Calculating grade-point average (GPA) is a crucial component in the college admissions process. At Caltech, GPA is calculated by dividing the total number of credits earned in a term or academic year by the total number of units taken during that same period. This helps admissions officers gauge a student’s academic performance and potential success at the university.
When it comes to admissions requirements at Caltech, there is no specific minimum GPA that applicants must meet. However, most successful candidates have a GPA of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. Additionally, many accepted students are in the top 5 to 10% of their high school graduating class. These academic achievements demonstrate a strong foundation in math and science, which are essential for success at a prestigious institution like Caltech.
The admission process at Caltech is highly competitive and holistic. In addition to GPA, admissions officers also consider factors such as standardized test scores, letters of recommendation, extracurricular activities, and personal essays. Each application is thoroughly reviewed to ensure that admitted students are not only academically qualified but also have the drive and passion to thrive in the rigorous academic environment at Caltech.
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
Grade-point Average Calculation | Grade-point average is computed by dividing the total number of credits earned in a term or an academic year by the total number of units taken in the corresponding period. |
Lowest GPA for Caltech Acceptance | Caltech does not have a minimum GPA requirement. However, most successful applicants have a US GPA of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale and/or are in the top 5 to 10% of their class. |
This means the school is extremely selective. Meeting their GPA requirements and SAT/ACT requirements is very important to getting past their first round of filters and proving your academic preparation. If you don’t meet their expectations, your chance of getting in is nearly zero.
Many schools specify a minimum GPA requirement, but this is often just the bare minimum to submit an application without immediately getting rejected.
The GPA requirement that really matters is the GPA you need for a real chance of getting in. For this, we look at the school’s average GPA for its current students.
Average GPA: 4.19
The average GPA at Caltech is 4.19.
(Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA. This school did not officially report its average GPA, but we’ve estimated it here using data from over 1,000 schools.)
With a GPA of 4.19, Caltech requires you to be at the top of your class. You’ll need nearly straight A’s in all your classes to compete with other applicants. Furthermore, you should be taking hard classes – AP or IB courses – to show that college-level academics is a breeze.
Each school has different requirements for standardized testing. Most schools require the SAT or ACT, and many also require SAT subject tests.
You must take either the SAT or ACT to submit an application to Caltech. More importantly, you need to do well to have a strong application.
Caltech SAT Requirements
Many schools say they have no SAT score cutoff, but the truth is that there is a hidden SAT requirement. This is based on the school’s average score.
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