Personal Statement (max: 650 words)

Euler’s Polyhedron Formula, the Pythagorean Theorem, Normal Distribution – all of these are crucial discoveries that have revolutionized the mathematical world. Yet none of them are as valuable to me

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Please tell us more about your cultural background and identity. (150 words)

Surrounded by the delectable smell of platanos, frijoles, and empanadas, I play parqués with my abuelita while the intro songs to Caso Cerrado and La Familia Peluche are drilled deep into my head by t

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Describe the world you come from; for example, your family, school, community, city, or town. How has that world shaped your dreams and aspirations? (250 words)

Take an 11-year-old child and add a 2665 page Value Line Ratings & Reports binder, the result: an overwhelming wish for independence. After losing our family savings in a flurry of failed trades, my

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Tell us more about why this field of study (Computer Science and Engineering) at MIT appeals to you (100 words).

Much to the dismay of [Name Redacted] – a friend and prospective pure math major – I switched over to computer science because of my aspiration to develop animated software that facilitates mathematic

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If there's anything further you'd like to tell us about your activities (including disruptions due to COVID-19), please use the space below. (250 words, optional)

In my MOSTEC Science Writing course, I wrote an article about space debris and congestion in our Low-Earth orbits. I interviewed two experts on the matter, one of them being Dr. Danielle Wood from MIT

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We know you lead a busy life, full of activities, many of which are required of you. Tell us about something you do for the pleasure of it. (250 words)

I’m not a fan of car shows, but Top Gear isn’t your typical car show. It features three middle-aged British men, Clarkson, Hammond, and May, who perform absurd vehicular acts and prank each other for

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At MIT, we bring people together to better the lives of others. MIT students work to improve their communities in different ways, from tackling the world’s biggest challenges to being a good friend. Describe one way in which you have contributed to your community, whether in your family, the classroom, your neighborhood, etc. (250 words)

I thought of my [Name Redacted]'s half-submerged head being pulled out of a bowl of sancocho at three in the morning. I thought of my [Name Redacted]’s unconscious body blocking the restroom door as I

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Tell us about the most significant challenge you’ve faced or something that didn’t go according to plan. How did you manage the situation? (250 words)

My heart sank as I laid my eyes upon the 404 error. My blog, [URL Redacted], my project birthed from one year of passionate effort and my oceanic pollution awareness platform, had been dropped for hav

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Much like the life of a professional scientist or engineer, the life of a "Techer" relies heavily on collaboration. Knowing this, what do you hope to explore, innovate, or create with your Caltech peers? (400 words max)

The tank slid into the ground when I toggled ‘physics’ back on. I sat in my chair, dumbfounded, and navigated back to the messy C++ files, when suddenly in the editor screen: WOOOSH! The tank flew out

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Caltech students are often known for their sense of humor and creative pranks. What do you like to do for fun? (400 words max)

“I know what to call it…” May said as he grimaced at the taste of a meat, Tabasco, Bovril, and brick smoothie fresh out of a V8-engine powered blender, “the Bloody Awful!” I’ve never been a fan of c

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The process of discovery best advances when people from various backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives come together. How do you see yourself contributing to the diversity of Caltech’s community? (400 words max)

When my family moved from the spacious home of my mom’s Vietnamese relatives in [Place Redacted] to the 800-square-foot apartments of [Place Redacted] in [Place Redacted], my outlet for energy expulsi

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