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Caltech Acceptance Rate 2024

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Caltech Acceptance Rate
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Established in 1891, the California Institute of Technology or Caltech is a private research university in Pasadena, California. The university has six divisions with a strong emphasis on Science & Engineering.

According to unofficial sources, Caltech ranked #7 among National Universities, #10 in Best Value Schools, and #5 for providing Best Undergraduate Engineering Program.

International students are compelled to take California Institute of Technology admissions due to its excellent academic programs, small class size, reputation, and rankings.

California Institute of Technology Acceptance Rate 2024

According to the California Institute of Technology enrollment 2022-2023, over 2,000 students enrolled at the university. Out of the total, over 900 students were undergraduates and more than 1,400 were graduates. Thus, the California Institute of Technology acceptance rate is 3%. International students can check the Caltech enrollment for the fall 2023 below:

Particulars

Statistics 2022-2023

Total Enrollment

2,401

Undergraduate Enrollment

982

Graduate Enrollment

 

1,419

Acceptance Rate

3%

California Institute of Technology Acceptance Rate for International Students

California Institute of Technology received over 900 undergraduate admissions from various ethnicities. The total number of international students was 92 among 982 students, contributing 9.36% of the total. In addition, ethnicities and races such as White, non-Hispanic; Asian, non-Hispanic; and Hispanic, Latino were more than the rest of other communities. The percentage of students from wide ethnicities or races at California Institute of Technology is given below:

Ethnicity/Race

Percentage of Students

Nonresident aliens

9.36%

Hispanic/Latino

21.99%

Black or African American, non-Hispanic

3.46%

White, non-Hispanic

21.18%

American Indian or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic

0.10%

Asian, non-Hispanic

34.41%

Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic

0.10%

Two or more races, non-Hispanic

8.85%

Race and/or ethnicity unknown

0.5%

California Institute of Technology Acceptance Rate Trends

According to the Caltech enrollment data over the years, the university acceptance rate has been decreasing over the years. The California Institute of Technology acceptance rate was around 6% for the past few years, which has reduced to around 3%. However, there is an increase in the number of applications, earlier it was around 8,000 which has increased to double. International students can check the table below for Caltech enrollment and acceptance rate data over the years:

Year

Application Received

Application Enrolled

Acceptance Rate

2022-2023

16626 

224

2.69%

2021-2022

13026

270

3.92%

2020-2021

8,007 

225

6.69%

2019-2020

8367 

236

6.3%

California Institute of Technology Requirements for International Students

International students must fulfill the basic university requirements for undergraduate and postgraduate programs to be admitted at Caltech. The basic entry requirements for UG and PG programs are given below:

Undergraduate requirements:

  • ACTand SAT scores
  • Transcripts of your high school.
  • Students need to provide a Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR).
  • A minimum score of 6.5 and above in IELTS
  • SOP
  • Portfolio

Postgraduate requirements:

  • Transcripts of your degree.
  • A minimum score of 7.5 and above in IELTS
  • SOP
  • Letters of reference
  • Creative portfolio (As per the chosen course)
  • Resume/ CV
  • Entrance exam (GRE or GMAT, LSAT, MCAT)

English Language Requirements

International students whose first or native language is not English are asked to demonstrate English proficiency as part of the Caltech application procedure. The minimum score required to fulfill the basic English language requirements is given below:

English Language Tests

Minimum Score for Admission

IELTS

7.0 or higher

(minimum of 7 in each area)

TOEFL

100, minimum 25 in each area

Duolingo

130 or higher

Tips to get selected at California Institute of Technology

The California Institute of Technology acceptance rate is 3%. This shows a tough selection criteria during the Caltech admission. However, international students who adhere to the below tips to get selected for the university still have higher chances:

  • Work on extracurricular activities: International students must take part in extracurricular activities, especially relevant to the course. The university prefers those students over those who only do well academically.
  • Brush up your English: Students whose first language is not English, must brush up their language and try to score well in English proficiency tests such as IELTS, TOEFL, Duolingo, and more. It will be extremely helpful not only for resume but for residing abroad.
  • Start early: Students must do their preparation before enrolling in the program. The preparation includes preparing to score high in academics, making listicles for all the required documents, and applying early as the university follows a first come first serve basis.

California Institute of Technology Acceptance Rate Vs University of Chicago Acceptance Rate

The Caltech acceptance rate is 3%, whereas the University of Chicago acceptance rate is 5.4%. Both universities have low acceptance rates which shows the universities are highly stringent during admissions.

International students looking to be admitted to any of the two universities must fulfill certain eligibility requirements such as scoring high GPA, standardized scores, English language requirements, and many more.

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Caltech 
FAQs

Q:   What are the California Institute of Technology requirements for international students?

A: 

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

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

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

  2. 1 year of chemistry

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

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

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

Click here to: Make your portfolio look better)

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

English Language proficiency 

Minimum score 

IELTS

7.5 and above in all bands

Dulingo 

120 and above  (125 recommended) 

TOFEL

100 and above

PG Course Requirements: 

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

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

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

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

English Language proficiency 

Minimum score 

IELTS

7.5 and above in all bands

Dulingo

120 and above 

TOFEL

100 and above

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

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

Q:   What is the acceptance rate for the California Institute of Technology?

A: 

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

Q:   Which is better for research, IIT in India or Caltech?

A: 

Choosing between IIT in India and Caltech for reasearch depends on individual preferences and goals. While Caltech has garnered more Nobel Prizes in Theoritical thesis, reasearch and many more. However, both the universities offer a significant reasearch opportunities.Caltech's renowed reputation in Science and Engineering, along with its small class sizes and focus on theoretical reasearch, may appeal to some. 

On the other hand, IIT provides a diverse reasearch environment with a wide range of disciplines on individual dedication, resouces and good collabs. Hence both the universities are great, depending on what the individual is looking for. 

Q:   Is Caltech better than MIT?

A: 

Caltech and MIT both rank among world's top universities, with slight variations in rankings depending on criteria. Caltech excels in Science and engineeirng and has a high number of nobel winners who focu on theorectical reasearch. MIT is similarly renowened institution for it's strength in science, pratical application and enreprenurship. However the choice between Caltech and MIT depends on individual preferences, but in terms of ranking and reputation MIT takes a step higher then Caltech. But, ultimatley both the institutions focus on hand on innovation in reasearch and surely both the universities are great for students. 

Q:   Does the California Institute of Technology accept IELTS?

A: 

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

English Language proficiency 

Minimum score 

IELTS

7.5 and above in all bands

Dulingo

120 and above 

TOFEL

100 and above

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Akansha katariya

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Akansha katariya is a content creator at shiksha.com, creating content for study abroad. Having pursued B tech. in Electronics and communication from RGPV University, she has been creating content across diverse domains. When not guiding students, sh...Read Full Bio
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