You are what a scientist looks like.
And Caltech is a place for scientists.
Besides a nearly all-consuming love for STEM and a love for something that isn't STEM, we want to see that you're challenging yourself academically. All undergrads, regardless of major, begin the Core Curriculum in their first year. To prepare for Core, we require:
- 4 years of math, including 1 year of calculus
- 1 year of chemistry
- 1 year of physics, preferably calculus-based
- 3-4 years of English
- 1 year of U.S. History or Government (US Schools)
Learn about Caltech's academics, how to prepare, and what we look for.
Next, I invite you to continue the conversation by requesting more information or connecting with me directly. Then, let's dig into —what else?—some numbers.
Sincerely,
Caltech Office of Undergraduate Admissions
Contact Us
Email: connect@caltech.edu
Defining a world-class STEM institution is a delicate art.
These numbers help tell our story.
Let’s zoom out for a second.
Beginning college is challenging enough without the added stress of choosing a major or lab.
As part of our Core Curriculum, you’ll spend your first year taking classes across 6 academic divisions. After investigating how science crosses boundaries and demands a rich foundation in the sciences, humanities, and social sciences, you’ll declare your major.
The Core Curriculum will be hard. But you will navigate it. And your own brilliance, the support of dedicated advisors, and an entire community of equally talented peers will lead you to where your interests lie among our six academic divisions.
Core is as much about making connections with your professors as it is with your peers. With at least one Ph.D.-level researcher for every undergraduate, you’ll discover ample opportunities to join the 90% of students who participate in world-changing research. It can start as early as the end of your first summer at Caltech, with SURF, our flagship research program.
Biology & Biological Engineering
Dissect life. Then make it better. Explore biological systems on a microscopic level to further advancements in fields like medicine.
Chemistry & Chemical Engineering
Investigate molecules. Then rethink matter. Manipulate chemical reactions to form new, innovative processes.
Engineering & Applied Science
Design something. Then redefine society. Elevate technology to respond to daily challenges and questions.
Geological & Planetary Science
Get outside. Then turn play into research. Build a depth of knowledge about the earth’s geological past to understand the future.
Humanities & Social Sciences
Explore the human experience. Then find where STEM can support success in society. Weave the qualitative with the quantitative to create real-world impact.
Physics, Mathematics & Astronomy
Start earthbound. Then turn your senses skywards. Use ambitious and advanced tools to understand where the universe has been and where it’s going.
“The most important resource at Caltech is simply the people.”
—Enoch Luk ‘25
You’re driven. You’re smart. You’ll enact impactful change.
It starts with the right support and the right people.
Discover resources for your:
- Academic success, like your first-year advisor, option (aka major) advisor, peer tutoring, and accessibility services.
- Career, like CAEL (Career Advising and Experiential Learning), SURF (Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships), and more.
- Health and Wellness, like confidential counseling services and wellness workshops.
There’s no formula when it comes to fitting in. You just will.
- We told you that you are what a scientist looks like. Keep us accountable. A diverse and inclusive campus creates an environment where our lives are enriched by the different experiences and perspectives of colleagues, our preconceptions are challenged, our research is broadened, and our ideas are refined through the expansive exchange of ideas.
- After classes (yes, there is time beyond academics), hone in on your passions through 100+ clubs or join the 25% of students who play on an athletic team.
- Cultivate a living and learning community with on-campus residential options that have unique customs and traditions, like a liquid pumpkin drop and Ditch Day.
20 minutes to Hollywood, 2 hours to Joshua Tree National Park.
Science meets just about everything on our sunny Pasadena campus. Swing by Silicon Beach for an internship and observe stars from a national park. Or, you know—pop downtown for a bubble tea or hit the road for a hike with friends. It’s all here in California.