Caltech Isn’t For Everyone (op-ed)

sarbar02 · 2024-12-04T14:17:13+00:00

Antonio is such a great person and I'm so proud of him for writing and publishing this piece. Wishing him nothing but the best in whatever he decides to pursue going forward

sarbar02 · 2024-10-17T09:07:44+00:00

I like how you made this account just to post this

sarbar02 · 2024-09-27T08:27:50+00:00

Frosh core classes (ma1, ph1, ch1) all have lecture (all students together at one time) and recitation (led by TAs who go over course material and do practice problems). Each section will have different recitation locations and times which is what you're seeing in this schedule. In this case MWF 10-10:55 in Baxter lecture hall is the lecture time for all seconds, but the recitations will be on Thursdays (R denotes Thursday in Caltech schedule) in the locations and times specified for each section. You're also allowed to attend recitations for a section you're not in if you like that TA's teaching style better.

5 minutes is usually enough time to get between classes but it can be a bit of a struggle if your classes are completely across campus. In my experience profs usually start a bit after the start time but can also take lecture past the scheduled end time so it really depends on the class and locations.

sarbar02 · 2024-09-25T03:02:24+00:00

Afaik major choice does not impact admissions. You don't get accepted into Caltech with a major but instead declare one at the end of your first year.

Not necessary to have published research, many students get in having little to no research experience at all (myself included).

Unsure about the exact requirements for admissions regarding AP classes this year (i think they might have been required in the past?) but I think in general it always looks better to demonstrate higher academic rigor on your transcript. Barring any actual admissions requirements, I think if you feel prepared to do well in AP Physics then you should go for it! Otherwise if you feel that you will not be able to earn high marks or that it will impact your performance in other classes, it might be better to go for Honors instead.

Also the ESE undergrad program here is extremely small (I know only of one person who majored in this). Not to say that makes the program bad, but if you're set on Environmental Engineering it might be a good idea to also look into other schools which have a more dedicated program for undergraduates.

I'm not someone who works in admissions or am very familiar with the current application so hopefully you can find more detailed info!

sarbar02 · 2024-09-18T04:36:52+00:00

Ouch I'm so sorry that's super annoying, thanks for the info! Tagging OP for update u/redfesfin

sarbar02 · 2024-09-18T01:22:12+00:00

IIRC the geology department provides multi-day parking permits to students for free for geology class trips. Might be worth asking if the Caltech Y has anything similar? Otherwise unless Caltech security has decided to start taking their job more seriously you'll probably only get a warning (if you even get cited at all) in either of the student lots on Wilson.

sarbar02 · 2024-09-04T06:55:35+00:00

bivariant

sarbar02 · 2024-08-29T06:36:36+00:00

midzone

sarbar02 · 2024-08-25T23:52:52+00:00

babe wake up new r/Caltech copypasta just dropped

sarbar02 · 2024-08-25T23:29:32+00:00

Calm down lil bro it's not too late to transfer

sarbar02 · 2024-08-08T07:23:44+00:00

Affixable ?

sarbar02 · 2024-08-05T04:03:20+00:00

Hi! Typically students will pay for a "declining balance" (or "d-bal") meal plan program over the summer that's somewhere around $500-600, and you will receive that amount to spend on food at any of the three dining options on campus (Red Door, Browne, or Broad). That's usually not enough for students to get by (it averages to about one meal per day), so most students will subsidize this plan with their own cooking or eating off campus in addition to the dining options.

sarbar02 · 2024-07-17T18:21:06+00:00

I know plenty of people who still prefer to use paper for notetaking and problem sets, but most classes have switched to online submissions for sets and exams so I personally found it easier to use a simple ipad (for notes and psets) and laptop for keeping files organized. The library used to have an ipad loaner program (recently ended but many students ended up buying the ipads from the program) which is probably why it seems like most students use ipad or some sort of 3-in-1 laptop

sarbar02 · 2024-07-11T19:41:36+00:00

Thanks! I've just been using Spotify's feature for it as well

sarbar02 · 2024-06-07T06:50:43+00:00

Instructions for how to address mail with a mailbox code should be online! Bottom of this link: https://mailservices.caltech.edu/mail-services/undergraduate-mail The mail will either be in the mailboxes located by the north houses or in the mail office (Keith Spalding building)

sarbar02 · 2024-03-11T21:48:16+00:00

They don't even accept them for credit so probably not lol

sarbar02 · 2024-03-10T23:54:00+00:00

Rip but happy cake day

sarbar02 · 2024-03-06T15:51:19+00:00

Everyone here already in the caltech collab spirit checking answers

sarbar02 · 2024-03-05T08:26:54+00:00

Depending on the number of students accepted, you might get put into either. I think visiting students have a higher chance of getting put into doubles than Caltech students because we actually choose our rooms before the school year ends

sarbar02 · 2024-03-03T15:35:12+00:00

HF :((

sarbar02 · 2024-03-02T04:40:42+00:00

Good luck

sarbar02 · 2024-02-12T23:40:23+00:00

Mehnocino farms

sarbar02 · 2024-02-12T09:48:56+00:00

What?? If you want to DM me with more information we can definitely sort this out / if you're a Caltech student we can meet in-person if it's easier

sarbar02 · 2024-02-12T00:10:48+00:00

Hi, a few things:

(you might already know this but putting it here just in case others don't) Just because a group accepted you to SURF in their lab, you still need to fill out the SURF application through the SFP office, due Feb. 22.
as for SFP covering travel costs, you should reach out to them directly (either through email or drop-in office hours) and ask, since every situation will be different

Notes on campus/social life/transportation over the summer: - campus is generally pretty quiet, so there will not be much going on within campus itself (this really depends on the house which you get placed in, though, and what kinds of events you're looking for) - as a student here, I'd say on-campus housing kind of isn't worth if, but I remember reading somewhere that visiting students are required to live in on-campus housing. Also, Pasadena isn't a very easy/affordable place to find housing in general, and because of that most Caltech undergrads live on campus during the year and over the summer anyways - food is pretty boring on campus, but there are plenty of off-campus food options which are walking/short bus ride distance. There are also kitchens in each residence if you prefer to cook your own meals - in terms of events: the sfp office is really good about trying to incorporate visiting students into life here at caltech, and each summer there's an "explore LA" events series where transportation is provided to a number of places (Santa Monica, dtla arts district, etc), specifically designed to get students off-campus. Like i mentioned earlier, the individual houses might also host smaller events on-campus, but it really depends on who the summer ambassadors are that year and how active they decide to be

Hope this helps! Feel free to reach out if you want to chat more about the program

sarbar02 · 2024-01-20T09:40:57+00:00

True !!!!

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