Caltech Essay Prompt 6 (2026-2027)
California Institute of Technology's supplemental essay 6 of 8 for the 2026-2027 application: the prompt, the limit, when it is due, and how to answer it. Verified on August 7, 2026.
“Tell us about a STEM question, problem, idea, or project that has held your attention over time. What drew you to it, how have you pursued it, and what do you still want to understand?”
Limit: 200 words (optional). Deadlines: Restrictive Early Action: November 1, 2026. Regular Decision: January 4, 2027.
What Caltech is really asking
Have you stuck with a question for a long time?
The mistake most applicants make
Choosing a question you just discovered.
Do this instead
One question that has held you for months or years. How it started, two things you did to chase it, and what you still do not understand. The not-understanding is the good part.
How to spend 200 words
200 words is two or three short paragraphs: the specific moment, what it revealed or changed, and why it points to this school. Cut any sentence that could appear in another applicant's essay.
How to start
Jim starts by asking you: “What is the STEM question you have been circling the longest?” Answer it with Jim, free →
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What is the Caltech essay 6 prompt for 2026-2027?
"Tell us about a STEM question, problem, idea, or project that has held your attention over time. What drew you to it, how have you pursued it, and what do you still want to understand?" The limit is 200 words and the prompt is optional.
How long should the Caltech essay 6 be?
200 words. 200 words is two or three short paragraphs: the specific moment, what it revealed or changed, and why it points to this school. Cut any sentence that could appear in another applicant's essay.
When is the Caltech essay due?
With the application: Restrictive Early Action: November 1, 2026. Regular Decision: January 4, 2027.
Can Jim help me write the Caltech essay?
Yes. Jim, the AlphaApply.ai counselor, has every Caltech prompt and deadline loaded. He asks the questions that surface your story and gives feedback on each draft. He never writes it for you. Free to start.
The other Caltech prompts
Prompt and limit for 2026-2027, verified on August 7, 2026. Always confirm on California Institute of Technology's official admissions site before submitting.