When Do Caltech Decisions Come Out? Class of 2031 Notification Dates

Caltech releases Restrictive Early Action (REA) results in mid-December and Regular Decision (RD) results in mid-March. Waitlisted and transfer application results are released on different timelines.

If you know when Caltech decisions come out, it becomes easier to plan out what you should do next. In this blog, we’ll talk about Caltech’s Class of 2031 decision dates, the outcomes they release, and steps to take whichever you receive.

• When Does Caltech Release Decisions?
• When Do Caltech Waitlist Decisions Come Out?
• When Do Caltech Transfer Decisions Come Out?
• What to Do After Receiving Your Caltech Decision
• Waiting on Caltech’s Decision? Get Expert Guidance
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

When Does Caltech Release Decisions?

Caltech releases admissions decisions twice a year for first-year applicants:

Source: Caltech Undergraduate Admissions

For the Class of 2030, Caltech released REA decisions last December 11, 2025, while RD decisions were released last March 12, 2026. Exact dates shift yearly, but they stay in the same window.

When do Caltech Restrictive Early Action results come out?

Caltech REA results come out in mid-December. The application submission deadline is November 1, but the required and supplemental materials deadline is November 6.

Caltech also has Admissions Release Time Riddles, which they post on their official site. Basically, applicants have to solve this math or logic puzzle to figure out the exact hour and minute their decisions go live in the applicant portals on decision day.

When you log in, you’ll see one of three outcomes:

• An admit means Caltech wants you in its incoming class, but you’ll still have until May 1 to make a decision.
• A defer means Caltech wants to learn more about you and consider you in the wider RD pool.
• A deny means your application has been closed for the cycle. You can’t apply through RD through that cycle either.

When do Caltech Regular Decision results come out?

Caltech RD results come out in mid-March.  The application submission deadline is January 4, but the required and supplemental materials deadline is January 10.

RD applicants are also highly encouraged to solve the Admissions Release Time Riddle to know the exact time their results come out.

RD applicants will get one of three outcomes:

• An admit means Caltech wants you in its incoming class, but you’ll have until May 1 to reply.
• A waitlist means you might still receive an offer from Caltech if spots open up after May 1.
• A deny means your application is closed for the cycle.

Haven’t applied yet? See every Caltech application deadline

Before worrying about when Caltech releases decisions, you’ll have to hit their deadlines first. Take a look at our Caltech’s application deadlines blog to see the exact dates you have to meet.

When Do Caltech Waitlist Decisions Come Out?

Caltech waitlist decisions typically begin to come out in mid-to-late May and can stretch into July. If Caltech offers you a spot on the waitlist, you have until mid-April to opt in for reconsideration.

When Do Caltech Transfer Decisions Come Out?

Caltech transfer decisions come out in mid-April, and admitted students must reply by June 1. The application deadline is February 1, and the math and physics exams are due on February 15.

Caltech only accepts transfer applications for the fall semester.

What to Do After Receiving Your Caltech Decision

Your next steps depend on the decision you receive from Caltech:

If Caltech accepts you through its waitlist and you want to attend, you’ll have to forfeit your deposit to the school where you already committed to. However, it’s still safer to commit to another school by May 1 because of how unpredictable Caltech’s waitlist is.

If you’re denied, you can still reapply in the next admissions cycle as a transfer student.

Waiting on Caltech’s Decision? Get Expert Guidance

Are you still building your application? Or maybe you’re now waiting for the notification date? Regardless of where you are in the application process, there’s always a chance to strengthen your profile.

If you’re still putting together your Caltech application, AdmissionSight’s Standard College Counseling program offers guidance at every stage of the admissions process, whether you’re still building your college list or you’re already meeting deadlines.

If you need help only in a certain part of your application, the Ad Hoc Consulting option offers personalized, flexible consultations for what you need help with the most, whether it’s revising your essays or writing a letter of continued interest.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What time of day do Caltech decisions come out?

Caltech decisions don’t have a single fixed time for release. Instead, the specific time is announced through a Caltech Admissions Release Time Riddles tradition where applicants solve a math or computer science puzzle to find the exact hour.

2. When does Caltech release Restrictive Early Action results?

Caltech releases REA results in mid-December. For the Class of 2030, the exact day was December 11, 2025.

3. When does Caltech release Regular Decision results?

Caltech releases RD results in mid-March. For the Class of 2030, it was March 12, 2026.

4. Can I appeal if Caltech rejects my application?

No, Caltech explicitly says that deny decisions are final, so students can’t appeal the decision.

5. How does Caltech notify applicants of their decision?

Caltech posts decisions in the application portal, but they notify students about the time of decision release through the Admissions Release Time Riddles.

Takeaways

• Caltech releases results in mid-December for REA applicants, and mid-March for RD applicants.
• Waitlisted decisions are released on a rolling basis starting from May.
• Transfer decisions are released in mid-April.
• If you need help strengthening your profile, whether before submitting your application or after you’ve received a defer, working with a college admissions consultant can help increase your chances of being admitted.