How does the Caltech interview process work for undergraduate applicants?

The interview is evaluative, but it is only one small part of the application. It is meant to add context about your intellectual curiosity, communication style, and fit with Caltech’s collaborative, intensely STEM-focused environment. Not getting an interview usually does not mean anything negative, since availability depends a lot on logistics.

If you do get one, expect it to feel more like a conversation than a technical test. Interviewers often ask about what draws you to Caltech, what you enjoy studying, projects or research you have pursued, how you think through problems, and what you do outside class. They are usually trying to understand how you engage with ideas, not to quiz you on advanced math or physics.

A good way to prepare is to be ready to talk concretely about 2 or 3 things you have genuinely explored. That could be a robotics project, a math circle experience, independent coding, science olympiad, a lab experience, or even a topic you taught yourself just because you found it interesting. Specificity helps a lot more than trying to sound impressive.

You should also have a clear answer to why Caltech specifically. For Caltech, that often means its small size, honor code, house system, close interaction with faculty, and the culture of deep problem-solving.