California Institute of Technology
Reviews

If You Want to Be in a Sport, No One Will Stop You

If you're willing to show up and participate, a team won't turn you away. The quality is not very high, but it's a friendly environment. The gym is nice, we have a good training staff, and the coaches are quite good. Fan support is lacking. There is no women's soccer team, though women can play on the male-dominated co-ed team.

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.

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.

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).

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.

It gets really hot in the summer...

It gets really hot in the summer (which is about half the year). I definitely suggest T-shirts and shorts, and make the T-shirts white (you’ll fry in the dark ones). Some days, I try very hard not to leave my room during daylight hours. The ‘winters’ aren’t cold at all, as far as I’m concerned. If you’re from California or thereabout, you probably want long pants and windbreakers or something. If you’re from someplace with snow, you might be fine in T-shirts and shorts all year like me. Have an umbrella and reasonably water-proof shoes, though; it tends to rain a lot in the winter. The campus is very unsuited to dealing with rain; there are puddles everywhere.

Public transportation is terrible....

Public transportation is terrible. You need a car to get anywhere in a reasonable amount of time.

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.

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.

The parties here generally sport...

The parties here generally sport alcohol and the same old pop/rap music. While some houses have a clue and play music other than pop and rap, those two genres are embarrassingly prevalent at parties. While a lot of drinking occurs at parties here, you don’t need alcohol to fit in. One thing that is cool is that a lot of work goes into these parties, so at least they are presented well. As for the clubs, we’re close to LA. The clubs are world class, but you have to be 21 to get into most of them.

Personal safety seems good here....

Personal safety seems good here. This is due more to the area being peaceful than to Caltech security, I think, since they don’t even carry any weapons. A lot of them don’t look to be in good physical shape.

You should definitely cruise...

You should definitely cruise through San Marino, an affluent neighborhood with multimillion-dollar mansions, at least once just to get the feel of it. Huntington Library and Gardens (in San Marino), a short walk or drive away from campus, is also pretty nice. It’s basically some guy’s old estate (he’s passed away by now) with a large botanical garden and art collection in it. They’ve got a lot of assorted plants, and a few are extremely rare; it’s just a nice place to sit around in or walk through.

From personal experience, there...

From personal experience, there are fewer jerks here than I’ve seen in high school. I guess this applies to everybody, but the student body generally cares for each other. It is one of the nicest things about Caltech. I came to this school for the people, not so much the academics—and I really mean that.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

Nightlife in Pasadena is pricey;...

Nightlife in Pasadena is pricey; go to Manhattan Beach or LA for a cheaper, younger crowd.

You’re only a 20-minute drive from...

You’re only a 20-minute drive from Hollywood, so the clubs are great. Bars are good. There is something for everyone.

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.

There’s a regular distribution of...

There’s a regular distribution of girls. Some are cute, some plain, some ditzy. Where else will all of them learn calculus?

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.

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.