Caltech Admissions: Requirements, Application Deadlines & Fees

To get admission to any of these institutions is not at all easy. This is because the acceptance rate at MIT and Caltech remains very low. For the class of 2028, MIT acceptance rate is 4.55% and on the other hand, for Caltech, it is 2.57%.  So Caltech is harder to get into than MIT. 

If you are an Indian student wishing to apply for both of them, please know that the application needs to be -   

• Unique
• Bright
• Full of extracurriculars,
• Have a great academic background 
• Really strong reason to pursue courses 

It is definitely not an easy task to get into Caltech as an Indian student as the acceptance rate is only 2.57% for the recent year. To get in, the applicant has to be extraordinary with great academic grades, English language proficiency and more. Look at the Caltech admission requirements given below - 

• 90%+ in subject (Math and Science)
• TOEFL with 100+ and IELTS with 7.0+
• Great LORs 
• Achievements in STEM and Olympiads 
• Extracurricular activity participation
• SAT cracked with 1510+ and ACT with 35+ marks

To get admission at Caltech, international students are required to submit the SAT or ACT scores for the fall 2026 entry. It was optional earlier for most years. However, if the finances are an issue, this can be communicated to the Caltech Office of Admissions for a waiver. Look at the minimum scores required in these entrance exams - 

• SAT: 1510+
• ACT: 35+

Yes, the university also allows IELTS, Dulingo and PTE for international students. Interested applicants can give any of the above English Proficiency tests to support their requirements.check out the below table for the minimum required scores:

The Caltech courses are offered undergraduate and graduate levels across many domains and subjects. With just a 2.57% acceptance rate, international students are required to put their best foot forward by meeting the criteria below: 

• Bachelor's degree equivalent to a US 4-year degree, with a strong academic record (typically 3.5 GPA/85–90%+)

• Degree must be in a relevant field aligned with your intended graduate study

• GRE General Test is often required; competitive scores above 310-320. GRE Subject Test may be required in some programs

• English proficiency: TOEFL 100+, IELTS 7.0–7.5, Duolingo 120–130

• Transcripts,  statement of purpose, 2–3 recommendation letters, resume or CV, portfolio (if required), and sometimes research publications or conference presentations

• Certain programs (e.g., in arts or design) may require auditions or creative portfolios

• Professional and research experience are advantageous

With an acceptance rate of just 2.57%, the California Institute of Technology is highly competitive for international students. This Institute not only looks for academic rigor, but also the extracurricular activities and the applicant's motivation to pursue the Caltech courses. For UG programs, below is the eligibility criteria mentioned: 

• Completion of both year X and XII state board or CBSE examinations in India. 

• Strong grades, ideally among the top 10% of class, with a minimum 3.5 GPA (90%)

• Applicants must have at least 4 years of Mathematics (including Calculus), one of Chemistry and Physics, 4 years of English, and 2–3 years of social sciences/history.
• 1 year of Biology as a subject is recommended

To study at Caltech, international applicants are generally required to meet certain admission requirements. Below are some of them: 

• Academic Excellence: One of the most important factors in the Caltech application is the academic record of an applicant. Caltech seeks students with a proven academic track record, including a high GPA, strong performance in standardized tests like the SAT and ACT. 
• Standardized Tests: There is no minimum standardized test score requirement; however, some of the successful applicants often get a score of 700 or higher on each section of the SAT or 30 or higher on all ACT sections.
• GPA: The applicants are advised to have a near-perfect GPA of 4.19, as Caltech is extremely competitive with just a 3.1% acceptance rate. 
• Extracurriculars: The California Institute of Technology looks for well-rounded and holistic profiles. Academics are important; additionally, the identity of an applicant outside of the class. The students who showcase talent and passion. The applicant profile should include research, extracurriculars, or personal projects. 
• Essays and Recommendations: A strong essay outlining the applicant's personality and motivation for Science and Technology, with strong letters of recommendation from teachers (authorized to assess the applicant's abilities and potential).

The acceptance rate of the California Institute of Technology is 3%. The university Admission process involves a thorough evaluation process, which means only 4 students are selected out of 100 applicants. This indicates Caltech is a very selective institution. Caltech also Considers academic excellence, essays, Letter of recommendation, SOP, extracurricular activities and many more. Applicants are suggested to approach the admission process with utter dedication, showcasing their strengths and talents to get into Caltech.

Below are the requirements for international students at the California Institute of Technology:

• Transcripts of your high school: Transcripts include your information and performance in high school, and Caltech University wants its applicants to have the following:

1. A four-year maths, including one year of Calculus

2. 1 year of chemistry

3. 1 year of physics(preferably Calcus related but not required) 

• SOP: An SOP is essential for the application process for Caltech It helps the applicant to convey their talents, Academic excellence accomplishments and personal background of applicants.

• Portfolio:  This depends on the course the applicant chooses, as this is not present in every program. However, having a creative and unique portfolio will help you get into Caltech. 

Click here to: Make your portfolio look better)

• English requirements: The following table explains the minimum score for each English exam the university is excepting: 

PG Course Requirements: 

• LOR: Some programs ask for a LOR, and with particular exceptions, who should write those letters. 

• Statement of purpose( an SOP): An SOP is essential for the application process for Caltech. It helps the applicant to convey their talents, Academic excellence accomplishments and personal background of applicants. 

• Transcripts and degrees: the applicant must provide the university with transcripts of their academics with degree certificates. Similarly, applying for PhD or doctoral program may require a master’s degree and transcripts from all graduate institutions of the applicant. 

• English Language Proficiency exams: The following table explains the minimum score of each English exam the university is expecting: 

•     Entrance exam: Graduate school entrance exams are most common, but however, the programs might require different exams from the applicants depending on the course chosen by the individual. 

• Resume/CV:  The University also might ask you for a CV or a resume depending on the course you choose for professional experience.

Caltech is known for being very selective about who they accept. For the academic year 2022-2023, the university received an applications of 16,000, however out of that only 448 students were accepted, which means Caltech University acceptance rate of just 2.69%. This low late shows how competatitive it is to get into Caltech. The university fouses on Engineering and Sciences making it more challenging. Hence we can conclude by saying Caltech is most academically difficult university. 

Below are some cool facts about Caltech University:

• Caltech is one of the best universities to do reasearch at as, it's a top reasearch university and has a rich history of Novel Laureates, Space exploration and famous alumni.
• Caltech is a home for NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
• Caltech has the world the largest optical telescope
• Caltech is one of the only universities which has an acceptance of just 2.6%. Hence it's known for rigorous academic and selective admisison process.