Which degree
objective should I select on the application form?
Please select the degree you ultimately seek to obtain from Caltech. In other
words, if you hold a Bachelor's degree and desire to study for the Ph.D.,
indicate Ph.D. on the application. If you desire a Master's degree, select the
Master's degree option.
What are the minimum
GRE and GPA requirements?
There is no minimum GRE or GPA requirement. The Admissions Committee reviews
each aspect of every application before coming to a decision.
I already hold a
MSEE. May I apply for the MS in EE at Caltech?
If you have already completed a Master's degree in EE (or the equivalent) at
another college or university, you may apply for a Master's from Caltech. If
your MS degree was completed under a major other than EE, you may apply for the
Master or Ph.D.
I am in the first
term of my Master's program. Do I need to send transcripts from my current
school?
Yes, we need your academic records from every college or university you have
attended, including your current program, even if you have not been there
full-time for a full year.
My University
provides only one official copy of a transcript. I cannot get another copy.
What shall I do?
In this case, please send us a copy of the official transcript in your
possession. Make sure the copy is in English. It does not have to be certified
if this is difficult. We will use this working copy to assess your
application. If you are granted admission and accept the offer, we will need
the official copy. You may then work out an appropriate solution with the
Office of the Registrar.
Where should I send
my supporting documents?
Remember that the department requires academic records only. DO NOT SEND
A COPY OF THE APPLICATION!. Send transcripts to the following address.
Graduate Admissions Office
Department of Electrical Engineering
Caltech University
350 Serra Mall, Room 162
Caltech, CA 94305-9505
I am applying to the
Honors Coop Program. Do I need to submit a different application?
No, the application process is the same as for a regular full time student. You
would use the same forms and fill out the Honors Coop section. As a Honors Coop
applicant, you are eligible to apply for admission to any quarter. Please be
cognizant of
Application Deadlines. See the
Honors Coop section for further
information.
May I waive the
application fee?
US citizens and permanent residents may request request a waiver if the fee
would cause significant hardship. Such a waiver is granted only to applicants
who also possess a GRE waiver. Decisions are made by
Central Graduate Admissions and not
by the department. Please contact them for further information.
What is the
definition of Technical GPA I should use on the Supplemental Information Form?
All engineering courses (except technical writing), mathematics, computer
science and hard sciences (chemistry, physics) should count toward overall
technical GPA.
What if my
Institution doesn't have a GPA? What if we have percentile scores?
In this case, please enter the percentile score only. Do not type an
explanation, please.
I have a few
publications and a resume. May I send them via post?
NO. In an effort to save money and paper, please send
EE Admissions the appropriate web
link(s). We will add it/them to your file.
Do I need to submit
a GRE test score with my application?
Yes, ALL applicants to Caltech University must take the GRE General Test. This
is a University requirement that cannot be waived by the Department. EE does
not require any subject scores. All three sections, verbal, quantitative and
analytical, are REQUIRED. The test must be taken within 5 years of your
application.
What is the deadline
for GRE/TOEFL scores?
The deadline for ALL materials is the same. Please see the deadlines section.
YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE for ensuring the scores arrive at Caltech by the set
deadline so plan accordingly. Be sure you self-report all available scores on
the application and have the official scores sent immediately!
Do I have test
scores sent to the EE department directly or to Caltech?
Please have all test scores sent directly to Caltech by ETS. Do not input a
department code. Caltech's school code is 4704. The scores will
be electronically routed to the EE department. If you input a department code,
do not worry. The scores will still arrive.
I've taken the GRE
more than once. Which score will be received/reviewed?
The EE Department will receive each test score. All scores will be reviewed.
I've already taken
the GRE/TOEFL. Is my test still valid?
GRE scores are valid for 5 years. TOEFL scores are valid for 18 months. In
order to ensure your scores have not expired, please contact the
Education Testing Service. We
receive official scores from them. They will have the answer.
When should I take
the GRE/TOEFL?
We strongly recommend taking all exams early in the fall. This will ensure
scores arrive in a timely fashion. Caltech receives scores directly from the
Education Testing Service.
Inquiries regarding transmission timelines must be directed to them. However,
you are responsible for having the score(s) submitted by the deadline.
Caltech's school code is 4704.
I took the GRE and
have informed ETS to forward my scores to Caltech University. Could you please
confirm that my scores were received?
Once you have submitted an application, your GRE scores will be sent to us by
ETS electronically. In order to ensure that you scores are received, it is
imperative that you use the same name and birthday as entered on the application
and GRE test. Please be patient as delivery can take up to 3 weeks. Due to
the large volume of applications our office receives, we are unable to
personally answer inquiries regarding the status of your scores. For status,
please go the following web site:
http://ee-admissions.Caltech.edu/forms/apply-status.php.
Follow the instructions and you will receive a status report via email.
Do I need to submit
a TOEFL test score with my application?
If you come from a country where English is not the native language, you MUST
submit TOEFL scores from a test taken within the last 18 months. This includes
India and other such countries in which classes are often taught in English, but
it is not the native language commonly spoken. The only exceptions are for
students who have completed a B.S. or M.S. degree that took at least two years
in an English speaking country (The US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland,
England, etc). Two years is defined as four semesters or six quarters; summer
terms are excluded! This is a University requirement and cannot be waived by
the department.
My goal is to
complete a Master's degree by the time I would enroll at Caltech. Do I still
need to take the TOEFL?
If the Master's degree meets the proper criteria (four semesters or six
quarters, excluding summer) AND the degree is completed by the time you would
enroll at Caltech, you do not need to take the TOEFL.
IN ORDER TO UPDATE AND CHECK STATUS, YOU MUST HAVE SUBMITTED THE APPLICATION ON LINE. WAIT 48 HOURS AND THEN PROCEED.
How may I check
application status?
In order to see the status of your application, go to the following web site:
http://ee-admissions.Caltech.edu/forms/apply-status.php
Follow the instructions carefully. You will immediately receive an email with status information. USE THE EMAIL ADDRESS LISTED IN THE APPLICATION.
How may I add new
grades or change my Statement of Purpose?
In order to add grades or send a new Statement of Purpose, go to the following
web site:
http://ee-admissions.Caltech.edu/forms/apply-status.php
Follow the instructions carefully. You will immediately receive an email with status information. Follow the links in this email to update a transcript or statement of purpose. WE MAY NOT UPDATE INDIVIDUAL GRADES; YOU MUST SUBMIT A TRANSCRIPT. Remember both the transcript and statement have size limitations. If you cannot perform the above, please send an email to the Admissions Office right away.
How many times may I
check status or update my application?
You may check application status as many times as you wish. Please remember the
Admissions Office requires 48 hours to update any information. You may also
update grades and statements as many times as you wish. However, please
remember the Admissions Office monitors these submissions and reserves the
ability to deny your request.
May I check
admission decisions using the status inquiry?
No. Admissions decisions will not be communicated via the status inquiry page.
You will be contacted directly by the Admissions Office. DO NOT CONTACT THE
ADMISSIONS OFFICE ASKING ABOUT ADMISSION DECISIONS.
How many courses may
I transfer toward my degree at Caltech?
No credit toward the Master's degree may be transferred. A maximum of 45 units
may be transferred toward the Engineer and Ph.D. degrees.
How many NDO units
may count toward the HCP graduate degree?
Caltech will permit a maximum of 18 units. These units must meet departmental
requirements.
I was admitted to
graduate study in the EE department. May I defer my admission to a later
quarter? How about on year?
EE department policy is not to allow deferrals. We have, however, permitted
deferrals of one quarter. Further deferral is most difficult. If you feel your
circumstance warrants a deferral, please send an email to the
Admissions Office detailing your
reason(s). Allow a few weeks for a decision.
Where can I find out
information about housing on campus?
You can find information on housing either by consulting the Graduate Housing
Handbook or on the Web at
http://www.Caltech.edu/dept/hds/shs/index.html.
I was granted a
deferral, do I need to reapply for on Campus housing?
Yes. You will be sent a new student information packet, including the housing
application, shortly before the new quarter.
My company has given
me a leave of absence in order to finish my degree. May I change my status from
part-time to full-time study?
Yes you may. Please contact the
Caltech Center for Professional Development
for the appropriate form. They will route the form to the appropriate
departments for approval. You will receive a formal notice when the process is
complete.
What should I do if
a class is not offered though the Caltech Center for Professional Development?
Contact the
Professor teaching the course in
question, explain your concern and discuss your academic and professional
background. The Professor can best evaluate whether you are sufficiently
prepared to pursue the course.
I am not sure if my
background or previous course work meets a course pre-requisite. How may I find
out?
Go to the web site of the
EE Course Advisor. Here you will
find a pre-requisite chart. If this does not help, send the course advisor an
email.
I want to apply to
the Autumn Term but the online application doesn't have it listed? What do I
do?
In this case, please apply to any available term. After submitting the
application, immediately email the
Admissions Office indicating
interest in the Autumn Term. Please send your FULL NAME (AS IT APPEARS ON THE
APPLICATION)!!
How many NDO units
may count toward the HCP graduate degree?
Caltech will permit a maximum of 18 units. These units must meet departmental
requirements.
Commonly Requested Forms
 |
Recommendation letter form (PDF) |
|
|
Supplementary Form (PDF) |
Graduate Admissions
Office
Department of Electrical Engineering
Caltech University
350 Serra Mall Room 162
Caltech CA 94305-9505
Email:
mailto:admissions@ee.Caltech.edu
Telephone: 650-723-4114
Fax: 650-723-1882