhance your other non-STEM activities.
3. Did you have a hard time narrowing it down to just one interest or hobby? We understand – Caltech students like to stay busy, too – tell us about another hobby or interest! (Max: 150 words)
Approach this essay the same way you approached the previous essay, except use a different hobby.
If you would like a review of your Caltech essays by an admissions expert or have any further questions about Caltech’s essays or other college admissions essays, please schedule a free consultation with us below. We would be more than happy to answer all of your questions.
