California Institute of Technology

No deadlines published for this cycle yet. Check the source link above — we'll add them as soon as the school posts them.

Essay prompts (6)

1. academic interest2026-27200 words

   If you had to choose an area of interest or two today, what would you choose? Why did you choose your proposed area of interest? If you selected 'other', what topics are you interested in pursuing?

   This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: California Institute of Technology has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.

   source

2. academic interest2026-27150 words

   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.

   This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: California Institute of Technology has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.

   source

3. academic interest2026-27200 words

   Select one: Tell us how you initially found your interest and passion for science or for a particular STEM topic, and how you have pursued or developed your interest or passion over the last few years. — OR — Tell us about a meaningful STEM-related experience from the last few years and share how and why it inspired your curiosity.

   This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: California Institute of Technology has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.

   source

4. other2026-27200 words

   How have you been a creator, inventor, or innovator in your own life?

   This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: California Institute of Technology has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.

   source

5. short answer2026-27250 words

   Choose two of the four questions below and answer both in 250 words or less. (1) What is an interest or hobby you do for fun, and why does it bring you joy? (2) If you could teach a class on any topic or concept, what would it be and why? (3) What is a core piece of your identity or being that shapes how you view and/or interact with the world? (4) What is a concept that blew your mind or baffled you when you first encountered it?

   This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: California Institute of Technology has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.

   source

6. short answer2026-27

   Applies to: Optional, for applicants with extenuating academic circumstances

   Have you had any extenuating circumstances (such as limited course selection or disruptions), that have affected your coursework, but that are not described elsewhere in your application? If so, tell us about them here.

   This is the 2025-26 wording, carried over: California Institute of Technology has not republished this prompt for 2026-27 yet. Schools usually post updates around the Common App opening on August 1; we re-check after that and change this text only against an official source.

   source

Caltech requires all applicants to review its Ethical Use of AI guidelines before submitting supplemental essays: AI may be used for generating brainstorming questions/exercises, researching the application process, and grammar/spelling review (e.g., Grammarly), but copying and pasting AI-generated text, relying on AI to outline or draft an essay, substituting AI content for the applicant's authentic voice, or translating an essay written in another language is prohibited, and non-compliance may result in rescission of admission.

How reviews use this page

When you request a review for a California Institute of Technology supplement, the feedback is grounded in exactly what you see here: the prompt itself, its word limit, and what the school publishes about its values and programs. That's the whole claim — calibrated to the prompt and the school's own published guidance, scored against a consistent rubric. Not insider knowledge, and never a rewrite: Second Read is a coach, not a ghostwriter. It flags weaknesses and tells you what to fix and why; it never writes a sentence of your essay.

Something wrong on this page?

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