<p>What is the best way to visit Caltech? They offer Caltech Summer Previews. Anyone experienced this? Should we do preview or just the regular tour?</p>
<p>I went to the Summer Preview last year and enjoyed it. It includes a tour plus info sessions about various aspects of the school like research opportunities, financial aid, a student discussion panel, etc. I’d say if you can make the Summer Preview, it’s worthwhile and includes a lot more than a basic tour.</p>
<p>Great, thank you evanatch! Due to timing for sessions overlapping, it is impossible to visit all. Which one not to be missed: Application and Fin Aid, JPL, Undergraduate research (SURF), student panel or practical solutions at Caltech or campus walking tour?</p>
<p>If I had to pick one to miss, I would not go on the campus walking tour. Just walk around campus and read the Caltech website. Not too much new material is presented there, although you may get to see inside the Houses. There are tours offered at other times too. However, keep in mind that I didn’t go to a Caltech Summer Preview.</p>
<p>We were able to cover almost everything because my dad and I split up; we both did the walking tour, I went to SURF and the student panel, and he went to Application/Fin Aid and JPL. </p>
<p>I would say SURF and the student panel were both really good. The SURF presentation lets you see specific examples of the types of research going on, which was interesting, and shows how easily accessible research opportunities are. The student panel is important because it really shows the personality of the school, which is totally unique and not a fit for everyone. Of all of the info sessions, I’d say the student panel is definitely one not to be missed.</p>
<p>The walking tour was nice, as it shows you the campus and allows you to see the houses and learn a bit of the history of the school, but it probably isn’t absolutely necessary. I would think a lot of the information about Financial Aid and Admissions would be on the website, though I’m not completely sure about this. The JPL presentation is undoubtedly very cool, but I don’t know how much of it is directly relevant to a prospective undergraduate student. Practical Solutions at Caltech sounds new - I don’t remember that being an option last year.</p>
<p>Hope this helps, and I hope you enjoy your visit as much as I did!</p>
<p>I imagine the JPL tour is the typical public tour JPL offers the public fairly often. Maybe a few extra comments about how Caltech students can have an easier time working there.</p>
<p>One of the main things that’s nice is there’s an hourly van that runs from JPL to Caltech and back that’s free with a JPL Badge. There’s also a city bus that runs for ~$1.50 each way.</p>