On page 11 Documents/Essays of the online application, or on a separate document, please provide a brief statement of your scientific and professional interests and objectives. Include a description of your past accomplishments that are not evident from the examination of other documents submitted. Report, if applicable, on any research in progress. The statement must be written by the applicant in English. It must not be written in another language and translated for the applicant by another person.

At least three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with your academic, research and/or work performance are required for all applicants. We prefer that you utilize the new Online Recommendation functionality to register your referee. Your referee will be sent an email providing them with a secure password to be used to access the online recommendation database. Applicants who have registered referees online can view the status of the recommendation and send system reminders to those who have not yet submitted the appropriate forms. Once the online reference has been submitted, both the referees and the applicant will receive a confirming email. If you are unable to access the online recommendation, please call or fax the Office of the Dean of Graduate Studies to request a paper recommendation form. Paper recommendations can be mailed directly to the Office of the Dean of Graduate Studies

Transcripts from all colleges or universities attended are required. Transcripts may be sent directly from the Registrar of the institution you attended or transcripts issued directly to the applicant, and so marked, are acceptable, and can be submitted online following the electronic submission process. If you attended Caltech as an undergraduate, you must request an official transcript from the Office of the Registrar. We cannot obtain one on your behalf.

In the "Additional Information" section (page 12 of the online application), please provide an explanation of any nonstandard grading system. Foreign transcripts or records of all courses, seminars, and examinations, including grades, scores, grading scales, and conferrals of degrees, must be in English. All translations must be complete versions of the original records. An official transcript documenting the award of an undergraduate degree is required prior to enrollment in the graduate program at Caltech.

In assessing your academic background, the admissions committees find it useful to have additional information about the content of courses you have taken. On page 10 Documents/Essays of the online application, or on a separate document, briefly describe the advanced courses you have taken in science and mathematics that are most relevant to your field of study. List the major topics covered, the name of the professor who taught the course, and the names and authors of the textbooks that were used.

On page 7 Documents/Essays of the online application or on a separate document, please list any titles of publications, major papers, or theses authored or co-authored; if published provide citation. Do not upload the entire document as the admissions committee often does not have the time to read a large file. It is preferred that you either list or provide links or a URL where publications can be located.