Caltech Question Thread

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29.) What kind of science/math related careers do caltech graduates pursue? (either UG or Grad students, doesn't matter) And which specific areas pay well? Does it make more sense to pursue some sort of engineering major over physics at caltech if I'm worried about earning potential later on in life, or does what you major in as a UG not have that big of an influence on future income? (assuming I go to grad school)

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If you're interested in earning potential, physics really isn't a bad option. Many of the physics majors I know (though not a representative sample) are not planning on going into academia (or grad school). Nearly all are planning on using their physics degrees as an entry into finance instead.</p>

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<p>Post your questions in this thread. I don't know if any of us are actually majoring in biology, but we can certainly try to find answers to your questions. </p>

<p>Note that Caltech does not actually offer an undergraduate major in biochemistry, but there is some coursework and a graduate program in biochemistry. This means that you can do biochemistry research, which is good.</p>

<p>A quarter of the student body is majoring in biology, chemistry, chemical engineering, geochemistry, or geobiology. We're not all in math and physics. ;) I, personally, am a chemistry major, and I am interested in biochemistry. If you have any questions, ask them. I'm sure there are some biology majors around on these boards too.</p>

<p>I'm a EE! (Not physics or math!! hehe)</p>

<p>UnduylyLlamarific..I'm sure that there is a story in that name somewhere :-)
I don't know if you've seen any of my earlier posts here but I'm a Canadian studying biological sciences (with an emphasis on biochem) in the UK in first yr. I'm thinking of applying to go on an exchange to Cal tech (we seem to have an exchange program with Cal Tech, but not with Stanford). We have to apply in Sept this yr, for acceptance the following Sept. I'm trying to understand as much as possible about the degree program, courses etc. The reasons that I'm in the UK is that I like the fact that you specialize right from yr 1. Science is not "general" for the first 2 yrs as in most North American universities. The systems are very different so just trying to understand if I'll have the right background for the courses at Cal Tech. Do you know of any exchange students in biology or chem at the moment?</p>

<p>I personally don't know any exchange students at all, but it is my understanding that there are quite a few on campus, probably many from universities where quantum mechanics is not required to study biology. ;) While your peers will probably have a much stronger background than you in math and physics, I doubt it will make a big difference in most biology classes. If you're well-prepared in biology, I have no doubt you can succeed in the advanced biology/biochemistry courses. Having taken more specialized biology classes from the get-go may even be an asset.</p>

<p>Hmmm....sorry for this sort of "what are my chances?" post, but based on this year's statistics (576 admitted, 315 placed on alternate, and many-many rejected by Ivies), what are the chances of making it from the Waitlist?</p>

<p>It's impossible to tell you the chances of the waitlist until they know how many people actually matriculate. Last year they took a lot off of the waitlist, but this year there are a bunch of things that are different- we'll see how the yield turns out.</p>

<p>If they do take a lot of people off the waitlist - like the did last year - the ones who expressed a lot of interest in Caltech to admissions and sent in more information about things they had accomplished since applying were the first to get a call. If you're waitlisted, your actions now can make a huge impact on whether or not you get accepted eventually.</p>

<p>Yep ^^ :) (I believe my getting off the waitlist was due in part to my enthusiasm to attend)</p>

<p>Thanks for your responses. I am trying to send as much relevant information as I can, but the probability of more than 300 students denying their acceptance just seems too low to me. Does anyone know how many were offered a place at Caltech last year?</p>

<p>Well, Caltech has had a matriculation rate of around 45% in previous years.</p>

<p>How much people get 4.0/4.0+ each year? How much work does this require?</p>

<p>9% have a 4.0 or above. I imagine this requires quite a bit of work, but it clearly is possible.</p>

<p>I know a guy in the electrical engineering major (one of the majors with a higher workload) with a 4.05 or something. He's on the basketball team as well, which is a serious time commitment. It is obvious that he is not constantly studying. Make of that what you will. I put it this way since it is very hard to quantify the amount of work one puts into something. (Joules? nope, most humans run at about 100 Watts regardless of GPA. Hours? nope, some schedules take inherently more hours than others. Sheets of paper? varies from person to person)</p>

<p>Do most people take humanities/ SS courses P/F?</p>

<p>A Techer I know doesn't have a single letter grade for any humanities courses.</p>

<p>I actually don't know. I personally took all but one of mine on grades, but this probably varies from person to person.</p>

<p>I haven't taken a single HSS class on grades so far (i'm a junior).</p>

<p>I'm a junior and I have taken 1 HSS class a term so far, and all but one have been on P/F.</p>

<p>If you don't P/F your HSS classes, what else are you going to P/F? Many options (like mine, CS) require some or all option requirements to be taken on grades. Core math, chem, phys classes, menu classes, PE classes, etc. all don't let you choose to P/F (they are either P/F only or grades only). So you don't really have that many things you can choose to P/F.</p>

<p>The only reason you would take HSS classes on grades is if you do well in them, which I certainly don't. Another advantage is that P/F classes don't count on your GPA, so if you fail one it's not that bad.</p>

<p>"If you don't P/F your HSS classes, what else are you going to P/F? "
If you were a phys major, you could p/f ACM 95!</p>