what are the caltech essay prompts

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Caltech Supplemental Essays 2024-25 – Prompts & Advice

August 23, 2024

With a 3% acceptance rate (yes, truly), Caltech is one of the most highly selective schools in the country. Although ACT or SAT results are now required again during the admissions process, the Caltech admissions committee does give serious weight to the six supplemental essay prompts that they require from all applicants.

 (Want to learn more about How to Get Into Caltech? Visit our blog entitled:  How to Get Into Caltech  for all of the most recent admissions data as well as tips for gaining acceptance.)

Before we dive right in and begin examining the six required and three optional 2024-25 Caltech essays, one quick note… the admissions committee has provided in-depth guidance for all six required essays , so we’ll keep our advice for those short and sweet.

Caltech Supplemental Essays – Prompt #1 (required)

Why did you choose your proposed area of interest? If you selected ‘other’, what topics are you interested in pursuing? (200 words)

(Note: you’ll select 1-2 areas of interest from a provided drop-down box on the application)

We all have a story of what drives us to pursue a certain academic pathway and career. How did your interest initially develop? What was the spark? How have you nurtured this passion and how has it evolved over time? If you desire to go into engineering, this is a chance to talk about everything from your childhood fascination with how things work to your participation in an award-winning robotics program at your high school. Share a compelling (and, of course, true!) narrative about how your love of your future area of study has blossomed to its present levels.

You should also tie your passions into specific academic opportunities at Caltech including  courses ,  professors ,  hands-on research programs , or any other aspects of your desired major that appeal most to you.

Caltech Supplemental Essays – Prompt #2 (required)

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. Be as specific or broad as you would like. (150 words)

Can you think of a recent time when you have been completely sucked into a STEM-related topic? Perhaps you binged every documentary available, consumed podcasts like nobody’s business, went on a Reddit bender, or found the most fascinating book at the library. What do you find so interesting about this topic, and why?

While your “rabbit hole” doesn’t necessarily have to lead to anything actionable, you can certainly mention if it did. For example, if your fascination inspired you to take on a particular project—which helped you learn even more about your subject—that could be an excellent addition to your answer.

Caltech Supplemental Essays – Prompts #3 & #4 (required)

At Caltech, we investigate some of the most challenging, fundamental problems in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. We are interested in learning more about your engagement with STEM.

Please share two STEM-related experiences:

1. Tell us how you initially found your interest and passion for science or any STEM topic and how you have pursued or developed this interest or passion. (200 words)

2. Tell us about a STEM-related experience from the last few years and share how and why it inspired your curiosity. (200 words)

Main note here—you won’t be writing about both experiences within the same response (phew!). Caltech provides a separate response area for each experience, so you’ll have 200 words for Prompt #1 and 200 words for Prompt #2.

Perhaps you experienced a fascinating challenge during your engineering internship, encountered a particularly thought-provoking topic during differential calculus, or relentlessly pursued an interest in black holes or topological physics. Whatever you choose—formal or informal, inside or outside the classroom—use this opportunity to share more about your chosen experience. (Note: for Prompt #1, you’ll want to discuss how you have pursued or developed your interest; for Prompt #2, you’ll focus on how/why your chosen experience stoked your curiosity .) Whether you taught yourself a new coding language and then built an app or consumed thousands of hours of podcasts on drone capabilities, this is a chance to illustrate the ways in which you are an obsessive learner with an endless thirst for information.

The admissions reader should emerge from reading these essays with the sense that you are a sincerely curious young person with a strong intellectual drive.

Caltech Essays – Prompt #5 (required)

The creativity, inventiveness, and innovation of Caltech’s students, faculty, and researchers have won  Nobel Prizes  and put  rovers on Mars . But Techers also imagine smaller-scale innovations every day, from new ways to design solar cells to how to 3D-print dorm decor to experimenting in the kitchen. How have you been a creator, inventor, or innovator in your own life? (250 words)

Caltech knows you’re not a PhD-level researcher or a Nobel laureate, so they’re not looking for anything earth-shattering here (unless, of course, you’ve accomplished something earth-shattering—in which case, please share). Instead, they’re simply trying to understand the ways in which you bring your creative, inventive, and/or innovative qualities to your day-to-day life. Essentially, this is a fun chance to show off that side of yourself. To do so, feel free to go beyond extracurricular activities and formal experiences—maybe you perfected a solar oven design that bakes perfectly chewy chocolate chip cookies without utilizing electricity, or offered to develop a website for your local thrift shop with online shopping options. The sky is the limit here!

Caltech Supplemental Essays – Prompt #6 (required)

Caltech’s values include respect for a diversity of thoughts and ideas. How have you cultivated this value in your own life? (200 words)

Before you begin writing, make sure you familiarize yourself with Caltech’s full breakdown of their values . Then, choose one that 1) resonates most with you and 2) allows you to share more about your own personal experiences. Although you can select more than one, doing so may make it more difficult to craft a focused response, so keep that in mind as you write.

In addition, essays that wax poetic about the general importance of a chosen ideal—without connecting it to your own past experiences or future goals—will have approximately zero needle-moving value to the admissions committee. For example, let’s say you gravitate toward “ …we strive to cultivate an environment of learning, discovery, and innovation where “our preconceptions are challenged, our research is broadened, and our ideas are refined through the expansive exchange of ideas. ” Try rephrasing each ideal as a question in order to identify the significance and depth of your associated experiences. For example, when have you had preconceptions challenged? How did you respond? Have you ever had an idea refined through extensive collaboration with others? What was that like?

Caltech Supplemental Essays – Prompt #7, #8, and #9 (optional)

We know, we know … you see optional and start to wonder if we mean it. But in this section, we truly do! See these as completely optional opportunities to show us more of your personality. 

Optional. We promise.

• If there are aspects of your life or social or personal identity that you feel are not captured elsewhere in this application, please tell us about them below. (150 words)

When not surveying the stars, peering through microscopes, or running through coding marathons, Caltech students pursue an eclectic array of interests that range from speed-cubing, reading, yoga, playing musical instruments and theater arts, to solving puzzles, hiking, painting, and building or inventing new gadgets. We understand that everyone needs an outlet or two.   What is a favorite interest or hobby, and why does it bring you joy? (200 words)

• Did you have a hard time narrowing it down to just one interest or hobby? We understand – Caltech students like to stay busy, too. Tell us about another hobby or interest! (150 words)

Caltech’s admissions committee is quite transparent about what they are and aren’t looking for, so this is one of those rare occasions when an optional essay is truly optional. As such, if there is something significant to share about your background, identity, or interests that hasn’t already been communicated elsewhere on the application, feel free to discuss it here, but do not feel compelled to respond if you’ll be grasping at straws to formulate an answer.

How important are the essays?

Overall, Caltech lists five factors as being “very important” to the admissions process. Those factors are: the rigor of your high school coursework, test scores (even though they are test blind, which is odd) recommendations, character/personal qualities, and your application essays. In fact, the essays are rated as being of greater importance than your GPA, class rank, or extracurricular activities!

Want Personalized Essay Assistance?

If you are interested in working with one of College Transitions’ experienced and knowledgeable essay coaches as you craft your Caltech and  Common App essays , we encourage you to  get a quote  today.

Looking for additional writing resources? Consider checking out the following:

• Common App Essay Prompts
• 10 Instructive Common App Essay Examples
• College Application Essay Topics to Avoid
• How to Quickly Format Your Common App Essay
• Should I Complete Optional College Essays?
• How to Brainstorm a College Essay
• 25 Inspiring College Essay Topics
• “Why This College?” Essay Examples
• How to Write the Community Essay
• College Essay

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How to Write the Caltech Supplemental Essays 2024–2025

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California Institute of Technology , also known as Caltech, is a renowned university that focuses on providing a rigorous STEM education to its students. Caltech’s living alumni include 17 Nobel Laureates, such as Richard Feynman. Other notable Caltech alumni include Stephen Wolfram, Fei-Fei Li, Adam D’Angelo, and David Brin. If you’re an aspiring Techie, you’ve come to the right place. The Caltech supplemental essays include six required and four optional prompts for prospective applicants to answer. Let’s dive in.

Caltech’s 2024-2025 Prompts

Required caltech supplemental essays, your stem future – stem academic interests: 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 why did you choose your proposed area of interest if you selected ‘other’, what topics are you interested in pursuing (100-200 words), your stem present – stem curiosity: 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. be as specific or broad as you would like. (50-150 words), your stem past – stem experiences: tell us how you initially found your interest and passion for science or any stem topic, and how you have pursued or developed this interest or passion over time. (100-200 words), your stem past – stem experiences (continued): tell us about a stem-related experience from the last few years and share how and why it inspired your curiosity. (100-200 words), creativity in action question: the creativity, inventiveness, and innovation of caltech’s students, faculty, and researchers have won nobel prizes and put rovers on mars . but techers also imagine smaller-scale innovations every day, from new ways to design solar cells to how to 3d-print dorm decor to experimenting in the kitchen. how have you been a creator, inventor, or innovator in your own life (200-250 words), caltech values question: caltech’s values include respect for a diversity of thoughts and ideas. how have you cultivated this value in your own life (50-200 words), optional caltech supplemental essays, if there are aspects of your life or social or personal identity that you feel are not captured elsewhere in this application, please tell us about them below. (150 words or fewer), when not surveying the stars, peering through microscopes, or running through coding marathons, caltech students pursue an eclectic array of interests that range from speed-cubing, reading, yoga, playing musical instruments and theater arts, to solving puzzles, hiking, painting, and building or inventing new gadgets. we understand that everyone needs an outlet or two. what is a favorite interest or hobby, and why does it bring you joy (200 words or fewer), did you have a hard time narrowing it down to just one interest or hobby we understand – caltech students like to stay busy, too. tell us about another hobby or interest (150 words or fewer), 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..

General Tips

While Caltech is unusual in offering ten essay prompts for applicants to answer, these essays don’t have to be difficult. Before you begin writing the first essay, read through all the prompts. That way, you can pace yourself. If a topic has multiple facets that could be discussed in different essays, versus getting jammed into one essay, then go for it. What might seem like an excessive number of essays to write is actually just an abundance of opportunities to show Caltech who you are.

Moreover, the optional essay prompts are really just that: optional. In order to be effective and boost your chances of admission, your Caltech supplemental essays need to be thoughtful, organized, proofread, and specific. If you only have the bandwidth to bring your best writing talents to the required prompts, you should feel no pressure to write a few more rushed essays. In addition, not all of the optional prompts will relate to all applicants. In other words, don’t try to write responses to the optional prompts if they don’t speak to you. Instead, consider all of the parts of yourself you’d really like Caltech to know, and do your best to incorporate them into the essays you are required to write.

That said, let’s dive in.

Required Caltech Short Essay Questions

Although you’re not bound to study whatever major or area of interest you describe in this essay, you should answer authentically. Through the Caltech supplemental essays, the admissions team seeks curious, driven individuals who already know they want to pursue STEM. Because of this, you’ll want to let your passion shine through.

In addition, whether you have a particular origin story behind your academic interest(s), or you simply enjoy pursuing the questions behind your interest(s), this essay response will benefit from specific details. For example, you hope to study computer science, explain to the reader what kind of computer science you’re interested in, how you became interested in this subfield, and, if you have space, what you hope to do with this degree. Don’t be afraid to sound nerdy!

If there were any details or interests you couldn’t fit into the answer above, here’s your opportunity to explore them further. Note that the wording of the prompt indicates that you should only discuss one rabbit hole in this essay. Instead of discussing all your interests in one place, focus on one topic you’ve regularly been Googling, reading about, watching YouTube videos on, or otherwise researching. Remember, there are quite a few Caltech essays. Therefore, you should aim for depth instead of breadth in this essay. Any topics you wish you could have addressed here, you’ll likely have the opportunity to address in another essay.

This essay prompt has some overlap with the first prompt, which could also involve the origin story of a STEM interest of yours. That said, this prompt could be about any STEM interest, not just your intended area of study. In addition, you could focus this essay on a more specific interest, topic, or subfield than your area of study. In fact, you could focus on a singular, specific topic that is included within your area of study. You could even get as specific as a single question you’ve sought to answer over the years.

If you’re having trouble coming up with topics for this essay, consider focusing on whatever interest has the best story behind it. Note that the prompt expects a singular topic , not multiple topics. This prompt expects you to provide the past, present, and future of a particular interest. Therefore, if you have been pursuing any particular topic for a while, then that topic might fit well into this essay.

This prompt, which is under the same subheading as the previous prompt (”Your STEM Past – STEM Experiences), opens the door for you to discuss extracurricular activities or coursework. For instance, you could describe a lab project in school that inspired your interest in biology. You could focus on an independent research project you have pursued, a summer camp you have attended, a lecture you have heard, or even a book you have read.

The prompt asks you to discuss an “experience,” so be sure to keep your narrative concrete, not abstract. Your essay should clarify that the topic of your essay involved a real-life experience. Then, you should explore how that experience has impacted you and your interest(s).

This essay is your space to describe a project you’ve undertaken, a way you’ve optimized your daily life, a practical idea you’ve come up, or something along these lines. The more creative, the better. Consider the times when you’ve worked with your hands, solved practical problems for your family or friends, or used your technical skills to create something new and unexpected.

The admissions team set this prompt in order to gauge their applicants’ level of creativity and drive to be industriousness in their daily lives. Creativity is great to demonstrate here, but you can also highlight the ways you’ve served others. Not only will you be a student at Caltech, but you will be a peer, a roommate, a community member, and a friend. Therefore, if you have created, invented, or innovated on behalf of others, then you might want to focus on one of those projects here.

Following on the last prompt, Caltech seeks students who will also be thoughtful community members, peers, and friends. Most likely, Caltech’s community will be more diverse than your hometown, given that your classmates will be from around the world. Therefore, the admissions team looks for students who will thrive in communities of great diversity. This diversity not only encompasses identity but also perspectives and life experiences.

Consider times when you have exercised humility, worked to build community, and/or engaged with people who have very different worldviews from your own. Describe who you were in those moments, and feel free to bring up multiple moments as long as you have room to describe each one with specificity.

Optional Caltech Short Essay Questions

Like all of the optional Caltech supplemental essays, this prompt provides applicants with the opportunity to discuss topics otherwise unmentioned in their applications. For instance, if your Caltech application explores your academic and extracurricular interests and achievements but ignores your cultural identity, you might want to write about that topic in this essay. In other words, if there are parts of who you are and how you present yourself to the world that aren’t addressed elsewhere in your application but feel important to you to mention, here’s your chance.

The word “identity” can be treated expansively here. Your identity can include your gender, ethnicity, immigration status, sexual orientation, Myers-Briggs type, political party, religion, and more. Remember, the admissions team has posed this prompt in order to get to know you better. If you were meeting someone for the first time, what would you hope they understood about you? This essay is the right place to answer that question.

The key word in this prompt is “joy.” While brainstorming for this prompt, think about the ways you spend your time. When are you most joyful? What excites you? What do you look forward to doing in your spare time? Here’s your opportunity to elaborate on a source of joy for you.

A “favorite interest or hobby,” in the context of this prompt, should be something that you do simply because you like to. In other words, this activity should not be solely driven by your desire to pad your resume, earn money, or please your parents. This activity should be self-driven and self-motivated.

In addition, this should be a singular activity (see the next prompt). Because most people can write at lengths about their passions, it is important to keep this essay focused on one topic, with a clear beginning, middle, and end. Before you begin to write, consider structuring your essay around an anecdote. You could also write this essay about how your interest/activity/hobby has changed you as a person, a structure which would give your essay a clear narrative arc. However you choose to organize your thoughts in this essay, pay attention to the narrative structure, make sure every sentence relates back to your overarching topic, and be sure to let your joy shine through.

If you found yourself struggling to decide on which hobby or interest to write about while brainstorming the last essay, consider giving one of the runner-ups a chance to shine in this essay. Note that you should only choose to respond to this prompt if you have already responded to the last prompt.

Like in the previous essay, cohesion is essential to making this essay stand out. Don’t mention all your other interests here; the prompt is clear that you’re only supposed to bring up one more interest in this essay. And, once again, joy is key to making this essay feel authentic. Feel comfortable discussing an interest that is similar to the one you already wrote about, or write about a completely different type of hobby if that feels more right to you. Regardless, focus on an activity you pursue that genuinely makes you happy, and your essay will read just as genuinely

This essay prompt gives an applicant the opportunity to bring up a topic otherwise untouched in their application. If your GPA was affected by factors outside your control, your AP exams disturbed or unexpectedly canceled, or another similar issue, then you don’t have to be burdened by that situation in your college application process. Instead, you can elaborate on your unique circumstances here, in an essay with no official word limit.

Be as specific, humble, and honest as you can be here. Moreover, don’t write more than you need to. Although there’s no official word limit on this essay, the admissions officers at Caltech are busy individuals. As briefly as you can, provide the details of your extenuating circumstances, but don’t provide more information than necessary.

If you need help polishing up your Caltech supplemental essays, check out our College Essay Review service. You can receive detailed feedback from Ivy League consultants in as little as 24 hours.

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How to Write Amazing Caltech Essays

College Essays

The California Institute of Technology—or Caltech, as it's more commonly known—is a highly exclusive college. If you want to join the Beavers, you'll need not just top grades and standardized test scores, but strong writing supplements to support them as well.

Caltech accepts around 6% of students who apply, making it an extremely competitive school . The more you know about the Caltech essay prompts before you start, the better prepared you are to answer them.

Read on to learn about 2021's essay prompts, as well as some tips and tricks for maximizing their potential to impress!

Feature Image: Canon.vs.nikon /Wikimedia Commons

BREAKING: Caltech Application Changes Due to COVID-19

As a result of the novel coronavirus pandemic, many colleges have made the decision to at least temporarily stop requiring SAT and ACT scores. In June 2020, California Institute of Technology announced that they will stop considering SAT and ACT scores of applicants for the next two admission cycles (those applying in fall 2020, 2021, and 2022). This means that, not only are SAT and ACT scores not required, but, even if you submit them, they won't be reviewed and they won't be considered as part of your application. (This is what we refer to as a "test blind" policy.) Additionally, international students can now meet Caltech's English proficiency requirement by submitting either TOEFL or Duolingo scores.

Because of SAT and ACT cancellations , as well as the difficulty some students are having preparing or paying for the tests, Caltech made the decision to temporarily stop requiring standardized test scores to make admissions as fair and equitable as possible. Because test scores aren't being considered, there will be an increased emphasis on classes students took and the grades they received in them.

What Do I Need to Know About the Caltech Essays?

Caltech accepts four different applications: Coalition, Common App, Powered by Scoir, and Questbridge. In addition to the required Coalition,  Common Application, and powered by Scoir essays, Caltech also requires three short essays. ( Questbridge applicants only need to write these if they become Match Finalists and have ranked Caltech.)

You’ll write one required academic question and three required short answer questions, but you’ll also have the option to answer three supplemental short answer questions and one supplemental academic question, if you want.

Altogether, you'll be writing up to 1100 words for the required essays, and 300 words for the optional short answer questions. These essays are fairly short, so you'll want to spend a good amount of time honing your argument to its most efficient. Start early so you have plenty of time to plan, refine, revise, and proof before you submit!

Do a little preparation and you can look this happy when writing your Caltech essays, too!

What Are the Caltech Essay Prompts?

The Caltech essay prompts are fairly standard, though each one is tailored to the college's specifications. You'll see the usual "Overcoming Obstacles” and “Defining Your Fit” essay questions, but always keep in mind that you're applying to Caltech specifically, and your essays should reflect that.

Required Academic Question

Because of the rigorous core course curriculum, Caltech 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? Why did you choose that area of interest? (Max: 200 words)

The first essay asks you share your academic passion (or passions), and how you discovered them. Many colleges understand that students change their majors throughout the course of their careers, and Caltech doesn’t want you to have to choose a major until you’re a sophomore. But they still want you to have a good idea of what you want to focus on and why it matters to you.

The key here is to be specific about your area of interest. Note that they don’t mention a major, but instead an overall field. In other words, now isn’t the time to say that you want to major in biology because you’ve always done well in school. Instead, focus on something more specific, like a problem you want to solve or an experience that changed the way you see your career. Maybe your physical science egg-drop challenge inspired a desire to create safer structures, or maybe a field trip to a NASA location made you realize you had to be in that control room one day.

Whatever the case, be as specific as you can with what you want to study, and remember that multiple majors could get you there. For example, visiting NASA could have inspired you to study mathematics, physics, or engineering. There are multiple paths to reach the same goal; do your homework, look at the different programs Caltech offers, and choose one or two that align with your dream.

Caltech is, in their own words, “an unapologetic STEM institution.” Whatever you do, make sure that your chosen area fits within these parameters.

Required Short Answer Question #1

At Caltech, we investigate some of the most challenging, fundamental problems in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Identify and describe two STEM-related experiences from your high school years, either in or out of the classroom, and tell us how and why they activated your curiosity. What about them made you want to learn more and explore further? (Min: 100/Max: 200 words for each experience)

This prompt is asking you to discuss something you're passionate about. Your interests and activities outside of school and work can reveal a lot about the kind of person you are. As such, this prompt is a great opportunity to show how you exhibit the characteristics of the perfect Caltech candidate in your life experiences that don’t show up in your test scores and GPA.

Hopefully, thinking of a topic for this essay will be easy for you. You should write about a situation, story, or topic that gets you so engrossed and excited that it’s tough to tear yourself away from learning about it! Whether that’s reading up on the psychology of conspiracy theories or bird watching with your little brother, the most important thing is that you choose something that you’re deeply interested in. When you do that, admissions counselors will be able to feel your passion too!

Even though you probably could write pages and pages about the topic you choose, it’s important to keep things clear and concise here. Remember: you only have 200 words per topic to work with! To keep your essay focused, tell the story of how these experiences piqued your curiosity into the subject (or subjects) you’ve chosen to write about. You can describe your learning process, even if it’s quirky or unconventional. This is your chance to show Caltech how you choose to expand your mind when left to your own devices.

And that’s the most important thing to emphasize in your essay. Caltech is looking for students who don’t stop learning when the semester ends. The people who make a difference in the world are passionate, lifelong learners. This essay is your chance to show off your niche interests and prove to Caltech that you’re a lifelong learner too.

This guy would fit right in at Caltech.

Required Short Answer Question #2

The creativity, inventiveness, and innovation of Caltech's students, faculty, and researchers have won Nobel Prizes and put rovers on Mars , but Techers also imagine smaller scale innovations every day, from new ways to design solar cells to 3D printing dorm decor. How have you been an innovator in your own life? (Min: 200 / Max: 250)

This question is a great way for you to show off your skills! Maybe your insight helped your school’s robotics team take home first place, or maybe you found a way to streamline some part of your family’s day-to-day routine. You have a lot of options here, but make sure to keep your topic focused on STEM-related subjects. This is an excellent topic for a problem-and-solution essay: after all, your innovation will have improved a situation, right? You only have 250 words, so you’ll need to make them count! Caltech wants to see how your mind works : why were you driven to your chosen innovation? Were there any obstacles? What was the end result, and how was it received?

Remember:  you'll need to give the admissions counselors enough information that they can understand your innovation and  its impact. Be sure to answer both parts of this question so that you're fully addressing the prompt. 

It probably wasn't one of these kids who wrote these successful Caltech essays.

Required Short Answer Question #3

The process of discovery is best advanced when people from diverse backgrounds come together to solve the greatest challenges in their fields. How do your past experiences and present-day perspectives inform who you have become and how you navigate the world? (Min: 200 / Max: 250)

This is your chance to show Caltech what makes you tick, and how you’ve become who you are. Think back on the formative experiences in your life: your home, your family, your cultural background. How have they shaped you into who you are now and what you want? Show Caltech how you see the world, and why.

As always, you should remember to gear this toward STEM as much as you can: Caltech isn’t kidding when they tell you to “lean all the way in on the STEMiest of STEMmy topics.” The trick here is to show how your own lived experiences have informed your interest and perspective on the STEM subject that you’re most drawn to. Maybe you come from a family of artists, and their sense of aesthetics informs the way you design and present your projects. Maybe you have a different cultural background than most of your peers, which influences your thought processes.

Be sure to tell a story here so that you can connect with admissions counselors. For example, was there a formative experience in your childhood or youth that made you realize you stand out from your peers in some way? Was a family member or cultural tradition particularly influential?

CalTech Short Answer Questions

Along with longer essays, you'll also have to tackle a few short answer responses, too. We'll break them down below! 

Supplemental Short Answer Question #1

If there are aspects of your identity that you feel are not captured elsewhere in this application, please provide that information below. (Max: 150 words)

This is a pretty broad prompt! Unlike Required Question 3, which asks about your background, or Supplemental Question 2, which asks about your hobbies, this is about your identity, which includes both of those things and more! You have a lot of options here: think of past experiences that made you realize more about who you are and what you stand for. Maybe you stood up to a bully. Maybe you went stargazing with family or friends, and found yourself overwhelmed by the vastness of the universe. Just like with the other prompts, remember to be as specific as possible, and give examples.

Supplemental Short Answer Question #2

When not surveying the stars, peering through microscopes, or running through marathons of coding, Caltech students pursue an eclectic array of interests that range from speed-cubing to participating in varsity athletics to reading romance novels. What is a favorite interest or hobby and why does it bring you joy? (Max: 100 words)

This is a great prompt to answer, because it gives you the chance to show the admissions counselors more about who you are not just as a budding scholar but as a person. Here’s a chance to open up about, say, your passion for rock climbing or your increasingly-large collection of succulents. You only have 100 words, but try to go into as much detail as possible about how your hobby makes you feel. This is the place to be descriptive, and to show rather than tell.

Supplemental Short Answer Question #3

Did you have a hard time narrowing it down to just one interest or hobby? We understand – Caltech students like to stay busy, too – tell us about another hobby or interest! (Max: 50 words)

You've probably got more than one hobby you love. This is your chance to share that with admissions counselors at CalTech. You don't have much space, but help your readers understand why you're passionate about the hobby you choose. 

Caltech Essays That Worked

All this information is great, but it can still be tricky to understand exactly what Caltech wants to know until you've seen it demonstrated. Check out this accepted essay—and some tips from someone who took a serious risk—to learn more about what Caltech hopes to see in your essay!

Even though the example essays below respond to old essay prompts, there’s still a lot you can learn from them about how to write successful Caltech essays.

Martin Alternburg's Essay

I cross over the bridge into Minnesota. Out of my three sports, cross country is definitely my worst — but I continue to be hooked on it. Unlike swimming and track, my motivation to run is heavily intrinsic. I live for the long runs I take on by myself. While they rarely happen during our season, we were assigned a long run to complete over our first weekend of cross country. In reality, I was supposed to go six miles, but felt eight gave me more time to explore the home I had just returned to. My mind begins to wander as I once again find my rhythm. My train of thought while running is similar to the way one thinks in the minutes before sleep — except one has more control over how these thoughts progress and what tangents they move off of. While special relativity would be the "proper" thing to think about, especially at MITES, I revive the violin repertoire I had turned away from for so long and begin playing it in my head. I'm now at the edge of town in between the cornfields. The streaming floodlights on the open road give me a sense of lonely curiosity, reminiscent of the opening lines of Wieniawski's first violin concerto. I come up with adaptations of the melody in my head, experimenting with an atonality similar to Stravinsky's.

Martin Altenburg's essay is well-structured, using the narrative of a morning run to demonstrate all the things that run through his head, and, more importantly, all the unique traits that make him who he is.

From just these two paragraphs, we know he's a runner, that he's driven, that he strives for more than he thinks he's capable of, and that he knows music and composition. Because the essay is in a narrative format, we're able to follow this line of thinking and have it all wrapped up neatly at the end. We're drawn in by energetic and purposeful writing that also delivers us all the information we need.

Throughout the essay, Altenburg discusses his interests and his growth. His strategic use of locations in his hometown allows readers to understand where he comes from both literally and figuratively, especially the part about his beliefs and how the community he's grown up in have impacted them. All this is valuable information to an admissions office, who wants to see how you see yourself and why.

One thing to note about this essay is that it doesn't include any reference to Caltech. In fact, Altenburg used the same essay to apply to—and get into—eight different Ivy Leagues as well as some other schools. The essay was likely written as part of the Common or Coalition Application rather than as part of Altenburg's Caltech supplement, hence the lack of specificity. Your essays for the Caltech supplement should contain more specificity than this, as these essays are unique to Caltech and want to know exactly what draws you to that school above others.

Michelle Fan's Essay Reflection

"How do you believe Caltech will best fuel your intellectual curiosity and help you meet your goals?" If I had a few weeks, I might have done enough research to namedrop a few professors, rave about the strength of their computer science programs, and come up with a compelling story about all my professional goals. But I didn't have those few weeks, so I told them the unembellished, wholehearted truth: I said I have no idea what I want to do in life. All I knew was that I liked making calculator games and explosions and wanted to participate in the bread-throwing, water-dumping congregations otherwise known as Caltech house dinners. As it turns out, being yourself actually works. Shocker, I know. Colleges really do want to like you for you.

Michelle Fan doesn't post her Caltech essay directly, but she does talk about her process and what she discovered between her highly planned essays and the ones she wrote the day they were due.

Fan points out that her last-minute essays, the ones that she wrote from her heart rather than from her head, are the ones that got accepted. Though I definitely don't advocate for waiting until the same day that your essay is due to start writing it, it's a good message to keep in mind—when you're faced with an imminent deadline and you just need to get something out, your writing is probably more genuine than if you've been editing and revising it for ages.

But the big takeaway here should not be to wait until the last second to write your essay (please, don't do that!). The real lesson is that you should write in a way that is true to yourself, not a way that you think will impress admissions offices. You should be authentic and genuine, letting your personality and interests tell Caltech why you're a good fit.

If your essay looks like this, that's a good thing!

4 Key Tips for Writing a Caltech Essay

Like all college essays, there are some general things to keep in mind when working on your Caltech writing supplement. The earlier you get started, the better—take a little time to make sure that your essay is as polished as possible!

Brainstorming before you start writing will help you pick a topic that's both meaningful and impressive. Jotting down a list of ideas for each topic, no matter how silly they might feel at first impression, gives you options. Spend a little time away from your options so that you can pick the one that you feel most strongly about with less bias!

#2: Get People to Read Your Essays for You

Feedback is an important tool as a writer. Getting someone else to look at your work—preferably someone who will be honest about its shortcomings—will help you find logical holes, weird phrasing, and other errors that may creep into your work. When you feel like your essays are as polished as you can make them is a good time to hand them off to someone else. Remember, you don't have to make every change they suggest exactly as they suggest it, but if your reader is confused about something, see what you can do to make it clearer!

#3: Edit and Revise

Take that feedback you got from your reader and turn it into gold. Again, don't feel like their suggestions are always the right move, but do consider what's causing their confusion or dislike for parts of your essays. Fix them in your own voice, and re-read your essay, especially out loud, to catch any additional errors. The more time you can spend revising, the better!

#4: Be Authentic

Always remember that you're not just trying to impress Caltech with a bunch of statistics—you're trying to impress them as you. That means always staying true to yourself and striving for authenticity. Give Caltech an essay that showcases what it means to be you, not an essay that gives them what you think that they want to hear.

What's Next?

Need an even more in-depth guide to how to write a college essay ? Those tips will help you write a stellar essay from start to finish!

A strong essay is just one part of a successful Caltech application. Also look into Caltech's SAT scores and GPA requirements so you can draft an effective academic plan!

Before you send in your Caltech application, it's a smart idea to figure out how much money it's going to cost you to attend. How do Caltech's financial aid offerings measure up to tuition costs?

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Melissa Brinks graduated from the University of Washington in 2014 with a Bachelor's in English with a creative writing emphasis. She has spent several years tutoring K-12 students in many subjects, including in SAT prep, to help them prepare for their college education.

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August 6, 2024

Caltech Supplemental Essay Prompts: 2024-2025

The California Institute of Technology has released its supplemental essay prompts for the 2024-2025 admissions cycle. The school, one of the last among America’s elite universities to release their essays for applicants to the Class of 2029 , asks applicants to respond to several required and optional essays as well as short answers. These essays are, of course, in addition to The Common Application ’s Personal Statement. So, what are this year’s Caltech essays and how should they be approached? Let’s dive in!

2024-2025 California Institute of Technology Essay Topics and Questions

Required essay prompts, your stem future: academic interests.

Because of the rigorous courses in the core curriculum , Caltech 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? Why did you choose your proposed area of interest? If you selected ‘other’, what topics are you interested in pursuing? (Max: 200 words)

This essay prompt is a straight-up-the-middle Why Major essay. Caltech’s admissions committee wants to understand the origin story of an applicant’s interest in the discipline they wish to study at Caltech. Yet, students should be sure to set that origin story during their high school years. Too often, students share stories about how they developed their academic interests as children. Admissions officers want to hear how students think now — not then.

Your STEM Present: Academic Curiosity

1. 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. Be as specific or broad as you would like. (Max: 150 words)

Caltech’s admissions committee wants to discern if an applicant’s brain is overflowing with interests in STEM-related fields. This prompt is an opportunity for an applicant to show rather than tell that their cup runneth over!

Your STEM Past: Prior Experiences

At Caltech, we investigate some of the most challenging, fundamental problems in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. We are interested in learning more about your engagement with STEM.  Please share two STEM-related experiences:

1. Tell us how you initially found your interest and passion for science or any STEM topic and how you have pursued or developed this interest or passion. (Max: 200 words)

Here’s an opportunity for an applicant to share another origin story about their interest in STEM-related fields. Of course, students would be wise to set their origin story during their early high school years rather than as children. There can be many reasons applicants realized they had a passion for STEM!

2. Tell us about a STEM-related experience from the last few years and share how and why it inspired your curiosity. (Max: 200 words)

An activity essay in a STEM-related area would work well for this prompt to showcase one of many ways an applicant has demonstrated their passion for the field.

Creativity in Action

1. The creativity, inventiveness, and innovation of Caltech’s students, faculty, and researchers have won  Nobel Prizes  and put  rovers on Mars . But Techers also imagine smaller-scale innovations every day, from new ways to design solar cells to how to 3D-print dorm decor to experimenting in the kitchen. How have you been a creator, inventor, or innovator in your own life? (Max: 250 words)

This essay is another excellent opportunity for students to share one small story about how they’ve developed something in the STEM field. And the example does not need to stem from award-winning research. It doesn’t need to be anything formal.

A great example would be seeing a problem on a bike ride to school and figuring out how to fix it. Maybe a student’s bike went over a pothole, so they designed a way to light up a grid on the road to identify when potholes were forthcoming. Caltech’s admissions committee wants to see how applicants think and how they’re creators and inventors even in life’s small moments.

Caltech’s Values

1. Caltech’s values  include respect for a diversity of thoughts and ideas. How have you cultivated this value in your own life? (Max: 200 words)

We should hope so! This is an opportunity for Caltech applicants to show they’re human and will respect their peers, regardless of their backgrounds. It would be best to do so through an anecdote so the applicant shows rather than tells. After all, saying you appreciate diverse perspectives isn’t exactly convincing!

Optional Short Answer Questions

1. If there are aspects of your life or social or personal identity that you feel are not captured elsewhere in this application, please tell us about them below.  (Max: 150 words)

While the United States Supreme Court outlawed Affirmative Action , Chief Justice John Roberts penned a loophole in the majority opinion. As he wrote, “Nothing in this opinion should be construed as prohibiting universities from considering an applicant’s discussion of how race affected his or her life, be it through discrimination, inspiration, or otherwise.”

This essay allows students to capitalize on this loophole by sharing their stories. And students do not need to be underrepresented minorities to have a story to tell here. Applicants could focus on their faith, community, sexual orientation, or gender identity — the possibilities are endless.

2. When not surveying the stars, peering through microscopes, or running through coding marathons, Caltech students pursue an eclectic array of interests that range from speed-cubing, reading, yoga, playing musical instruments and theater arts, to solving puzzles, hiking, painting, and building or inventing new gadgets. We understand that everyone needs an outlet or two. What is a favorite interest or hobby, and why does it bring you joy? (Max: 100 words)

While having a passion for the STEM fields is a prerequisite for Caltech, the admissions committee wants to know that you have interests beyond these disciplines. So here’s an excellent opportunity for applicants to showcase their love for poetry, history, foreign language, anthropology, or any other field. As long as applicants showcase their intellectual curiosity through their storytelling — ideally in an area outside of STEM — they’re on the right track.

3. Did you have a hard time narrowing it down to just one interest or hobby? We understand – Caltech students like to stay busy, too – tell us about another hobby or interest!  (Max: 150 words)

We encourage students to write about a hobby that highlights their intellectual curiosity. So many options would work here. It doesn’t need to be a hobby in which a student changes the world. Yet, it should showcase their intellectual curiosity. If they love tie-dying t-shirts, they should focus on the mathematics of creating extraordinary patterns.

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Essay Writing Advice

We don't want essay writing to be intimidating, but we know it often is. We have put together some advice to help you get started writing your Caltech Supplemental Essays , so you can worry less and enjoy the application process.

Some general advice

• We've said it before and we will say it again: there is no way to write about too much STEM in your supplemental questions! Caltech is an unapologetic STEM institution . So lean all the way in on the STEMiest of STEMmy topics (yep, those are made-up words but totally appropriate).
• Do your research. Read about what kind of students thrive at Caltech by reviewing our What We Look For page.
• Don't wait until the last minute to write your supplemental essays. Give yourself time to write thoughtfully - and time to proofread them, too!
• We don't have an interview process at Caltech, so our supplemental essays are where you are speaking directly to us. Embrace your own voice and personality!
• Recent experiences will always tell us more about who you are as a soon-to-be college student. You may have first been inspired to become an engineer after playing with Legos as a kid, but we care much more about what your passion for engineering looks like as a high schooler.
• Review Caltech's guidelines on the ethical use of AI before submitting your supplemental essays.
• We ask you to write a lot on purpose! Take advantage of this opportunity by writing about different facets of your life and different topics across essays.
• If you are ever stuck, take a moment and ask yourself 'Why?' Why did you choose to write about this topic? Why is it important to you? Why does it relate to your STEM identity?

Advice for Three of the 2024 Supplemental Essay Questions

You will find tips to help you answer three selected supplemental essay questions for Fall 2024 applicants. These three essays cover a wide range of themes and should each be approached differently and thoughtfully. The advice listed after each question is designed to help you kickstart your writing process. You got this!

Question One - STEM Experiences

At Caltech, we investigate some of the most challenging, fundamental problems in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Identify and describe two STEM-related experiences from your high school years, either in or out of the classroom, and tell us how and why they activated your curiosity. What about them made you want to learn more and explore further? (Min: 100/Max: 200 words for each experience)

Why are we asking this?

We want to give you the space to tell us directly why STEM matters to you and to show us how STEM ties into your larger story. Your STEM experiences help us understand who you are as a scientist, mathematician, or engineer on a deeper, more personal level.

Tips for answering this question:

• These responses are not resume entries - there is already room for that elsewhere in your application. Dig deeper than a list of accomplishments.
• Remember, we are asking about YOUR experience. Many students are inspired by a mentor or a family member, but we want to hear about your STEM experiences.
• We ask for experiences from your high school years because we want to get a sense of who you are today. So focus on a recent experience and give us a glimpse of how you do STEM.
• Have you encountered a problem that you solved through STEM?
• Did you combine two interests to discover a new passion? Biology and Computer Science! Physics and Ice Skating! Social Justice and Environmental Science! The combinations are endless.
• Have you ever fallen down a research rabbit hole? What came of it?
• Are you on a team? Do you have a hobby? What are some specific moments or events that highlight why you have a passion for that activity?

Question Two - Creative Spirit

The creativity, inventiveness, and innovation of Caltech's students, faculty, and researchers have won Nobel Prizes and put rovers on Mars . But Techers also imagine smaller scale innovations every day, from new ways to design solar cells to how to 3D print dorm decor. How have you been a creator, inventor, or innovator in your own life? (Min: 200 / Max: 250 words)

" Educating outstanding students to become creative members of society " is in our mission statement and this is your opportunity to show us your creative and innovative spirit in action.

• We celebrate innovation in all forms , whether they happened in the laboratory, the classroom, the kitchen sink, or entirely in C++.
• Tell us the ‘why' behind your creative endeavor. Maybe you invented a new way to freeze ice cream, but was your passion sparked by taking apart an old ice cream maker, learning about the triglycerides in milk fat, or starting a side hustle?
• Have fun here and let your personality shine .

Question Three - Caltech's Values

Caltech's mission – to cultivate learning, discovery, and innovation for the benefit of humanity – relies on its community members embracing fundamental Caltech values :

• Openness and enthusiasm for having preconceptions challenged
• Respect and appreciation for the idea that, while we are all members of the same community, the opportunities we've had to develop, showcase, and apply our talents have not been equal
• Passion for the ideal that science can and should meaningfully improve the lives of others

Share what one or more of these values evokes for you. (Min: 200 / Max: 400)

Caltech is a close-knit community that fosters collaboration and we value the wide range of experiences and perspectives our students, faculty, and staff bring to campus. We want to understand how your own personal experiences and perspectives have shaped you.

• You don't need to address each value listed, though you are welcome to. Take time to read the question, explore Caltech's mission and our fundamental values , and think deeply about what resonated for you.
• Be specific. For example, instead of simply telling us that you are open to new ideas, instead paint a picture of a time that you had an idea or belief challenged and how it affected you.
• Do you have a story to tell? We care about your lived experiences and identities and how they intersect with these values.
• Center yourself in the response - remember, we are asking what one or more of these values evokes in YOU .

Caltech Supplemental Essays 2022-2023

Caltech supplemental essays 2022-23, quick facts- caltech essays.

• Caltech acceptance rate:   7%— U.S. News ranks Caltech as a most selective school.
• 1 (650 word) Personal Statement
• 1 (~200 word) Academic essay
• 1 (~200 word) Short answer essay
• 2 (~250 word) Short answer essays
• Caltech application: The Caltech application can be submitted via the Common App , Apply Coalition , Powered by Scoir , or through Questbridge . Make sure to check all of the Caltech application requirements. 
• Caltech supplemental essay tip: Your responses to the Caltech essay prompts are your chance to show your love of STEM . Use the opportunity to show how you would thrive in a STEM-focused environment. 

What are Caltech’s supplemental essays?

The Caltech supplemental essays are listed on the Common App website . You can also find the Caltech supplemental essays listed on Caltech’s website , alongside brief explanations of each prompt. 

Required Caltech supplemental essays and short answer questions:

1. Because of the rigorous core course curriculum, Caltech 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? Why did you choose that area of interest? (200 words )

2. At Caltech, we investigate some of the most challenging, fundamental problems in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Identify and describe two STEM-related experiences from your high school years, either in or out of the classroom, and tell us how and why they activated your curiosity. What about them made you want to learn more and explore further? (100-200 words for each experience)

3. The creativity, inventiveness, and innovation of Caltech’s students, faculty, and researchers have won Nobel Prizes and put rovers on Mars, but Techers also imagine smaller scale innovations every day, from new ways to design solar cells to 3D printing dorm décor. How have you been an innovator in your own life? (200-250 words)

4. The process of discovery is best advanced when people from diverse backgrounds come together to solve the greatest challenges in their fields. How do your past experiences and present-day perspectives inform who you have become and how you navigate the world? (200-250 words)

Optional Caltech supplemental essays:

1. If there are aspects of your identity that you feel are not captured elsewhere in this application, please provide that information below. (150 words)

2. When not surveying the stars, peering through microscopes, or running through marathons of coding, Caltech students pursue an eclectic array of interests that range from speed-cubing to participating in varsity athletics to reading romance novels. What is a favorite interest or hobby and why does it bring you joy? (100 words)

3. Did you have a hard time narrowing it down to just one interest or hobby? We understand – Caltech students like to stay busy, too – tell us about another hobby or interest! (50 words)

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

5. Some Caltech applicants engage in STEM competitions locally, nationally, and internationally (such as AIME, Science Olympiad, International Science Olympiads.) If you have received any STEM honors or awards, list them here (and scores, if applicable).

You’ll notice that the first thing stated on the Caltech supplemental essays page is that Caltech is “unapologetically STEM.” So, Caltech admissions wants to read all about your STEM-specific experiences . When considering how to write Caltech essays, look first to the “what we look for” page on the Caltech site. This is a cohesive list of what admissions looks for in applicants. 

Notably, the Caltech supplemental essays do not ask students to write a “Why Caltech essay.” However, just because there is no “Why Caltech essay” doesn’t mean that you can’t show the admissions team why you belong at a science and engineering powerhouse like Caltech . So, think of these essays as your chance to show how you’ll contribute to the Caltech community. 

Whenever possible and relevant, reference specific Caltech programs, classes, professors, and organizations that you would take advantage of. The Caltech admissions process extends beyond the admissions office alone. In fact, the Caltech supplemental essays are read directly by faculty. With a 3:1 student to faculty ratio at Caltech, it may not be a surprise that students closely interact with their professors. 

Later in this guide, we will break down each of the Caltech essay prompts in more detail. This should give you an idea of Caltech supplemental essay examples, both required and optional.

How many essays does Caltech require?

Caltech requires students to complete four Caltech essay prompts .

These Caltech essay prompts ask students to reflect on their experiences, interests, and character. You should also use the Caltech essay prompts to discuss your STEM experiences. Prime Caltech supplemental essay examples will encompass who you are within the context of STEM programs . 

Additionally, there are five optional Caltech essay prompts that students can respond to. Caltech stresses that these Caltech essays are optional. We’ll get into specifics later about these optional Caltech essays. This may help you determine if and when to respond to each of the optional Caltech supplemental essays. 

How to Write Caltech Essays

So, how do you answer the Caltech supplemental essays?

Since each of the four required Caltech essays has a 200-250 word maximum, you will want to focus on both content and execution in your writing process. As we’ll discuss, each of the Caltech supplemental essays asks students to reflect on a particular experience or interest. 

To maximize your Caltech essays, you’ll want to offer a brief summary of each experience of an event. Then, use the bulk of your essay to reveal how this experience or event influenced your broader character. Specifically, when focusing on how to write Caltech essays, reflect on your STEM experiences. You may want to write about STEM research in your Caltech supplemental essays. The admissions committee should come away from your Caltech supplemental essays with a clear conception of who you are and the kind of community member you would be on the Caltech campus. 

Caltech Essay Prompts #1 

If you had to choose an area of interest or two today, what would you choose why did you choose that area of interest (200 words).

The first of the four required Caltech essay prompts asks applicants to write “why major essays.” Caltech makes it clear that students aren’t expected to know their major. In fact, students actually can’t declare a major until after their first year. So, undecided students shouldn’t stress too much about their choice of major in these “why major essays.” Students are in no way obligated to study the major in which they reference in their why major essays. 

To answer the first of the Caltech supplemental essays, students should reflect on why they want to attend a STEM-forward university such as Caltech. Think about more than just the Caltech ranking and Caltech acceptance rate. What made you first fall in love with STEM? What specific programs are offered at Caltech and nowhere else? Are you planning to go pre med and hoping to study science at one of the best institutions for STEM? Do some research on the Caltech website in order to reference specific details on programs, internships, research, or faculty.  

Think about the “why”

After having decided an area of interest to write about in this Caltech supplemental essay, focus on the “why” part. Successful “why major essays” will explain why you need to study that major in that particular school. They’ll draw from both personal and academic experiences. Students should also discuss how studying this major would influence their future career goals. 

Let’s say you decide to focus on chemistry. You could discuss how your AP Chemistry course challenged your previous understanding of science. Or maybe a specific experiment stands out in your mind as the point when you knew chemistry was for you. Or perhaps it was the teacher that made an impact on your life. Whatever the reason, reference an academic or personal experience that told you this was the major for you. If you can get more specific than just “chemistry,” such as organic or inorganic chemistry, biochemistry, theoretical chemistry, etc., that’s even better.

Reflection Questions for Caltech Essays:

• Do you choose an area of interest that genuinely excites you?
• Does your essay talk about Caltech specific programs and offerings?
• Do you tie your study interest to your future and career goals ?

Caltech Essay Prompts #2

Identify and describe two stem-related experiences from your high school years, either in or out of the classroom, and tell us how and why they activated your curiosity. what about them made you want to learn more and explore further (100-200 words per experience).

Similar to the “why major essays,” successful Caltech supplemental essays for this prompt will show applicants’ love of STEM. However, the difference between these two Caltech essay prompts is that the first should focus on a specific area of interest offered at Caltech. The second, however, asks students what sparked their interest in STEM in general during high school. 

We probably don’t have to mention that figuring out how to get into Caltech should start with a passion for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering , Math ) programs. That being said, students will likely have a number of experiences to reference in their Caltech essays. Start by brainstorming some of the most impactful STEM moments of your high school career. 

Are you in the robotics club and spend your free time tweaking your newest room cleaning robot? Or have you just led your team to the finals of your state’s math competition? Did you participate in a STEM summer program ? Or, maybe it’s nothing too outwardly dramatic. It could be something as simple as an experiment in biology class that ignited your curiosity. 

Make a list and choose two experiences that evoke emotion surrounding choosing STEM. Caltech admissions wants to see serious STEM applicants in these Caltech supplemental essays. Show through your two chosen experiences that you are passionate and committed to a STEM education.

When writing, you’ll also need to show why you want to further study STEM. How have these experiences shaped your future goals and intellectual curiosity? California Institute of Technology seeks students who will pursue their interests, contribute to a thriving intellectual community, and still love learning even when classes get difficult. 

• Does your draft sincerely convey your inspiration and excitement?
• Do you choose two specific STEM related experiences?
• Do you show how these experiences have affected your future studies?

Caltech Essay Prompts #3

The creativity, inventiveness, and innovation of caltech’s students, faculty, and researchers have won nobel prizes and put rovers on mars , but techers also imagine smaller scale innovations every day, from new ways to design solar cells to 3d printing dorm décor. how have you been an innovator in your own life (200-250 words).

When planning how to write Caltech essays, you may think that you only need to focus on STEM-related topics and experiences. Of course, Caltech admissions shamelessly states that they want to hear about as much STEM topics as possible in students’ Caltech supplemental essays. However, they also look for critical thinkers with the ability to problem solve. This prompt asks applicants to think about times when they had to create their own innovative solutions to problems. 

If you can think of STEM related instances, great. However, if not, don’t stress. Successful Caltech essays responding to this prompt will just show how you creatively found solutions to an issue you were facing. 

Let’s say your doorbell was broken for months. No one in your household seemed too concerned about it, but one day you miss an important package that you’d been looking forward to receiving. You decide to take matters into your own hands and fashion your own doorbell with some tips from the employee at your local hardware store. Problem solved. 

Solving problems

Any version of that hypothetical story will work in this Caltech supplemental essay. There’s a problem that needs to be solved, and you do so. If you’re stuck, try to focus on your strengths. Are you hard-working, creative, motivated, or curious? Highlight these strengths in the examples you come up with for this essay. 

You have to fall within 200-250 words, so you can use multiple anecdotes here. However, keep it focused—limit yourself to one or two topics. Make a list and choose the instances that show your most innovative, creative, and unique solutions to personal problems while highlighting your strengths. 

Reflection Questions for Caltech Essay:

• Does your essay show that you are innovative and creative?
• Do you discuss specific examples and solutions that you came up with?
• Does your essay give Caltech admissions a better picture of who you are and what you would bring to the campus?

Caltech Essay Prompts #4

The process of discovery is best advanced when people from diverse backgrounds come together to solve the greatest challenges in their fields. how do your past experiences and present-day perspectives inform who you have become and how you navigate the world (200-250 words).

Think about the most important parts of who you are. What makes you you? How have you become that way? Focus on your background and how it has shaped you. Are you about to be a first generation college student? Do you come from a small, close knit town? Has a certain culture or language greatly influenced your upbringing? What communities do you belong to? 

Background can refer to endless things; choose something that resonates deeply with you. It should be something that has greatly impacted you and how you maneuver through the world. Try to avoid cliche topics when writing this essay. Remember that your background can mean anything.

Maybe your mom is a chef at a five-star restaurant and you grew up in the kitchen. Paint a picture of life in a chaotic, fast-paced environment and what it taught you. Successful Caltech essays will be creative while answering the Caltech supplemental prompts. Start with a hook and then expand on how it has impacted you. 

• Do you draw on personal experiences from your background?
• Is it evident what an impact those experiences have had on who you are today?
• Do you show how your background affects your worldview or experiences?

Caltech Supplemental Essays: Optional Short Answer Questions

On their website, Caltech prefaces these optional essays by saying that they are “optional opportunities to show us more of your personality.” Before even getting into the optional Caltech essay prompts, admissions reiterates that they are in fact optional by stating: “Optional. We Promise.”

Basically, you can choose whether to answer these Caltech essay prompts or not. However, there are certain optional Caltech essay prompts that you should opt to answer if you want your Caltech application to be as competitive as possible. 

Optional Caltech Essays #1

If there are aspects of your identity that you feel are not captured elsewhere in this application, please provide that information below. (150 words).

If you struggled to fit all of your meaningful, personality-forming experiences and background information into the last Caltech supplemental essay, then this is your opportunity to add more. 

Continuing with our last example in the previous Caltech supplemental essay, let’s say that you wrote about growing up in a fancy restaurant’s kitchen because of your mom’s profession. Maybe in the last essay, you wrote about how you learned to think on your feet in a high-pressure environment, which has made you the decisive person that you are today. You may want to add onto this by talking about the different cultures that you experienced in the kitchen. Did you become close with the sous chef who was from Italy? Did it inspire a gap year or summer trip to Italy that changed your life?

Or maybe you want to talk about a completely different community that has shaped you. Maybe you’ve grown up training ballet in every moment of your spare time, which has built discipline and pushed you to achieve. If you can talk about how a certain community has formed you, and your story will add value to your Caltech application, then answer this prompt. 

However, if you were struggling with the last of the Caltech essay prompts that touched on background and feel as though you have nothing to add, then feel free to skip this essay.  

Optional Caltech Essays #2

When not surveying the stars, peering through microscopes, or running through marathons of coding, caltech students pursue an eclectic array of interests that range from speed-cubing to participating in varsity athletics to reading romance novels. what is a favorite interest or hobby and why does it bring you joy (100 words).

While the first of the optional Caltech supplemental essays is actually optional, we recommend considering the second of the Caltech essays as required. The goal of this Caltech supplemental essay is to see who you are outside of STEM-related hobbies and interests. While admissions wants to see that you love all things STEM, they also want to learn about your other interests. They understand the importance of having some sort of outlet from academics or work. 

Use this Caltech supplemental essay to talk about a hobby that you haven’t mentioned elsewhere. Basically, don’t just repeat your extracurricular activities. That certainly won’t do anything to help you beat the Caltech acceptance rate and impress admissions. Talk about something that will demonstrate a new skill or interest. Don’t forget to mention why this activity is worth writing about. What impact has it had on your life?

To start writing this essay, make a list of all of your activities. Hone in on the ones that are most important to you. Make sure they haven’t been mentioned elsewhere in your Caltech application. Then, choose the topic that interests you the most. 

Consider the following questions:

• Which activity elicits the most emotion? 
• What hobby could you not live without? 
• Which interest has made an impact on who you are today?

Successful Caltech essays will not only mention the activity but also explain why it brings joy. Feel free to get creative when responding to this prompt. Make sure that admissions can feel your passion for this topic. 

Optional Caltech Essays #3

Did you have a hard time narrowing it down to just one interest or hobby we understand – caltech students like to stay busy, too – tell us about another hobby or interest (50 words).

This is another of the optional Caltech supplemental essays that is definitely optional. No tricks here. If you are a true hobbyist and have various activities that define you, then feel free to take on this Caltech supplemental essay. 

Was your list of interests from the last essay spilling onto multiple pages? Great. Students writing their Caltech supplemental essays shouldn’t skimp on passion. However, these Caltech supplemental essays will have to be more succinct, as you only have 50 words. 

Stay creative, just as you were with your last essay. Show why this activity brings you such joy and how it has been such a formative part of your being. Just be sure to do so concisely. 

Caltech Supplemental Essays: Optional Academic Short Answer Questions

The optional academic Caltech supplemental essays are completely optional. Students should only submit Caltech essays for this section if they truly feel the need to. 

There is no word count listed on these Caltech essay prompts, so these Caltech supplemental essays should be concise. This isn’t the time to write a novel. Answer these Caltech supplemental essay prompts succinctly and comprehensively. 

Caltech Essay Prompts #1

Have you had any extenuating circumstances regarding your coursework (such as limited course selection or disruptions) not described elsewhere in your application if so, tell us about them here..

Successful essays to the previous optional Caltech supplemental essays are creative, captivating, and passionate . These final Caltech supplemental essays don’t need to tick the same boxes. These Caltech essays serve to fill any mysterious gaps in the rest of your Caltech application. 

This Caltech supplemental essay specifically asks you to explain any extenuating circumstances that may be noticeable in the coursework noted in your application . If you’ve had access to all the STEM, AP, and IB courses, then there’s no need to respond to this prompt. However, if you attended a school with limited resources and offerings, then you should mention that here. 

Some Caltech applicants engage in STEM competitions locally, nationally, and internationally (such as AIME, Science Olympiad, International Science Olympiads.) If you have received any STEM honors or awards, list them here (and scores, if applicable).

While these Caltech supplemental essays are included with the other Caltech essays, they’re not really essays. They actually want you to list your honors or awards related to STEM here. 

Only respond to this Caltech supplemental essay if you have received STEM related honors or awards. Don’t set the scene of the science competition where you won first place. There are other Caltech supplemental essays where you can do that. Simply list your specific STEM accomplishments.

How much does Caltech care about essays?

Through the Caltech essays, the admissions committee gains a glimpse into who you are as a student, peer, scientist, and individual. Keep in mind that they don’t know what you don’t tell them. Look at your application as a whole—including your Common App essay —and think critically about whether you have included as many facets of yourself as you can. Your Caltech application requirements should do more than just check boxes; they should tell your story , showing why you belong at Caltech. 

The Caltech ranking is #9 on U.S. News’ Best National Universities list. With the Caltech ranking so high, it makes sense that the Caltech acceptance rate is 4% . Every applicant will have an above average GPA and impressive extracurriculars. So, the Caltech supplemental essays are a chance to stand out . Successful Caltech supplemental essays will add to students’ application narratives. Planning how to get into Caltech involves thoughtfully and carefully answering the Caltech supplemental essays.  

Beyond the numbers

The Caltech essay prompts seek to understand who you are rather than just what’s on your resume. This demonstrates the value of the Caltech essays. Since Caltech is test-blind until 2025, you should maximize each essay as an opportunity to help the admissions team get to know you. Test blind schools, unlike test-optional schools, don’t want any ACT/SAT test scores submitted. Basically, Caltech won’t even look at standardized test scores. However, they will pay close attention to the Caltech supplemental essays. 

Check out this webinar to make sure you stand out as a STEM applicant. 

Five Tips for Writing Caltech Essays

Writing comprehensive and meaningful Caltech essays doesn’t have to be overwhelming. We’ve compiled our top 5 tips for how to write Caltech essays that impress admissions. 

Five Tips for Writing Caltech Essays: 

#1- meet the deadlines.

This may seem obvious, but there’s no way that you will figure out how to get into Caltech if you don’t submit your Caltech application requirements by the deadlines . The Regular Decision deadline is January 3rd . The Restrictive Early Action deadline is November 1st . Learn more about applying Early Action in our article .

#2- Don’t rush the writing process

Yes, you know you have to write and submit your Caltech essays by the deadline. However, that doesn’t mean that you should be scrambling to brainstorm, draft, edit, and revise your Caltech supplemental essays the night before they’re due. 

#3- Carefully choose your topics

This is why it’s important to give yourself plenty of time to write your Caltech supplemental essays. You only have one chance to impress the admissions committee. You should have various topics to choose from after brainstorming. Write essays on the topics that you are most passionate about. 

#4- Get creative

The greatest scientists are extremely creative innovators. Use your essays to creatively write on the topics you’re given. As long as you comprehensively and thoughtfully answer the prompt, a creative writing style will only bolster your Caltech essays.

#5- Ask for help

You certainly don’t have to take on your Caltech essays completely alone. Have someone else look at your completed Caltech essays. While they should check mechanics, also ask them for feedback on what they’ve learned about you through your Caltech essays. When implementing their feedback, maintain your own voice and style. 

Caltech Supplemental Essays — Final Thoughts

The Caltech supplemental essays are a key part of your application. The Caltech acceptance rate is low. Maximizing your admissions odds will take acing every part of the application process, including the Caltech supplemental essays. 

Remember to be clear, concise , and specific while telling authentic stories in your essays. Reference STEM-related subjects as much as possible. However, do so in a natural manner. Use the essays as a chance to supplement the quantitative parts of your application such as your grades and GPA with qualitative attributes of who you are as a student, person, and peer.

This Caltech essay guide on was written by Sarah Kaminski. Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeA d visor.com can support you in the college application process.

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How to Ace the 23/24 Caltech Supplemental Essays

Varonika Ware is a content writer at Scholarships360. Varonika earned her undergraduate degree in Mass Communications at Louisiana State University. During her time at LSU, she worked with the Center of Academic Success to create the weekly Success Sunday newsletter. Varonika also interned at the Louisiana Department of Insurance in the Public Affairs office with some of her graphics appearing in local news articles.

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Deciding to go to the California Institute of Technology is the dawn of a new academic adventure! Caltech is a highly selective private research university with a 4% acceptance rate . With such a competitive application pool, your very best writing is required. In this guide, we’ll go over each prompt and help you break the Caltech essays down so you’ll know exactly what is being asked. Let’s get started!

The Caltech essays

Caltech’s supplemental essay prompts are a way for you to show the admission’s readers exactly who you are and why you should be part of the next undergraduate class. Even responding to the optional prompts (Essays #5 through #9 are optional) shows Caltech that you want to be there and are willing to go the extra mile to prove that. Remember, applicants should emphasize STEM in their essays as much as possible since that’s one of the primary focuses of Caltech. 

Keep reading below to learn more about Caltech supplemental essay prompts!

“If you had to choose an area of interest or two today, what would you choose? Why did you choose that area of interest? (Max: 200 words)”

Applicants should see this prompt as an opportunity to discuss their passions in STEM or any other Caltech program. However, it’s important to discuss more than just what  your desired major is; be sure to talk about how Caltech plays a part in whatever interests are shared. What’s so unique about this major/interest that you can’t stop thinking about it? Is it daring? Are you the only one in your family to do it? Use this essay to show your drive and initiative. 

Questions to consider:

• Why do you want to study your major at Caltech?
• What is something unique about the majors that Caltech offers?
• What do you imagine when you think of studying your major at Caltech?

“At Caltech, we investigate some of the most challenging, fundamental problems in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Identify and describe two STEM-related experiences from your high school years, either in or out of the classroom, and tell us how and why they activated your curiosity. What about them made you want to learn more and explore further? (Min: 100 / Max: 200 words for each experience)”

Caltech is clear in this prompt that the focus is on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). While your experiences might seem similar to other applicants, try to set yourself apart by incorporating a personal aspect to your essay. Explain to the reader where your love of STEM started or grew during your time in high school and how that might contribute to your desire to attend Caltech. 

Applicants should also explain what they want to learn more about or explore further and why. Doing so further demonstrates your interest in Caltech if you’re able to make a connection between what you’re curious about and what you love about this specific university. 

• Who motivated you to get involved in STEM? Was it a mentor or a family member?
• What about this experience made you want to pursue STEM at Caltech?
• What are you most curious or excited about in STEM?

“The creativity, inventiveness, and innovation of Caltech’s students, faculty, and researchers have won Nobel Prizes and put rovers on Mars, but Techers also imagine smaller scale innovations every day, from new ways to design solar cells to 3D printing dorm decor. How have you been an innovator in your own life? (Min: 200 / Max: 250)”

The definition of innovation is the introduction of something that’s never existed before. Remember, innovation doesn’t have to be some large, spectacular creation. Your innovation can be something new you’ve added to your life or doing something that you’ve never heard of. Even being the first person in your family to go to college could be a form of innovation–you just have to get creative! 

• Are you the first person to do something in your family?
• Have you created something that you think is fresh or different?
• Do you consider yourself a trailblazer? Why?

“The process of discovery is best advanced when people from diverse backgrounds come together to solve the greatest challenges in their fields. How do your past experiences and present-day perspectives inform who you have become and how you navigate the world? (Min: 200 / Max: 250)”

Use this prompt to consider how your background and/or cultural experiences have shaped your life. Have you had a chance to experience other cultures and learn from them? Has your background empowered you to further pursue STEM? These are questions you should think about as you write your Caltech supplemental essay.

The world has advanced from a collection of ideas from various different sources, so it would be good to share how a collaborative effort from people different from yourself has allowed you to grow and learn new things. Try to show your open-minded side as well as your intelligent one.

• What opinions have you formed about the world as a result of your experiences?
• How does your background influence who you are today and who you hope to become?
• What is the difference between how you navigate the world and how other applicants might?

“ Optional: If there are aspects of your identity that you feel are not captured elsewhere in this application, please provide that information below. (Max: 150 words)”

This prompt should take the Caltech admissions office on an exploration of the unknown, aka you. You could approach this essay in a unique way and push conventional boundaries. Alternatively, you could take a straightforward approach that positions you as an ideal candidate. Either way, the goal is to differentiate yourself from all other applicants, especially since this is one of the first optional essays that Caltech offers. 

• Why do you want to share this with the admissions office?
• How will this aspect of your identity make your application stand out?
• What should be the key takeaway from this optional essay?

Also see: How to write an essay about yourself

“ Optional: When not surveying the stars, peering through microscopes, or running through marathons of coding, Caltech students pursue an eclectic array of interests that range from speed-cubing to participating in varsity athletics to reading romance novels. What is a favorite interest or hobby and why does it bring you joy? (Max: 100 words)”

As an optional prompt, it may be tempting to skip over this essay. However, completing it can make your application more interesting while showing that you’re willing to go the extra mile to attend Caltech. Telling the admissions office about a unique interest or hobby reveals a lot about your personality and whether you fit in at the university. You could be especially interested in plants and bugs, which might show that your love of science goes deeper than just in the classroom. The same can be true for any other activity that you find joy in. 

The word count for this prompt is relatively short, but don’t over-generalize your interests. Just saying a particular aspect of STEM isn’t going to cut it, so try to dig a little deeper to highlight something different and new to your application. 

• What is an activity that you haven’t mentioned anywhere else in your application?
• What does this interest or hobby say about you and your personality?
• Why do you enjoy this experience? 

“ Optional: Did you have a hard time narrowing it down to just one interest or hobby? We understand – Caltech students like to stay busy, too – tell us about another hobby or interest! (Max: 50 words)” 

This prompt is for applicants that have multiple unique hobbies or interests. If you completed the initial prompt mentioned above, then don’t feel pressured to write about another hobby if you can’t think of one right away. However, you’ll have to simplify this interest a lot more than the first, so be sure to pick the most important one for the longer prompt.

• Why do you want to write about this additional hobby?
• Does this interest build on your first one and the rest of your application?

“ Optional: Have you had any extenuating circumstances regarding your coursework (such as limited course selection or disruptions) not described elsewhere in your application? If so, tell us about them here.”

Everyone doesn’t have the same journey when it comes to pursuing education. Sometimes, we hit bumps in the road, and Caltech offers this prompt for you to explain your story. Applicants don’t have to share every detail of their circumstances, but disclose enough that Caltech can understand what the conditions at the time were and how they affected you. Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable and transparent since doing so shows that you’re taking your application seriously. It can also prove your tenacity and determination if you include how you overcame this difficulty in your life and how you’ll continue to progress.

• Is there anything that you feel you need to explain about your grades or courses?
• Was there anything notable and impactful that affected your school performance?
• How have you grown or what did you learn from this experience?

“ Optional: Some Caltech applicants engage in STEM competitions locally, nationally, and internationally (such as AIME, Science Olympiad, International Science Olympiads.) If you have received any STEM honors or awards, list them here (and scores, if applicable).” 

Use this prompt as your opportunity to share your STEM accomplishments with Caltech. Don’t be afraid to include all the awards that you’re proud of! Let your accomplishments speak for themselves, and try not to exaggerate. 

There also isn’t a word limit, which can tempt you to go on and on for page after page. So, show Caltech that you still have tricks up your sleeve by giving them a small piece of what’s next. This means knowing when to bring an end to your essay, even if you haven’t listed every award.

• What are some of the awards I’ve won throughout high school?
• Why do I want Caltech to know about this specific award?
• How does this award relate to attending Caltech?

Final thoughts for applicants

As you wrap up your Caltech essays, it’s important to keep a couple of things in mind. One of the most important things is noticing word count for each prompt. A majority of the prompts are 100-200 words with only a few exceptions. This means it’s ideal to get to the main point of your essay as soon as possible. 

Potential Caltech students should also take time to read through each essay submission to check for errors or any weird issues with the flow and readability of your essays. It can be helpful to ask your teachers, peers, or family members to read over your submission and get feedback to improve on your writing and storytelling skills. The world wasn’t built in a day, so don’t overwhelm yourself! There are resources here to help.

Additional resources

Since you’re considering pursuing higher education, it’s important to have all the resources you can get at your fingertips. Check out some of these Scholarships360 links to learn more!

• Learn how extracurriculars impact your application
• Find out about fully funding your education with scholarships
• Decide on when to submit your application to college

Remember to apply for all the scholarships you qualify for while you are eligible! 

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What Is the Purpose of the Caltech Supplemental Essay?

Reviewed by:

Former Admissions Committee Member, Columbia University

Reviewed: 7/10/24

When it comes to writing the Caltech supplemental essays, there are reliable strategies and approaches you can apply to improve the process. Let’s get into them.

Supplemental essays are an integral part of the college application process. For applicants looking to attend Caltech , the California Institute of Technology, these essays are your chance to show your passion for STEM and how well you align with Caltech's values and mission.

In this guide, we’ll discuss the nuances of Caltech's supplemental essays . Keep reading to explore these essays and learn how to make your application stand out in the competitive field of Caltech admissions.

Caltech Supplemental Essay Prompts 2023-2024

Get ready to dive into the Caltech supplemental essay prompts for the 2023-2024 application cycle.

“At Caltech, we investigate some of the most challenging, fundamental problems in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Identify and describe two STEM-related experiences from your high school years, either in or out of the classroom, and tell us how and why they activated your curiosity. What about them made you want to learn more and explore further? (Min: 100/Max: 200 words for each experience)”

“The creativity, inventiveness, and innovation of Caltech's students, faculty, and researchers have won Nobel Prizes and put rovers on Mars . But Techers also imagine smaller scale innovations every day, from new ways to design solar cells to how to 3D print dorm decor. How have you been a creator, inventor, or innovator in your own life? (Min: 200 / Max: 250)”

Caltech's mission – to cultivate learning, discovery, and innovation for the benefit of humanity – relies on its community members embracing fundamental Caltech values :

• Openness and enthusiasm for having preconceptions challenged
• Respect and appreciation for the idea that, while we are all members of the same community, the opportunities we've had to develop, showcase, and apply our talents have not been equal
• Passion for the ideal that science can and should meaningfully improve the lives of others

Share what one or more of these values evokes for you. (Min: 200 / Max: 400)”

To sum it up, when tackling Caltech's essay prompts, remember there are more essays to explore beyond the required ones we've discussed. 

These optional essays give you extra room to showcase who you are and how you connect with Caltech's mission. So, don't hesitate to write these optional essays to let your personality shine through in your application.

How to Write Each Essay Prompt For Caltech

In this section, we'll discuss how to write Caltech essays, providing guidance on how to craft thoughtful and engaging responses for each prompt. Quick tip before we get into it - Caltech is all about STEM, so embrace it in your supplemental essays. Dive deep into STEM-related topics, and don't be afraid to geek out.

How to Write Caltech Supplemental Essay #1 + Analysis and Tips

Analysis of prompt #1 : This Caltech application prompt invites you to explore your areas of interest, explain your passion for them, and describe how Caltech aligns with your academic goals. It's a chance to highlight your curiosity and demonstrate your fit with Caltech's values and resources.

• Engaging Introduction : Your essay should kick off with a captivating introduction that grabs the reader's attention. Consider starting with a personal story, a thought-provoking question, or a brief anecdote that relates to your chosen areas of interest. 
• Introduce Your Interests : Use the following paragraphs to introduce your chosen areas of interest. For each area, explain what specifically intrigues you about it. Share any personal experiences, encounters, or pivotal moments that sparked your interest. 
• Motivation and Connection : Beyond introducing your interests, get into why you've chosen these particular areas and why they resonate with you today. This is where you should explore the deeper motivations behind your choices. 
• Connect to Caltech: Demonstrate your knowledge of Caltech and how it aligns with your academic aspirations. Mention specific resources, faculty members, research opportunities, or programs at Caltech that are relevant to your chosen areas of interest. 
• Strong Conclusion : Wrap up your essay with a powerful conclusion that reinforces your passion for your chosen fields and your eagerness to explore them at Caltech. Leave the reader with a memorable statement that underscores your commitment to your academic journey. Be concise but impactful.
• Word Limit : Keep in mind the 200-word limit. Be succinct and make every word count to convey your message effectively.

How to Write Caltech Supplemental Essay #2 + Analysis and Tips

Analysis of prompt #2 : Prompt #2 asks you to reflect on your high school STEM-related experiences and demonstrate your curiosity, enthusiasm, and commitment to these fields. You should discuss two distinct experiences and explain what sparked your curiosity in each of them. Additionally, you can connect these experiences to Caltech's mission and values.

• Identify Two Experiences: Begin by identifying and describing two significant STEM-related experiences from your high school years. These experiences should be distinct and reflect different aspects of your engagement with STEM.
• Detail and Curiosity Activation : For the first experience, provide a detailed account of how and why it activated your curiosity. Dive into specific elements of this experience that ignited your interest, such as a challenging problem, a compelling concept, or the guidance of an inspiring mentor.
• Transition to the Second Experience : Transition smoothly to the second experience, repeating the process. Describe what sparked your curiosity in this instance and why it prompted you to delve deeper into the subject matter. Showcase Enthusiasm and Dedication : Throughout your response, aim to showcase your genuine curiosity, enthusiasm, and commitment to STEM. Share specific details or aspects of each experience that genuinely intrigued you, reinforcing your dedication to these fields.
• Clear and Concise Writing : Ensure that your writing is clear, concise, and well-structured while staying within the word limit.
• Connect to Caltech : In the concluding paragraph, consider tying back your experiences to Caltech's mission and values. Express how these experiences have prepared you to contribute to the Caltech community's spirit of scientific inquiry and innovation. 

How to Write Caltech Supplemental Essay #3 + Analysis and Tips

Analysis of prompt #3 : This prompt encourages you to think about your role as a creator, inventor, or innovator in your life and share your experiences. It's important to create a clear and engaging story that showcases your innovative mindset and how it aligns with Caltech's values.

• Captivating Introduction : Begin your essay with a captivating opening that introduces the theme of innovation. Use an anecdote, question, or thought-provoking statement to grab the reader's attention. The introduction should set the stage for your discussion of innovation in your life.
• Detailed Description of Innovation : In the following section, provide a detailed description of the specific innovation or project you want to highlight. Explain the context or problem that led to this innovation and how you approached it. Use vivid language to create a clear picture for the reader.
• Your Role in the Process : Share your role in the innovation process. Discuss the actions you took, the challenges you faced, and the decisions you made. Highlight your unique contributions and creative thinking that played a crucial part in the project's success.
• Impact of Innovation : Explain the impact of your innovation. Discuss what changed as a result of your work, whether it was a tangible product, a positive transformation, or valuable insights gained. Mention any recognition or awards you received for your innovation.
• Connection to Caltech : Draw a connection between your experience as an innovator and Caltech's values and culture. Explain why your innovative spirit aligns with Caltech's ethos of creativity and scientific exploration. Express your excitement about contributing to the Caltech community.
• Conclusion : Conclude your essay by summarizing your innovative experience and emphasizing the broader significance of creativity and innovation in your life. End on a forward-looking note, expressing your enthusiasm for continuing to explore innovative ideas at Caltech.
• Word Limit and Proofreading : Remember to stick to the specified word limit and carefully proofread your essay for clarity, coherence, and grammar. Your essay should not only showcase your innovative mindset but also engage the reader and leave a lasting impression.

If you need help writing your Caltech supplemental essays, our customized admissions counseling is here for you. Our team of specialists knows what Caltech looks for in applicants and will help make your application documents impactful. 

We support students from grades 6 through 12, helping them position themselves as strong candidates. With one-on-one guidance and profile development, we'll help you stand out in the competitive admissions process.

Ready to see your chances of getting into Caltech? Try our quiz !

Examples of Caltech Supplemental Essays That Worked

By exploring Caltech essays that worked, you get useful ideas and inspiration to improve your own application essays. Let’s get into them. 

Sample Essay #1

Prompt : “How do you see yourself contributing to the diversity of Caltech’s community? (Your response should range between 250-400 words.)”

Take a look at one of the example essays responding to this prompt: 

It’s not uncommon for universities to ask applicants to talk about what “different” element they’d bring to campus. People sometimes assume this means applicants must write about what makes them ethnically, racially, socioeconomically, or religiously distinct from “the norm.”

That’s never the case, and it’s certainly not the case here. You should encourage your child to think broadly about what diversity can mean. What makes them unique? What might make them unique on Caltech’s campus? And how will that unique attribute serve the community?

Roberto, for instance, might also have written about comedy here, arguing that his ability to fail publicly would make him a looser and more creative scientist. Here’s how Kendall, an Indian American applicant from Nashville, answered. He took this prompt as an opportunity to discuss his family’s genetic predisposition to cancer and how that has influenced him to pursue immunotherapy.

"Even though many family members live thousands of miles apart from each other, we have done everything from sharing knock-knock jokes to talking about a movie we just watched. Just as our love for one another connects us, our genes do as well. Although many traits that show up in these genes are desirable, there are many undesirable traits as well, including a high predisposition to cancer.

Cancer has affected the lives of many of my relatives across generations on both sides of my family. It seemed that with every year came a new diagnosis. However, the fear that accompanied my realization of our genetic proneness to cancer quickly turned into curiosity, and then a fuel for my passion of researching better and more effective treatments for this merciless disease.

Having cancer run through my family means that I have first-hand experience of the effect a diagnosis can have on a patient’s family. When my aunt was diagnosed with advanced stage breast cancer, I learned that chemotherapy and  radiation is grueling and painful for a patient and their family.

The nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and anemia appalled me. How could this treatment be the only option? With nearly two million diagnoses in 2018, that meant a lot of chemotherapy and pain. This realization pushed me to look further into alternative forms of treatment.

After some searching, I came across the term “immunotherapy,” which used the power of the human body’s immune system to kill cancer cells. This type of treatment caught my interest, as it addressed the use of genetics in medical treatment.

My familial background of cancer has led me to want to help solve the problem of finding better treatment options for cancer in the form of immunotherapy, which I will explore in an internship this fall at UC San Diego. In the future, I would like to research the effects of immunotherapeutic treatment of cancer, to see if our immune system can beat this disease.

At Caltech, I will share my family’s story to inspire my peers as they spend long hours conducting research and studying biochemical pathways. My family’s story will remind them that their inventions and discoveries will have a direct impact on ordinary people who know nothing about genomes or thermodynamics. Together, my peers and I can find more effective treatments and solutions so that next generations can not just survive, but thrive.”

Why Essay #1 Worked

This essay effectively tackles the diversity prompt by taking an unconventional and inclusive approach to diversity, moving beyond traditional factors like race or ethnicity.

By sharing Kendall's personal story related to his family's genetic predisposition to cancer, the essay adds authenticity and depth to the narrative. It illustrates how personal experiences can shape an individual's intellectual and career path.

What sets this essay apart is its ability to connect Kendall's personal journey to broader societal implications. It highlights his interest in immunotherapy as a potential solution to address genetic factors in cancer treatment, emphasizing the real-world impact of scientific research.

Furthermore, the essay underscores the importance of sharing personal narratives to inspire peers and emphasizes how scientific innovations can directly affect people's lives.

Overall, this essay offers a compelling narrative that presents a unique perspective on diversity and a clear sense of purpose in contributing to the Caltech community.

Sample Essay #2

Prompt : “If you had to choose an area of interest or two today, what would you choose? Why did you choose that area of interest? (Max: 200 words)”

Check out this sample supplemental essay: 

“If I had to choose an area of interest or two today, my top choices would be artificial intelligence (AI) and renewable energy. AI's potential to transform industries and improve lives is incredibly exciting. Its interdisciplinary nature, combining computer science, neuroscience, and ethics, offers endless possibilities for innovation.

One example that illustrates my interest in AI is my involvement in a machine learning project during my undergraduate studies. We developed an AI-based system to predict disease outbreaks, which showed me the profound impact AI can have on public health. Renewable energy is equally compelling. Addressing climate change is a pressing concern, and 

I believe that sustainable energy solutions are a critical part of the solution. My involvement in a solar energy community project further fueled my passion for renewable energy.

These choices align with my passion for using technology to solve real-world problems and my belief in the ethical responsibility of scientists and engineers. Both AI and renewable energy represent the future of innovation, and I'm eager to be part of that journey.”

Why Essay #2 Worked

This essay works because it directly and concisely addresses the prompt. The applicant clearly states their areas of interest—artificial intelligence (AI) and renewable energy—and provides solid reasons for their choices.

Their enthusiasm for AI's transformative potential and the interdisciplinary nature of the field shines through, backed by a real-life example of a machine learning project they were involved in during their undergraduate studies.

Likewise, their passion for renewable energy is evident, driven by the urgency of addressing climate change and a hands-on experience in a solar energy community project. These interests are not only personally meaningful but also align with broader societal and environmental concerns.

The essay also emphasizes the ethical dimension, highlighting the applicant's belief in the responsibility of scientists and engineers to address real-world issues. Overall, it's straightforward, genuine, and effectively communicates the applicant's motivations and aspirations within the given word limit.

Sample Essay #3

Prompt : “At Caltech, we investigate some of the most challenging, fundamental problems in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Identify and describe two STEM-related experiences from your high school years, either in or out of the classroom, and tell us how and why they activated your curiosity. What about them made you want to learn more and explore further? (Min: 100/Max: 200 words for each experience)”

Consider this essay as an source of inspiration for tackling this prompt:

“ During high school, two experiences in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) ignited my curiosity and passion for these fields.

First, in a physics class, we explored electromagnetism by building electrical circuits. Witnessing a light bulb illuminate when I connected wires was a eureka moment. It revealed the power of understanding the fundamental laws governing our universe and their role in shaping technology. This experience deepened my interest in physics and its practical applications.

Outside the classroom, I participated in a robotics competition. Collaborating with a team to design, build, and program a robot was exhilarating. It demanded creativity, problem-solving, and technical skills. Seeing our robot successfully tackle challenges highlighted the synergy between engineering and computer science. This competition showcased the endless possibilities in STEM and motivated me to explore the field further.

These experiences made STEM tangible, showing its real-world implications. They convinced me that STEM isn't just theoretical but has practical applications. This drove me to pursue a STEM-focused education at Caltech and to contribute to solving the intriguing challenges these fields present.” 

Why Essay #3 Worked

This essay works because it clearly addresses the prompt by discussing two specific STEM-related experiences from the applicant's high school years.

In the first experience, the applicant talks about a physics class experiment with electromagnetism, where they had a "eureka moment" upon seeing a light bulb illuminate. This vividly illustrates their fascination with the practical applications of fundamental scientific principles.

The second experience involves participating in a robotics competition, which showcased the applicant's enthusiasm for engineering and computer science. They emphasize the creative and problem-solving aspects of this activity, which are essential skills in STEM fields.

The essay effectively links these experiences to their motivation to pursue STEM education at Caltech, highlighting the real-world implications of these fields and their desire to contribute to solving complex challenges. It's a concise and well-structured response that directly addresses the prompt's requirements.

Got questions? We've got answers! Check out these FAQs to get the lowdown on Caltech supplemental essays.

1. Is It Acceptable to Write a Creative or Unconventional Essay for Caltech?

Yes, it is acceptable to write a creative or unconventional essay for Caltech. In fact, Caltech encourages applicants to be authentic and innovative in their responses. They want to get to know you as an individual, so if a creative or unconventional approach helps you express your personality and ideas effectively, it can be a great choice.

2. What Qualities or Characteristics Is Caltech Looking for in Applicants Through This Essay?

​​Caltech is looking for applicants with a passion for STEM . It’s also interestewd in individuals with intellectual curiosity, problem-solving skills, and personal qualities like resilience, collaboration, and creativity. They want to know how you'd contribute to their community.

3. Can I Reuse an Essay from Another College Application for Caltech Application?

Reusing essays for Caltech or any other school is not advised. Different institutions have specific prompts to assess fit. Tailoring your essays to Caltech's unique aspects and values is crucial to show your alignment with their mission and culture.

4. Is There a Recommended Structure or Format for the Caltech Supplemental Essay?

For the Caltech supplemental essay, there's no strict format, but clarity, conciseness, and organization are crucial. Begin with a compelling introduction, present ideas logically, and use specific examples. Address the prompt directly and demonstrate your passion for STEM and alignment with Caltech.

5. How Many Essays Caltech Required?

Caltech's application consists of one required academic question, two required short answer questions, and one question about Caltech's values. In addition, there are two optional short answer questions and two optional academic short answer questions for applicants to choose from.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re applying to Caltech or MIT , Harvard or Stanford, your essay matters. So do your best to write one that stands out from the crowd. 

When it comes to the Caltech supplemental essays, follow the tips and advice provided in this blog to craft strong, STEM-focused narratives that reflect your identity and experiences. These essays are your chance to stand out and make a lasting impression on the admissions committee. Good luck with your Caltech application!

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Blog > Essay Advice , Private University , Supplementals > How to Write the Caltech Supplemental Essays

How to Write the Caltech Supplemental Essays

Admissions officer reviewed by Ben Bousquet, M.Ed Former Vanderbilt University

Written by Alex McNeil, MA Admissions Consultant

Key Takeaway

The California Institute of Technology, or Caltech for short, is a small but highly selective school that focuses primarily on STEM disciplines.

The Caltech supplemental essays are divided into two groups: required and optional. You’ll have five required essays to write (that’s quite a few!) and three optional essays to choose from.

Let’s start with the required essays.

Required Caltech Essays

Before you write anything, Caltech asks you to use a drop-down menu to choose an academic area that interests you. Don’t worry—this isn’t a declaration of your major. In fact, at Caltech, you don’t have to declare a major until the end of your first year.

But your first essay question revolves around the academic area you select, so choose whatever calls most to you right now.

Here’s the first prompt:

Why did you choose that area of interest? (200 words)

In this why this major or academic interest essay, you’ll want to be clear about the why behind your interest in that particular area.

Were you inspired by an experience or person? Is there a question that fascinates you? Is it related to a career goal?

In your answer, feel free to highlight any relevant accomplishments you have. For example, if you chose chemical engineering and you spent your junior year summer helping a chemistry professor with research, then bring it up!

This is also a place to draw upon any related references to Caltech itself. What about their program entices you? Are there any specific opportunities you’re interested in?

The next two questions go hand in hand. You’ve got 200 words to answer each of them. Here’s the main prompt:

At Caltech, we investigate some of the most challenging, fundamental problems in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Identify and describe two STEM-related experiences from your high school years, either in or out of the classroom, and tell us how and why they activated your curiosity.  What about them made you want to learn more and explore further?

STEM experience/activity #1

STEM experience/activity #2

These essays are your opportunity to highlight special projects or accomplishments that show magnitude, reach, and impact .

Because Caltech asks for STEM-related experiences or activities, you’ll need to choose something that relates to science, technology, engineering, or math. This isn’t the time to take a creative twist on the prompt (”Writing poetry was like science to me!”) because your essays will be read alongside applications from some of the best high school scientists in the world.

As you answer, don’t forget to address the three main questions of the prompt:

Identify and describe the experience. It can be in or out of the classroom.

Explain how it “activated your curiosity.”

Explain how it made you want to learn and explore more.

Feel free to nerd out a little and go in-depth on a topic you’re passionate about. It can complement, be related to, or be completely different from your answer to prompt #1. Just think about how all of your supplemental essays will work together to form one overall narrative .

The creativity, inventiveness, and innovation of Caltech’s students, faculty, and researchers have won  Nobel Prizes  and put  rovers on Mars , but Techers also imagine smaller scale innovations every day, from new ways to design solar cells to 3D printing dorm decor. How have you been an innovator in your own life? (250 words)

In your essay, you can take “innovator” literally or figuratively. Either way, you’ll want to balance your answer to this question with your answers to the previous two.

If you’ve literally innovated something, now’s your time to shine. Did you create an app to help your classmates study for your French final? Did you design a website for your mom’s small business or develop a code to count cars ? Draw out the key points for your admissions officers, and make sure it’s clear why your innovation mattered (to you and to those around you).

Or, if you haven’t literally innovated something, you might think about innovation more metaphorically and use this prompt to show admissions officers a softer or more creative side of yourself. Maybe you innovated a new way to teach algebra to your tutee or rediscovered the design for The Apple Picker 5000 that you drew up when you were five years old. Just be sure to draw out what it all means for who you are as a technical innovator now.

The process of discovery is best advanced when people from diverse backgrounds come together to solve the greatest challenges in their fields. How do your past experiences and present-day perspectives inform who you have become and how you navigate the world? (250 words)

By this point, you’ve shown Caltech admissions officers your academic and technical side and maybe let them in on a few important stories from your life.

With this final required prompt, it’s time to dig a little deeper. This is a diversity essay .

Caltech admissions officers will know from the rest of your application why you’ll make a good scientist. Now you need to show them who you are as a person.

Feel free to write about any area of your identity that has shaped your perspectives. Also pay attention to the wording of the prompt: admissions officers want to know about your past experiences AND present-day perspectives. What’s more, they specifically want to know how they inform 1) who you’ve become, and 2) how you navigate the world.

You could write about a particular part of your upbringing, what it’s like to live in the world with a particular identity, or even an impactful experience you had that changed your perspective.

Optional Short Answer Questions

Here’s what Caltech says about the “optional” designation: “Optional. We promise.”

Take their word for it. Choosing not to answer these questions won’t automatically get your application tossed into the reject bin.

But choosing not to answer them is also a choice not to add to your cohesive application narrative . Answering the questions can give admissions officers more information to get to know you with (and therefore more data to base an admissions decision on!).

Let’s take a look at the optional prompts.

If there are aspects of your identity that you feel are not captured elsewhere in this application, please provide that information below. (150 words)

You may have covered everything you needed to cover in the last required prompt, but this prompt gives you more space if there’s something else you want to convey.

Applicants answering this prompt might choose to write about gender identity or sexuality, race or ethnicity, ability or disability, class, or general background information.

Whatever you write about, make sure there’s a clear takeaway for admissions officers.

When not surveying the stars, peering through microscopes, or running through marathons of coding, Caltech students pursue an eclectic array of interests that range from speedcubing to participating in varsity athletics to reading romance novels. What is a favorite interest or hobby and why does it bring you joy? (100 words)

The other required and optional prompts are all pretty straightforward. But this one gives you leeway to show some personality.

Note the emphasis on “joy” in the prompt. This isn’t just about a hobby that you’ve excelled at or participated in for a long time. It’s about describing something that makes you genuinely happy, even if it’s not a world-changing activity.

Think of your answer to this prompt as the sprinkles on top of your application. It’s a way to have some fun and add a little narrative diversity.

Did you have a hard time narrowing it down to just one interest or hobby? We understand – Caltech students like to stay busy, too – tell us about another hobby or interest!  (50 words)

And here you can elaborate just a little more on a secondary hobby if you’d like. Just make sure it’s actually adding valuable information to your file, otherwise admissions officers may simply skim it and move on.

And with that, you’ll have written all your Caltech supplemental essays! Remember: you have to answer the first four, but you aren’t required to write any in the last set unless you want to.

Whichever ones you write will all work towards your cohesive application narrative , so think about them each as an opportunity to advocate for your admission. Make them count.

You’ve got this!

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, thoughts on caltech essay prompts.

Hey, I'm a rising senior and I'm interested in applying to Caltech. Can any current Caltech student or recent applicant share what the essay prompts were and if they were challenging to answer? Also, what kind of topics did you cover in your essays? Thanks!

Hey there! To give you an idea of what to expect from Caltech's essay prompts, they typically have four to seven supplemental essays, although keep in mind the exact number changes each year. Here's a brief overview of what you might encounter:

1. Describe three experiences and/or activities that have helped develop your passion for a possible career in a STEM field.

2. Share a time when you had an intellectual or creative 'aha' moment.

3. Why are you interested in a specific major?

4. What is your favorite hobby or interest?

Keep in mind that these prompts may change slightly from year to year, but they often maintain a similar focus.

As for whether these prompts are challenging, it depends on how well you know yourself and your interests. To answer these questions well, you'll want to provide specific examples and anecdotes that highlight your passion and curiosity in STEM fields.

When choosing what topics to cover in your essays, think about experiences or activities that particularly excite you or that you're proud of. Avoid generic topics—remember, your essays should help you stand out as an applicant. Instead, focus on unique experiences or perspectives that display your growth, curiosity, and engagement with your chosen field. Reflect on research projects, extracurricular activities, internships, or personal hobbies that tie into your passion for STEM.

It's also worth mentioning that while you should definitely highlight your interest in STEM as Caltech is a STEM school, you aren't limited to exclusively discussing STEM. Especially questions that ask about your hobbies or interests, go beyond the scope of STEM and talk about other topics that excite you that could be anything from baking to mountain biking to a passion for geology.

Lastly, and most importantly, be genuine in your responses. Showcase your authentic voice and personality, as this will help you create a meaningful connection with the reader. If you're enthusiastic about your chosen topics, it's more likely that your essays will be engaging and enjoyable to read. Best of luck with your Caltech application!

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How to Write the Caltech STEM Experience Essay

Caltech’s essay prompt emphasizes its commitment to tackling some of the most challenging questions in STEM. In essence, they want to gauge your genuine curiosity, passion, and drive in these fields.

Here’s how you can write a strong response. If you want more advice on Caltech’s essays, see our full Caltech essay breakdown .

Understanding the Prompt

Prompt: At Caltech, we investigate some of the most challenging, fundamental problems in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Identify and describe two STEM-related experiences from your high school years, either in or out of the classroom, and tell us how and why they activated your curiosity. What about them made you want to learn more and explore further? (200 words per experience)

Caltech is looking for specific instances where you were actively engaged in STEM. This can be within a class, a club, a project, a competition, or any other related experience.

As you reflect on which experiences to mention, make sure to those that truly piqued your interest and drove you to delve deeper. It’s one thing to be curious, but taking that next step to learn more showcases initiative, drive, and passion.

Crafting Your Essay

Here are the four steps you want to take as you’re writing.

1. Start with a brief introduction of the experience. Was it a physics class experiment? A coding challenge? A robotics competition?

2. Elaborate on what you did. Be specific. Instead of saying you “worked on a project,” explain that you “designed a water filtration system using charcoal and sand.”

3. Identify the moment or aspect that triggered your curiosity. Was it an unexpected result? A challenging problem? A real-world application?

4. Discuss the steps you took post-experience. Did you read more on the topic? Join a related club? Undertake a new project? Your actions should showcase your drive.

Now, let’s get into some examples!

Caltech STEM Experience Example Essays

In my junior year, our school’s Robotics Club decided to enter the annual Robotics Challenge. From videos of past competitions, it was clear that robots could achieve some pretty amazing things, and we were eager to try our hand. I got the task of programming our robot’s pathfinding, which I thought would be a cool challenge.

Initial tests, however, were not promising. Our robot, which we affectionately dubbed ‘Rover’, seemed to have a mind of its own, often getting lost or stuck in corners. This wasn’t what I expected, and instead of feeling defeated, I got really curious. Why was our algorithm struggling?

After some deep dives online and discussions with our club advisor, I stumbled upon the A* algorithm. It was touted as one of the best for pathfinding. Many late nights were spent poring over code, making adjustments, and running trial after trial.

The moment ‘Rover’ smoothly navigated our test maze was unforgettable. Beyond just the success, this experience opened my eyes to how vast and complex robotics can be. It also sparked a newfound interest in AI and how machines can learn and adapt.

Essay 1 Feedback

This essay feedback was provided by Ivy, CollegeVine’s AI . Try it for free with your own essay!

This experience effectively showcases your problem-solving skills and determination in the field of robotics. Your narrative demonstrates your curiosity and passion for learning about pathfinding algorithms. I would rate this experience a solid 8.5 out of 10. The strength of your description lies in the detailed example and your genuine interest in overcoming the challenge.

• Your experience provides a clear narrative of your involvement in the Robotics Club and the challenge you faced.
• You effectively convey your curiosity and determination to understand and improve the robot’s pathfinding algorithm.
• The experience demonstrates your ability to research, learn, and apply new concepts in a practical situation.

Suggestions

• Consider providing a brief explanation of the A* algorithm and how it improved ‘Rover’s’ pathfinding. This will help the reader understand your discovery better. (Small impact)
• Share any lessons you learned from this experience and how they may have influenced your perspective on robotics or problem-solving. (Small impact)
• Briefly mention how this experience has shaped your future aspirations or interests in the field of robotics, AI, or related areas. (Small impact)

What admissions would take away

Admissions officers would view you as a determined, curious, and resourceful student with a passion for robotics and problem-solving. Your experience demonstrates your ability to research, learn, and apply new concepts in practical situations.

In a chemistry lab during sophomore year, our assignment was to synthesize aspirin. The process, on paper, seemed pretty direct, but science in practice can sometimes be unpredictable. My first result wasn’t the expected pure white but had an off-white hue.

Rather than just accepting it, I was determined to understand why. Had I missed a step or mis-measured an ingredient? I turned to additional resources, beyond our classroom’s scope, and delved into the intricacies of the synthesis process. I found out that there are many variables at play, from temperature control to precise measurements.

Armed with new knowledge, I approached the lab again. With more attention to detail and a better understanding of the reactions, my second attempt was markedly improved.

This wasn’t just a lesson in making aspirin; it underscored how deep and layered even seemingly simple reactions can be. It made me appreciate the precision required in chemistry, especially when thinking about its implications in something as important as drug development.

Overall Feedback

This experience effectively highlights your curiosity and determination in the field of chemistry. It demonstrates your commitment to understanding the underlying processes and your ability to think critically about the subject matter. I would rate this experience an 8 out of 10. The strength of your description lies in the detailed example and your genuine interest in learning.

• Your experience provides a clear narrative of your involvement in the chemistry lab and the challenge you faced.
• You effectively convey your curiosity and determination to understand the intricacies of the synthesis process.
• The experience demonstrates your willingness to go beyond the classroom to explore complex concepts and apply them in practical situations.
• Explore how your newfound appreciation for precision in chemistry has shaped your perspective on the subject or influenced future projects. (Small impact)
• Share any lessons you learned from this experience and how they may have influenced your approach to chemistry or problem-solving. (Small impact)
• Briefly mention how this experience has shaped your future aspirations or interests in the field of chemistry or related areas. (Small impact)

Admissions officers would view you as a curious, determined, and resourceful student with a passion for learning and problem-solving in chemistry. Your experience demonstrates your ability to go beyond the classroom to explore complex concepts and apply them in practical situations.

• Be Genuine: Authentic experiences where your curiosity was genuinely activated will always come across as more sincere and impactful.
• Show Initiative: Caltech values students who don’t just stop at wondering, but take the initiative to seek answers.
• Proofread: Ensure clarity, coherence, and error-free content. You can use Ivy, CollegeVine’s AI for free feedback. 

Remember, this essay provides Caltech a glimpse into your analytical mind, your curiosity, and your proactive approach to learning.

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Caltech Supplemental Essays 2023-2024

By Eric Eng

The Caltech supplemental essays 2023-2024 are a pivotal component of the application process, offering a window into the applicant. These essays are not merely a test of writing ability but a platform for students to demonstrate their intellectual curiosity, innovative thinking, and potential to contribute to Caltech’s mission.

How many Supplemental Essays does Caltech have?

Caltech’s application process is rigorous and reflective of its commitment to excellence. For the Caltech supplemental essays 2023-2024 , applicants must submit seven essays: one academic essay, three short answer questions, which are mandatory, and an additional three optional short answer questions .

This suite of essays is designed to give the admissions committee a multi-dimensional view of each applicant, going beyond the quantitative metrics of test scores and GPA to reveal the person behind the numbers.

What are the Caltech Supplemental Essays 2023-2024?

The Caltech supplemental essays 2023-2024 are a series of thoughtfully crafted questions designed to assess the depth of an applicant’s passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

The essays allow students to showcase their intellectual curiosity, creativity, and alignment with Caltech’s mission, providing a narrative of their academic journey and personal growth.

The Singular Academic Essay

The singular academic essay is a cornerstone of the Caltech supplemental essays 2023-2024, asking students to delve into their area of interest within STEM. This essay is not just about stating a preference; it’s an opportunity for applicants to demonstrate their passion and articulate why they are drawn to their chosen field.

“If you had to choose an area of interest or two today, what would you choose? Why did you choose that area of interest?”

With a maximum of 200 words, students must be brief yet powerful in their expression, conveying a clear understanding of their field and an eagerness to explore it further at Caltech. This essay should reflect the applicant’s individuality and potential to thrive in a challenging academic environment.

The Trio of Required Short Answer Essays

The trio of required short answer essays in the Caltech supplemental essays 2023-2024 provides a platform for applicants to discuss their experiences and contributions to the STEM fields. These essays ask students to reflect on their most stimulating STEM-related experiences and innovations and how they see themselves aligning with Caltech’s core values.

At Caltech, we investigate some of the most challenging, fundamental problems in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Identify and describe two STEM-related experiences from your high school years, either in or out of the classroom, and tell us how and why they activated your curiosity. What about them made you want to learn more and explore further? (Min: 100/Max: 200 words for each experience)

The creativity, inventiveness, and innovation of Caltech’s students, faculty, and researchers have won Nobel Prizes and put rovers on Mars. But Techers also imagine smaller scale innovations every day, from new ways to design solar cells to how to 3D print dorm decor. How have you been a creator, inventor, or innovator in your own life? (Min: 200 / Max: 250)

• Caltech’s mission – to cultivate learning, discovery, and innovation for the benefit of humanity – relies on its community members embracing fundamental Caltech values: o penness and enthusiasm for having preconceptions challenged; r espect and appreciation for the idea that, while we are all members of the same community, the opportunities we’ve had to develop, showcase, and apply our talents have not been equal; and p assion for the ideal that science can and should meaningfully improve the lives of others. Share what one or more of these values evokes for you. (Min: 200 / Max: 400)

Each response requires applicants to provide specific examples highlighting their curiosity, creativity, and ethical standpoint. These narratives are crucial in illustrating how applicants have engaged with STEM outside traditional academics and how they plan to bring that innovative spirit to Caltech.

The Three Optional Short Answer Questions

The three optional short answer questions in the Caltech supplemental essays 2023-2024 offer applicants the chance to share more about their identity and interests. These questions are an invitation to present aspects of themselves that may need to be captured by the required essays or other parts of the application.

If there are aspects of your life or social or personal identity that you feel are not captured elsewhere in this application, please tell us about them below. (Max: 150 words)

When not surveying the stars, peering through microscopes, or running through marathons of coding, Caltech students pursue an eclectic array of interests that range from speed-cubing to participating in varsity athletics to reading romance novels. What is a favorite interest or hobby, and why does it bring you joy? (Max: 100 words)

Did you have a hard time narrowing it down to just one interest or hobby? We understand – Caltech students like to stay busy, too – tell us about another hobby or interest! (Max: 50 words)

Whether discussing a unique life experience, a cherished hobby, or another interest, these essays allow students to round out their application with personal anecdotes that underscore their individuality. While optional, these responses can be pivotal in setting an applicant apart in a pool of highly qualified candidates.

How to write the Caltech Supplemental Essays 2023-2024?

Writing the Caltech Supplemental Essays for the 2023-2024 application cycle is a critical step in presenting yourself as a well-rounded candidate to one of the world’s most prestigious institutions in science and technology. The key to success lies in understanding what each prompt asks and how best to respond in a way that showcases your strengths, passions, and fit for Caltech.

Singular Academic Essay

The Singular Academic Essay is a pivotal component of the Caltech Supplemental Essays 2023-2024. This essay, capped at 200 words, asks applicants to articulate their current academic interests, providing a window into their intellectual passions and aspirations.

Understanding the Singular Academic Essay

Understanding the Singular Academic Essay requires recognizing its purpose in the broader context of your application. This essay is your chance to communicate directly with the admissions committee about what excites you academically.

It’s about showcasing your dedication to a particular field or fields within STEM and explaining why these areas captivate you. The key is to be specific – general statements about a love for science or technology won’t suffice.

Brainstorming Your Response: Singular Academic Essay

When brainstorming your response to the Singular Academic Essay, consider the following listicle approach:

• Identify Your Interests: List all the STEM areas that interest you. Don’t limit yourself at this stage; include everything that comes to mind.
• Narrow Down: Look at your list and consider which areas you are most passionate about. Which topics do you find yourself reading about, discussing, or exploring in your spare time?
• Reflect on ‘Why’: For each area you’ve narrowed down to, write a few sentences about why it interests you. Is it a personal experience, a problem you want to solve, or an intellectual challenge that draws you in?
• Look for Patterns: Review your reasons and see if common themes or specific aspects stand out.
• Connect to Your Goals: Consider how these interests align with your future academic or career goals. How do they fit into the bigger picture of what you want to achieve?

Structuring Your Response for the Singular Academic Essay

Structuring your answer for the Singular Academic Essay involves crafting a response that is both concise and impactful. Begin with a clear statement of your area or areas of interest. This sets the stage for the rest of your essay.

Follow this with a brief explanation of why these areas intrigue you. Be specific and personal – what aspects of these fields stimulate your curiosity or passion? Then, connect these interests to your broader academic or career aspirations. How do these areas fit into your plans or goals?

Remember, with a 200-word limit, every word counts. Your essay should be tightly focused, without any unnecessary details. The goal is to leave the admissions committee with a clear understanding of your academic interests and why they matter to you.

First Short Answer Essay

The first of the short answer essays in the Caltech supplemental essays 2023-2024 asks applicants to identify and describe two STEM-related experiences from their high school years that have sparked their curiosity.

Understanding the First Short Answer Essay

When addressing how their STEM-related experiences have fueled their curiosity, applicants to the Caltech supplemental essays 2023-2024 must go beyond the superficial recounting of events. The admissions committee is looking for insights into how these experiences have shaped the applicant’s approach to learning and problem-solving.

Applicants should reflect on how their chosen experiences exemplify their investigative spirit and drive to understand the ‘how’ and ‘why’ behind scientific phenomena. Whether it was a particular experiment in a chemistry class that defied expectations, a robotics competition that required innovative problem-solving, or an independent research project that led to more questions than answers, these experiences should be narrated in a way that conveys a genuine passion for discovery.

Brainstorming Your Response: First Short Answer Essay

When brainstorming your response to Caltech’s first short answer essay for the 2023-2024 application, consider the following listicle approach to capture your most impactful STEM-related experiences effectively:

• Compile a List of Experiences: Start by jotting down all the STEM-related experiences you’ve had during high school, both in and out of the classroom. This could include projects, experiments, competitions, research, internships, or other relevant activities.
• Reflect on Moments of Curiosity: For each experience, consider the moments that particularly piqued your curiosity. What about these instances fascinated you or prompted questions in your mind?
• Analyze the Learning Impact: Consider how each experience contributed to your understanding of STEM. Did it change your perspective, introduce new concepts, or deepen your interest in a specific area?
• Identify Personal Growth: Reflect on how these experiences have contributed to your growth. Did they challenge you, develop your problem-solving skills, or enhance teamwork?
• Connect to Future Aspirations: Consider how these experiences have shaped your future aspirations in STEM. How do they align with your goals and the work you want to pursue?

Structuring Your Answer for the First Short Answer Essay

Structuring your answer for Caltech’s first short answer essay involves a clear and focused approach, ensuring each word contributes to a compelling narrative. Briefly introduce each experience, providing enough context to understand the setting and your role.

Follow this with a detailed description of how and why these experiences sparked your curiosity. Be specific about the aspects that intrigued you and the questions they raised in your mind. Then, delve into the impact of these experiences on your understanding of STEM. Discuss any new insights gained, skills developed, or interests that deepened.

Finally, connect these experiences to your broader academic journey and future aspirations. Explain how they have shaped your perspective on STEM and influenced your goals. Remember, with a limit of 200 words per experience, it’s crucial to be concise and direct, ensuring each sentence adds value to your response.

Second Short Answer Essay

The second short answer essay in the Caltech supplemental essays 2023-2024 invites applicants to reflect on their roles as creators, inventors, or innovators.

Understanding the Second Short Answer Essay

Responding to how one has been a creator, inventor, or innovator requires applicants to the Caltech supplemental essays 2023-2024 to introspect on their unique contributions to the world of STEM or beyond.

This is the moment for applicants to share their original contributions, whether developing a new app, engineering a device, conducting original research, or even initiating a community project that leverages technology for the social good.

Brainstorming Your Response: Second Short Answer Essay

To effectively brainstorm your response to Caltech’s second short answer essay, consider the following listicle approach to highlight your creative and innovative experiences:

• Inventory of Creative Endeavors: List all instances where you’ve demonstrated creativity, inventiveness, or innovation. This can include projects, inventions, unique solutions to problems, or any creative work in various academic, personal, or extracurricular contexts.
• Impact and Originality: For each item on your list, consider the impact and originality of your work. How did your creation or innovation address a need or improve upon existing ideas or methods?
• Challenges and Overcoming Them: Reflect on the challenges you faced during these endeavors and how you overcame them. This can reveal your problem-solving skills and resilience.
• Skills and Learning: Think about the skills you developed or the knowledge you gained through these experiences. How did they contribute to your growth as a creator or innovator?
• Personal Significance: Assess the emotional significance of these experiences. Why are they meaningful to you, and how do they align with your aspirations or interests in STEM?

Structuring Your Answer for the Second Short Answer Essay

Aim for a narrative that engages and reflects your innovative spirit when structuring your answer for Caltech’s second short answer essay. Start by introducing one or two of the most significant creative or innovative experiences you’ve identified. Briefly set the scene to give context to your involvement and the nature of the project or challenge.

Then, delve into the specifics of your creative process. Please describe the problem or need you addressed, the original idea or solution you developed, and how you implemented it. Be sure to highlight any unique or inventive aspects of your approach. Next, discuss your challenges and how you overcame them, showcasing your problem-solving skills and determination.

Conclude by reflecting on what you learned from the experience and its impact on you. How did it shape your understanding of innovation or creativity? How does it reflect your potential as a future Techer? Remember, with a 250-word maximum, clarity and conciseness are key.

Third Short Answer Essay

The third short answer essay within the Caltech supplemental essays 2023-2024 asks applicants to reflect deeply on their values and how these intersect with the ethos of Caltech.

Caltech’s mission – to cultivate learning, discovery, and innovation for the benefit of humanity – relies on its community members embracing fundamental Caltech values:

• Openness and enthusiasm for having preconceptions challenged
• Respect and appreciation for the idea that, while we are all members of the same community, the opportunities we’ve had to develop, showcase, and apply our talents have not been equal
• Passion for the ideal that science can and should meaningfully improve the lives of others

Share what one or more of these values evokes for you. (Min: 200 / Max: 400)

Understanding the Third Short Answer Essay

The third short answer essay in the Caltech Supplemental Essays 2023-2024 is designed to gauge applicants’ alignment with the core values of Caltech. This question delves into the philosophical and ethical dimensions of a student’s approach to learning and science. It’s not just about academic achievements or technical skills; it’s about how applicants perceive and engage with the world around them.

This question seeks to uncover the depth of the applicant’s commitment to openness in thought, respect for diverse backgrounds and opportunities, and a passion for using science as a tool for positive societal impact.

Brainstorming Your Response: Third Short Answer Essay

To brainstorm effectively, consider the following listicle approach:

• Personal Reflections on Openness: Recall instances where you had your preconceptions challenged. How did these experiences open your mind to new ideas or perspectives?
• Experiences of Diversity and Respect: Consider when you recognized and appreciated the unequal opportunities among your peers. How did this awareness influence your interactions or decisions?
• Instances of Science for Social Good: Identify moments when you used or observed science being used to improve lives. What impact did these experiences have on your view of the role of science in society?
• Alignment with Caltech Values: Reflect on how these experiences demonstrate your alignment with Caltech’s values. How do they show your readiness to be part of a community that values openness, respect, and a passion for impactful science?

Structuring Your Answer for the Third Short Answer Essay

When structuring your response, clearly state which Caltech values you are addressing. If you focus on multiple topics, ensure a cohesive thread ties your essay together. Begin with a brief anecdote or example illustrating your engagement with the selected value(s). This could be a personal experience, a project you worked on, or an observation that significantly impacted you. Elaborate on how this experience reflects the value and what you learned. Describe how it shaped your understanding or approach to learning and science.

Conclude by connecting these reflections to your aspirations at Caltech. How do these values resonate with your goals, and how do you envision contributing to the Caltech community? Remember, with a 400-word maximum, your essay should be concise yet rich in detail, providing a clear and compelling picture of how your values align with Caltech’s values.

What are the optional Caltech Supplemental Essay Short Answer Questions for 2023-2024?

The optional Caltech supplemental essays 2023-2024 allow applicants to share more personal aspects of their lives, offering a fuller picture of who they are beyond their academic achievements.

These questions are designed to uncover the richness of the applicant’s personality, unique interests, and the diverse experiences that have shaped their identity. While optional, these essays can be instrumental in differentiating one applicant from another by highlighting individuality and personal narratives that might not be evident in the rest of the application.

Optional Short Answer Question 1

The first optional short answer question in the Caltech supplemental essays 2023-2024 invites introspection and self-disclosure, asking applicants to discuss aspects of their life, social, or personal identity that have not been captured elsewhere in the application.

This question recognizes that every individual is more than the sum of their academic records and extracurricular activities. It allows for the acknowledgment of the unique journey that has led them to this point, whether it be cultural heritage, personal challenges overcome, or distinctive experiences that have imparted valuable life lessons.

Optional Short Answer Question 2

For the second optional short answer question, the Caltech supplemental essays 2023-2024 ask applicants to share a favorite interest or hobby that brings them joy.

This prompt acknowledges that Caltech students are defined not just by their academic pursuits but also by their activities for personal fulfillment and happiness. Whether it’s an artistic endeavor, a sport, a quirky hobby, or a leisure activity, this question allows applicants to showcase another dimension of their personality.

Optional Short Answer Question 3

The third optional short answer question in the Caltech supplemental essays 2023-2024 acknowledges the multifaceted nature of students’ interests and the difficulty of choosing just one to discuss.

This prompt allows applicants to mention another hobby or interest, further illuminating the breadth of their pursuits. With a concise limit of 50 words, applicants must be brief and expressive, capturing the essence of an additional activity that occupies their time and energy.

Take the Next Step Towards Your Caltech Dream with AdmissionSight

Ready to elevate your Caltech application with compelling essays that stand out? AdmissionSight guides you through crafting responses that resonate with Caltech’s values and showcase your unique strengths. Our expertise in college admissions consulting has consistently helped students gain admission to top-tier institutions like Caltech.

Let’s work together to highlight your passion for STEM, your innovative spirit, and the personal journey that makes you an ideal candidate for one of the world’s leading scientific and technological institutions.

Want to assess your chances of admission? Take our FREE chances calculator today!

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College essays matter. Here's how to write one that stands out | College Connection

Students facing the college application process typically dread one component: the Common App essay. 

Students are presented with six essay prompts, as well as a seventh option, which is “topic of your choice.” Students therefore have limitless possibilities for this essay which will be carefully reviewed by each college to which the student applies.

The goal of college admissions officers is to learn about the student who is applying: personal qualities, struggles, ambitions, priorities. On other parts of the application a student’s “data” is detailed. So, this is not the place to write about one’s SAT scores, GPA, or intended major, or to enumerate one’s activities. It is the place to write about an event, situation, or life circumstance that has influenced the student’s attitudes, goals, and perceptions of life.

The options are limitless. Students can write about life occurrences that impacted them: an illness, a learning disability, a relocation. They can use a sport, club, organization, or volunteer group as the overarching framework within which they learned important life lessons. 

More: The biggest key to college acceptance | College Connection

One student’s essay, which went viral after its author was accepted to a multitude of Ivy League schools, focused on lessons she learned from visits to Costco over the years. In short, students can write about anything that has impacted them – hopefully in a positive way.

Then, students face supplemental essays. Many colleges, including almost all the most competitive ones, require an essay that is specific to the school. Typically, the question is along the lines of, “Why do you want to attend this institution?” or “Why did you choose your particular major and how will our school prepare you to meet your future goals?”

More: These are the latest trends in college admissions | College Connection

Colleges are aware that students typically apply to 8 to 12 different schools, and they are trying to discern “demonstrated interest,” or, in other words, the likelihood of a student enrolling if accepted. So, students should utilize each supplemental essay as an opportunity to demonstrate their interest in the particular college, and should specifically state the courses, programs, study abroad options, internships, and any other characteristics that make the institution a perfect match for their college ambitions.

By showing enthusiasm for each school and sharing their attributes through the Common App and supplemental essays, students will greatly enhance their prospects of experiencing a successful college application process.   

Susan Alaimo is the founder & director of Collegebound Review, offering PSAT/SAT ® preparation & private college advising by Ivy League educated instructors. Visit CollegeboundReview.com or call 908-369-5362 .

How to Write a Personal Narrative: A Step-by-Step Guide

“As I sat down to write this article, memories flooded back, each one a brushstroke in the painting of my past…”

That could be the beginning of your personal narrative. Writing it lets you turn your memories and experiences into stories that click with others. This type of writing goes beyond school assignments or essays for college applications; it’s a chance to get really good at sharing your life's events in ways that matter. 

In this article, we're going to explore what personal narratives are all about and guide you through a simple seven-step process to create your own. You’ll learn how to pull out moments that make your story stand out and how to tweak your writing until it’s just right. We’ve got practical examples for you to follow along, making sure you have everything you need to tell your story. 

What is a Personal Narrative?

A personal narrative is a way to tell your own story. It's a style of writing that puts your experiences front and center, inviting readers into your world. Teachers often assign personal narratives to encourage free, expressive writing. 

The personal narrative definition is wider than academic settings, though. . These narratives can also show potential employers who you are beyond your resume. At its core, writing a personal narrative is a form of storytelling, using a first-person perspective to bring real-life tales to life. Whether it's for a grade, a job, or just for fun, it's about getting your story out there.

Your Story, Perfected

Let our experts refine your personal narrative, making sure every detail shines and your story is both clear and impactful.

How to Write a Personal Narrative: Steps

In this section, we'll break down the process into manageable steps, starting with how to zero in on the right topic that speaks about who you are.

Step 1. Choosing a Personal Narrative Topic

The first step in crafting your personal narrative is picking the perfect topic. It should be something meaningful to you, something that has not just happened, but also shaped who you are or has a significant story behind it. Here’s how to frame your personal narrative ideas:

• Story Arc : Your narrative is like a mini-movie. Start with setting the scene, build up to the main event, and wrap up with a reflection. For example, if you’re writing about your first solo travel experience, begin with your initial feelings, describe the challenges you faced, and end with what you learned about yourself.
• Thematic Focus : Instead of moving through time, center your narrative around a central theme. Maybe it’s about resilience, and you could link different times you had to be resilient, ending with a major life challenge.
• A Day to Remember : Sometimes a single day can tell a lot about you. Pick a day that was particularly memorable and unpack it from start to finish. Maybe it was a seemingly ordinary day that brought unexpected lessons or joys.

Step 2. Working on Your Personal Narrative Outline

When putting together your personal narrative, starting with a solid outline can help keep your story on track. Here's how you can lay it all out:

• Introduction: Kick things off with a hook that grabs attention, like an intriguing question or a vivid snapshot of a key moment. Set the scene and introduce the main theme.
• Setting and Characters : Give a good sense of where your story is unfolding and who's involved. Paint a clear picture of the backdrop and the key people.
• Plot Development : Lay out the events in the order they happened, or group them around major themes. Build up to your main event, adding conflicts or challenges as you go.
• Climax : This is the high point of your story, where everything comes to a head. Make it a moment that has the most impact.
• Resolution : Wrap up the main storyline, showing how things settled down after the climax.
• Reflection : Spend some time reflecting on what happened. Share what you learned or how you changed because of the experience.

If you're looking for help crafting your personal narrative, consider checking out some legit essay writing services to get professional guidance.

Step 3. Writing the First Draft of Your Personal Narrative

Now let’s move on to the fun part! Don't worry about getting everything perfect right away — the first draft’s goal is to let your story flow naturally:

• Start with Your Hook: Revisit the introduction you outlined and flesh it out. Begin with the attention-grabbing sentence that will make readers want to continue.
• Let the Story Unfold: Follow your outline, but allow yourself some flexibility. As you write, new memories or details may come to mind. Embrace them! Think about what you saw, heard, and felt during these moments. Were you sitting in a sunlit room, listening to the hum of a busy street outside? Maybe you felt the chill of an autumn breeze? 
• Stay True to Your Voice: This is your story, so let your unique voice shine through. Whether you're humorous, reflective, or serious, maintain a consistent tone that feels authentically you. Keep the tone conversational and straightforward, as if you’re telling this story to a friend. 

Once the first personal narrative draft is done, set it aside for a bit before revisiting it with fresh eyes.

Step 4. Revising Your Personal Narrative

Once the first personal narrative draft is done, set it aside for a bit before revisiting it with fresh eyes:

• Tighten Up the Story : As you go through your draft, focus on making everything clear and to the point. If you’ve talked about how nervous you were before a big event more than once, try to combine those thoughts into one powerful sentence that really captures how you felt.
• Keep Your Tone Consistent : Make sure your voice stays the same throughout the story. If you start off with a casual, conversational tone, like saying, “I couldn’t shake the nerves before my big test,” stick with that style instead of suddenly becoming formal later on.
• Adjust the Pacing : Pay attention to how smoothly your story flows from one part to the next. When you’re describing a key moment, like meeting someone important or going through a major experience, give it the detail and time it deserves. Let those moments develop naturally without rushing.
• Enhance Your Descriptions : Make your imagery more vivid to help the reader visualize your story. For example, instead of just saying, “The room was noisy,” you could say, “The room buzzed with excited chatter.” These small tweaks can make your story feel more alive and engaging.

Step 5. Adding Personal Touches

As you polish your personal narrative, focus on making it uniquely yours. You can include personal reflections on your experiences. For example, if you’re writing about a challenging project, discuss not just the struggle but how it impacted you personally and professionally.

Besides, add unique details that only you can share. Instead of generic descriptions, use specific anecdotes or sensory details, like how the scent of freshly baked cookies from your grandmother's kitchen made you feel nostalgic.

Last but not least, incorporate dialogues or direct quotes from people involved in your story to add authenticity and depth. For instance, if your mentor gave you advice, include their exact words to capture the moment’s impact. This approach will help you understand how to write a personal narrative that is both engaging and deeply personal.

Not sure where to begin? You can always buy a narrative essay from experts who can help shape your story.

Step 6: Editing for Clarity and Style

When you’re editing your personal narratives, the goal is to make sure everything flows smoothly and makes sense. Here’s how to get it just right:

• Clarify Your Message: Check for any parts of your story that might be a bit confusing. If you talked about being excited about a project and then suddenly shifted to its challenges, make sure to connect these thoughts clearly. For instance, you might rephrase it as “I was excited about the project, but I soon faced some unexpected challenges, like tight deadlines.”
• Simplify Complex Sentences: Break down long or complicated sentences. Instead of saying, “My enthusiasm for the project, which was incredibly high despite the difficulties I faced, was the driving force behind my perseverance,” you could simplify it to, “Even though the project was tough, my excitement kept me going.”
• Smooth Transitions: Check how your paragraphs and sections flow together. If you jump from describing a problem to the solution without a clear link, add a transition. For example, “After struggling with the project’s challenges, I realized that asking my mentor for help was the key to overcoming the obstacles.”

Oh, and read your narrative out loud. This can help you spot any awkward phrases or spots where the story might be a bit choppy. It’s a great way to catch any issues and make those final tweaks to get everything just right.

Personal Narrative Prompts

Here are ten personal narrative prompts to get you thinking about different moments in your life:

Need more tips on how to get started? Check out this guide on how to start a narrative essay to kick off your writing with a strong opening.

Personal Narrative Examples

Here are a few personal narrative beginnings to spark your creativity. These snippets are designed to get you started and inspire your own storytelling.

Wrapping Up

As you finish up your story, think about how those moments shaped who you are today. It's not just about what happened, but how it changed you. When learning how to write a personal narrative, it’s important to focus on the moments that truly matter to you and tell them in your own voice. This way, your narrative can really connect with others. 

Remember, the best stories come straight from the heart, so trust yourself and let your experiences shine through!

If you're working on a personal statement, you might want to explore a personal statement service that can help you create a compelling narrative.

Turn Memories into Masterpieces

Let us transform your experiences into a beautifully crafted narrative that stands out and makes an impact.

How to Start a Personal Narrative?

Can a personal narrative be about anything, what is the format of a personal narrative.

Daniel Parker

is a seasoned educational writer focusing on scholarship guidance, research papers, and various forms of academic essays including reflective and narrative essays. His expertise also extends to detailed case studies. A scholar with a background in English Literature and Education, Daniel’s work on EssayPro blog aims to support students in achieving academic excellence and securing scholarships. His hobbies include reading classic literature and participating in academic forums.

is an expert in nursing and healthcare, with a strong background in history, law, and literature. Holding advanced degrees in nursing and public health, his analytical approach and comprehensive knowledge help students navigate complex topics. On EssayPro blog, Adam provides insightful articles on everything from historical analysis to the intricacies of healthcare policies. In his downtime, he enjoys historical documentaries and volunteering at local clinics.

• The New York Times. (2020, January 7). Personal Narrative Essay Winners. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/07/learning/personal-narrative-essay-winners.html

Artificial Intelligence

Since the 1950s, scientists and engineers have designed computers to "think" by making decisions and finding patterns like humans do. In recent years, artificial intelligence has become increasingly powerful, propelling discovery across scientific fields and enabling researchers to delve into problems previously too complex to solve. Outside of science, artificial intelligence is built into devices all around us, and billions of people across the globe rely on it every day. Stories of artificial intelligence—from friendly humanoid robots to SkyNet—have been incorporated into some of the most iconic movies and books.

But where is the line between what AI can do and what is make-believe? How is that line blurring, and what is the future of artificial intelligence? At Caltech, scientists and scholars are working at the leading edge of AI research, expanding the boundaries of its capabilities and exploring its impacts on society. Discover what defines artificial intelligence, how it is developed and deployed, and what the field holds for the future.

Artificial Intelligence Terms to Know >

What Is AI ?

Artificial intelligence is transforming scientific research as well as everyday life, from communications to transportation to health care and more. Explore what defines AI, how it has evolved since the Turing Test, and the future of artificial intelligence.

What Is the Difference Between "Artificial Intelligence" and "Machine Learning"?

The term "artificial intelligence" is older and broader than "machine learning." Learn how the terms relate to each other and to the concepts of "neural networks" and "deep learning."

How Do Computers Learn?

Machine learning applications power many features of modern life, including search engines, social media, and self-driving cars. Discover how computers learn to make decisions and predictions in this illustration of two key machine learning models.

How Is AI Applied in Everyday Life?

While scientists and engineers explore AI's potential to advance discovery and technology, smart technologies also directly influence our daily lives. Explore the sometimes surprising examples of AI applications.

What Is Big Data?

The increase in available data has fueled the rise of artificial intelligence. Find out what characterizes big data, where big data comes from, and how it is used.

Will Machines Become More Intelligent Than Humans?

Whether or not artificial intelligence will be able to outperform human intelligence—and how soon that could happen—is a common question fueled by depictions of AI in movies and other forms of popular culture. Learn the definition of "singularity" and see a timeline of advances in AI over the past 75 years.

How Does AI Drive Autonomous Systems?

Learn the difference between automation and autonomy, and hear from Caltech faculty who are pushing the limits of AI to create autonomous technology, from self-driving cars to ambulance drones to prosthetic devices.

Can We Trust AI?

As AI is further incorporated into everyday life, more scholars, industries, and ordinary users are examining its effects on society. The Caltech Science Exchange spoke with AI researchers at Caltech about what it might take to trust current and future technologies.

What is Generative AI?

Generative AI applications such as ChatGPT, a chatbot that answers questions with detailed written responses; and DALL-E, which creates realistic images and art based on text prompts; became widely popular beginning in 2022 when companies released versions of their applications that members of the public, not just experts, could easily use.

Ask a Caltech Expert

Where can you find machine learning in finance? Could AI help nature conservation efforts? How is AI transforming astronomy, biology, and other fields? What does an autonomous underwater vehicle have to do with sustainability? Find answers from Caltech researchers.

Terms to Know

A set of instructions or sequence of steps that tells a computer how to perform a task or calculation. In some AI applications, algorithms tell computers how to adapt and refine processes in response to data, without a human supplying new instructions.

Artificial intelligence describes an application or machine that mimics human intelligence.

A system in which machines execute repeated tasks based on a fixed set of human-supplied instructions.

A system in which a machine makes independent, real-time decisions based on human-supplied rules and goals.

The massive amounts of data that are coming in quickly and from a variety of sources, such as internet-connected devices, sensors, and social platforms. In some cases, using or learning from big data requires AI methods. Big data also can enhance the ability to create new AI applications.

An AI system that mimics human conversation. While some simple chatbots rely on pre-programmed text, more sophisticated systems, trained on large data sets, are able to convincingly replicate human interaction.

Deep Learning

A subset of machine learning . Deep learning uses machine learning algorithms but structures the algorithms in layers to create "artificial neural networks." These networks are modeled after the human brain and are most likely to provide the experience of interacting with a real human.

Human in the Loop

An approach that includes human feedback and oversight in machine learning systems. Including humans in the loop may improve accuracy and guard against bias and unintended outcomes of AI.

Model (computer model)

A computer-generated simplification of something that exists in the real world, such as climate change , disease spread, or earthquakes . Machine learning systems develop models by analyzing patterns in large data sets. Models can be used to simulate natural processes and make predictions.

Neural Networks

Interconnected sets of processing units, or nodes, modeled on the human brain, that are used in deep learning to identify patterns in data and, on the basis of those patterns, make predictions in response to new data. Neural networks are used in facial recognition systems, digital marketing, and other applications.

Singularity

A hypothetical scenario in which an AI system develops agency and grows beyond human ability to control it.

Training data

The data used to " teach " a machine learning system to recognize patterns and features. Typically, continual training results in more accurate machine learning systems. Likewise, biased or incomplete datasets can lead to imprecise or unintended outcomes.

Turing Test

An interview-based method proposed by computer pioneer Alan Turing to assess whether a machine can think.

Dive Deeper

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7 signs a job interview went well, according to an HR executive with over 35 years of experience

• Michael Doolin has worked in HR for 36 years at companies such as PwC, British Airways, and DPD.
• He said there are signs that can suggest an interview went well, but preparation is more important.
• Body language, length of the interview, and chemistry with the interviewer could all be clues.

This as-told-to essay is based on a transcribed conversation with Michael Doolin, CEO of Clover HR and former human resources director at PwC, British Airways, and DPD in Ireland. The following has been edited for length and clarity.

It's very common for job candidates to be uncertain about how a job interview has gone. People get nervous and unsure during interviews — and body language is not easy to read when meeting someone for the first time.

Preparing is the best way to mitigate the risk of an interview going poorly. Before entering the room, ensure you're confident in your preparation and yourself.

When you come out, ask yourself: Could I have done any better?

If you can answer "yes" to that question, your success landing the role will depend on your credibility and whether the interviewers relate to you.

You can't always trust your gut feeling on whether it went well. In my experience, I'd say it's right 50% of the time. Alongside your gut reaction, here are seven signs that an interview was successful.

You received a job offer

The ultimate sign that an interview went well — and this is very rare — is if you get offered the job or the opportunity at the conclusion of the meeting.

But don't worry if you haven't received an offer on the spot. I've once offered someone a part time PA role immediately. However, it didn't work out long term because I'd allowed my emotions in the interview to take over from an objective view of the candidate's work record.

Positive body language

Another subtle sign that an interview went well is the interviewers' body language and how they relate to you.

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The general tone and demeanor of your interviewers at the conclusion of the interview can sometimes give you clues.

During a successful interview in my career, I noticed the panel smiled and laughed collaboratively. They exchanged compliments openly and asked me questions about non-job-related areas.

Good body language includes smiling, laughing, making jokes, and being engaged and curious about what you're saying.

Body language isn't a definitive sign, however. People can be good actors. Don't read everything into it.

Having a good rapport with the interviewer

Having a good rapport with the interviewer does suggest that things have gone well. When I give interviews, I usually ask a fun first question to lighten the mood like "Which football team do you support?"

I immediately see people's faces light up or smile. They know I'm not interested in the football team, but it's a way of getting them talking, and it demystifies the process.

I always stress that you are being interviewed from the moment you step inside the building.

The security guard, the receptionist, the colleagues who meet and greet you. They speak to the people interviewing you, and if you come across well, they might pass that on.

If it's a virtual interview, your background tells a story, so keep it professional — never in a bedroom or kitchen.

The interview ran over time

If an interview lasts longer than anticipated, it's typically a good sign. It's the employer who controls how long an interview lasts.

A call running over can indicate genuine engagement, curiosity, and a desire to spend more time getting under a candidate's skin. But really, a good interview should not last more than 50 minutes. The interviewee should be talking 80% of the time, and the interviewer 20%.

You asked your interviewers good questions

Strong job applicants usually come prepared with questions. Every candidate should ask these two killer questions at an interview to help it go well.

Firstly, "If I were lucky enough to be offered this position, what advice would you give me on starting?"

That will get the individuals talking and give a better insight into the role.

The second question, which should already have come up, is: "How would I be measured in this job?"

I tell anybody who asks me for interview tips to ask those two questions. But more importantly, have your own answers ready for their response: be ready to offer examples of how you would work in the job, how you like to be measured at work, and how well you match the answers they give. This is another opportunity to promote your worth.

Being asked for your notice period

Being asked for your notice period or availability for another interview tends to indicate that they are considering employing you.

A good interviewer, however, should have this information before they interview you.

Your interviewers made a good impression on you

An interview works both ways. It's an equal chance to determine whether a workplace is right for you.

If you feel aligned with the workplace and interviewers, there is a higher chance the fit is seamless and the feeling is mutual.

You can ask questions that will help to work this out. I suggest asking questions like: "What three words would best describe this workplace, and why? Why did the last individual leave? I notice from LinkedIn that you've worked here for eight years—why have you stayed? Why should I join this business?"

Don't get too invested

An interview can still have gone well without resulting in a job offer.

Employers often get candidates of equal value and then, unfortunately, can make decisions based on more subjective factors, like who they like best.

Things happen for a reason. I always advise people not to get too emotionally involved in the interview process.

Correction: August 20, 2024 — An earlier version of this story misstated the percentage of time an interviewer and interviewee should speak. The interviewee should be talking 80% of the time and the interviewer 20%.

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Key things to know about U.S. election polling in 2024

Confidence in U.S. public opinion polling was shaken by errors in 2016 and 2020. In both years’ general elections, many polls underestimated the strength of Republican candidates, including Donald Trump. These errors laid bare some real limitations of polling.

In the midterms that followed those elections, polling performed better . But many Americans remain skeptical that it can paint an accurate portrait of the public’s political preferences.

Restoring people’s confidence in polling is an important goal, because robust and independent public polling has a critical role to play in a democratic society. It gathers and publishes information about the well-being of the public and about citizens’ views on major issues. And it provides an important counterweight to people in power, or those seeking power, when they make claims about “what the people want.”

The challenges facing polling are undeniable. In addition to the longstanding issues of rising nonresponse and cost, summer 2024 brought extraordinary events that transformed the presidential race . The good news is that people with deep knowledge of polling are working hard to fix the problems exposed in 2016 and 2020, experimenting with more data sources and interview approaches than ever before. Still, polls are more useful to the public if people have realistic expectations about what surveys can do well – and what they cannot.

With that in mind, here are some key points to know about polling heading into this year’s presidential election.

Probability sampling (or “random sampling”). This refers to a polling method in which survey participants are recruited using random sampling from a database or list that includes nearly everyone in the population. The pollster selects the sample. The survey is not open for anyone who wants to sign up.

Online opt-in polling (or “nonprobability sampling”). These polls are recruited using a variety of methods that are sometimes referred to as “convenience sampling.” Respondents come from a variety of online sources such as ads on social media or search engines, websites offering rewards in exchange for survey participation, or self-enrollment. Unlike surveys with probability samples, people can volunteer to participate in opt-in surveys.

Nonresponse and nonresponse bias. Nonresponse is when someone sampled for a survey does not participate. Nonresponse bias occurs when the pattern of nonresponse leads to error in a poll estimate. For example, college graduates are more likely than those without a degree to participate in surveys, leading to the potential that the share of college graduates in the resulting sample will be too high.

Mode of interview. This refers to the format in which respondents are presented with and respond to survey questions. The most common modes are online, live telephone, text message and paper. Some polls use more than one mode.

Weighting. This is a statistical procedure pollsters perform to make their survey align with the broader population on key characteristics like age, race, etc. For example, if a survey has too many college graduates compared with their share in the population, people without a college degree are “weighted up” to match the proper share.

How are election polls being conducted?

Pollsters are making changes in response to the problems in previous elections. As a result, polling is different today than in 2016. Most U.S. polling organizations that conducted and publicly released national surveys in both 2016 and 2022 (61%) used methods in 2022 that differed from what they used in 2016 . And change has continued since 2022.

One change is that the number of active polling organizations has grown significantly, indicating that there are fewer barriers to entry into the polling field. The number of organizations that conduct national election polls more than doubled between 2000 and 2022.

This growth has been driven largely by pollsters using inexpensive opt-in sampling methods. But previous Pew Research Center analyses have demonstrated how surveys that use nonprobability sampling may have errors twice as large , on average, as those that use probability sampling.

The second change is that many of the more prominent polling organizations that use probability sampling – including Pew Research Center – have shifted from conducting polls primarily by telephone to using online methods, or some combination of online, mail and telephone. The result is that polling methodologies are far more diverse now than in the past.

(For more about how public opinion polling works, including a chapter on election polls, read our short online course on public opinion polling basics .)

All good polling relies on statistical adjustment called “weighting,” which makes sure that the survey sample aligns with the broader population on key characteristics. Historically, public opinion researchers have adjusted their data using a core set of demographic variables to correct imbalances between the survey sample and the population.

But there is a growing realization among survey researchers that weighting a poll on just a few variables like age, race and gender is insufficient for getting accurate results. Some groups of people – such as older adults and college graduates – are more likely to take surveys, which can lead to errors that are too sizable for a simple three- or four-variable adjustment to work well. Adjusting on more variables produces more accurate results, according to Center studies in 2016 and 2018 .

A number of pollsters have taken this lesson to heart. For example, recent high-quality polls by Gallup and The New York Times/Siena College adjusted on eight and 12 variables, respectively. Our own polls typically adjust on 12 variables . In a perfect world, it wouldn’t be necessary to have that much intervention by the pollster. But the real world of survey research is not perfect.

Predicting who will vote is critical – and difficult. Preelection polls face one crucial challenge that routine opinion polls do not: determining who of the people surveyed will actually cast a ballot.

Roughly a third of eligible Americans do not vote in presidential elections , despite the enormous attention paid to these contests. Determining who will abstain is difficult because people can’t perfectly predict their future behavior – and because many people feel social pressure to say they’ll vote even if it’s unlikely.

No one knows the profile of voters ahead of Election Day. We can’t know for sure whether young people will turn out in greater numbers than usual, or whether key racial or ethnic groups will do so. This means pollsters are left to make educated guesses about turnout, often using a mix of historical data and current measures of voting enthusiasm. This is very different from routine opinion polls, which mostly do not ask about people’s future intentions.

When major news breaks, a poll’s timing can matter. Public opinion on most issues is remarkably stable, so you don’t necessarily need a recent poll about an issue to get a sense of what people think about it. But dramatic events can and do change public opinion , especially when people are first learning about a new topic. For example, polls this summer saw notable changes in voter attitudes following Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the presidential race. Polls taken immediately after a major event may pick up a shift in public opinion, but those shifts are sometimes short-lived. Polls fielded weeks or months later are what allow us to see whether an event has had a long-term impact on the public’s psyche.

How accurate are polls?

The answer to this question depends on what you want polls to do. Polls are used for all kinds of purposes in addition to showing who’s ahead and who’s behind in a campaign. Fair or not, however, the accuracy of election polling is usually judged by how closely the polls matched the outcome of the election.

By this standard, polling in 2016 and 2020 performed poorly. In both years, state polling was characterized by serious errors. National polling did reasonably well in 2016 but faltered in 2020.

In 2020, a post-election review of polling by the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) found that “the 2020 polls featured polling error of an unusual magnitude: It was the highest in 40 years for the national popular vote and the highest in at least 20 years for state-level estimates of the vote in presidential, senatorial, and gubernatorial contests.”

How big were the errors? Polls conducted in the last two weeks before the election suggested that Biden’s margin over Trump was nearly twice as large as it ended up being in the final national vote tally.

Errors of this size make it difficult to be confident about who is leading if the election is closely contested, as many U.S. elections are .

Pollsters are rightly working to improve the accuracy of their polls. But even an error of 4 or 5 percentage points isn’t too concerning if the purpose of the poll is to describe whether the public has favorable or unfavorable opinions about candidates , or to show which issues matter to which voters. And on questions that gauge where people stand on issues, we usually want to know broadly where the public stands. We don’t necessarily need to know the precise share of Americans who say, for example, that climate change is mostly caused by human activity. Even judged by its performance in recent elections, polling can still provide a faithful picture of public sentiment on the important issues of the day.

The 2022 midterms saw generally accurate polling, despite a wave of partisan polls predicting a broad Republican victory. In fact, FiveThirtyEight found that “polls were more accurate in 2022 than in any cycle since at least 1998, with almost no bias toward either party.” Moreover, a handful of contrarian polls that predicted a 2022 “red wave” largely washed out when the votes were tallied. In sum, if we focus on polling in the most recent national election, there’s plenty of reason to be encouraged.

Compared with other elections in the past 20 years, polls have been less accurate when Donald Trump is on the ballot. Preelection surveys suffered from large errors – especially at the state level – in 2016 and 2020, when Trump was standing for election. But they performed reasonably well in the 2018 and 2022 midterms, when he was not.

During the 2016 campaign, observers speculated about the possibility that Trump supporters might be less willing to express their support to a pollster – a phenomenon sometimes described as the “shy Trump effect.” But a committee of polling experts evaluated five different tests of the “shy Trump” theory and turned up little to no evidence for each one . Later, Pew Research Center and, in a separate test, a researcher from Yale also found little to no evidence in support of the claim.

Instead, two other explanations are more likely. One is about the difficulty of estimating who will turn out to vote. Research has found that Trump is popular among people who tend to sit out midterms but turn out for him in presidential election years. Since pollsters often use past turnout to predict who will vote, it can be difficult to anticipate when irregular voters will actually show up.

The other explanation is that Republicans in the Trump era have become a little less likely than Democrats to participate in polls . Pollsters call this “partisan nonresponse bias.” Surprisingly, polls historically have not shown any particular pattern of favoring one side or the other. The errors that favored Democratic candidates in the past eight years may be a result of the growth of political polarization, along with declining trust among conservatives in news organizations and other institutions that conduct polls.

Whatever the cause, the fact that Trump is again the nominee of the Republican Party means that pollsters must be especially careful to make sure all segments of the population are properly represented in surveys.

The real margin of error is often about double the one reported. A typical election poll sample of about 1,000 people has a margin of sampling error that’s about plus or minus 3 percentage points. That number expresses the uncertainty that results from taking a sample of the population rather than interviewing everyone . Random samples are likely to differ a little from the population just by chance, in the same way that the quality of your hand in a card game varies from one deal to the next.

The problem is that sampling error is not the only kind of error that affects a poll. Those other kinds of error, in fact, can be as large or larger than sampling error. Consequently, the reported margin of error can lead people to think that polls are more accurate than they really are.

There are three other, equally important sources of error in polling: noncoverage error , where not all the target population has a chance of being sampled; nonresponse error, where certain groups of people may be less likely to participate; and measurement error, where people may not properly understand the questions or misreport their opinions. Not only does the margin of error fail to account for those other sources of potential error, putting a number only on sampling error implies to the public that other kinds of error do not exist.

Several recent studies show that the average total error in a poll estimate may be closer to twice as large as that implied by a typical margin of sampling error. This hidden error underscores the fact that polls may not be precise enough to call the winner in a close election.

Other important things to remember

Transparency in how a poll was conducted is associated with better accuracy . The polling industry has several platforms and initiatives aimed at promoting transparency in survey methodology. These include AAPOR’s transparency initiative and the Roper Center archive . Polling organizations that participate in these organizations have less error, on average, than those that don’t participate, an analysis by FiveThirtyEight found .

Participation in these transparency efforts does not guarantee that a poll is rigorous, but it is undoubtedly a positive signal. Transparency in polling means disclosing essential information, including the poll’s sponsor, the data collection firm, where and how participants were selected, modes of interview, field dates, sample size, question wording, and weighting procedures.

There is evidence that when the public is told that a candidate is extremely likely to win, some people may be less likely to vote . Following the 2016 election, many people wondered whether the pervasive forecasts that seemed to all but guarantee a Hillary Clinton victory – two modelers put her chances at 99% – led some would-be voters to conclude that the race was effectively over and that their vote would not make a difference. There is scientific research to back up that claim: A team of researchers found experimental evidence that when people have high confidence that one candidate will win, they are less likely to vote. This helps explain why some polling analysts say elections should be covered using traditional polling estimates and margins of error rather than speculative win probabilities (also known as “probabilistic forecasts”).

National polls tell us what the entire public thinks about the presidential candidates, but the outcome of the election is determined state by state in the Electoral College . The 2000 and 2016 presidential elections demonstrated a difficult truth: The candidate with the largest share of support among all voters in the United States sometimes loses the election. In those two elections, the national popular vote winners (Al Gore and Hillary Clinton) lost the election in the Electoral College (to George W. Bush and Donald Trump). In recent years, analysts have shown that Republican candidates do somewhat better in the Electoral College than in the popular vote because every state gets three electoral votes regardless of population – and many less-populated states are rural and more Republican.

For some, this raises the question: What is the use of national polls if they don’t tell us who is likely to win the presidency? In fact, national polls try to gauge the opinions of all Americans, regardless of whether they live in a battleground state like Pennsylvania, a reliably red state like Idaho or a reliably blue state like Rhode Island. In short, national polls tell us what the entire citizenry is thinking. Polls that focus only on the competitive states run the risk of giving too little attention to the needs and views of the vast majority of Americans who live in uncompetitive states – about 80%.

Fortunately, this is not how most pollsters view the world . As the noted political scientist Sidney Verba explained, “Surveys produce just what democracy is supposed to produce – equal representation of all citizens.”

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Scott Keeter is a senior survey advisor at Pew Research Center .

Courtney Kennedy is Vice President of Methods and Innovation at Pew Research Center .

How do people in the U.S. take Pew Research Center surveys, anyway?

How public polling has changed in the 21st century, what 2020’s election poll errors tell us about the accuracy of issue polling, a field guide to polling: election 2020 edition, methods 101: how is polling done around the world, most popular.

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California Institute of Technology (Caltech) 2018-19 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Regular Decision: 

The Requirements: 3 long essay of 250-400 words; 3 short essays of 120 words each

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Community , Activity , Short Answer , Oddball

California Institute of Technology (Caltech) 2018-19 Application Essay Question Explanations

Describe three experiences and/or activities that have helped develop your passion for a possible career in a stem field. use the separate spaces provided below, one for each stem experience and/or activity., stem experience/activity 1 and explanation (your response should range between 10-120 words.): stem experience/activity 2 and explanation (your response should range between 10-120 words.): stem experience/activity 3 and explanation (your response should range between 10-120 words.):.

Think of this as three hyper-specific activity essays. It’s common practice for schools to ask applicants to expand on an activity that has been meaningful to them, which opens up an opportunity for you to highlight your leadership qualities and creative skills. In this case, Caltech, in its scientific precision, has asked you to write about exactly three (3) experiences or activities related to STEM (which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, in case you didn’t know). The thing is, this is Caltech: every applicant probably has something interesting to say about this topic! So you’re going to heed to work extra hard to stand out. Although this prompt asks for three distinct descriptions, you should still think about your answers as one cohesive story where each chapter reveals something new. What connects your three experiences? Is it simply growth over time (from doing a lab in class to eventually interning in a real research lab)? Or is it more thematic (gardening, field research, and earth science tutoring)? Make those connections crystal clear to demonstrate not just intention but direction: you are clearly headed towards a promising career in STEM. Also keep in mind that Caltech asks for “experiences” OR “activities” meaning you can choose formal school activities, professional experiences, and even informal experiences.

Much like the life of a professional scientist or engineer, the life of a “Techer” relies heavily on collaboration. Knowing this, what do you hope to explore, innovate, or create with your Caltech peers? (Your response should range between 250-400 words.)

Caltech wants to know that you’re a team player. As far as topics are concerned, any time you worked with others is fair game, so don’t restrict yourself merely to your science fair project or the dance squad. This could be the perfect opportunity to write about a professional experience (your first time working as a camp counselor!) or even community service (organizing the coat and blanket collection at your church!). Ideally, you should describe an experience that spans a decent amount of time — a few weeks or even months — so you can describe the phases of your work and the end result. What challenges did your team face? Were they internal, organizational issues? Or were there larger, external problems that you had to face as a single strong unit? In what ways were you a leader, but more importantly, how did you allow others to lead? It’s all well and good to say that you spearheaded your group history project, but remember that this question is about collaboration. A more reflective and honest essay will consider how each person’s unique contribution set the course for your team’s success (or failure). If you’re talking about a large group (singing in a 100 person choir!), perhaps you’ll want to focus on the values or goals that are strong enough to unite such a large group of people. In the end, you should be able to clearly state a lesson that you will carry with you into the future. In other words: an experience that will have a positive impact on your collaborative work at Caltech.

Caltech students are often known for their sense of humor and creative pranks. What do you like to do for fun? (Your response should range between 250-400 words.)

We usually caution applicants against being weird for weird’s sake, but in this case, Caltech is asking for just that! If you identify as a quirky person, you’ve probably already got an idea or two, but if you don’t, you could find yourself drawing a blank. In either case, our advice remains the same: (a) use your judgement, and (b) don’t force it. There’s a fine line between charming quirk and alienating strangeness, so stick to describing hobbies that won’t get you arrested. Take your cues from your friends and family. Does your father sigh an affectionate sigh every time you decide to ride your unicycle to school? Do your friends affectionately tell and retell the tale of the time you all tried, in vain, to do the cinnamon challenge? What do you do to entertain people? Remember, Caltech wants to know how you have fun, so it’s okay to get a little bit silly with this essay and even make fun of yourself a bit. Identifying your own quirks is, in itself, an exercise in self-awareness; the more you display this quality, the more down to earth and humble you will seem.

The process of discovery best advances when people from various backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives come together. How do you see yourself contributing to the diversity of Caltech’s community? (Your response should range between 250-400 words.)

You could look at this question as a reverse why essay. Caltech isn’t asking why you want them, but why they should want you. What will your unique contribution be? Before you start writing this essay, you’ll want to start out with some good old fashioned research. Learn about the school, what it offers and values, and what its students are like. Think about Caltech in the abstract — what is it like, and how might your presence shake things up (in a good way)? First and foremost, is there something in your background or upbringing that would make you stand out from your peers? Diversity can be defined in many ways. Typically, we think of things like race, class, political affiliation, and religion. But diversity could also speak to something unique in your lived experience. What have you done that few other people have done before? How has this affected your worldview in a way that distinguishes you from your peers?

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