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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. 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 Foundations Assessment. Advanced placement tests will be posted to your Canvas Dashboard as they become available.
Please be sure to check your Caltech email regularly for updates.
Monday, May 5:
- First-Year Housing & Placement Testing Accommodation Request Period begins through Caltech Accessibility Services for Students(CASS)
Contact: [email protected]
Thursday, May 22:
- The Integrated Core application is live. Please check your email for a message from the Deans' Office about this exciting, optional program for your first year. (Optional - First Year Students only)
Friday, May 23:
- Foundations Assessment Live on Canvas
(Required - First Year Students)
Before beginning the assessment, please review the Foundations Assessment website for more information and the answers to frequently asked questions.
Contact: [email protected]
Friday, May 30:
- Activate your Access.Caltech Account - Instructions will be emailed to you. (Required - All New Students: First Year, Transfer, 3-2 and Exchange).
Contact: [email protected] - Deadline to register with Caltech Accessibility Services for Students (CASS) for accessibility accommodations for Foundation Assessment and placement exam. Contact: [email protected]
Monday, June 2:
- Watch Honor Code Video (Required - All New Students: First Year, Transfer, 3-2 and Exchange).
- Start using your Caltech email address!
- Please review Health Entrance Requirements. Please contact your provider for questions or immunizations. If you need assistance please visit Student Wellness Services: Student Wellness Services
Friday, June 6:
- Writing Placement Test Opens (Required - First Year and Transfer Students who have not taken placement test.) 12 p.m. PDT
Review the test webpage to learn about the purpose and format of this test; this page answers all frequently asked questions: https://www.hss.caltech.edu/undergraduate-studies/faqs/caltech-writing-placement-test-information
Contact: [email protected]
Friday, June 13:
- Add NameCoach to Canvas
Sunday, June 15:
- Writing Placement Test Due by 5 p.m. PDT (Required - First Year and Transfer Students who have not taken placement test.)
Contact: [email protected]
Monday, June 16:
- Foundations Assessment Due by 5 p.m. PDT on Canvas (Required - First Year Students)
Contact: [email protected]
Friday, June 20:
- Deadline for incoming students to register with Caltech Accessibility Services for Students (CASS) for housing accessibility accommodations for fall 2025-26.
Contact: [email protected] - Complete Course Selection Survey (Required - First Year Students)
Survey will be sent to your Caltech email address.
Contact: [email protected]
Monday, June 23:
- The Integrated Core Applications Due. (Optional - First Year Students only)
- Chemistry Advanced Placement Exam Testing Window Opens - (Students who excel on the Foundations Assessment will be encouraged to take the exam.)
Log into Canvas for test details.
Contact: [email protected]
Friday, June 27:
- New Student Information and Housing Option Form Due (Required - First Year, Transfer, 3-2, and Exchange Students.)
Survey will be sent to your Caltech email address through Qualtrics on June 13. Questions please contact: [email protected] - Math Advanced Placement Exams (Optional) Testing Window Opens at 12:00 p.m. PDT
Contact:[email protected] - Physics Advanced Placement Exam (Optional) Testing Window Opens at 12:00 p.m. PDT
Contact:[email protected]
Tuesday, July 1:
- Add Emergency Contact to Personal Information (Required - All New Students: First Year, Transfer, 3-2 and Exchange)
Contact: [email protected]
Monday, July 7:
- Math 0 General Start Date – Information will be sent to your Caltech email address
Friday, July 11:
- Enrollment/Waiver period begins for Student Health Insurance Plans. Students who do not want to enroll in 2025-26 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 14:
- Chemistry Advanced Placement Exam (Optional) Due before July 14, 2025, at 11:59pm PDT.
Log into Canvas for test details.
Contact: [email protected]
Friday, July 18:
- Math Advanced Placement Exams 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 Math Foundations Assessment, if necessary, based on your transfer credits)
Contact: [email protected] - 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 Physics Foundations Assessment, if necessary, based on your transfer credits)
Contact:[email protected] - 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
Wednesday, July 30:
- Health Forms Due (Required - All New Students: First Year, Transfer, 3-2 and Exchange)
Contact: Student Health Portal or call (626) 395-6393 if you have not received confirmation that your requirements are complete.
Friday, August 1:
Friday, August 8:
- Complete Pre-Registration Information Form (Required - First Year and Transfer Students) Survey will be sent to your Caltech email address.
Contact: [email protected]
Monday, August 11:
- Bursar's Office Review your Welcome Letter and Bursar Documents.
Contact: [email protected]
Friday, August 15:
- 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 2025-26 will be emailed when enrollment/waiver period opens. - Submit Photo for Caltech ID Card (Required - All New Students: First Year, Transfer, 3-2 and Exchange)
Contact: [email protected]
Friday, August 29:
- Letter to your First-Year Advisor due. (Required First Year students) Visit Class of 2029 Canvas Course. You will receive information in an email from the Deans Office.
Monday, September 1:
- Performing & Visual Arts complete your interest form: Music Form and/or Theater Arts Form (Optional)
- 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 2025-26.
Contact: [email protected]
Friday, September 5:
- Accept Financial Aid Package
Contact: [email protected] - Bursar's Office - Deadline: Please review and submit any required documents to the Bursar's Office by today.
Contact: [email protected]
Wednesday, September 24:
- Health Entrance Requirements final notice Incomplete requirements or no compliance plan with Student Wellness Services may result in being dropped from fall classes.
Contact: Student Health Portal or call (626) 395-6393
Friday, September 26:
- 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.
Monday, September 29:
- Avoiding Plagiarism Module Due (Required - First Year and Transfer Students)
Check your Caltech email for instructions beginning Monday, September 1.