Transferring to Caltech
What California Institute of Technology expects from community college transfers. Its deadlines and course rules differ from UC and CSU, so plan for it separately.
Checked against each university’s own pages and Common Data Set in October 2026.
At a glance
- Fall 2027 deadline
- Feb 1, 2027
- Math and physics entrance exams
- Required
- ADT admission guarantee
- Not stated
Application dates
| Date | What |
|---|---|
| February 1, 2027 | Transfer application deadline for fall entry. |
| February 15, 2027 | Math and physics transfer entrance exams and all supporting materials due. |
| Mid-April 2027 | Transfer admission notifications released. |
| June 1, 2027 | Reply deadline for admitted transfers. |
What you need
- Beginning with fall 2024 transfer applicants, Caltech administers its own application instead of a shared platform. Source
- The application fee is $75 or a fee waiver, and only one transfer application is accepted. Two recommendations from college math, science or engineering faculty and official transcripts from all colleges and secondary school are required. Source
- Applicants must have finished secondary school and be enrolled at another college or university. Transfers enter as sophomores or juniors, and applicants who already hold a bachelor's degree are not eligible. Source
- All transfer applicants take Caltech's self-proctored entrance exams in mathematics and physics, each 4 hours long, due February 15. Source
- Expected preparation per the 2026-2027 catalog includes Caltech's core courses in calculus, physics, chemistry, computer science and biology, plus humanities and social science electives. Written English is evaluated before registration. Source
- There is no stated maximum on transfer credit. Credit is decided individually after enrollment and class standing is set through a formal evaluation over the summer. Source
- Transfer students must spend at least two years (six terms) in residence at Caltech and earn at least 216 units there, not counting core math and science courses. Source
More from Caltech
- Caltech admits transfers for the fall term only and does not admit students for winter or spring. Source
- Caltech admits only a small number of transfer students with excellent records at other colleges, according to the 2026-2027 catalog. Source
- Students concurrently enrolled in high school and college should apply for first-year admission, not transfer admission. Source
- The transfer page states that Fall 2027 requirements will be posted in late fall and the requirements currently listed are for Fall 2026 applicants. Source
Official links
- Caltech transfer admissionadmissions.caltech.edu
Other private universities
Questions
When is the Caltech transfer deadline for fall 2027?
Transfer application deadline for fall entry.: February 1, 2027. Math and physics transfer entrance exams and all supporting materials due.: February 15, 2027. Transfer admission notifications released.: Mid-April 2027. Reply deadline for admitted transfers.: June 1, 2027.