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Caltech

California Institute of Technology

3.1%

01Acceptance 02Tuition 03Transfer 04ROI 05AP Credit 06Majors 07Housing 08International

How Much Do APs Matter at Caltech?

AP Impact Score: 50/100

APs are considered but not decisive at Caltech. Focus on GPA and overall application strength.

What Caltech Values in Admissions (CDS Data)

From the Common Data Set — what Caltech officially says matters in admission decisions.

Factor	Importance
Academic Gpa	Very Important
Rigor Of Secondary School Record	Very Important
Class Rank	Not Considered
Standardized Test Scores	Very Important
Application Essay	Very Important
Recommendation	Very Important
Extracurricular Activities	Very Important
Talent Ability	Very Important
Character Personal Qualities	Very Important
First Generation	Considered
Alumni Relation	Not Considered
Interview	Important
Work Experience	Not Considered
Volunteer Work	Considered

Best AP Classes to Take for Caltech

Based on Caltech's most popular majors and admission priorities, these AP courses are most valuable:

For Engineering (36% of students)

AP Calculus BC
AP Physics C: Mechanics
AP Physics C: E&M
AP Chemistry

For Computer Science (31% of students)

AP Computer Science A
AP Computer Science Principles
AP Calculus BC

For Physical Sciences (16% of students)

AP Physics C: Mechanics
AP Chemistry
AP Calculus BC

For Mathematics/Statistics (11% of students)

AP Calculus BC
AP Statistics
AP Computer Science A

For Biological Sciences (6% of students)

AP Biology
AP Chemistry
AP Statistics

AP Strategy for Caltech Applicants

Take as many APs as you can handle well

At a school this selective, 7-12 AP courses is typical for admitted students. Quality matters more than quantity.

Score high for credit

Most colleges require a 4 or 5 to grant credit. AP credits can save you a semester of tuition — that's $15,000-$30,000 in real savings.

Match APs to your intended major

Admissions officers notice when your AP choices align with your stated interests.

Caltech AP Credit FAQs

Does Caltech accept AP credit?

Yes — Caltech grants college credit for qualifying AP exam scores. Given Caltech's 3.1% acceptance rate, its AP credit policy is restrictive: expect scores of 4 or 5 — and 5s only in many subjects to earn credit. Specific cutoffs vary by department — check Caltech's registrar for the official table.

What AP score does Caltech require for credit?

At Caltech, most departments require scores of 4 or 5 — and 5s only in many subjects for credit. STEM subjects (Calculus BC, Physics C, Chemistry, Biology) tend to require the highest scores; humanities subjects are sometimes more lenient. Languages and AP Statistics are usually accepted at 3+.

How many AP credits can I transfer to Caltech?

Caltech typically caps total AP credit at 16-24 (capped well below one year). Even if you score 5 on 10 APs, the credit policy will limit how much actually counts toward your degree — though high scores still help with course placement and GE exemptions.

Do AP courses help me get into Caltech?

Yes — AP courses improve your application by signaling academic rigor. Caltech's admissions evaluates 'rigor of secondary school record' as a factor. AP scores themselves are usually not required for admission, but scores of 4-5 strengthen the application alongside transcript rigor.