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California Institute of Technology

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4%

Admission Rate

What GPA do you need to get into Caltech?

High school grades are a very important factor in college admissions, but your overall GPA is not a great indicator of your chances of admission. That’s because colleges weigh the classes you took, your extracurriculars, the reputation of your high school, and many other factors when they make their admissions decisions. They typically take a holistic look at your transcript rather than relying on your GPA.


Read more: High school and college GPA guide

Does Caltech have a supplemental essay?

Yes, applicants to California Institute of Technology will have to write a supplemental essay in order to complete their application. Luckily, we have a guide to help you through that essay prompt and stand out in the application process.


Caltech Supplemental Essay Guide

Is Caltech test-optional?

California Institute of Technologyrequires students to submit either an SAT or ACT score. We can help you decide which of these tests to focus on, and if you are not happy with your current score, there are ways to improve both your SAT and ACT scores.

November
1

Regular Decision

What is the application deadline at Caltech?

Students must apply by November 1 to enroll at Caltech during the fall semester. Remember that college applications involve many pieces, including essays, a transcript, letters of recommendation, and more. Be sure to start your application as soon as you can to make sure you have enough time to make it as compelling as possible.

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Is California Institute of Technology need-blind?

Yes, California Institute of Technology has need-blind admissions, which means they do not take financial need into account when they decide who to accept. If your FAFSA and/or CSS Profile indicate that you would need substantial financial aid, you will still be on equal footing with applicants who do not require any aid at all.

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