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How to Write Caltech's What You Would Contribute Essay

Something you would be excited to do, share, teach, make, start or contribute at Caltech.

100-150 wordsRequiredCommunity2026-27
California Institute of Technology's wording, checked October 26, 2026
“Caltech students bring more than academic ability to the communities they join. What is something you would be excited to do, share, teach, make, start, or contribute as part of the Caltech community?”

How to approach it

  1. 1Pick something specific outside the classroom and show your enthusiasm.
  2. 2The prompt gives six verbs. Choose the one that fits you and let it shape the answer.
  3. 3This is the place for the side of you the STEM questions cannot show.

A structure that works

One way to shape this answer. It describes moves, not sentences: the words have to be yours.

  1. 1The thing you would do, share, teach, make or start, named concretely.
  2. 2Evidence that you already do it: where, with whom, how often.
  3. 3What it would look like at Caltech in an ordinary week.
  4. 4Why it matters to you beyond being fun.

Where the 150 words go

PartWords
The moment or exampleabout 60
What it shows or changedabout 50
Why it matters, or what you bringabout 40

Mistakes to avoid

  • Another academic essay.
  • A vague promise to contribute to the community.

The checklist our grader uses for this question

When you check your Caltech answers, this answer is read against these 5 areas. Each comes back Met, Partly or Missing with a quote from your draft as evidence, and together with the 100-150 words limit they set its readiness verdict.

AreaWhat a reader looks for
Answers the questionThe opening sentences answer what was asked, plainly, before background or a hook; every part of a multi-part question is answered.
The community, concretelyThe community is defined by a detail only a member would know (a place, a ritual, a person), not a label.
Your part in itWhat the applicant personally did or does in it is on the page, with "I" statements.
What it gave you and what you will bringIt says how the community shaped the applicant and connects that to how they will take part in the college's community.
Caltech's askSomething specific the applicant would do, share, teach, make or start at Caltech.

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Questions

How long is Caltech's "Fun question: what you would contribute" essay?

100 to 150 words.

Is it required?

Required. Caltech's full set of questions is on the Caltech supplemental essays page.

Can I reuse an essay from another college for this prompt?

You can start from material you have, but rewrite it for Caltech's exact wording: answer every part of this question, and cut what it does not ask for.

Can Statementory write or improve my answer?

We never write or rewrite it: colleges ask you to affirm your essays are your own work. Our checker reviews it against the checklist on this page, quotes your own words, and asks the questions only you can answer.

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