<p>Hello guys, </p>
<p>as the deadline for decisions approaches, I have become progressively nervous about my decisions. I'm completely surprised by the fact that I got accepted to Caltech, but I'm scared that I wouldn't be able to handle the work.
So this is what worries me:</p>
<p>1) I'm willing to take on the workload, but I am scared that at one point I would not be able to comprehend the material. I've gotten perfect sat math and subject test scores, but they are nothing in comparison to the workload in Caltech; even at school, it takes me time to understand the math(although physics and chem comes to me naturally.) I don't want to fail my classes. </p>
<p>2) The social scene seems very chill, but i don't like the idea of doing sets every single weekend. </p>
<p>3)I've seen many posts online about how brutally difficult Caltech is online, along with horror experience/ need to transfer. </p>
<p>Of course, I want to be challenged to my limits and discover more. I absolutely am in love with science, and I am sure that I want to get into engineering. The idea of working in JPL or research absolutely excites me and I like the fact that Caltech is a collaborative and strong community. I'm naturally curious and want to know the fundamentals behind the expansion of the universe and such-- but idk if I am smart enough. I am also not sure if what ever sacrifice I will make in social life&free time is worth it in Caltech. </p>
<p>Could someone give me their opinions?</p>
<p>Congrats You wouldn’t have been admitted if they didn’t think you could do the work. My son didn’t have perfect scores, didn’t come from a special HS, but the 2 terms of P/F were helpful. Lots of social life within each House. Ample opportunities for doing research. My son did SURFs in summer and ECs thru the year. The Honor system was special, taking exams in your own space , and study groups late at nite (with food) are nice features.</p>
<p>Graduated last year from Caltech here – don’t know too much about Harvey Mudd, but from my personal experience at Caltech, you will basically be doing sets every single weekend and not have too much free time otherwise at Caltech. This depends on major/year but is true for the most part.
P/F first two quarters does a tiny bit to ease the transition but then spring quarter hits and every quarter from then on is hell.
I was similar to you in that math and phys took me a while to understand in high school (AP Phys C was a big struggle, for instance) and I got absolutely wrecked by the phys curriculum here, which made me hate Caltech “core” curriculum as a whole. Some of the courses are absolutely unnecessarily detailed in my opinion and have no relevance to my future career + I’ve forgotten all of it already.
Social scene is pretty much nonexistent so not sure where you’re getting that from. Caltech touts its “house” system but trust me, you’d want to have a ‘regular’ college experience over the insular house system that Caltech has.
Oh, and if you have plans on graduate/professional school, the name “Caltech” won’t carry you as far as you think it would if your grades have been tanked by the difficult classes here.</p>
<p>Enjoy your college experience and don’t go to Caltech would be my advice!</p>
<p>@darklycan How abysmal is the social scene really? I didn’t even apply to Caltech (probably going to duke) but U was wondering why some hate it while others love it.</p>