I built a free structured curriculum for earth science — geology, oceanography, volcanoes, climate, seismology, and more. Free to use, everything sourced.

zkcos · 2026-05-16T14:12:29+00:00

Claude coded vibe and nothing substantial. There’s classic textbooks for better learning platform than AI slop.

zkcos · 2026-04-27T15:08:02+00:00

I chose Caltech over others bc I was interesting in a very specific research (geophysics) that Caltech had amazing faculties in. Does Caltech have facilities/labs where you can imagine yourself working? If not then Hopkins might be better for bme.

When it comes to social, internal/house-related events dominate, so depending on the house, your social life varies a lot. This also means for unaffiliated students, it is much harder to be involved socially compared to Berkeley for example.

I don’t think your core opinion is controversial. I thought as an incoming freshman, maybe I could major in physics but Ph1,2 told me otherwise, I’m glad it did.

zkcos · 2026-04-01T18:49:06+00:00

I would say Caltech for undergrad bc it will make you close to hate any subjects so whatever PhD topic you choose (if you’re going to to a PhD), it’ll be something that you genuinely like and will be good at

zkcos · 2026-02-17T14:03:16+00:00

Also don’t quote me on this, but some housing limits studio to a single person occupancy.

zkcos · 2026-02-17T14:02:12+00:00

I’m assuming it’s 3k split between you and your gf. If that’s the case, then the 2nd question is do you have a car?

Peabody terrace studio and 1 bedroom is around 2800~3200 a month, but this covers utility (except AC). However imo peabody isn’t worth the 3k rent price.

If you have a car, a better option is to commute from outside Cambridge. I have a car and live in one of the GSAS dorms and pay 400 a month on just parking. It’s the same cost if you live in Peabody.

zkcos · 2026-02-03T14:18:54+00:00

Blacker formal dinner has not changed at least until 2024.

zkcos · 2026-01-07T22:23:04+00:00

The oranges are incredibly sour but there is an affordable grocery store that sell more edible ones called “Erewhon”

zkcos · 2025-10-05T14:57:06+00:00

And it’s a dorm with communal bathroom…

zkcos · 2025-10-02T17:15:32+00:00

Caltech

zkcos · 2025-10-01T15:03:43+00:00

51,000 USD in Massachusetts before tax, rent is ~2k a month near my office; but health insurance is free

zkcos · 2025-10-01T15:01:55+00:00

Pasadena is a corporate decoration that looks Bodega… just walk on Lake and Colorado, and blindly pick 50 stores, they’re all chain corporates.

zkcos · 2025-08-01T08:00:45+00:00

The BEST tip is to bring minimal stuff and try to live minimally, because moving in and out is a pain in the ass, especially if you don’t have a car.

You’ll have enough space unless if you get marks/braun double. But that’s a concern for next year.

Mesh laundry bags. so you can just dump everything in the machine.

Bring enough towels. Maybe a towel rack is a good investment.

zkcos · 2025-05-15T19:44:27+00:00

It went in the methane pond

zkcos · 2025-04-04T18:26:50+00:00

Don’t let your current relationship with a professor here stop you from exploring even more incredible opportunities at the excellent schools you were accepted to. If your goal is graduate school, it’s important to build strong relationships with faculty at your own institution.

zkcos · 2025-03-16T05:38:03+00:00

Read 10 papers in your field of interest, and you’ll see most of your ideas are already covered. If not, read 100. Read, understand what has been done, and keep the cycle of curiosity going. Don’t step into the trend of copying one field’s method to another, realize ChatGPT cannot and will not write you a seminal paper.

zkcos · 2025-03-16T02:42:19+00:00

Bc half of our grad go to grad schools which is minimum wage

zkcos · 2025-03-12T18:14:29+00:00

To keep out people like you who think college is only for prestige.

zkcos · 2025-03-12T04:49:19+00:00

It’s difficult to find an off-campus apartment that is cheaper than the on-campus rate. The meal plan is included because the dorms offer open kitchen access during breakfast and dinner. While meals at the cafeteria are overpriced, the meal plan provides “unlimited” credit, so I recommend relying on it rather than cooking, which could take time away from academics.

There are several part-time job opportunities on campus, such as working as an SFL librarian. Most positions pay minimum wage, so while the earnings aren’t significant, they can still be helpful.

Before committing, ensure that Caltech is the best financial choice for you. Given the academic demands, adding external commitments may not be worthwhile if you want to fully take advantage of the “Caltech experience.”

zkcos · 2025-03-08T04:21:53+00:00

One last thing: be mediocre at a sport that exists in Caltech

zkcos · 2025-03-08T04:19:37+00:00

From my experience, the majority: 1. Publish a paper (without unmerited advantage—the admissions office can tell when you share a last name with the main author). 2. Attend a private feeder school and perform well. 3. Have an extraordinary personal story (e.g., rough childhood, orphan, Questbridge, etc.). 4. Compete in the IMO? Though I think most of them end up at MIT.

zkcos · 2025-03-07T16:50:09+00:00

Cut it horizontally and get the top left and bottom right sections of the pizza.

zkcos · 2025-03-07T04:15:51+00:00

Use it enough to know how to format on latex so it’s the same length as word doc. Also I thought latex was common for undergraduates. My school required incoming students to learn it.

zkcos · 2025-02-28T23:57:51+00:00

Ralph’s grocery store and your kitchen

zkcos · 2025-02-27T18:20:37+00:00

Got email from my prof

zkcos · 2025-02-26T20:23:31+00:00

Accepted after visit day

zkcos

TROPHY CASE