California Institute of Technology

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Caltech at a Glance

Location:
Pasadena, CA
Setting:
Mid-sized city
Control:
Private Non-Profit
In-State Tuition:
$34,584
Out-of-State Tuition:
$34,584
Room & Board:
$11,397
Full-Time Undergrads:
947
Part-Time Undergrads:
0
More statistics . . .
School Website:
www.caltech.edu
Admissions Website:
www.admissions.caltech.edu
Financial Aid Website:
www.finaid.caltech.edu
Application Deadline:
January 1
Acceptance Rate:
13 %
Admission Difficulty:
Very Hard
Average SAT Scores:
2180–2360
Average ACT Scores:
34–35

Best Things

Worst Things

  • Difficulty, tough curve, and lots of work
  • Gossip on campus
  • Social awkwardness, some students are socially inept
  • Scheduling issues
  • More worst things . . .

Most Popular Majors

  • Engineering
  • Physical Sciences
  • Chemistry and Chemical Technology
  • Chemistry
  • More majors . . .

Overall ExperienceWhat's This?

Every school has its pros and cons, but sometimes it feels like Caltech has more cons than pros. Even so, students who have been at Caltech for a while agree that the positives outweigh the negatives. Although students here are always complaining about the workload, the lack of girls, boys who don’t shower, non-English proficient TAs, scheduling difficulties, the lack of sleep, and much more, the students here are generally happy. Students who come here know that they are getting a top-notch education for the price of a few years of insanity. They also know what they are getting themselves into before they come—a lot of hard work. Many students here do not want to be anywhere else. Where else could they find the camaraderie, traditions, research experience, opportunity to meet famous scientists, and hundreds of people who are interested in math and science?

Though many students lose sight of the future and become rather bitter for a period of time (after second term sophomore year), most realize that they are glad they “suffered” because they have learned so much, and now they know what they want from life. Tech is a much easier place once students have finished the required core classes and are taking classes in their respective majors. By this time, most students have found their niches, know what their professors expect from them (in terms of academic performance), and have made friends and support groups. Most students look back at Tech and realize that the time spent studying hard and hardly partying was worth every penny and every hour.

How do you
match up?

See how your test scores and GPA compare to other students that have applied to the same school.

Find your chances

California Institute of Technology Campus Tour Video

Caltech Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Nightlife at California Institute of Technology

bigsmile

Culinary Arts '13

4.6
A

Parties

There are no parties really on campus unless there is family and friends events.

Apr 13, 2012

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Health & Safety at California Institute of Technology

bigsmile

Culinary Arts '13

5.0
A+

Personal Safety

I feel safe at all times and security is avaliable when needed.

Apr 13, 2012

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Majors at California Institute of Technology

emartin

Computer Science '15

5.0
A+

Do Whatever Major You Can

Caltech has no application process for majors, so the only thing limiting your ability to graduate with a degree is your ability to do the work to get said degree.

Mar 11, 2012

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User rating for California Institute of Technology is 4.6 out of 5 based on 220 user reviews.

Become a Contributing Author Learn more »

Most Recent Student Author View all

Name
Mayra Sheikh
Hometown
San Fernando Valley, Calif.
Major
Chemistry

College Prowler is seeking talented student authors to assist with writing and updating the College Prowler guides to their schools. This is a great opportunity for a student to gain experience and tremendous exposure, utilize new media techniques, and share advice with high school students about what life is really like at your college.

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