California Institute of Technology

A small, intensely technical research institute in Southern California.

Pasadena, CATechnical / STEM
2026-2027 cycle
View official admissions source →
Next deadline
Nov 1, 2026
Restrictive Early Action
Essays
3
Prompts
Supplement
Required
2026-2027 cycle
Platform
Common App
Accepted platform
Selectivity
3.1%
Most selective
Enrollment
982
Small undergrad

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Application deadlines

RoundDeadlineStatus
Restrictive Early ActionNovember 1, 2026102 days away
Regular DecisionJanuary 3, 2027165 days away

Supplemental essay prompts

  1. Supplement200 words2026-2027

    At Caltech, we investigate the most challenging, fundamental problems in science and technology. Identify and describe two STEM areas in which you are interested — one academic and one outside traditional classroom learning — and tell us why they excite you.

  2. Supplement200 words2026-2027

    Describe an academic experience, project, or class that has shaped how you approach STEM.

  3. Supplement200 words2026-2027

    Caltech's ethic of respect and honesty is laid out in our Honor Code. What does it mean for you to be part of a community built on this foundation?

How to approach California Institute of Technology's supplemental essays

Prompt 1 · 200 words

Choose a role before you draft

Decide what this essay should add to the application: evidence, range, bridge, or a new window into your life. Avoid repeating the Common App essay in miniature.

Prompt 2 · 200 words

Choose a role before you draft

Decide what this essay should add to the application: evidence, range, bridge, or a new window into your life. Avoid repeating the Common App essay in miniature.

Prompt 3 · 200 words

Choose a role before you draft

Decide what this essay should add to the application: evidence, range, bridge, or a new window into your life. Avoid repeating the Common App essay in miniature.

Example essay shell

Use this as a blank structure for a California Institute of Technology supplement response, then replace every bracket with your own specifics.

  1. Open on [specific scene, object, problem, or conversation].
  2. Show what [choice/action/constraint] reveals about how you think.
  3. Connect that trait to [school program, community, lab, class, or value].
  4. End with the contribution you want to make at California Institute of Technology, not a compliment.

Need more help with this application?

Use our guides to plan your supplement, sharpen your Why Us research, and review your draft before you submit.

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Frequently asked questions

How many supplemental essays does California Institute of Technology require?

California Institute of Technology has 3 supplemental essays listed for the 2026-2027 application cycle, in addition to the shared application essay.

Does California Institute of Technology accept the Common Application?

Yes — California Institute of Technology accepts the Common Application.

What is California Institute of Technology's acceptance rate?

California Institute of Technology's most recently reported acceptance rate is 3.1%.

When is California Institute of Technology's next application deadline?

California Institute of Technology's next listed application deadline is the Restrictive Early Action round on November 1, 2026.

What is California Institute of Technology's "At Caltech, we investigate the most…" prompt (#1, 200 words)?

At Caltech, we investigate the most challenging, fundamental problems in science and technology. Identify and describe two STEM areas in which you are interested — one academic and one outside traditional classroom learning — and tell us why they excite you.

What is California Institute of Technology's "Describe an academic experience, project, or…" prompt (#2, 200 words)?

Describe an academic experience, project, or class that has shaped how you approach STEM.

What is California Institute of Technology's "Caltech's ethic of respect and honesty…" prompt (#3, 200 words)?

Caltech's ethic of respect and honesty is laid out in our Honor Code. What does it mean for you to be part of a community built on this foundation?

Sources and verification

We prioritize California Institute of Technology's official admissions pages for school-specific prompts and deadlines, then use application-platform and federal sources as cross-checks. This record is labeled for the 2026-2027 cycle but still needs a fresh verification pass.

Review official source →