Caltech sub Essay Question

College Essays
1

Here is the prompt: In an increasingly global and interdependent society, there is a need for diversity in thought, background, and experience in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. How do you see yourself contributing to the diversity of Caltech’s community? (200 word max)

Is this asking specifically about the STEM community, or how I can contribute to the entire college community, (i.e. clubs, campus life, sports.)

Thanks

2

i wanna say in the stem field because they say that the stem field needs diversity, and following up with asking your contribution to the community implies, in my opinion, the reference to the STEM community.

i wouldn’t go just off of my answer though; just my thoughts.

3

I’ve re-ordered the sentences so that you can see how I interpreted their prompt:

BECAUSE. . . . . .In an increasingly global and interdependent society, there is a need for diversity in

.

My interpretation is that they want to know how your THOUGHTS, BACKGROUND, and, EXPERIENCE will serve the need for DIVERSITY on the Caltech campus and how does that translate to the STEM field?

Notice that they used the word: DIVERSITY twice???

In other words, what makes you “add to the melting pot” of the 250 students that are going to move in next September?

4

You’ve hit on one of the hardest of all essay questions to answer, and almost everyone will approach this from the "I will bring and I will do " point of view. But there is another, unexpected way to approach this that makes this prompt much easier to answer. I call it the “I bring an open mind” approach. You are a listener, an empathetic partner, a LEARNER, open to new ideas, thoughts, backgrounds, and diverse experiences and people. But you have to say more than this. You have to also show why and how you are this person. How has your background and experience (especially if you can relate it to STEM experiences) prepared you for this “I am open to learning from all” attitude?

Think about it. It might just work and make this prompt a little more do-able. And make your answer stand out from the others who talk egocentrically about what THEY have and THEY will bring, but say nothing about being open to others and welcoming learning in a diverse environment.