Intellectual and Academic Success Resources
Struggling with a course, a paper, or a research question doesn't mean you don't belong here — it means you're doing something hard and learning from it. There is no shame in asking for help. Always remember, many of us need to ask for help at different stages in our academic and professional careers to be successful. Caltech has academic advising, tutoring, writing support, library resources, and research opportunities built specifically to help you succeed.
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About Intellectual & Academic Success at Caltech
Caltech's coursework is intentionally rigorous, and asking for academic help is something nearly every student does at some point. Support starts with your Dean's Office — the Undergraduate Deans' Office or the Graduate Studies Office — and extends through tutoring, writing consultations, library research services, and research and fellowship opportunities that let you go deeper into a topic you care about.
Academic Advising & Deans' Offices
Your Dean's Office is the first stop for almost anything academic — course loads, leaves, petitions, or simply someone to talk to about a plan that isn't working.
Undergraduate Deans' Office
First-Year Advising
Every first-year student is assigned a faculty advisor for a small cohort.
Peer Academic Coaches (PACs)
Run jointly with CTLO; sign up via the "Find a PAC" Canvas course.
Overloads, Underloads & Leaves
Petitions and guidelines for adjusting your course load or taking a leave.
Graduate Studies Office
Academic Support & Tutoring
Beyond the Deans' Office, CTLO and ARC offer additional, more informal layers of support.
Learning Resources & Study Strategies
Guidance on studying smarter, not harder, including test-taking strategies.
Course Ombuds Program
Course Ombuds are students who volunteer to be a liaison in their course between their peers and the instructor.
Option (Major) Advising & Student-Faculty Lunches
Run by ARC, the academic branch of ASCIT — get advice from upperclassmen on choosing a major or have lunch with a faculty member from any department.
Library & Research Resources
Caltech Library spans six locations, each with its own subject focus and study environment.
Study Spaces & Locations
Sherman Fairchild (main library; math, engineering, physics, & applied sciences), Beckman Institute (archives), Cahill (astrophysics), Caltech Hall (makerspace), Dabney (humanities), and Mudd (geology) — with Group, Quiet, and Silent study areas.
Resources & Textbooks
Access academic articles, eBooks, and other research resources for free or low cost — plus required textbooks for select courses through Course Reserves.
Research & Citation Support
One-on-one consultations, LaTeX/Overleaf accounts, Zotero citation management, and 3D printing/tech borrowing.
Publishing & Archives
CaltechAUTHORS (the faculty publication repository) and CaltechTHESIS (the student thesis repository), plus thesis templates.
Writing and Communication Support
The Hixon Writing Center (HWC) offers individualized support and feedback on writing at any stage of the process, for undergraduates, graduate students, and postdocs, in every academic discipline.
One-to-One Consultations
Work with a professional Writing Specialist (including STEM-trained specialists) or a peer tutor, in person or via Zoom.
Resources for Writers
Caltech-specific guides on academic writing genres, from abstracts and proposals to statements of purpose and slide decks, as well as links to relevant resources from outside Caltech.
Research & Fellowship Opportunities
For students who want to go deeper into a topic, on campus or beyond.
Student-Faculty Programs (SFP)
Summer undergraduate research fellowships connecting coursework to research and career paths, including SURF, Amgen Scholars, and WAVE Fellows.
Study Abroad
Caltech Scholars study-abroad programs let juniors and seniors study science, engineering, or the humanities abroad for one term, for Caltech option or general credit.
Fellowships Advising
Advising on major fellowships, such as the Fulbright and Rhodes.
Registrar's Office
Registrar's Office
Maintains academic records for both undergraduate and graduate students — transcripts, registration, and commencement.
Who to Contact for Support
Undergraduate Deans' Office: The first stop for course loads, leaves, petitions, or just someone to talk to.
Graduate Studies Office: Academic progress, petitions, conflict resolution, and more.
Peer Academic Coaches, or Group Tutoring Sessions: One-on-one and group support with course material.
Hixon Writing Center: Open to undergraduates, graduate students, and postdocs.
Caltech Library: Ask a Librarian for research help; browse study space availability.
Registrar's Office: Custodian of record for all student academic information.
Center for Student Success — Accessibility Services (CASS): Requests are managed through the Accommodate portal.
Performing and Visual Arts (PVA) — Courses: For-credit coursework across music, theater, and visual arts.