On March 8, Caltech announced its concluding round of undergraduate admission decisions, extending offers to a total of 427 outstanding students.
Originating from 41 U.S. states and territories and 27 nations worldwide, the accepted candidates exemplify scholarly distinction, a united commitment to scientific exploration, and a variety of personal experiences.
Included among them are many recipients of awards from the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) and International Science Olympiad events, together earning 56 high honors and accolades in these contests. The admitted cohort consists of numerous interests—including beekeeping, origami, drone aviation, and synchronized swimming. Each accepted student has showcased determination, inventiveness, inquisitiveness, and a spirit of collaboration, representing the potential of future scientists, engineers, and innovators.
“Caltech faculty invest significant time and effort in reviewing applicant submissions, admitting only those who genuinely excite us,” states Omer Tamuz, chair of the First-Year Admissions and Financial Aid faculty committee and professor of economics and mathematics. “We are blessed to welcome a class of individuals who are undeniably remarkable—each uniquely skilled, yet all united by a love for science and engineering. This year’s applicant files astonished us; the enthusiasm, intelligence, and perseverance of our admits is inspiring. The students of this incoming cohort are unique, incredibly inventive, and exceptionally intelligent—and will thrive while learning and collaborating.”
In a bid to attract and retain the finest students from all backgrounds, Caltech is devoted to ensuring that its education is accessible to individuals from diverse economic circumstances. Those accepted from families with an annual income below $100,000 usually receive financial assistance covering their entire tuition, fees, housing, and meal expenses. Students from households earning less than $200,000 typically receive aid that covers the full tuition cost. This year, Caltech has also welcomed three student refugees through the Global Student Haven Initiative, all of whom are receiving financial support that meets 100% of their demonstrated requirements.
Moreover, low-income students accepted via the QuestBridge National College Match program are granted full scholarships. This year, 17 QuestBridge scholars have pledged to enroll at Caltech. Among them is Christian Wyatt Cavener, an incoming first-year student from Joplin, Missouri.
“I recognized that Caltech’s strong emphasis on research would enable me to make contributions to STEM as an undergraduate and thoroughly equip me for future innovative achievements,” Cavener remarks. “I perceived the exceptional brilliance within Caltech’s faculty as a resource I would want to leverage as a student.”
Cavener is also a first-generation college attendee, which he states has inspired him to invest his effort and enthusiasm into his studies. In his third year of secondary school, he received the Yale Science and Engineering Association Science Fair Award for his research endeavor on quasars, and he expresses a desire to explore astrophysics and quantitative finance research opportunities at Caltech. “I have always appreciated the rigorous reasoning of mathematics and have been enchanted by the philosophical dimensions of astrophysics,” Cavener shares. “I eagerly anticipate the courses I will undertake at Caltech and the unparalleled STEM education I will gain.”
Another admitted student who has already chosen to attend Caltech is Jonathan Hu from Shanghai, China. While participating in the International Science and Engineering Fair in Los Angeles last year, Hu secured the second-place grand award in materials science and received two special accolades—along with a deeper appreciation for everything Caltech involves.
“At the Caltech-sponsored ISEF student mixer, I had the opportunity to converse with many Techers who shared their experiences, which I found especially beneficial,” Hu explains. “I first learned about Caltech after reading Richard Feynman’s autobiography. Subsequently, as I continually researched cutting-edge studies, I was struck by how frequently Caltech was mentioned—particularly in light of its small size. Since that moment, Caltech has remained a dream for me.”
Hu has engaged in research involving particle physics, examining the interactions between anti-electron neutrinos and deuterons, and has presented his results at multiple workshops. His award-winning ISEF project, however, revolved around battery technology. “I worked on developing self-healing flexible zinc-ion batteries using carbon cloth, hydrogel, and zinc materials,” Hu describes. “The rechargeable batteries I created are highly adaptable and versatile: they can endure bending, puncturing, freezing, and cutting while safely functioning. In the future, they could potentially be used to sustainably and safely power wearable technology and biomedical equipment.”
Hu is also a passionate bird watcher, an amateur radio aficionado, and a wildlife and scientific photographer. He expresses excitement about joining a Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF), the puzzle hunt, and amateur radio clubs, as well as engaging in house traditions.
Kate Austrian, an incoming first-year student from Minneapolis, Minnesota, mentions that Caltech’s nurturing environment is what attracted her to enroll. “The moment I visited during WiSTEM [Women in STEM, a summer preview program], I realized Caltech was the place I wanted to devote the next four (or perhaps more) years of my life,” Austrian states. “Everyone was so passionate about STEM and incredibly supportive.”
Austrian conducted an independent research study regarding genetic variation and cancer frequency in Sámi populations (the Sámi are the Indigenous people of the Nordic area). “My family only recently discovered our Sámi heritage since many Sámi immigrants in Minnesota concealed their lineage due to fear of alienation,” Austrian explains.
“One way that I have reconnected with my roots is by delving into my own genetics.” Austrian mentions she also has a family history of Alzheimer’s disease, which led her to research which genes associated with Alzheimer’s are common in Sámi populations. Her investigation changed direction when she discovered that Sámi groups have significantly lower cancer risks compared to most other populations. In her project, Austrian examined potential reasons for this reduced cancer occurrence, concentrating on genetic variations referred to as orosomucoid polymorphisms. Austrian is also fervent about physics, particularly nuclear physics, biophysics, and optics, and she will be participating as a pole vaulter on Caltech’s track and field team.
Accepted students are invited to visit Caltech and discover more about what to expect as an incoming member at Discover Caltech (DiscoTech) 2025, scheduled for April 13 through April 16. Students and their families will have the opportunity to tour the campus and attend division open houses, mock lectures, social mixers, activities, and additional events. Admitted candidates will meet fellow admits, as well as current Caltech students and faculty, and gather information to assist them in determining if Caltech is the right institution for them.
“At Caltech, we select students we believe will make a significant impact on the world,” comments Caltech’s dean of undergraduate admissions Ashley Pallie. “We seek individuals who will become co-researchers alongside some of the most brilliant scientific and engineering minds globally and who will take advantage of our close-knit and highly collaborative environment. These students would be outstanding anywhere, but coupled with the rigorous Caltech education, we are confident that they will evolve into the very best scientists and engineers they can possibly be.”