skip to main content
Caltech
Undergraduate Admissions
Home  /  Apply  /  Preparing for Caltech  /  Demonstrating STEM Preparedness

Demonstrating STEM Preparedness

All Caltech students take the core curriculum as soon as their first year. While your school may offer the courses to help you meet our academic requirements in preparation for core, we understand that is not the case for all students.

If a student could not take a standardized exam because the exam was not available/easily accessible in their country or if there were technical challenges to taking the exam, we will give students an opportunity in the Caltech-specific application to explain what happened. Technical challenges include exam unavailability within a reasonable distance of applicant's location, testing site cancellations or challenges, etc. From there, students can review this page and choose ways to continue to show academic preparation for Caltech in the application process.

While Caltech does not have a preference in the methods that a student pursues STEM preparedness, it is our hope that students share the various ways they engage in STEM. Below is a list of some possible ways to show STEM preparedness:

Demonstrating STEM Preparedness through Academics

If your school offers courses in the subjects that you are expected to demonstrate mastery, it is our strong preference that you take them.

  • Through STEM courses taken at a college or university (e.g. calculus, chemistry, physics, linear algebra, thermodynamics)
  • Advanced Placement (AP) scores
  • Higher Level (HL) International Baccalaureate scores
  • Schoolhouse.world certifications

Advanced Placement (AP) scores

  • AP Calculus AB
  • AP Calculus BC
  • AP Biology
  • AP Chemistry
  • AP Physics 1
  • AP Physics 2
  • AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism
  • AP Physics C: Mechanics

Higher Level (HL) International Baccalaureate scores

Students who are pursuing the IB diploma and hoping for a competitive application to Caltech will have taken one of the two Math HL courses. If a student has only taken Math SL because Math HL was not available to them, the student has not demonstrated preparedness in calculus through alternative pathways.

To demonstrate preparedness for Caltech's STEM Core, students can share the following scores:

  • Mathematics: Applications and Interpretations HL (41 hours of calculus)
  • Mathematics: Applications and Approaches HL (55 hours of calculus)
  • Physics HL
  • Chemistry HL
  • Biology HL

Schoolhouse.world certification

To be prepared for Caltech's intensive core curriculum, we suggest students demonstrate preparedness with Schoolhouse.world through the following certifications:

If you would like to showcase additional mathematical competency, here are additional certifications you can receive:

Demonstrating STEM Preparedness through Extracurriculars

In addition to demonstrating your preparedness through the academic routes mentioned above, we believe that students explore and communicate STEM through a variety of ways. Such examples include participating in research, academic competitions, summer programs, and internships that showcase STEM curiosity and preparedness.

Research and Publications

Students can engage in supervised academic research in their fields of interest. Students who engage in research not only gain experience working in a lab with a professor or graduate students, but get exposed to different aspects such as experimental design, data analysis, and communication skills. Learn more about the process in submitting research and publications.

Academic Competitions

Academic Competitions can demonstrate preparedness in a particular STEM field. These competitions vary, but will allow students with opportunities to deepen their knowledge and gain recognition for their achievements in STEM fields through competitive scores or placement. If you have done any of these competitions, learn how you can let us know. Some examples include:

  • Mathematics competitions such as AMC, IMO, Putnam Math
  • Science competitions such as ISEF, STS, IChO, USAPhO, EuPhO, USABO
  • Technology and Engineering competitions such as FIRST Robotics Competition and VEX Robotics Competition

Summer Programs

Participating in STEM summer programs demonstrates and shows a commitment to learning and a passion for STEM. These programs vary, but will allow participants to gain valuable experience in their field of interest or deepening their understanding of STEM subjects.

  • Research programs: programs such as RSI, Garcia Research, SSP, etc. provide opportunities for participants to conduct and present original research under the guidance of faculty or other experienced mentors in the field.
  • Technology and Engineering programs such as BWSI, Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes, etc. offer various project-based courses in a variety of STEM fields.
  • Mathematics programs such as PROMYS, Ross Math, etc. focus on deep mathematical exploration and problem solving.

Learn more about how you can let us know about your participation in these programs.

Internships

Internships allow students to gain practical experience in the field of interest giving you hands-on experience and insights into real-world applications of your field of interest. Highlight aspects of your internship and show how it has prepared you for the academic rigors of Caltech.

Check out our essay writing advice, what we look for, and information for first-year applicants.