Writing the Caltech Supplemental Essays 2020-2021
If you’re planning to apply to the California Institute of Technology, one of the key ways to distinguish yourself from fellow STEM-oriented applicants is to take full advantage of the Caltech supplemental essays 2020-2021. Use the prompts provided by this competitive Pasadena institution to show how you hope to grow as a young scientist, and to describe the ways you would contribute to the Caltech campus.
The supplemental questions are designed to learn more about your interests and goals within STEM disciplines, as well as determine how you would fit in with the collaborative and creative Caltech campus. To guide you through the four Caltech supplemental essays 2020-2021, I’ve outlined the prompts, the dos and don’ts of your responses, and more tips to ensure a successful essay-writing process.
Prompts for the Caltech Supplemental Essays 2020-2021
Prompt 1
Describe three experiences and/or activities that have helped develop your passion for a possible career in a STEM field. (10-120 words each)
The first question in the Caltech supplemental essays 2020-2021 may just require a short response, but that doesn’t mean your answer is any less important. Think about ways to frame your three most significant activities related to science, technology, engineering, and math. Don’t be tempted by the minimum word count of “10” and just name the activities. You need to stand out from thousands of applicants who bring a lot of experience in STEM areas. In your answer, add a sentence showing how each one helped you realize that this is the field for you. If you have space, note how you have made an impact in the activity, whether you’ve involved a greater community, and how you hope to continue your STEM education in relevance to the activity.
While you have been asked to describe three different activities, they should have some sort of connection to each other, as you don’t have enough space to go over multiple fields you enjoy. Colleges appreciate when your interests are specialized. Moreover, a connection between the three allows you to convey a more elaborate picture of yourself, letting admissions officers know exactly how you would contribute to Caltech. Think about what the combination of your chosen entries conveys about you. This could range from highlighting your teamwork skills to reflecting on your specific niche interest in STEM. Making sure your answers aren’t all over the place is a good way to stay organized when tackling multiple supplemental essays.
