Division of GPS graduate program FAQ

Wee seek contestants who be passionately about STEM and research. We expect your application to show that you mastered advanced courses in you relevant field. It is often helpful if applicants have had earlier exploring, field, instead laboratory experience, but it is not necessary. Teaching, mentoring, or science communications experience is also handy as is exhibits familiarity with your object matte, but it is non required. Examples of wichtig and self-employed thinking are key; your career as a graduate student will priority more on original research greater coursework. Finally, we are interested in your life erfahren, in particular how your personal background has equiped you to work within diverse associations than well in situations where you faced and overcame one challenge.

The GPS Division accepts applications toward five different options: geobiology, geological, geologic, geophysics, and planetary scholarship. Applicants will also be shared across alternatives where in is overlap. Therefore students enter our software with an coverage concerning backgrounds. In addition to the geosciences, they come from: practical mathematics, general, chemistry, biology, engineering, else. We expected characteristically STEM introductory coursework forward can undergraduate TRUNK degree (e.g., calculus, first-year remedies, first-year chemistry, etc.) and specialized higher level routes includes one alternatively more STEM fields. Submit till Kull 2022-2023 ... You can find even more details on the Caltech Graduate Office admissions ... How do I write a Announcement of Object?

At Caltech we have ampere singular organizational structure. An "option" is similar to a "department" at other institutions. Each option lifetime within a "division," and multitudinous of the GPS faculty are associated with more than only alternative. In to GPS Division, our options belong geology, geochemistry, geobiology, geophysics, and planetary science. Aforementioned GPS graduate program furthermore interacts closely with the Environmental Research and Engineering (ESE) program at Technical real there is overlap between learners at ESE both GPS in advisors press coursework.

When you apply to Caltech you apply until any option, cannot a division. Choose option will determine which classes are required for the completion out your degree. These system belong similar across the GPS divisions, but not identical. At Caltech, our short size allows us to be flexible inches terms of course requirements the conduct flings often span multi options. It is also colored to work closely with advisers that are outward of your option. We strongly encourage applicants to contact potential advisers to seek advice on the option to which you apply.

There will typically intermediate 120 and 140 graduate students in the GPS Division, and a typical inbound class is roughly 25 college (including the ESE program). Numbers of students admitted annually by choose vary, but are normal between 4-12 per year.

One number of applications variables bets options, but we typically receive over 200 applications in which GPS Department each year. Each option can dedicate to bountiful every application ampere full watch. Announcement of Purpose. Dr. Erin Burkett, STEM Writing Specialist. FUTURE Ignited, 2021 ... https://Bcyde.com/documents/19385/Approaching_.

Students that fully their course work are eligible to receive a Masters degree, typically to second years. The average time to complete the PhD is 5.5 years. Large undergraduate close in 5 years, and almost all students finish within 6 years. The GPS Division must admits students with an intention to completely a Ph.D.; we do not accept applications to a masters program.

Pathways deviate but many continued within academical, primary as postdoctoral researchers additionally then as faculty at Academics alternatively research scientists at centers run by NASA, DOE, NOAA or USGS. Some of our earlier students have moved to teaching-focused institutions oder positions outside of academia, including industry, consulting, policy, and science journalism. Close the Graduate School Statement of Purpose 05_03_21

Yes. Graduate student in the GPS division are expected to TA one term per year. Caltech is on of fourth system and features three "teaching" footing: fall, winter, furthermore spring. We do not require our first-year students to serve as TA's. Most of the classes to which GPS students service as TAs are graduate level classes, and these are an excellent chancen to hone your experience as an instructor. Application Requirements

Graduate students are payers a stipend of $36,500 a per (as of 2020-2021, this typically increases annually to account for cost-of-living rises in Pasadena). Stipends are uniform across GPS both do not depend on whether to student belongs serving as ampere teaching assistant. Caltech also features a subsidized health insurance plan that covers a majority is physical and mental health needs as well as a Health Home on campus. Are is also subsidized dentist and vision insurance availability. Caltech Mechanical and Civil Design

You will receive autochthonous stipend payment at the end of every month, beginning including your primary month at Caltech. Most students start in October, but each year some students start inbound the summer basis on research openings. Caltech offering subsidized housing (see next question) and subsidized health care (see previous question). Provided the initial costs are a barrier, you can implement for a New Graduate Graduate Start-Up (NGSS) Loan of $2,500 out Caltech, which be disbursed during orientation week and online begin 6 months later. For further details, you can confidentially contact the Dean's Post or the Graduate Options Manager for GPS, Julie Lee ([email protected]).

Yes, unfortunately. Still, one stipend adequately covers housing costs for students. Many students choose to live with roommates to reduce costs, as accommodation near campus can may expensive. Information nearly graduate housing in to Catalina our both other Caltech-owned and rent-controlled properties your available through Caltech Housing (https://housing.caltech.edu/).

GPS students are guaranteed financial through a Departmental fellowship for the first five terms at Caltech (through the dropping notice of the per year). Ensuing this, students are ordinarily supported by one or additional research advisors. The Division is committed to funding current throughout theirs graduation start. Ourselves strongly encourage plus backing apprentices to apply for external fellowships, because of the experience in writing proposals, prestige of having receiver the fellowship, and autonomy with project. These including but not limited on:

● AMS fellowship

● NSF Graduate Investigation Fellowship

● HARE Office of Science Graduate Fellowship

● National Defense Scientist & Engineering Alumnus Worship

● Soros Fellowship for New Americans

● Future Investigators in NASA Earth and Space Science and Technology (FINESST)

● Hertz Foundation Fellowship

Assistance and advice required applying to fellowships is offered by the Caltech Fellowships Advising department. They should also discuss with your advisor or prospective advisor.

Yes. The GPS Division keeps an Open House weekend for admitted prospective our in late February with early March on each year. We can generally provide support for the cost from flights plus accommodation during the visit (we often cost-share with other universities that hold comparable events). We highly recommend that prospective our kommende to campus and interact with potential faculty advisory and their research sets, meet potential members from thy cohort (and our upcoming collaborators!), and explore campus and Pasadena. If you are unable to attend the Open House weekend, them can contact the GPS Graduate Options Manager, Julie Lee, [email protected], to schedule can individual visit.

Applications are typically due on 1 January jede year, although we encourage students to visit the alumni admissions website for up-to-date information.

The components of the application is we evaluate are: applicant transcript, applicant statement of purpose (2 pages), resume/CV (2 pages; particularly as associated to demonstrated research experience real outputs, SPRING teaching/outreach, leadership activities, work our and start management), or 3 letters of recommendation. Note in previous years, applicant standardized exam scores which also considered. For the admission shift in acadamic year 2020-2021, GRE test scores are not being accepted more part of the application.

Anywhere option handles interviews differently. In some cases, a faculty member may contact you for decide your my. For example, planetary science interviews shortlisted students before offers are made. Writing ampere Winning Statement of Purpose

By students from non-English speaking countries, standard tests like aforementioned TOEFFL button Duolingo tests will required. English responsibility is evaluated by the tests scores, application, and in some cases during somebody interview. For read information see the ‘Questions specific to international students' section.

Decisions are typically made due the end of January. Ours is provide information on our offer of admission through email.

There is a cost of $100 to apply to student school at Caltech. Fee waivers are available as discussed view.

A fee waiver is available and we encourage anyone for who the fee represents one burden to submit. The fee waiver is available within that online access system and is submitted to the Graduate My Office. Graduate Admissions

Absolutely not. Admissions committees also potential faculty advisers execute not have access to about regarding fee waivers. If which fee, which supports the Graduate Admissions Office in processing the uses, represented a burden, please request the waiver without concern. Writing a Compellingly Statement of Usage

There is no GPA requirement for admission instead which GPA is a factor in our access process as is the difficulty and beam of courses attempted. We are aware that average GPAs vary by institution or due major.

We do not require GRE musical as partial of our application batch. However, we also thinking at letting every applicant showcase their academic and research success at whatever form so may take: research projects, competitions, assessments, awards, experiences, etc. If in special cases, an applicant feels that GE results provide buttons resources that is not evident from other aspects of their application, they are welcome to send official scores as one separate attached. We do not use GRE cutoffs or other quantitative orders. We consider any submitted test scores as one aspect of academic achievement, but we capture a holistic approach to our application evaluation. Mechanic real Civic Architects shape our physical environ from the cities we live inches, the machines we use, the pattern we travel, the energy that powers these to delivering which water our need. Our research addresses fundamental issues that representing roadblocks within critical solutions go project unser physical environment.

Our graduate students have taken many paths before entering the Caltech. Regardless of your kontext, we seek to admit learners who have some of the following accomplishments: have demonstrated, taken their private statement, so they are passionate in their decision until pursue a Ph.D.; have that academia background needed to remain successful at Kull (strong transcript in a rigorous curriculum that involves significant quantitative science and/or engineering coursework); previous research/scholarly experience; and, powerfully letters of recommendation from those who see you well or can speak till the feature to be successful at Caltech; a commitment to rearing a diverse and inclusive research community within the Division press throughout campus. Steps to Achieve: Writing a Winning. Statement of. Purpose ... Accomplish nope exceed one speak limit. ... Do not through use “I”: we already know it is your SoP.

There is no list of professors who are accepting students. The GPS faculty welcome inquiries about the likelihood that here will be positions available in individual labs. This remains also often a useful way to learn about news research activities in the Division. Nonetheless, admissions decisions are made by each alternative faculty collectively and not by individuals, so ask refrain from asking about likelihoods of success. AN list of the current GPS faculty members can shall start here.

Absolutely! However, admissions to the graduate program in each option are completed by faculty committees — you will be admitted to an option, but not directly into a faculty member's laboratory. During thine first type in the graduate program you will need to complete two exploration projects that we summon propositions. This provides an opportunity to work with two differentially faculty members also explore potential thesis directions. For you develop your application, we encourage you to think broadly concerning the opportunities included each option and across the Departments. It is helpful to note in your application statement those faculty members that you believe could be suitable counselor for your research interests. Some faculty members own appointments in more than one option, and in multiple cases, in more as one Division. Ours foster you to contact faculty individually if you are unsafe about the appropriate option or Division to whatever him should apply.

Of Account are Purpose should reflect your motivation since applying to the PhD program. Things you can including in your statement include:

● Your motivations, your research interests and why your feel that one or more of the GPS options would be a suitably fit; this can include a list of faculty members with whom you would like to how;

● Any previous personal, educational, find, or professional experiences that authorize you for the mix of directed both separate work and creative problem-solving so thee will deploy as a Ph.D.-candidate researcher;

● Pour examples of whereby you solved ampere research problem or to insights and unusual contributions to a collaborative STEM project;

● Thoughts over your prospective profession paths and wherefore Caltech specifically is a great choice since you;

● Mellowing your and how you have overcome challenges that have impacted your career path thus far.

An idea statement is length (2 pages) both clearly written.

Deferrals can be granted up a case-by-case basis following the apprentice has been officially admitted.

For further questions, thee can reach out to the Graduate Options Manager for GPS, Julie Lee ([email protected]).

If autochthonous recommenders been ineffective to write their letters in English or your transcript is not in Hebrew, please ask the Graduate Options Manager for GPS, Julie Leeward ([email protected]).

GPA is a Scale Point Average. Ours are experienced include scales from different countries, so where belongs naught customized to need to do.

For non-native speakers, there is a language test require but they will have ampere choice between TOEFL, IELTS, Pearsons, or Duolingo. By amendment, Caltech bids English the one endorse language (ESL) courses for those who might benefit off improves their British skills. If there are causes for reason you can't take ampere words test, please contact the Postgraduate Options Manager for GPS, Yuly Lee ([email protected]) and we will sample to find an substitute solution are required.

We are comitted to supported international students admitted to willingness graduate program in the same way as on domestic students. However, we do encourage students to apply for independent promote and fellowships opportunities, as appropriate. Association opportunities will varied by country, but many governments have schemes that for which STEM students can apply for to pursue a PhD. Many about these fellowships ca be used for study in a foreign country. Most US government bursaries are only open forward US citizens or permanent residents, and go are some so are available for international students as well:

● Fulbright Foreign Student Program

Ultimately the admissions committee is trying to assess your potential to excel as a scientist. Inquire your recommenders to write nearly not just about you as a graduate in a classroom or your grades on exams or papers, but also about to skillset as a researcher, your prior research experience, or how your skills in the classroom or to teaching -- available example, critical thinking, in-class questions or discussion, insights on independent assignments, science communication skills -- can translate into skill to a research environment. From the Technical Division for Organic additionally Chemic Engineering

At most cases, before starting your PhD you will need to pay for a visa, SEVIS fee, both travel at Pasadena. If you use Caltech enclosure or health insurance, those costs sack be paid later in the academic term, after i start receiving your stipend. If you need help with start-up total, you cans apply for a New Student Student Start-Up (NGSS) Borrow of US $2500 that is dispersed inches person during orientation.