Students Enrolled at Caltech

November 6, 2022
By AdmissionSight

Students Enrolled at Caltech

The California Institute of Technology, also known simply as Caltech, is a highly esteemed, non-public research university that can be found in the city of Pasadena in the state of California. Caltech was founded in 1891 and has since become a leader in the fields of science, engineering, and technology. With this, it’s no doubt that the total number of students at Caltech continues to increase every year, especially the number of applicants.

At Caltech, there is a strong emphasis on research; in fact, ninety percent of first-year students take part in research programs such as the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF), Amgen Scholars, and many others. These programs allow all students to conduct research projects with the assistance of both faculty and graduate mentors. In addition, Caltech is a member of the JPL Higher Education Group, which offers a variety of research opportunities and academic programs centered on the NASA mission.

Although there are no fraternities or sororities at Caltech, there are more than one hundred student organizations and clubs that all students at Caltech can join to participate in activities such as community service, outdoor adventures, faith, and diversity and cultural awareness, music, theater, and other activities.

The residential life at Caltech is a good example of the close-knit community that is known to exist at the institute. Freshmen are required to take part in a program called Rotation at the beginning of the school year. During this program, they travel to each of the 11 different dormitories on campus, where they meet the people who live there and take part in various activities.

Female professor taking in front of the class.

After Rotation, first-year students rank the available alternatives, and almost all of them end up with either their first or second preference. When the school year is through, students have the option of remaining in the residence hall where they lived as freshmen or moving to a new one.

How many students are enrolled at Caltech?

If you’re currently interested in “How many students are at Caltech?” The answer is 2,397 based on the enrollment statistics released by the university for the enrollment of 2021-22. In particular, the total count for undergraduates is 987 and for the postgraduates is 1,410. Based on indicated data, the total number of students at Caltech is smaller compared to other prestigious colleges and universities.

In addition to the aforementioned data, there are approximately 300 members of the teaching staff. If you would prefer a more intimate setting, one in which you can get to know the majority of, or potentially even all of, your classmates, then Caltech is the best option for you.

Because of this, students can completely submerge themselves in the research culture of the university, and they have the opportunity to work closely with renowned faculty members. This results in an amazing experience for all students.

Caltech’s relatively small size also ensures that its research activities have a laser-like focus, which enables the institution to concentrate its abundant resources on its core strengths and to encourage close collaborations between faculty members working in traditionally separate fields of study. Caltech maintains a streamlined and horizontal administration structure, free from the cumbersome bureaucratic impediments that are common at other institutions of higher education around the world. Because of this, academics can complete their work with a minimal amount of discomfort and delay.

Concerning this, there are several advantages to attending a smaller university wherein the institution puts a lot of effort into highlighting that the students at Caltech are unique. The environment of the campus is kind and inviting. There is a significant amount of funding available for activities and organizations that are operated by students. In addition, by the time you finish your second year of college, you will have engaged in a great number of personal exchanges with a significant number of the teaching and administrative staff.

Two students talking in a classroom.

As stated earlier, the total number of students at Caltech currently enrolled at the university is only more than 2,000. With its small student body, Caltech must rely on interdisciplinarity in its academic programs. Because there are only 300 professional faculty members and approximately 600 research researchers, the academic staff must collaborate, share resources, and think outside of the usual confines of disciplinary silos to get things done. Because of this, Caltech has been able to establish new subfields of research and maintain its lead over rival institutions by making groundbreaking discoveries.

Additionally, a densely populated campus increases the likelihood that academics working in distinct fields already know one another, which in turn raises the probability of a crucial serendipitous encounter taking place over a cup of coffee.

How many students apply to Caltech?

Thousands and thousands of students still aspire to be a part of this renowned university. And to answer how many students apply to Caltech, we at AdmissionSight advise you to continue reading to learn the answer.

The acceptance rate at Caltech is among the lowest in the country. Your prospects of admission, on the other hand, are determined by a number of variables, such as your academic performance and your participation in extracurricular activities. The institution is looking for individuals who have exceptional GPA and SAT scores, in addition to having distinctive extracurricular activities and hobbies listed on their CV. The acceptance rate at Caltech may be discouraging, but your odds of being accepted may be higher or lower, based on the information contained in your profile.

For the Class of 2025, the total number of applicants is 13,026 and the total number of students at Caltech enrolled in their first year is 270 wherein 45% are female and 55% are male.

Being a student at Caltech is an honor to a lot of students and if you’ve decided to apply to this university, you must take into account your SAT/ACT scores and class rank. Concerning this, Caltech has announced that they would no longer accept or require applicants to take the SAT or ACT as part of their admissions process beginning in June 2020. This rule applies to first-year students who are applying for admission in the fall of 2021, 2022, or 2023.

Female student talking on a woman.

However, statistics on standardized examinations taken during past admissions cycles are available upon request from Caltech. The Common Data Set reports that 45 percent of accepted students (101 individuals) provided SAT scores, whereas 34 percent of accepted students (77 individuals) provided ACT scores. The range for the middle fifty percent on the SAT was 1510–1570, and the range for the middle fifty percent on the ACT was 35–36.

According to information provided by Caltech, among those who disclosed their class rank, 96% were ranked among the top 10% of their graduating class and 100% were positioned within the top 25% of their class, proving that Caltech students are all brilliant students.

In addition, it is crucial to remember that Caltech will carefully look at your secondary school record, application essay, recommendations, and character/personal qualities. As mentioned earlier, your class rank, academic GPA, and extracurricular activities also play a role during the admissions process.

Moreover, the following factors are also considered by Caltech to be admitted to their institution:

  1. Talent / Ability
  2. First Generation
  3. Racial / Ethnic Status
  4. Volunteer Work
  5. Work Experience

Aside from the factors mentioned above, you don’t need to pressure yourself on other factors such as interview, alumni relation, geographical residence, state residency, religious affiliation, and level of applicant’s interest.

Interestingly, the total number of students at Caltech admitted for the Class of 2025 that are from sub-Saharan Africa is seven, proving the diverse culture at the institution.

We at AdmissionSight also provide basic ways to increase your odds of getting admitted into Caltech:

Achieve a high GPA while enrolling in the most difficult classes possible. Because of the rigorous admissions process at Caltech, you must have solid academic credentials. The university, similar to other colleges of its class, utilizes the Academic Index to eliminate applicants from consideration. This indicates that they will only consider the more qualitative components of your application if you meet their minimal academic requirement. If you do not meet their minimum academic requirement, they will not consider your application.

In addition, the numerical values are not the only relevant factor. In addition, Caltech favors students who are enrolled in rigorous academic programs. This entails taking a significant number of honors, advanced placement, and International Baccalaureate courses, especially in the subject area in which you intend to concentrate your studies.

Develop at least one or two extracurricular activities that fall into the Tier 1-2 category. The evaluation of extracurricular activities at Caltech is based on a four-tiered system, with the first tier indicating activities that are highly specialized and extraordinary and the fourth tier indicating activities that are often found on students’ applications.

It is preferable to have one or two highly developed interests, as opposed to having a multitude of interests and participating in a wide variety of activities. Instead, you should focus on developing your interests and demonstrating that you have participated in at least a handful of Tier 1-2 events, such as placing in a national science competition or publishing research while you were still in high school.

Have a solid foundation in the sciences and mathematics. It’s a known fact that the number of students at Caltech enrolled at the institution that excels in their sciences and mathematics is nearly 97%. Caltech is predominantly a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) institution; nevertheless, the school does offer a wide variety of courses. You will earn a Bachelor of Science degree upon graduation; despite the major you choose.

This means that you need to demonstrate that you have a good background in math and science. Take rigorous classes in topics such as calculus, statistics, chemistry, and computer science, among others (depending on the options at your school), and demonstrate that you are prepared in other ways, such as by participating in extracurricular activities related to these fields.

Write intriguing essays. Strong academic qualifications are often required of students who wish to attend Caltech. To differentiate yourself from the other applicants, you need to demonstrate that you are skilled in qualitative elements of your application as well. Essays are one method for accomplishing this goal.

Use the Early Action and Early Decision approach. Early Action at Caltech is a plan that is non-binding and non-restrictive, which means that you can apply sooner than you can for Regular Decision, you will not be forced to attend the institution if you are accepted, and you can apply to Early Action at other universities as well.

Students typically have a minor edge when applying under this plan at other schools, although not as big of an advantage as they do when applying under an Early Decision plan because Caltech does not publish its Early Action acceptance rate. Considering that EA is neither binding nor restrictive, selecting this strategy does not come with a significant number of drawbacks.

Establish meaningful connections with faculty, and strive to obtain favorable references. Recommendations from teachers are seen as “extremely valuable” by Caltech. This indicates that you should begin working on establishing relationships with your instructors as soon as possible at the beginning of your academic career; nevertheless, in most cases, you will want to ask those instructors who taught you later in high school. You should also spend some time thinking about the people who know you the best, both academically and personally, and who can vouch for your character as well as your abilities in the classroom. With the increasing number of students at Caltech being admitted to the institution that exhibits exemplary academic profiles, comes huge expectations for the applicants as well.

Here’s the deadline for the Caltech application:

  • Early Action: November 1
  • Regular Decision: January 3

Where do Caltech graduate students live?

If you’re wondering where Caltech grad students live, it is the Catalina Apartments, which may be found on the campus’s northwestern edge, that are the focal point of the graduate student community that calls Caltech home.

Students will find the complex’s location to be extremely convenient. It is located directly across Wilson Avenue from the campus of Caltech. It is also quite close to the shopping and dining options on Lake Avenue, such as Trader Joe’s and other restaurants.

For a number of different reasons, the fact that Caltech ensures that every first-year graduate student will have a room in the Cats is a highly handy policy. It was socially beneficial to have everyone in roughly the same place for the first year of graduate school. The obvious benefit is that it eliminates the hassle of finding housing before starting graduate school, but perhaps more importantly, it was beneficial to have everyone in roughly the same place.

Group of students talking in front of the laptop.

You might obtain better accommodation in Pasadena for a comparable (or slightly higher) monthly fee in 2009. At the very least, this was the case in 2009. I probably wouldn’t have actively looked for accommodation outside of the Cats if I had the choice, but happily, the lottery method for returning to the Cats made that choice for me. Moving is both expensive and a headache, so I probably wouldn’t have done it anyway. The remaining four years of my five-year Caltech education were spent at the apartment I discovered on Mar Vista Avenue, which was located just north of Colorado.

What kind of students get into Caltech?

Students at Caltech include brilliant and unique minds but other than those factors, what kind of students get into Caltech in general?

Students with exceptional academic credentials are actively sought after by Caltech. However, grades are only a small part of the picture. The institution seeks applicants with substantial experience in STEM fields as well as those with more unusual and offbeat interests.

To get admitted to Caltech, you are required to possess the following qualifications:

  • Excellent grades
  • Excellent SAT or ACT scores
  • Excellent scores on either the SAT 2 or the AP
  • Recommendations stating that you are exceptional in every respect and are highly recommended to others
  • Achievements that are deserving of recognition on a national scale
  • Participation in activities that demonstrate your commitment to making a positive contribution to the community in which you live
  • Excellent abilities in the written word
  • A narrative to tell that is extremely fascinating in its entirety
  • Something that gives the impression to the admissions officer that you would be a joy to have as a classmate is a good thing
  • Something that convinces the admissions officer that their institution is the appropriate choice for you is going to be very helpful

There is nothing that can turn any of those aspects into the deciding factor, either in the process of accepting or declining an applicant. If you have a good reason for not participating in any events, you can still be accepted because of the quality of your work. It’s possible that your writing is poor, yet you have excellent grades and exam scores. When admissions officers talk about doing a comprehensive review of the file, they mean exactly this.

View of students gathered around a table.

Students at Caltech are truly seen as active partners in their learning, and they are trusted to collaborate on assessments and to take exams without any supervision. This includes taking exams at home, where they are expected to put down their pens after the allotted time has passed. However, this simple idea sets the tone for an amazing student experience, because students are truly seen as active partners in their learning.

Trust and collaboration are also deeply ingrained in the research culture, which allows junior faculty members considerable creative leeway in their work without being subjected to constant scrutiny or being required to jump through multiple performance hoops. Senior scholars also work closely together, and academic and administrative silos are less prevalent.

 

 

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