California Institute of Technology

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Students Say - Academics
According to students at the California Institute of Technology, their tiny school is "the greatest research university out there." "Caltech's math, science, and engineering programs are indisputably first-rate," gloats a senior. "If you like science and know that you want some sort of career in research, engineering, or academia, this is one of the best places to come in the world." The mandatory core curriculum is heavy on math, physics, and chemistry. It also includes a humanities requirement. Beyond that, students can choose from a host of majors and minors. Whatever path you choose, "the resources are incredible," and "lab facilities are top-notch." There are fabulous opportunities "for students to conduct research at every class level," too. Be prepared for "a crippling workload," though. The academic atmosphere here is "probably the most intense you could hope to find." It's "like trying to drink from a fire hose" ("even if this is an overused cliché"). "There is no grade inflation." "Caltech has the ability to crush your own opinion of how smart you are." "If you were the top student all your life, prepare to experience a big dose of humility because you'll have to work hard just to stay in the middle of the pack." "Introductory classes are often taught by Nobel laureates" and world renowned scientists. "The quality of professors as teachers, rather than brilliant researchers, however, is often hit-or-miss," explains an applied physics major. Professors "tend to be very passionate about their subjects," but "only a select few professors teach well."

Students Say - Campus Life
Life at Caltech "involves doing a lot of homework." "A sizable population of the school does not come out of their rooms much." Clubs and extracurricular activities run the gamut, though, and it's very easy to get involved "no matter your experience." "Computer games, card games, role-playing games," and the like are popular. Otherwise, social life relies heavily on Caltech's unique housing system. First-year students are required to live on campus, in one of eight houses. "The houses combine the feel and purpose of a dorm with the pride and spirit of a fraternity." "Each house plans social events" and "provides the main social community" for students. When Caltech students throw a party, "it's a major operation." "Most parties here involve two weeks of prior planning and construction," and the end result is "usually pretty epic." Off campus, Caltech's location in sunny Pasadena provides ample opportunities for outdoor activities. There are "beaches, mountains, and desert all within a two-hour drive." The proximity of Los Angeles provides a ready escape as well. "Once in a while we'll all pile in a car and go to L.A. for a concert or something," notes a senior, "and that's a lot of fun." "Plotting pranks" is another common pastime here. Techers have a notorious reputation for "amusing" and generally harmless mischief. Students once altered the famous Hollywood Sign to read "Caltech." In another instance, they adjusted the scoreboard at the Rose Bowl to show Caltech leading hated MIT by an impressive score of 38-9.

Students Say - Student Body
Caltech is home to "lots of whites and Asians," and the student population is overwhelmingly male. "The ratio sucks," laments a lonely senior. "Your typical student here was the math team/science team/quiz bowl type in high school." "This is nerd heaven." "Everyone's a scientist," and "every student is brilliant." Students also describe themselves as "hard-working," "quirky," and "slightly eccentric." You'll find a wide variety, though, "from cool party types, to scary hardcore nerds, to cool party types who build massive railguns in their spare time." Some students are "terribly creative." Some are "socially inept" and "very strange." Ultimately, it's a hard group to pigeonhole. "You will meet someone who you might think is a total jock if you saw him or her on the street, but [he or she] works late at night on homework and aces exams," promises one student. "If you come here with stereotypes in mind, they will be broken."

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