Caltech provides prospective STEM students with a wonderful setting to set the foundation for their future careers. It is well recognized for its robust science and engineering programs, is located close to Pasadena beneath the San Gabriel Mountains, and is connected to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Caltech is an extremely selective institution as a result, so you should devote a lot of time to crafting compelling responses to its supplemental essays. The supplemental essays are the section of your application where you can demonstrate that you are more than simply grades, test scores, and a list of activities, so you should view them as your chance to stand out. Check out the guide below to learn more.
Take a comprehensive look at Caltech’s offerings on its Common Data Set to obtain a better understanding of what the university is seekinge, from enrollment and tuition statistics to data on student life and financial aid.
How to write Caltech Supplemental Essays
Prompt 1
Tell us about a time or experience in which you encountered failure.
We would like to know more about your potential to persist through challenges and problems that you will face in the future. Qualities such as resilience and persistence can be key to solving the many problems and responding to the frequent failures that can be encountered in academics or research. In an essay about research and discovery at Caltech, “The Transformative Power of Failure”, several current and past members of our community share their anecdotes about, and perspectives on, various forms of failure.
Here are questions that may help guide your response: How do you define failure? What was the problem you were trying to solve? What did you learn from the experience? Did you seek advice or help from others? If so, did you receive any, or did you move forward without? What contributed to your resilience as you struggled, and what motivated your persistence?
(Your response should range between 100-250 words.)
There are innumerable well-known quotes about failure. They all, without exception, frame failure as a teacher and a necessary detour on the way to achievement. Whatever failure you decide to write about, your compass should point to “What I Did/What I Learned.” At least 60% of your essay should be devoted to demonstrating to the reader how you used a setback to your advantage. Failure can take many different forms. There are many different definitions of failure. Decide on the encounter that taught you the most. This essay is a fantastic opportunity to include some self-deprecating comedy if you wish.
Prompt 2
Tell us about a life situation, media story, or topic – beyond or outside of a classroom or formal assignment – that has captivated you, inspired your curiosity, and led you to delve more deeply into learning about a subject on your own.
We would like to learn about the nature of your own curiosity and drive to learn independently. Here are questions that may help guide your response: What was the situation, story, or topic? In which ways did it spike your curiosity? Down what path did this newfound interest lead you? How did the pursuit of a deeper, more focused understanding of this prove valuable or satisfying to you?
(Your response should range between 100-250 words.)
Caltech seeks out intelligent, inquisitive, and independent students. You have the chance to demonstrate your intellectual energy in this article because that is what it seeks. Whatever subject you decide to write on, be sure:
- Your interest in your subject is sincere. Choose something you really like, not something you think Caltech will like. Genuine curiosity is simple to describe and difficult to fake!
- You’ve truly invested in the subject. You should be able to speak comfortably and spontaneously about it.
- Consider events or circumstances that prompted you to act, sparked your interest in further research, or improved your knowledge of a different topic.
Prompt 3
Tell us about how you have collaborated with and worked together within a small group of your peers on some task or endeavor in the past, or about how you imagine you will work with your Caltech peers in the future.
We would like to know more about your potential to collaborate and work together with others as you reach your own understanding of the problem and solution, whether it be an academic assignment or a research project. At Caltech, it is often the case that problem sets assigned during the first year can be challenging enough that any one student is unable to come up with the solutions in isolation. This has fostered a tradition of small groups of students forming to work together to solve these problems, such that each team member also reaches a deep understanding, both of the solution and the path taken to get there as a collaborative group.
Here are questions that may help guide your response: What have your peers told you about the ways you contribute to working in groups? How do you approach problem solving in groups? What would your peers tell us about how you collaborate and work together with them?
(Your response should range between 100-250 words.)
Three things are required from you in this question:
1. A narrative about an important previous or present partnership
Any time you collaborate with others to find a solution or accomplish a shared objective counts as a cooperation. Think about prioritising an academic or research-based collaboration. If you’re having trouble coming up with a specific example, it can be helpful to list the communities you’re a part of and then consider your interactions with other members of those communities.
2. A sense of how you interact with and support organisations
Are you the team member that prefers to listen to speaking, soaking up others’ thoughts before combining them into one big idea? Or are you a more assertive, front-footed person?
Here, an honest evaluation of your teamwork skills is crucial. This is why picking the right subject is so crucial. By rooting your essay in a particular narrative, choosing a particular period or circumstance that personifies your approach to collaboration will not only make it easier to write but will also help you stand out from other applicants. Your ability to provide precise insights into who you are is improved by including as many specifics and instances as you can.
3. A statement of intent with regard to Caltech
You could briefly describe how you plan to work with others on campus. Consider the requirements that your chosen major or the organizations and clubs you plan to join may have for you.
Essays with Rostrum
Supplemental essays are a critical part of your application, and they can be very challenging to write without any assistance. Rostrum Education’s team of highly experienced college counsellors provides assistance at every stage of the application writing process. Every one of our students receives personalised essay help, which ranges from brainstorming essay topic ideas to editing the essay. We will help you make a compelling case for yourself and your experiences to the admissions committee. Get in touch with us for a free consultation to find out more.
