California Institute of Technology supplemental essays

Answer the area-of-interest question, one Learning option, two of the three STEM options, and the Caltech community question.

1. Your area of interest

   200 words max

   Why did you choose your proposed area of interest? If you selected 'other', what topics are you interested in pursuing?

2. Learning option: shaped by others

   200 words max

   Tell us about a time your learning in STEM was shaped by another person or group — either because you needed help, offered help, changed your thinking through collaboration, or contributed to someone else's understanding. What did that experience teach you about learning and working with others?

3. Learning option: your approach

   200 words max

   Tell us about a time your approach to a STEM problem, concept, or project mattered as much as the outcome. How did you work through uncertainty or persist creatively in tackling the problem? What would you still defend about your process, regardless of the outcome?

4. STEM option: a rabbit hole

   200 words max

   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.

5. STEM option: sustained engagement

   200 words max

   Tell us about a STEM question, problem, idea, or project that has held your attention over time. What drew you to it, how have you pursued it, and what do you still want to understand?

6. STEM option: something you made

   200 words max

   Tell us about something you created, tested, repaired, modeled, coded, built, or redesigned. What problem were you trying to solve and what did the process reveal to you?

7. Contributing to Caltech

   150 words max

   Caltech students bring more than academic ability to the communities they join. What is something you would be excited to do, share, teach, make, start, or contribute as part of the Caltech community?

Source: California Institute of Technology admissions