Academic rigor is a cornerstone of the Caltech experience. While students from all over the world come to Caltech to gain the tools to change the world through STEM, you must first develop the academic foundation to do so. This session will showcase Caltech students from small town, rural backgrounds, and their perspectives transitioning into the Caltech academic experience. Caltech is a proud inaugural partner of the STARS College Network, and celebrates the experiences and passions of rural students. This session will be moderated by Melissa Rodriguez who is an Undergraduate Admissions Counselor at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech).

Sal Khan, the CEO of Schoolhouse.world and Khan Academy will be joining us for a live Q&A about the [new Dialogues initiative](https://schoolhouse.world/w/hub/p/72947) at Schoolhouse! 🎉 Sal will be sharing why he is personally invested in the Dialogues initiative and what he sees the role of dialogue playing in the future of education. You can [submit your questions for Sal here](https://forms.gle/4SdZHRtf8kJeZsVM9) and we will ask him as many as we have time for! You can read the [Dialogue Manifesto](https://schoolhouse.world/blog/dialogues-manifesto) by Sal here to learn more.

Join AJ Lee from the University of Denver for a virtual workshop on navigating the Common Application. AJ will share tips on completing the various sections of the Common App, how students can present their accomplishments effectively, as well as discuss the college experience at the University of Denver. There will also be time allotted for Q&A. AJ Lee is an Associate Director of Admissions at the University of Denver.

Join Nicole Cooper from MIT for a virtual workshop on how to create a compelling application within a holistic college process. Nicole will share tips and advice on helping students identify and effectively showcase their unique strengths in their college applications and discuss the college experience at MIT. There will also be time allotted for Q&A. Nicole Cooper is an Assistant Director of Admissions for Rural Outreach at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Join Jacob DeLuca from SMU for a virtual workshop on building your applicant profile within a holistic college process. Jacob will share tips and advice on how to navigate the admissions process and discuss the college experience at SMU. There will also be time allotted for Q&A. Jacob DeLuca is a Regional Director of Admission at the Southern Methodist University (SMU).

Join Tessa Tweet from Caltech for a virtual workshop on STEM college essay writing. Tessa will share tips and advice as you approach the essay writing process for STEM-focused universities and share about the college experience at Caltech. There will also be space for a Q&A. Tessa Tweet is a Senior Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Caltech.