加州理工本科招生政策新调整！多重变化一次性解读

加州理工学院在8月底，推出了2024Fall（即2028届）学校本科招生政策的最新变动，主要包括以下这三点：

1. 降低对具有潜力的STEM学生的入学门槛；

2. 提供新的短文书题目；

3. 使用人工智能 (AI) 撰写文书的道德问题指南。

以上这三点新政策，已于2023年8月31日起正式实施。 

01降低有潜力的STEM专业学生的入学门槛

此前，加州理工学院要求申请人需要在高中时完成一定数量的STEM和人文学科课程，以确保他们为Caltech严格的课程做好了准备，如下图所示的物理、化学等课程。

然而并非所有学校都开设这些课程，为了缩小这种差距，Caltech正在与Khan Academy和Schoolhouse.world合作，推出免费的在线项目，成绩需要达到90%及以上才算合格。申请者也可以提交AP或IB成绩，以满足申请要求。

02、新的文书题目

加州理工学院认为，短文书的旨在为申请人提供一个讲述Caltech的价值观是如何与他们产生共鸣的机会。

大家可复制以下链接到浏览器查看：https://www.admissions.caltech.edu/apply/first-year-applicants/supplemental-application-essays

经过调整后的文书题目如下：

必答学术问题：

Because of the rigorous courses in the core curriculum, Caltech students don't declare a major until the end of their first year. However, some students arrive knowing which academic fields and areas already most excite them, or which novel fields and areas they most want to explore.

If you had to choose an area of interest or two today, what would you choose? Why did you choose that area of interest? (Max: 200 words)

必答短问题：

1. At Caltech, we investigate some of the most challenging, fundamental problems in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Identify and describe two STEM-related experiences from your high school years, either in or out of the classroom, and tell us how and why they activated your curiosity. What about them made you want to learn more and explore further? (Min: 100/Max: 200 words for each experience)
2. The creativity, inventiveness, and innovation of Caltech's students, faculty, and researchers have won Nobel Prizes and put rovers on Mars. But Techers also imagine smaller scale innovations every day, from new ways to design solar cells to how to 3D print dorm decor. How have you been a creator, inventor, or innovator in your own life? (Min: 200 / Max: 250)
3. Caltech's mission – to cultivate learning, discovery, and innovation for the benefit of humanity – relies on its community members embracing fundamental Caltech values:

• Openness and enthusiasm for having preconceptions challenged
• Respect and appreciation for the idea that, while we are all members of the same community, the opportunities we've had to develop, showcase, and apply our talents have not been equal
• Passion for the ideal that science can and should meaningfully improve the lives of others Share what one or more of these values evokes for you. (Min: 200 / Max: 400)

可选短问题：

1. If there are aspects of your life or social or personal identity that you feel are not captured elsewhere in this application, please tell us about them below. (Max: 150 words)
2. When not surveying the stars, peering through microscopes, or running through marathons of coding, Caltech students pursue an eclectic array of interests that range from speed-cubing to participating in varsity athletics to reading romance novels. What is a favorite interest or hobby, and why does it bring you joy? (Max: 100 words)
3. Did you have a hard time narrowing it down to just one interest or hobby? We understand – Caltech students like to stay busy, too – tell us about another hobby or interest! (Max: 50 words)

3、新增在文书中AI使用规范

正如字面意思，该指南由该学院的招生委员会审查和批准，要求学生确认他们在撰写申请材料时使用的人工智能是否合乎道德。根据学校目前确定的指导方针，目前“合乎道德”的人工智能实用场景和方式包括：

· 使用AI工具来生成问题或联系，以帮助启动头脑风暴过程；

· 可用于审查已完成的文书中的语法和拼写问题；

· 可用于研究大学的申请过程。

“不道德”的使用方式则包括：

· 直接复制粘贴AI生成的文章；

· 依靠AI生成的内容来概述或起草文书；

· 用AI生成的内容替换你的内容；

· 使用了经过翻译的其它语言的文章内容。

简而言之，学生可以把人工智能当成一位老师对待，可以让他们帮助自己检查文书的一些问题。但如果让他们直接帮忙写文书，那就不道德了。

加州理工学院申请Tips

要知道，加州理工虽然规模不大，但其录取难度一直都是最高的几所学校之一。 在刚刚过去的申请季，加州理工学院的录取难度位居全美第一，录取率只有2.6%，且所录取的学生大部分都居于班级的前5%-10%。根据第三方数据统计，去年有7名中国同学拿到了Caltech的录取。

而看看学校官网的招生页面，也不难发现Caltech最喜欢这样的学生：对STEM充满热爱，以及做自己。你需要对数学、物理、化学等科目感兴趣，并有能力应对Caltech的硬核课程；你需要有良好的创作力、合作精神；你还需要向学校展示真实的你自己，如你的经历、你的想法等。

最后，随着疫情的恢复，很多学校在之前疫情期间所做出的调整，可能都会在未来做出改变。同时，鉴于目前平权法案的影响，不少顶尖大学也在考虑如何调整自己的招生政策，包括布朗、哈佛、耶鲁等。

但无论如何，想要申进顶尖大学，还是需要长期可靠的规划，和对自身综合实力的培养。