External Portfolio Instructions
Caltech students turn theory into practice. Submitting a maker portfolio, a creative project, or a research paper allows you to show us what you have produced over the course of your high school career. Submitting additional material is not required as part of the application process.
Maker Portfolio and Creative Projects
Maker Portfolio Instructions
The maker portfolio highlights student initiated projects. The interdisciplinary nature of science, technology, engineering, and math can also be reflected in art and other creative endeavors, so you can also submit creative projects that highlight complementary non-STEM interests.
Maker portfolios are not required as part of the application process. Your maker portfolio will be reviewed by one of the faculty members in our admission committee; they will not be reviewed by the admissions staff. However, if you have questions feel free to contact your regional counselor.
Creative Material Instructions
At Caltech, we're always interested in seeing how students spend their time, whether that be theater, arts, ice skating, or spelunking. If you want to share with the admissions team examples of your passions, we'd love to see it. These pieces will not be reviewed by an expert in the subject; they're just a nice way to share parts of who you are with people who care to learn more about it.
Submission Instructions
Submit up to three media items (images, video of up 120 seconds, documents, or links) showcasing one or several projects.
Accepted file formats:
Accepted file formats:
- Video: .3g2, .3gp, .avi, .m2v, .m4v, .mkv, .mov, .mpeg, .mpg, .mp4, .mxf, .webm, .wmv
- Slide: .bmp, .gif, .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .tif, .tiff
- Document: .doc, .docx, .odg, .odp, .odt, .pdf, .ppt, .pptx, .rtf, .wpd
Upload your portfolio here.
Research Project
If you are submitting a research project, we require an additional recommendation from someone who can comment on the research experience that produced the paper. This letter can come from a supervisor, a mentor, an adult collaborator, or an administrator. Submitting research is not required as part of the application process.You are required to fill out a form with a description of your research and the email address of your recommender. Our office will then email your research recommender a link to upload their evaluation, so make sure your recommender knows to expect the request.
Your research will be reviewed by one of the faculty members in our admission committee; they will not be reviewed by the admissions staff. However, if you have questions feel free to contact your regional counselor.
Upload your research project here.
If you decide you no longer wish to have Caltech consider your portfolio or research work, please let us know.