California Institute of Technology Reviews

All Techers are nerds or dorks at...

All Techers are nerds or dorks at heart, and no one here is stupid. This is one of the few places where you can talk about really advanced math or science and people will just nod their head as they follow along. Another overriding theme within Techers is bitterness. This applies mostly to the upperclassmen. We did not start out this way; the difficulty and the stress of Caltech makes you this way.

Many of the women here are very...

Many of the women here are very strong. To rephrase that, the women are very self-reliant and determined to succeed. There are also a good deal of feminists on campus. Most of the guys on campus tend to be very shy and very approachable. Most of the guys never had girlfriends in high school and were not social butterflies.

The alcohol policy has become...

The alcohol policy has become harsh in recent years in regard to parties, which is unfortunate. With pranks, I have the sense they are strengthening their policies, making them tougher, which is also unfortunate.

The professors try to be nice, but...

The professors try to be nice, but because Caltech is heavily research-oriented, it’s very obvious that most professors consider teaching as a secondary job. This shows in their lack of enthusiasm towards the class and lecturing skill. Having visited other colleges and sat in on classes, there are a markedly higher number of professors who can teach well in such a way as to help students understand. In the professors’ defense, there are some that do actually try and have interesting and challenging courses.

Campus police used to be pretty...

Campus police used to be pretty loose about strictness, but lately, they seem to be cracking down a bit. But I’d say it’s still relatively loose compared to other places. No major crackdowns, as far as I know.

Social life occurs, but it’s...

Social life occurs, but it’s definitely planning your social life around your work rather than planning your work around your social life. But this makes me cherish my free time all that much more. At times, I wish that I were somewhere else, but then I think about the benefits from coming here—namely, that because it’s such a small school, you really get to know a lot more of your peers, and they’re all very supportive (probably because they’re undergoing the exact same thing you are).

No, I definitely do not wish I...

No, I definitely do not wish I were somewhere else. Even though I complain about the workload all the time, I’m actually really happy here. I think most people here agree that Tech would be really wonderful if there were no work. The work is really hard and takes up most of your time, but everyone works together to get through it, and it’s definitely not cutthroat like I’ve heard about other colleges. I really love the people that I’ve met here.

Overall, it’s great! I don’t know...

Overall, it’s great! I don’t know all that much about other universities in the U.S., but I’m definitely happy here. Classes are mostly interesting, the Honor Code works and makes life easier, houses are great (definitely better than fraternities and sororities—I couldn’t stand having to live with just a bunch of girls). Life is good.

Caltech is what you make of it....

Caltech is what you make of it. It’s the hardest school around, and it will break you. But once you’re broken, you’ll begin to ask what you really want. For me, it’s been a bumpy but profound experience. With all the resources and opportunities here, your motivation is the only limit. I’m glad I came, although I think I might have been happier elsewhere.

Men are generally too interested...

Men are generally too interested in commitment and lose in the numbers game. Accordingly, women are fairly disinterested in commitment and spend time thinking about things like getting a PhD. In too many relationships, women realize they have control of the situation and take advantage of it, developing a boy-toy. Neither sex is generally experienced at relationships.

Caltech is hell only because the...

Caltech is hell only because the work is ridiculously difficult, and it’s made me hate a lot of subjects that I formerly loved. Don’t ever think it’ll be any different for you because everyone here was exactly like you in high school—valedictorian, perfect student who loved learning, never met a person smarter than them. Don’t get me wrong, though. I’d rather be here than any other place in the world.

There’s a wide range of guys—from...

There’s a wide range of guys—from pretty normal to pretty nerdy. Concerning girls, uh, what girls?

Everybody says Caltech girls suck,...

Everybody says Caltech girls suck, but then again, those who say that are probably just being mean or jealous. Most everybody at Caltech is polite when spoken to, and there are quite a few pretty girls. Of course, most of these girls are dating other guys (either at Caltech or elsewhere). This is very unfortunate. There are definitely a great number of guys seeking girlfriends who end up very frustrated. However, I definitely do not agree that Caltech girls just suck in general.

I’ve found the professors to be...

I’ve found the professors to be exceptional. They’re all leaders in their field and it really shows; they can answer questions about as best as anyone could. I have taken classes at other universities, and the professors were not near the caliber they are here. I have also found the professors easy to approach. Some would disagree with me on this point, but if I go to a prof’s office, and he or she is there, I will never be turned away.

This is one of the most depressing...

This is one of the most depressing places you will ever go to. Sorry to say it so bluntly, but it is. When you meet upperclassmen, you will find almost everybody is bitter and depressed in some respect. Bitterness and depression will generally set in around the middle of sophomore year. This is all because of the workload and the ridiculous things professors have you do sometimes. For example, I have been commended on getting a 60 percent on a midterm. While taking that midterm, all I could think about was how I was failing this test and had ‘Oh sh*t’ repeating over and over again in my head. Yeah, it is scary. However, I would not like to be anywhere else. Caltech’s strong point is the community.

My other choices for schools were...

My other choices for schools were all large schools, so after coming here, I can say that I wouldn’t have gone anywhere else back when I was a senior. I can say that I like the place and the people, but I wish that the work wasn’t so demanding.

The teachers are good. They...

The teachers are good. They actually enjoy meeting students, and I’ve found them remarkably willing to explain things outside the classroom if there are questions.

Okay, so the attractiveness of...

Okay, so the attractiveness of both sexes is below the social norm. There are exceptions, both male and female, and it is clear who they are. Many people here don’t care to be in a relationship and are completely focused on work, but on the whole, I’d say the people at Tech are just like those in the outside world, except much smarter and a tad uglier.

The people here are really great....

The people here are really great. A lot are very nerdy, especially a lot of guys. The girls are generally less girly, as far as caring about their looks or salivating over boys. The girls definitely do not tend to backstab one another. Almost everyone here could be described as nice. Some guys are annoyingly nerdy or just weird and creepy, but not most.

Relationships are a fairly common...

Relationships are a fairly common thing at Caltech. I heard that it’s hard to get no-strings sex here since everyone wants a relationship. However, there are members of the opposite sex off campus. Overall, most Techers of both genders are really great people.

I’ve had a pretty good experience....

I’ve had a pretty good experience. The workload is really tough, but I found once I got into junior year and into more of the in-major classes, the stress decreased a lot, making it much more enjoyable.

Security knows we’re responsible...

Security knows we’re responsible kids, so they pretty much let us have the run of the campus, as long as we’re not endangering ourselves or others. Pranks and stunts are encouraged, of course.

Alcohol is present, and smoking...

Alcohol is present, and smoking marijuana is available to a much smaller extent. Other drugs are not very pervasive or seen much, although I doubt they’re not hard to find if one was interested.

Drugs at Caltech aren’t a huge...

Drugs at Caltech aren’t a huge problem. People do drugs here—it is college after all. However, I have never been offered any drugs, and it is not rampant. Just as an interesting rumor, during the 1970s, Caltech had a secret LSD lab in one of the student houses which produced the most pure LSD available. I have friends whose parents remember using Caltech LSD who were from the East Coast.

I would say that drugs are not too...

I would say that drugs are not too common on this campus. The only thing I’ve ever seen is weed, but even that is pretty uncommon. People here do like to get hammered, though!