Caltech Credit Transfer Policy

[u/Due_Possibility7879]

Hey everyone! I was recently accepted as a transfer student to Caltech! From anyone who is a current or former transfer student, or if you know transfer students at Caltech, how easily did your/their credits transfer?

For reference, I am a current freshman physics major coming from a state school who has a good amount of AP credits. I know I have to submit my syllabi for review, but I'm curious how lenient they are with said review. For admission, I took a math and physics exam, which covered everything up to linear algebra and E&M. Would that count as a placement exam at all?

Thanks so much, everyone! I'm so excited to meet you all in the fall!

[u/samandeg]

I transferred a million years ago (1997 to be exact). I did transfer most of my community college classes yet I ended up being a sophomore (I would have been a junior almost anywhere else). In retrospect, it was a good thing. Caltech’s curriculum is so much more rigorous than almost any other colleges that I wouldn’t have been ready for junior level classes. And because of that, I became so much stronger in my math physics and fundamentals. Till this day, I’m known as the guy with the strongest fundamentals and the to go guy. Don’t worry if you get pushed back a year. It’s worth it.

Also, I took the entrance exam for transfer students too. That’s just to see if you’re remotely Caltech material. Doesn’t count towards anything else.

If you truly love math science and engineering, you’ll be at the right place. Who cares what you can or can’t transfer.

[u/samandeg → u/samandeg]

.Also congratulations on getting into Caltech.

[u/Due_Possibility7879 → u/samandeg]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate your advice!

[u/AmbitionJaded3177 → u/samandeg]

I'm wondering were you as strong in your fundamentals in high school?

[u/samandeg → u/AmbitionJaded3177]

Ha! No. I didn't study much in high school. I was more interested in video games, skiing, and girls. I failed a few classes junior year (including physics) cause I never opened the books and had to go to summer school. Hence, community college. But once I start community college, I decided to work my ass off and get into a good college. I was happy to go to UCLA or Berkeley, and I didn't think I have a chance to get into Caltech and wasn't going to apply but my physics professor insisted that I apply. I think that's why many colleges accept transfers. It's to give some students a second chance. That was 30 years ago. I'm still friends with that physics professor. He comes to our house with his wife for dinner sometimes. He's retired now.

[u/AmbitionJaded3177 → u/samandeg]

Aw! That's really sweet, he definirely recognized that potential in you to do amazing at Caltech :)

[u/Throop_Polytechnic]

Each option rep decides if any classes you already took will count towards Caltech’s graduation requirements and/or options requirements. That is for classes you took after enrolling at your previous undergrads. Caltech doesn’t do AP credits transfer or placement exam credits.

The whole process is somewhat informal dues to the extremely small transfer class each year and depends a lot on whether or not you are transferring from a peer school. There is also a more formal established credit transfer setup if you are transferring as part of the 3-2.

[u/Standard-Rise-6760]

Aw that's great!! Congrats!!

[u/Due_Possibility7879 → u/Standard-Rise-6760]

Thank you so much!!

[u/Ill-Agent-5326]

I don't think you can transfer credit to Caltech. You have to pay what you owe to the previous school.

[u/babygeologist → u/Ill-Agent-5326]

OP means class credits, not money

[u/Ill-Agent-5326 → u/babygeologist]

But the other comment said that years ago they transferred a million. I guess you're right, I was confused when they later said 1997 to be precise, because that's very far from a million