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Caltech Admission Requirements

Pasadena, California

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Your chances of getting into California Institute of Technology

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

2.7%
Admission Difficulty for California Institute of Technology
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Elite 
Applicant Competition Extreme 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Caltech is 2.7%.  Its admission rate is the 2nd lowest in California and the 3rd lowest the nation.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Caltech and can you get accepted?

Caltech is an extremely competitive school to get into and is highly selective who it accepts. You have a very low chance of acceptance even even if you meet the admission criteria. It's critical that you meet their GPA requirements to get past the first round of consideration. Last year, only 448 out of the 16,626 who applied were admitted.

California Institute of Technology typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.97. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. 50% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Caltech?

3% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

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Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to California Institute of Technology you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.97 or better
  • Earn A- grades in high school
  • Score 1560 on the SAT
  • Score 35 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 10% of your high school class

Caltech GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.97*

Typical High School Grades 

A-

What GPA do you need to get into California Institute of Technology?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Caltech are to have around a 3.97 high school GPA. You are required to have exceptionally good grades and you should be graduating near the top of your class.

Given the school's very highly selective admissions, acceptance at Caltech extremely difficult and unlikely even with a 3.97 GPA. The school should be considered a reach even if you have a 3.97 GPA. If your grades do not meet the GPA requirements, you will have very little chance of being considered for admission.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Caltech is 3.97 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #4 in California for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Caltech is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 4.0 GPA range.

*This school has not published high school GPA data for its incoming freshman class. In these cases, CollegeSimply uses an algorithm to predict GPA based on this school's test scores and a large sample of college GPA data. 3.97 is a prediction of the school's average incoming freshman GPA.

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Caltech SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required by California Institute of Technology. The school has a test blind policy.

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1530-1580

Applicants Submitting SAT 

-
SAT Scores for California Institute of Technology
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 740
Math 25th Percentile 790
Composite 25th Percentile 1530
SAT Scores for California Institute of Technology
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 780
Math 75th Percentile 800
Composite 75th Percentile 1580
Average SAT Score 1560

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to California Institute of Technology?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Caltech is 1560 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1530-1580. Students who get into California Institute of Technology score in the top 1 percent of all SAT test takers..  Caltech ranks #1 in the state of California and #1 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1560 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Caltech regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1530 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1530, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1500, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

California Institute of Technology is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not considered for admission, even if submitted (test blind)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1560 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1555, you have around a 3% chance of being admitted. A 1580 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 6% chance of getting in.

California Institute of Technology admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1580 and Above Good >6%
1555 to 1580 Avg + 3%-6%
1530 to 1555 Avg - 2%-3%
1505 to 1530 Reach 1%-2%
Less than 1505 Low <1%
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Caltech ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

35-36 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

-
ACT Scores for California Institute of Technology
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 35
Math 25th Percentile 35
Composite 25th Percentile 35
ACT Scores for California Institute of Technology
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 36
Math 75th Percentile 36
Composite 75th Percentile 36
Average ACT Score 35

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Caltech?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Caltech is 35, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 35 and 36.  The school ranks #1 in California and #1 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 35. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 35 and score in the score in the top 1 percent nationally.

0 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to California Institute of Technology.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as California Institute of Technology is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not considered for admission, even if submitted (test blind)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Caltech for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 35 score has around 3% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 10% with a 36 ACT score.

California Institute of Technology admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
36 Good >10%
35 to 36 Avg + 3%-10%
35 to 35 Avg - 3%-3%
35 to 35 Reach 3%-3%
Less than 35 Low <3%
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High School Class Rank

90% of California Institute of Technology freshman are in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class. For your application to be competitive, you need to graduate at the top of your class.

High School Class Rank for admitted California Institute of Technology students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 90%
Top 25% of class 100%
Top 50% of class 0%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

California Institute of Technology admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 5,274 11,352 16,626
Accepted 237 211 448
Acceptance Rate 4% 2% 3%
Enrolled 108 116 224
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 46% 55% 50%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 3, 2025

Days left to Apply

57

Applicants have 57 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Jan 3, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to California Institute of Technology is $75.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to California Institute of Technology and what student information is used for admission decisions?

California Institute of Technology Application Requirements
Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
High School GPA Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at California Institute of Technology
AP Credit No
Dual Credit No
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Caltech is extremely competitive, you have a very low likelihood of acceptance. It is critical that you earn at least a 3.97 GPA to have any chance. Additionally, you need to score at least a 1560 on the SAT and optimally 1580 to put yourself in a competitive position. For ACT scores, you should really strive for a 35 to have the best chance of getting in.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to California Institute of Technology often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=110404 IPEDS survey data for California Institute of Technology.

Last updated February 24, 2024