Admissions & Aid
Undergraduate Students
Students are admitted to the first-year class on the basis of strong academic performance in a rigorous course of college preparatory study, especially in the areas of math and science; teacher and counselor evaluations; personal characteristics; a strong demonstrated interest in math, science, or engineering; and information provided on the application. Information on the application process can be found on the admissions office website at admissions.caltech.edu.
The Financial Aid Office staff is happy to talk with students and their families at any time to explain the application process, Caltech's computations, and available programs. For further information on the determination of financial need and on application procedures, as well as on financial aid awards and programs, contact the Financial Aid Office or visit the Caltech Financial Aid Office website.
Graduate Students
Caltech attracts the brightest and most creative minds in the world to populate its faculty, research and administrative staff, and student body. At Caltech, we foster an environment where various perspectives are valued by seeking out exceptional individuals from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences. As such, the graduate program thrives on exceptional individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences.
Financial Support for Graduate Students
All PhD students are offered financial support that provides full tuition and mandatory fees coverage, and a stipend for living expenses throughout their graduate studies at Caltech, provided they are enrolled full-time and making satisfactory progress toward the doctoral degree, including securing a thesis advisor and meeting program requirements. The average length of a Caltech PhD is between five and six years. Financial support can be in the form of internal or external fellowships, research assistantships, teaching assistantships, or some combination of fellowship and assistantship support.