<p>Maybe the title is a bit too weighty since I don't intend to write a book on this subject (which wouldn't be so hard to do). But I've gotten questions in a few places (and private messages) about how our process works -- the role of faculty, students, etc. -- and thought I could at least note the more unique aspects here. Essentially all of this has been posted before on this board in separate places, but putting it all in one place is probably helpful.</p>
<p>Basically, the unique thing at Caltech is the very high level of involvement of senior faculty and students in the reading process. The majority of schools relegate the admissions process completely to an office that exists just for the purpose of admissions. Caltech has a committee of faculty and students giving input on every aspect of the process, from broad policy questions (affirmative action or not, more girls or not, etc.) to the actual reading of applications and voting on them. The group of students is chosen by a branch of the Student Government.</p>
<p>Essentially every application gets three reads -- one from a professional admisions officer, one from a professor, and one from a student. Each of the three people sees the full application and, like at other schools, every reader writes about a half-page summary noting the nuances of your case, pros and cons, etc., along with a "vote" of whether to admit/(defer if early)/waitlist/deny. If everyone agrees, the director usually checks over and confirms the decision. Any case where there is disagreement goes to a committee that is usually about 5 or 6 people in size, typically 2 admissions officers, 2 faculty, 2 students. There cases are discussed in detail and voted on.</p>
<p>As far as logistics go, we read applications over a period of about two months (for the regular round). Committee meetings take place over several days at the end of the reading period.</p>
<p>In general, I think this process results in extremely good decisions. I am very proud of the fact that we have active members of the academic community involved in choosing the next entering class. That keeps the process grounded and connected to the larger purpose of the Insitute. It also helps applicants, since you have a chance to appeal to three different audiences who will be able to appreciate different parts of your application. For instance, "nerdy" and sceintific boxes (essay III) that might not be completely appreciated by a professional educator (which is usually what the admissions officers are) will often produce a good comment from a prof or a student. At the same time, the latter two groups know from firsthand experience what it takes to make it at Caltech. We're willing to take risks when we see real talent despite problems, and I think we are often good at detecting the presence of absence of passion for science/math/engineering. I'm not saying the admissions people (who are really wonderful, dedicated people) are bad at any of these things -- in fact they are quite good -- but it does help to have the scientific perspective in there, since it often takes one to know one.</p>
<p>As for my posting on this board, the policy is that I separate my role as a student member of the committee this year from my work here answering questions. That doesn't mean I'm not allowed to explain nuances of admissions that are helpful to you and which I understand better as a result of my work; however, as applicants, your contact regarding your application should be the admissions officer assigned to your region, who are listed at <a href="http://admissions.caltech.edu/contact/staff%5B/url%5D">http://admissions.caltech.edu/contact/staff</a>. This is because it helps them to make a record of contacts with you (which can often be quite helpful to you). Secondly, they are the ones who will certainly be involved with YOUR application, and will be able to look at it as they talk to you. Any particular student or faculty member will probably not have read a given application -- and will probbaly have forgotten the details of many of the ones we read, since there will have been so many by the end.</p>
<p>In any case, it's a pleasure to answer your questions and hopefully make the stressful process of applying a little less scary and more transparent.</p>