<p>I've heard that some Caltech professors are "too important" to preoccupy themselves with undergraduates. Can any Caltech student tell me more about this, especially for lab sciences like biology and chemistry.</p>
<p>The approachability of professors is a pretty big variable here. There are a few that very notoriously do not talk to undergraduates without very good reason, but this is not the majority case.</p>
<p>Most professors will talk to you if you make an effort to seek them out. Like any busy person, they don’t always respond to emails very quickly, but if you go wait outside their office, there’s a good chance they’ll give you their attention.</p>
<p>I think that’s largely true at any other school, as well.</p>
<p>I remember a professor at my undergrad institution that would close his door, turn his lights off, and not answer his door/phone because he never liked dealing with people unless he was the one setting up the time.</p>