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Application Process

Application Process

The 2025-26* application season is closed.

* All programs are intended to take place for 2025-26 unless partner universities or country entry restrictions prohibit the programs from moving forward. We ask applicants to be aware of and prepared for possible cancellations or required quarantine stays due to COVID. Please note, costs associated with quarantine requirements or cancellations such as airfare are not covered by Caltech.

Also remember that meeting the minimum GPA does not guarantee nomination by Caltech or if nominated acceptance by the partner study abroad or away university. A stable or rising GPA and reference letters that speak to the applicant's ability to succeed academically and to that the applicant has the judgement, adaptability, and organizational qualities to handle the study abroad or away experience responsibly are necessary. All applicants must be enrolled at Caltech for a minimum of 36 units the term prior to and the term after study abroad or away.

Additionally, each student who applies to study abroad or away will have an individual interview with the director or assistant director. If the applicant is asked to make changes in any aspect of their application materials, they will be given a deadline by which to resend the application. If the applicant does not send the corrections by the deadline, then the student will not move on to the committee placement phase of the process and will not get a study abroad or away placement.

Applicants must read the application directions and other documents listed below. All are in PDF format. You are welcome to fill them out by hand. All forms must be turned in as hard copies. Some forms are available as writable PDFs; please see the Guide to Using Writable PDFs for more information.

2025 Application Directions & Materials have been posted below.

Application Directions & Materials:

  • Study Abroad/Away Application Presentation
  • Application Directions
  • Application Checklist (writable PDF)
  • Caltech Scholars Programs Application Form (writable PDF)
  • Caltech Scholars Programs Reference Form (writable PDF)
  • Proposed Course List Directions
  • Additional École Polytechnique application item (required):
    • French Language Evaluation Form *- print and have completed by French instructor Professor Orcel, must schedule a time to meet with her directly
    • Due with general Study Abroad application items, by Jan 25
    • Assessment grid in French and English for applicant's reference of the rankings
    • Additional supplemental application requirements located here.

Course Selection Guides:

  • Course Choice presenation (for all programs except Cambridge & UChicago)
  • Cambridge Course Choice presentation
  • Equivalent Course Guide

Note for Applicants: Any Humanities courses proposed to take away/abroad, the evaluator you list will be Executive Officer Dehn Gilmore. For any Social Science courses, the evaluator will be Executive Officer Charles Sprenger.

Be sure to check the individual program handouts (available from the Study Abroad page) and to review individual program pages for program-specific information.

Application and Course List Examples

Cambridge Scholars Program

Copenhagen Scholars Program

Edinburgh Scholars Program

École Polytechnique Scholars Program

London Scholars Program

Melbourne Scholars Program