So, you think you want to go to Caltech? Here’s how to create winning supplemental essays! The prompt: Caltech has a rigorous core curriculum and 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. If you had to choose an area of interest or two today, what would you choose? *Note that you are under no obligation to follow this choice if admitted. Why did you choose your proposed area of interest? If you selected 'other', what topics are you interested in pursuing? (Min: 100 / Max: 200 words) What the Prompt is About: Caltech essentially wants to know more about your academic interests and how passionate you are about them. Tips: Be honest. Even if you don’t have to pursue the field you mention, be as honest as possible. Since you have to explain why you chose it, be sure to pick an academic area that you have experience in. Share relevant experiences: Since you have about 200 words for this prompt, you have room to express your passion for your academic interest by backing it up with some concrete experiences. Did you ever take a summer psychology course? Win a robotics contest? Mention it here! The prompt: 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. (Min: 50 / Max: 150 words) What the Prompt is About: Here, Caltech wants you to creatively expand on what you love about STEM. You might want to discuss any unanswered questions you have about a favorite topic or even show off how much you already know so far. Tips: Treat this prompt like a blog. In other words, pretend you’re writing a blog post titled “What I Love About…” or “What I Want to Know About…” You can even use more casual language here. Be nerdy. “Nerd out” means: “When you know a lot of information about something unusual, usually nerdy, and express it with great enthusiasm.” So, be as big of a geek as possible, and Caltech will appreciate it. The prompt: 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: 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 over time. (Min: 100 / Max: 200 words) Tell us about a STEM-related experience from the last few years and share how and why it inspired your curiosity. (Min: 100 / Max: 200 words) What the Prompt is About: Caltech is generously giving you about 200 words each to describe what got you into your favorite STEM topic, how you’ve expanded your interest in it, and a separate experience that sparked your curiosity in another STEM field. Tips: Share two different experiences. Caltech wants to see diversity, so be sure that for Parts 1 and 2, you don’t discuss similar things. In other words, it would be better to write about a research paper you submitted to an academic journal and the time you created your own hydroponic garden. Be nerdy here, too. Passion about STEM is one of the core necessities of attending Caltech. So be sure your enthusiasm shines! The prompt: 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? (Min: 200 / Max: 250 words) What the Prompt is About: Caltech is serious about innovation. So serious, in fact, that it wants you to prove that you are, too. Tips: Think outside the box. If you haven’t invented the new sneaker that also doubles as a watch, don’t worry—you can also share how you’ve invented new processes or efficient methods of completing a task. Count surprising things as “inventions.” What if you have a system of studying where you reward yourself with a piece of candy every time you memorize a calculus proof? You’ve invented a new version of Pavlov’s experiment! The prompt: Caltech's values include respect for a diversity of thoughts and ideas. How have you cultivated this value in your own life? (Min: 50 / Max: 200 words) What the Prompt is About: Almost every school has a “Why us?” prompt where they ask you to explain why you’re interested in their school. Well, this is a “Why you?” prompt, where Caltech wants to know why they should be interested in you.Tips: Define “diversity of thought and ideas.” Begin your essay by explaining how you imagine these keywords, and then go on to explain how you implement them in your life. Share real experiences. You can’t just say what you mean, you have to mean what you say. In other words, back up your definition with concrete evidence/recent experiences from your life.
