The California Institute of Technology (Caltech) is renowned for its challenging and innovative environment, and its supplemental essays are designed to identify students who are not only academically capable but also passionate and curious about their STEM interests. This blog post will guide you through Caltech's new supplemental essay prompts for 2024 and provide tips on how to approach each of them.

The Supplemental Essay Prompts

Caltech’s supplemental essays provide you with an opportunity to showcase your interests, experiences, and values. Here are the prompts word for word along with their respective word limits:

• Prompt 1: If you had to choose an area of interest or two today, what would you choose? Why did you choose your proposed area of interest? If you selected ‘other’, what topics are you interested in pursuing? (200 words)

• Prompt 2: Regardless of your STEM interest listed above, take this opportunity to nerd out and talk to us about whatever STEM rabbit hole you have found yourself falling into. Be as specific or broad as you would like. (150 words)

• Prompt 3: Please share two STEM-related experiences:

  1. Tell us how you initially found your interest and passion for science or any STEM topic and how you have pursued or developed this interest or passion. (200 words)

  2. Tell us about a STEM-related experience from the last few years and share how and why it inspired your curiosity. (200 words)

• Prompt 4: How have you been a creator, inventor, or innovator in your own life? (200 words)

• Prompt 5: Caltech’s values include respect for a diversity of thoughts and ideas. How have you cultivated this value in your own life? (250 words)

• Prompt 6 (Optional): If there are aspects of your life or social or personal identity that you feel are not captured elsewhere in this application, please tell us about them below. (200 words)

• Prompt 7 (Optional): What is a favorite interest or hobby, and why does it bring you joy? (150 words)

• Prompt 8 (Optional): Did you have a hard time narrowing it down to just one interest or hobby? We understand – Caltech students like to stay busy, too. Tell us about another hobby or interest! (100 words)

Approaching Each Prompt

Prompt 1: Areas of Interest

For this essay, you'll want to demonstrate both your passion and specificity regarding your academic interests. Begin by identifying two areas of interest with a confident explanation. Avoid generalities and focus on the excitement that these fields bring you. If you're struggling with brainstorming ideas, consider using Sups AI, a platform that helps students refine their thoughts and get feedback on essays from experts.

Prompt 2: STEM Rabbit Hole

This prompt allows you to showcase your enthusiasm and curiosity. Whether it's quantum mechanics, bioinformatics, or a unique coding challenge, choose something that highlights your deep engagement. Here, specificity is key. Don't shy away from being highly detailed; the admissions officers want to see how deeply you have delved into your chosen topic. If you need help articulating your thoughts, Sups AI provides one-on-one chat sessions with current students who can guide you through your ideas.

Prompt 3: STEM Experiences

For the first part, recount your initial spark in STEM and how you've nurtured this interest. Experiences like science fairs, personal projects, or influential mentors are great to mention. The second part should focus on a recent experience that fueled your curiosity. Remember to connect your story to how it impacted your intellectual trajectory. In case you need feedback or assistance in structure, Sups AI is a great tool to utilize. With its extensive experience, it has helped thousands of students gain admission to top colleges.

Prompt 4: Creating, Inventing, Innovating

This is your chance to share practical examples of your creativity and problem-solving skills. Talk about a project where you demonstrated innovation, whether in an academic setting, extracurricular activities, or even personal hobbies. Detail the outcome and what you learned from the process. For further insight, chatting with someone who has successfully navigated Caltech’s application process can be extremely beneficial, and Sups AI offers this feature.

Prompt 5: Respect for Diversity of Thoughts and Ideas

This prompt assesses your cultural and intellectual inclusiveness. Reflect on times you've engaged with or supported diverse perspectives. Whether through group projects, community service, or personal experiences, emphasize how these encounters have shaped your worldview. For more tailored advice on this prompt, consider the resources available at Sups AI, which include personal counseling tailored to your experiences.

Optional Prompts: Personal Identity, Hobbies and Interests

These optional essays are opportunities to share more about your personal life. If there are critical aspects of your identity not covered in earlier essays, or if you have hobbies that reveal another side of you, these prompts are your chance. Choose themes that reflect your personality and strengths. If uncertainty strikes, use Sups AI's brainstorming tools and expert reviews to polish your narratives.

Applying to Caltech is a significant step, and writing these supplemental essays effectively will make your application stand out. Remember, Sups AI is there to help you every step of the way with expert feedback and one-on-one guidance. Good luck!