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 4:
First-Year Housing & Placement Testing Accommodation Request Period begins through Caltech Accessibility Services for Students(CASS)
Contact: [email protected]
Thursday, May 21:
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 22:
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 29:
- 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 Foundations Assessment and placement exams. Contact: [email protected]
Monday, June 1:
- 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 5:
Writing placement test materials become available at 12:00PM PDT. (Required - First Year and Transfer Students, except for 3-2 Transfers)
The required placement test determines your fall humanities coursework. Carefully review the test information page to familiarize yourself with the test's purpose, format, and location; the page addresses FAQs.: https://www.hss.caltech.edu/undergraduate-studies/faqs/caltech-writing-placement-test-information
Contact: [email protected]
Friday, June 13:
Add your name pronunciation to your CANVAS account profile (requires CANVAS account set-up)
Sunday, June 14:
Writing Placement Test essays must be submitted by 5:00PM PDT. (Required - First Year and Transfer Students, except for 3-2 Transfers)
The required placement test determines your fall humanities coursework. Carefully review the test information page to familiarize yourself with the test's purpose, format, and location; the page addresses FAQs.
Contact: [email protected]
Monday, June 15:
Foundations Assessment Due by 5:00PM PDT (Required - First Year Students)
Contact: [email protected]
Friday, June 19:
- Deadline for incoming students to register with Caltech Accessibility Services for Students (CASS) for housing accessibility accommodations for Fall 2026-27. 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 22:
- 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. Due July 13, 2026.
Contact: [email protected]
Friday, June 26:
- 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 12. Questions please contact: [email protected] - The following placement exam testing windows open at 12:00PM PDT:
- Math Advanced Placement Exam (Ma 1abc, Ma 2, Ma 3): Due July 17 at 12:00PM 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): Due July 17 at 12:00PM 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]
Wednesday, July 1:
- Add Emergency Contact to Personal Information (Required - All New Students: First Year, Transfer, 3-2 and Exchange)
Contact: [email protected]
Monday, July 6:
- Math 0 General Start Date – Information will be sent to your Caltech email address
Friday, July 10:
- Enrollment/Waiver period begins for Student Health Insurance Plans. Students who do not want to enroll in 2026-27 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 13:
Chemistry Advanced Placement Exam (Optional): Due before July 13, 2026, at 11:59PM PDT. Testing window opens Monday, June 22, 2026 (available only to students who excel on the Chemistry Foundations Assessment). Log into Canvas for test details.
Contact: [email protected]
Friday, July 17:
- Math Advanced Placement Exams Due (Ma 1abc, Ma 2, Ma 3) 12:00PM. 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) 12:00PM 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]
Wednesday, July 29:
- 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, July 31:
Monday, August 10:
- Bursar's Office Review your Welcome Letter and Bursar Documents.
Contact: [email protected]
Friday, August 14:
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 2026-27 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 28:
- Letter to your First-Year Advisor due. (Required First Year students) Visit Class of 2030 Canvas Course. You will receive information in an email from the Deans Office.
Monday, September 1:
- Avoiding Plagiarism Module Available (Required - First Year and Transfer Students)
You will be provided with an individualized link to complete this module via your Caltech email. The module introduces key policies and expectations related to ethical academic writing. - 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 2026-27.
Contact: [email protected]
Friday, September 4:
- 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] - The makeup Writing Placement Test materials become available at 12:00PM PDT. The makeup should be completed by first-year and transfer students (except 3-2 transfers) who did not complete the writing placement test in June due to travel or illness. Review the test information page to learn about the purpose, format, and location of this test: https://www.hss.caltech.edu/undergraduate-studies/faqs/caltech-writing-placement-test-information Contact: [email protected]
Sunday, September 13:
The makeup Writing Placement Test essays must be submitted by 5:00PM PDT. The makeup should be completed by first-year and transfer students (except 3-2 transfers) who did not complete the writing placement test in June due to travel or illness. Review the test information page to learn about the purpose, format, and location of this test: https://www.hss.caltech.edu/undergraduate-studies/faqs/caltech-writing-placement-test-information Contact: [email protected]
Wednesday, September 23:
- 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 25:
- 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 28:
Avoiding Plagiarism Module Due (Required - First Year and Transfer Students)
You have been provided with an individualized link to complete this module via your Caltech email. The module introduces key policies and expectations related to ethical academic writing.