This is the engineering essay I have to write about CalTech.
Scientific exploration clearly excites you. Beyond our 3:1 student-to-faculty ratio and our intense focus on research opportunities, how do you believe Caltech will best fuel your intellectual curiosity and help you meet your goals? (500 word max)
This essentially translates to ‘Why CalTech’. Does this mean I have to write a 500 word essay on ‘Why CalTech’?
In other universities I applied to, the “Why Us” part was just a sub part of the main question. I could write about my interest in engineering in general in those universities. But I think I might not be able to write about engineering in the CalTech prompt. Am I thinking the correct way? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Yes, it’s essentially asking “Why CalTech” as well as what are your goals. It even gives you the hint that CalTech is best for students who want to do research. So, talk about what area of research you are most interested in and why, what your research plans are after undergrad and what it is about CalTech that can get you there ( ie are there any profs in certain areas of research that you want to work with?)
@bouders Should I really talk about research as they have asked to write “beyond” their research opportunities. Can’t I generally describe my interest in engineering at all?
Yes, you’re right. I didn’t see the beyond. Talk about what it is about CalTech specifically (not the 3:1 or the research) that you like and that you are right for. Look at their mission statement. How does it apply to you and what you are looking for?
[QOUTE]The mission of the California Institute of Technology is to expand human knowledge and benefit society through research integrated with education. We investigate the most challenging, fundamental problems in science and technology in a singularly collegial, interdisciplinary atmosphere, while educating outstanding students to become creative members of society.[/QOUTE]
Caltech provides you opportunities to intern at JPL (via the SURF program). You can write a few sentences on how you will utilize this opportunity to meet your goals. You can talk about how you will utilize the computer power etc. that Caltech provides to crunch numbers etc needed for your research. You can talk about how you will benefit from discussions with fellow students (Caltech is big on group Collaboration) etc.etc.