Applications are sought from exceptional candidates with interdisciplinary interests.
Successful applicants will generally have strong preparation in mathematics
and research experience at the undergraduate or masters level. Students
with low (sub-90th percentile) GRE analytical and quantitative scores,
or with only a traditional engineering mathematics background, are generally
not competitive for admissions.
Applications for admission for the Fall of 2012. need
to be started in mid to late October, 2011 and completed by December
15, 2011, with early submission
recommended.
Applicants who are considered highly qualified will be
invited to interview at Caltech in late February 2012. Final decisions on
admissions are made by 15 March 2012. Admissions rates are typically 5%;
Ph.D. completion rates are approximately 90%. All accepted students
are provided full financial aid for the duration of their studies (subject
to satisfactory progress towards their Ph.D.).
A limited number of students are admitted for a two-year MS degree. This degree
is considered a terminal degree and admission to the Ph.D. program requires
re-application. Admission to the MS program is highly competitive and
does not include financial aid. Students pursuing an MS degree are required
to complete all Ph.D. coursework as well as a substantial project.