<p>The two essays have been pretty standard in the past – while the precise wording may change, we have tended to ask something like “What makes you right for Caltech? What aspects of your intellectual and personal character made you decide that this is the right place for you to study?” and the second question is to either (a) Describe an experience that has been significant in shaping you as a person. or (b) Describe an activity not in math or science that has been important to you.</p>
<p>I can’t guarantee it’ll be the same next year, but if you think about those kinds of questions you will have something that you can shape into an application essay.</p>
<p>Btw, this year’s applicants, if I incorrectly said what we asked, correct me. I mostly read the answers, not the questions.</p>