Caltech essay prompts
2025-26verified California Institute of Technology admissions
These are the most recent published prompts. Final 2026-27 supplements typically land by early August. These are the most recent prompts Kolly has verified for this school. Schools typically publish final 2026-27 supplements by early August; check the official source below before submitting.
Proposed Area of Interest
Caltech has a rigorous core curriculum and students don't declare a major until the end of their first year. However, some students arrive knowing which academic fields and areas already most excite them, or which novel fields and areas they most want to explore. If you had to choose an area of interest or two today, what would you choose? Note that you are under no obligation to follow this choice if admitted. Why did you choose your proposed area of interest? If you selected 'other', what topics are you interested in pursuing?
200 words max · Required
Creator / Innovator
The creativity, inventiveness, and innovation of Caltech's students, faculty, and researchers have won Nobel Prizes and put rovers on Mars. But Techers also innovate in smaller-scale ways everyday, from imagining new ways to design solar cells or how to 3D-print dorm decor, to cooking up new recipes in the kitchen. How have you been a creator, inventor, or innovator in your own life?
200 words max · Required
STEM Passion (Option A)
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.
200 words max · Required
Short Take — Hobby (Option A)
What is an interest or hobby you do for fun, and why does it bring you joy?
249 words max · Required
Short Take — Mind-Blowing Concept (Option D)
What is a concept that blew your mind or baffled you when you first encountered it?
249 words max · Required
STEM Experience (Option B)
Tell us about a meaningful STEM-related experience from the last few years and share how and why it inspired your curiosity.
200 words max · Required
Short Take — Teach a Class (Option B)
If you could teach a class on any topic or concept, what would it be and why?
249 words max · Required
Short Take — Core Identity (Option C)
What is a core piece of your identity or being that shapes how you view and/or interact with the world?
249 words max · Required
STEM Experiences
Identify and describe two STEM-related experiences from your high school years that influenced your interest in pursuing STEM.
200 words max · Required
Fascination
Tell us in detail about something — anything — that you find fascinating, and explain why.
200 words max · Required
Honor Code
The Caltech Honor Code — 'No member of the Caltech community shall take unfair advantage of any other member of the Caltech community' — has provided a great deal of freedom and responsibility. How would you contribute to and benefit from such a system?
200 words max · Required
About the application
Applies via the Common App.
Make your next draft count.
Common questions
- What are the Caltech essay prompts for 2025-26?
- Caltech lists Proposed Area of Interest (1 prompt); Creator / Innovator (1 prompt); STEM Passion (Option A) (1 prompt); Short Take — Hobby (Option A) (1 prompt); Short Take — Mind-Blowing Concept (Option D) (1 prompt); STEM Experience (Option B) (1 prompt); Short Take — Teach a Class (Option B) (1 prompt); Short Take — Core Identity (Option C) (1 prompt); STEM Experiences (1 prompt); Fascination (1 prompt); Honor Code (1 prompt) for 2025-26.
- How many essays does Caltech require?
- Caltech requires 11 essays based on the published group instructions for 2025-26. The page lists 11 required and 0 optional prompts.
- What are the word limits for the Caltech supplemental essays?
- The published word and character limits are 200 words max, 249 words max.