<p>hi
I'm a girl who likes science pretty much and I'm an international student.Actually I haven't decided what to major in. I like both physics and biology pretty much though i know they are two very different studies.</p>
<p>I have never expected to be accepted to Caltech,so when the news came it really came as a total surprise. I LOVE science, and I know it is a sooo great opportunity to attend Caltech for its academic rigor and resources,etc. But I am just afraid that I'm not good enough. </p>
<p>And since I haven't decided what to major in(between physics and premed),it is even harder to choose. I know there are no premed major at Caltech and comparatively small amount of people do premed there and it's hard to get a high GPA??(another problem is that international applicants acceptance at med school is LOW)</p>
<p>I've contacted a daughter of my mom's friend who's studying at Caltech to know more, and the fact that a lot of people graduate in 5 or 6 years kind of scares me.Also, she said that when admission office did a survey, about 50% seniors doesn't recommend Tech, but she likes there a lot.</p>
<p>So now I just can't decide where to go(sigh).I know it'd be a challenge to go to Caltech. I like other schools a lot,too.If I want to do premed,Hopkins is def a great choice,but I'm not pretty sure how what science program is like?if i choose not to do premed,would it harm my chance to get a great science education.</p>
<p>Please give me some suggestions!!pleaseXD Do you recommend Caltech,what do you like about it and why did you choose it instead of others schools that you are admitted to ?<br>
THANKS=]</p>
<p>In your situation, I would pick Tech over the other schools if I were seeking a rigorous and well-rounded education in the sciences. I will be attending Tech next year, and I'm planning to eventually matriculate to a med school, and I'm sure there are others who will be pursuing the same path. There will be people with the same aspirations as you at Tech... I personally chose Tech because I enjoy challenges and am not afraid of setbacks.</p>
<p>It is indeed difficult to get a high GPA at Caltech. There is also no set "premed" major here. However, Caltech undergrads do get an incredible amount of access to research (through SURF and during the year). This may be a plus for med school. That said, I wouldn't recommend Tech for premed unless you want to do an MD PhD and thus have a strong interest in research/pure science.</p>
<p>I would never recommend Caltech unless you have visited. In fact, I would never recommend that you attend a school that you haven't visited, but moreso at Caltech, just because it is so different than most other schools. </p>
<p>As far as academics go, you wouldn't have been admitted if you couldn't handle the workload. But for premed, where GPA is huge, I surmise that Caltech may not be the best option. There are also a lot of math and physics requirements, which means that if you want a more well-rounded education, your other options would be a better pick (although Caltech requires humanities courses, I doubt you'd have much time to graduate in four years and explore much into the humanities realm). </p>
<p>Full disclaimer: I am not a student at Caltech, so take my advice with a grain of salt. However, I have visited and also done a lot of research about the school.</p>
<p>actually I've been to Caltech before, but just walking around and no further understanding...I didn't go to prefrosh because I'm an international student but now I regretted it. Also my mom is nagging me everyday about "why lose such a great opportunity"..... anyway,I'm wondering if anyone can tell me what life at Caltech is like?eg. working very very hard, 4~5 hrs of sleep per day......?? Do you like Caltech and why??
Thanks=]</p>
<p>I'm a parent, so don't flame me if I'm wrong. It seems that after fulfilling all the CORE classes, just organic chem would have been needed for med school. Also, one can spend 6 weeks shadowing MDs at Huntington Hosp, right in Pasadena. Further, you'll note that almost half of the graduates last year graduated with Honors. Many (20?) who didn't graduate had only a thesis or a class to complete. I'm sure some students extend their summer internship program for half a year.
What I don't know is the acceptance rate to med school. Sure, Hopkins is huge in that area, but so is the competition.</p>
<p>Hopefully, a current student will correct my inaccuracies.
PS As a female, you'd be at an advantage at Caltech.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I'm a parent, so don't flame me if I'm wrong. It seems that after fulfilling all the CORE classes, just organic chem would have been needed for med school.
<p>What do you mean by you "like science pretty much" Would you be happy spending most of your time doing science? Taking almost nothing but math/science?<br>
Another big question, Do you want a really small school were you will know almost everyone? Living in a house/hovse, rather than a regular dorm?<br>
Caltech is different from most other schools, so you'll have to decide if this is the environment you want.<br>
Also, when you say you aren't sure what you are majoring in, are you just split between physics and biology, or are you considering other majors like history or english, which are not as large/strong at Caltech?
I really like it here, but it is certainly not the correct place for everyone.
( If you got in you will be good enough, if you work hard. The admissions office is really good at picking out the correct people to accept)
(If you still want to visit, you certainly can, third term doesn't end for 9 weeks, although I don't know if that is feasible for you)</p>
<p>Well, I'm pretty sure my son gets more than 4 to 5 hours of sleep, but he's a frosh and just went off pass/fail. His shadows grades were good though I'm not sure how good of a predictor they are. He's happy there, but has been worried about going off pass/fail for a while. He was unusual first two terms because he actually went to his classes. He says more of his classmates are attending lectures now so he thinks maybe his first term on grades has something to do with that. He established good study habits in high school and tries to maintain that, although he sometimes has troubles when the people he works on sets with don't start them until midnight before they are due. Only late night he has with studying was up until about 2:00 a.m. on a paper that came due at the same time as a final of his. He has had other late nights due to social activities.</p>