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To-Do List
To-Do List
Welcome!
To help you prepare for your arrival to Caltech, we have compiled the checklist below, which captures everything new students need to complete before starting the academic year at Caltech in September. The items listed are organized by due date, and required items are explicitly noted. It is a good idea to look ahead to make progress on deadlines that may be coming up. Feel free to contact the Deans' Office if you have any questions.
After you activate your Caltech account (detailed instructions will be emailed), you will be able to log into Canvas directly or through Caltech's http://access.caltech.edu portal. Your Canvas dashboard provides information on the required Chemistry, Writing, Math and Physics placement tests. Chemistry, Math & Physics Advanced placement tests will be posted to your Canvas Dashboard as they become available. Please note the CS placement test will not be available on Canvas, but instructions and contact information are listed below.
Please be sure to check your Caltech email regularly for updates.
Friday, May 31:
- Activate your Access.Caltech Account - Instructions will be emailed to you. (Required - All New Students: First Year, Transfer, 3-2 and Exchange).
Contact: regis@caltech.edu
Saturday, June 1:
- Deadline to register with Caltech Accessibility Services for Students (CASS) for accessibility accommodations for placement exams.
Contact: cass@caltech.edu
Monday, June 3:
- Watch Honor Code Video (Required - All New Students: First Year, Transfer, 3-2 and Exchange).
- Start using your Caltech email address!
- Make an appointment with your primary care doctor/provider if you have questions or need to get the required immunizations, if you do not have your immunization records or if you need assistance with the tuberculosis questionnaire form. medical form information
Friday, June 7:
- Deadline for incoming students to register with Caltech Accessibility Services for Students (CASS) for housing accessibility accommodations for fall 2024-25.
Contact: cass@caltech.edu
Friday, June 14:
- Add NameCoach to CANVAS
Friday, June 21:
- Complete Course Selection Survey (Required - First Year Students)
Survey was sent to your Caltech email address on Tuesday, May 28.
Contact: regis@caltech.edu
Friday, June 28:
- New Student Information and Housing Option Form Due (Required - First Year, Transfer, 3-2, and Exchange Students.)
Survey was sent to your Caltech email address on June 14.
Contact: iro@caltech.edu - Math Diagnostic Exam Due at 12:00 p.m. PDT (Required – First Year Students | Transfer Students please email the contact below to sign up for the diagnostic exam, if necessary, based on your transfer credits)
Testing window opened Friday, June 14 at 12:00 p.m. PDT
Contact: pmaplacement@caltech.edu - Physics Diagnostic Exam Due at 12:00 p.m. PDT (Highly Recommended – First Year Students | Transfer Students please email the contact below to sign up for the diagnostic exam, if necessary, based on your transfer credits)
Testing window opened Friday, June 14 at 12:00 p.m. PDT
Contact: pmaplacement@caltech.edu
Monday, July 1:
- Add Emergency Contact to Personal Information (Required - All New Students: First Year, Transfer, 3-2 and Exchange)
Contact: deansoffice@caltech.edu
Wednesday, July 10:
- Enrollment/Waiver period begins for Student Health Insurance Plans. Students who do not want to enroll in 2024-25 coverage need to take action to submit their waiver(s). Students will only be enrolled by default in Caltech Student Medical and Dental coverage. The Caltech Student Vision plan requires active enrollment each year.
Monday, July 15:
- Math 0 General Start Date – Information will be sent to your Caltech email address
Friday, July 19:
- Math Advanced Placement Exam Due (Ma 1abc, Ma 2, Ma 3) 12:00 p.m PDT (optional - Transfer Students please email the contact below to sign up for the diagnostic exam, if necessary, based on your transfer credits)
Testing window opens Friday, June 28 at 12:00 p.m. PDT
Contact: pmaplacement@caltech.edu - Physics Advanced Placement Exam Due (Ph 1a) 12:00 p.m. PDT (optional - Transfer Students please email the contact below to sign up for the diagnostic exam, if necessary, based on your transfer credits)
Testing window opens Friday, June 28 at 12:00 p.m. PDT
Contact:pmaplacement@caltech.edu - Complete Student Patent and Computer Software Agreement (Required - All New Students: First Year, Transfer, 3-2 and Exchange) & Student Multimedia and Distribution Consent (recommended)
Instructions can be found at https://registrar.caltech.edu/froshreg
Monday, July 29:
- Chemistry Diagnostic Exam Due by 11:59 p.m. PDT (Required - First Year Students and Transfer Students)
Testing window opens Monday, July 1. Log into Canvas for test details. (Transfer Students please email contact below to sign up for diagnostic exam.)
Contact: chem1placement@caltech.edu - Chemistry Advanced Placement Test Due (Optional) by 11:59 p.m. PDT.
Testing window opens Monday, July 1 (Available only to students who excel on diagnostic exam.) Log into Canvas for test details.
Contact: chem1placement@caltech.edu
Wednesday, July 31:
- Health Forms Due (Required - All New Students: First Year, Transfer, 3-2 and Exchange)
Contact: Student Health Portal or call (626) 395-6393
https://placement.caltech.codes/24su/Thursday, August 1:
- Housing Contract Due
- Complete Pre-Registration Information Form – survey will be sent to your Caltech email address in early July (Required - First Year and Transfer Students)
Contact: regis@caltech
Friday, August 9:
- Computer Science Advanced Placement Exam Due 9:00 a.m. PDT (optional) Testing window opens Tuesday, July 30th 9:00 a.m. PDT .
Contact: csplacement@caltech.edu
Monday, August 12:
- Bursar's Office - Review your Welcome Letter and Bursar Documents. Contact: bursar@caltech.edu
Friday, August 16:
- Deadline to Enroll in or Waive Caltech Student Health &/or Dental Insurance (Required - First Year, Transfer and 3-2 Students)
Information about Caltech Student Health &/or Dental Insurance for 2024-25 will be emailed on July 10 when enrollment/waiver period opens.
To learn more about Student Health Benefits on the Human Resources website. - Submit Photo for Caltech ID Card (Required - All New Students: First Year, Transfer, 3-2 and Exchange)
Contact: cardoffice@caltech.edu - Caltech Rotation Information will be sent to your Caltech email address.
Contact: ose@caltech.edu
Friday, August 30:
- Survey of New Students (SNS) Due.
Survey will be sent to your Caltech email address in early August. First Year Students, 18 years of age and older will be invited to participate.
Contact: iro@caltech.edu
Monday, September 2:
- Performing & Visual Arts complete your interest form: Music Form and/or Theater Arts Form (Optional)
- Accept Financial Aid Package
Contact: finaid@caltech.edu - Deadline for incoming students to complete the registration process with Caltech Accessibility Services for Students (CASS) to ensure academic accommodations are in place for the start of Fall 2024-25.
Contact: cass@caltech.edu
Friday, September 20:
- Alcohol & Substance Abuse Prevention and Sexual Assault Prevention Modules Due (Required - All New Students: First Year, Transfer, 3-2 and Exchange)
Instructions will be sent to your Caltech email.
Sunday, September 22:
- Writing Placement Test Due by 5 p.m. PDT (Required - First Year and Transfer Students)
Testing window opened Friday, September 13 at 12 p.m. PDT
Contact: writing.placement@hss.caltech.edu
Monday, September 30:
- Avoiding Plagiarism Module Due (Required - First Year and Transfer Students)
Check your Caltech email for instructions beginning Monday, September 2.