How to Get Into Caltech: Acceptance Rate & Admissions Strategies

Caltech undergraduate admissions: introduction

Are you considering applying to the California Institute of Technology, aka Caltech? You're in good company! In the last application cycle, more than 16,000 students applied.

Keep reading to learn about acceptance rates, the GPA and course selections that will make you competitive, tips for applying, and more.

It's a lot to keep track of. If you'd like some help navigating the application and admission process, I'd be delighted to work with your family! You can book a one-on-one consultation here and sign up for online classes here.

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Bottom line up front

In case you're here just to see the numbers, here they are:

Overall acceptance rate: 2.7%
Transfer acceptance rate: 5.7%

How hard is it to get admitted to Caltech?

Pretty tough, candidly. Caltech's overall acceptance rate is about 2.7%, which means everyone should consider it a "reach" school. To learn more about choosing safety, target, and reach schools, take Clarke College Insight's online course on "making the list." And read on for more specific acceptance rates for men, women, and transfer applicants.

Caltech acceptance rate

For first-year students entering in the fall of 2022, the overall acceptance rate was 2.7%. The overall acceptance rate for women was 4.5%, and the overall acceptance rate for men was 1.9%. Those acceptance rates include all rounds of admission, early action and regular decision. Caltech does not offer data for its non-binding, restrictive early action round. Want some help deciphering the early action/early decision landscape? Sign up for a one-on-one consultation here.

Caltech transfer acceptance rate

For transfer students entering in the fall of 2022, the overall transfer acceptance rate was 5.66%. The transfer acceptance rate for women was 12.9%. The transfer acceptance rate for men was 3.91%.

Caltech is unusual in having higher transfer admission rates than first-year admission rates; most colleges are the other way around. Maybe the required entrance exam for transfer applicants accounts for it.

How hard is it to get off the waitlist?

Here at Clarke College Insight, we usually advise students to consider getting off the waitlist in the same way they might think of winning the lottery. It would be nice if it happened, but it isn't something to count on.

Caltech's waitlist admission statistics run somewhat counter to this advice. At many colleges, the acceptance rate for waitlisted applicants is less than 1%; at Caltech, it's just under 9%.

What is a good GPA for the California Institute of Technology?

Caltech doesn't report the average GPA, but it does report that just over 96% of the freshman class that entered in the fall of 2022 was in the top 10% of their classes. All incoming students were in the top quarter of their classes. If your class rank is a bit lower, it probably is prudent to leave Caltech off your list.

What is a good SAT/ACT score for California Institute of Technology?

The college is test-blind through the fall of 2025, which means it won't look at your test scores even if you submit them.

Tips for applying to Caltech

To get into Caltech, you need to meet its academic threshold and stand out in a good way among other applicants.

Aim to have an appealing high school transcript ready before fall semester of senior year. Specifically, aim to take as many AP, IB, or community college classes as you can, within reason, and get good grades in them. To find out what "within reason" means and strategies to achieve that attractive transcript with minimal stress, take my online class on academics. In particular, Caltech expects applicants to have taken 4 years of math, including 1 year of calculus; 1 year of chemistry; 1 year of physics, preferably calculus-based; and 3-4 years of English.
Choose extracurriculars that are likely to fill a talent gap on campus and focus on just a few. Aim to be specialized rather than well-rounded. For the full checklist of traits that will let you choose extracurriculars that you AND the admissions office will like, take my online class on extracurriculars.
Visit campus if you can, ideally some time when classes are in session. Arrange your visit through the admissions office, or at least mention it to them by email, and try to meet with a student group and a professor of interest. Take notes and use them to write a compelling essay about why you like Caltech in particular. Those college-specific details are a great way for prospective students to show that they're likely to enroll if admitted.
Give your recommendation letter writers plenty of lead time, so no subconscious resentment about a last-minute hassle bleeds into their prose. The end of junior year is best. Equip them with brag sheets that do most of the work for them and show off your best traits.

For personalized guidance for your child's goals and strengths, you can book a one-on-one consultation here. I look forward to working with your family!