<p>I know that it's a given that 1) everyone at Caltech is the "once every 10 years kid" for his highschool instructors, and 2) the academics will rip you apart and rebuild you better, stronger, and faster. </p>
<p>But it seems that even the people who love it there love it only because it's teaching them so much. Are you "happy" or are you there only for the future opportunities? Is the school broccoli that you eat because it's good for you, or is it lasagna that's good for you but also fun? (Please don't sic the Broccoli Growers Association on me!) (Note: I'm also posting this at HMC)</p>
<p>I have been happy with the exception of the nonexistant dating scene. Because I dated seriously in high school, I found myself far ahead of the curve at Caltech. For instance, a large portion of my friends here have never kissed a member of the opposite sex. </p>
<p>If I had been similarly inexperienced, I probably would have enjoyed everything. Since I was not, I will say that I enjoyed most of it–but that one aspect was enough to frustrate me. While I will look upon my time at Caltech with fondness, I’m definitely ready to leave the bubble.</p>
<p>I really enjoying hanging out with and talking to the people here. house social teams have events almost every weekend and even when there aren’t any scheduled events there are always people willing to do stuff. There are parties and interhouse sports and places to explore. I’m really enjoying my time here, and not just for the academics.</p>
<p>Okay, I’m only a frosh, so I’m still on pass-fail and still in love with Caltech. So take everything I saw with that in mind…</p>
<p>There are a wide variety of people here. Some people drink, others don’t. Some people date, others don’t. It’s all about finding the people that have common interests as you and exploring these. If you’re in a relationship (I am right now), you’re probably going to have people looking at you and talking about you somewhat; it’s a small school, it’s sort of to be expected. I am also a girl, so the ratio is on my side. (ps lizzardfire is an awesome guy, though I haven’t seen him since rotation).</p>
<p>Academically, you sort of need to know what you’re signing up for. You’re taking 5 terms of physics and math, two terms of chem, 12 terms of humanities/social sciences, etc (you can look this up). I personally don’t understand why someone would come here if they’re not interested in learning science, not just to major in one thing. Again, I’m a frosh and my opinion may change if I suddenly don’t like core; right now I’m enjoying it. I think Caltech’s the right place for certain people and absolutely awful for others. I’m happy (even though I’m writing this instead of doing the second half of my chem midterm).</p>
<p>The answer is “yes” to both parts. I don’t think it’s a mutually exclusive “or” in the OP’s question. I think most people would be happier, at least for four years at a time, if they could just do whatever they enjoy and not worry about difficult problem sets/exams/etc.</p>
<p>Most ppl are happy at Caltech and are also there for the future opps that Caltech opens. But someone who doesn’t enjoy working on math/science/engineering will definitely not be happy at Caltech.</p>
<p>“The odds are good but the goods are odd.” No but really, Caltech is ridiculously fun, despite often being very stressful, and the people are interesting, witty, and generally very kind.</p>
<p>I would then be in the same boat as you if I attended and got in. (I probably won’t.) :-/</p>
<p>@FantomBassoon</p>
<p>Hey! Glad to hear everything’s going good, but get back to chem! :-P</p>
<p>@Everyone Else</p>
<p>Although I have quite a few reasons NOT to apply to Caltech or even go if I get in, I do have one very strong reason that is making it hard for me NOT to apply or NOT go if I get in: The student body.</p>
<p>Really. The students @ Caltech are simply amazing. (And if you’re applying to MIT, and the students are your main concern, apply to Caltech. As much as they playfully hate each other - or really hate each other - they are eerily similar.) I refuse to sum up what a Caltech student, on average, is like, since a.) I’m sure you already know AND b.) I’m too lazy to type that much.</p>
<p>Caltech has lots of things that are really special and worth a lot more than other school. Think about this: We have our president cooking for us (I have seen him for at least twice in this term) in the dinning hall. It’s amazing!
I don’t want to mention the rigorous education and what you can get out of it. I just want to say:if you can get in, come see for yourself.</p>
<p>How does having such a small school affect the life at Caltech?</p>
<p>My mom is scared I won’t be able to have a social life or find a girlfriend there. While is amusing to threaten her with Caltech, it does make me wonder.</p>
<p>I do like math/science (and I was very happy to see that everything the supplement wanted was exactly what I did throughout high school), so it is a good fit academically.</p>