<p>So I used to dream of going to caltech because as a freshsoph I thought literature was for weakminded people and I was pure bliss at math and science and somewhat socially awkward, so yeah caltech is perfect. But over the years, I've really matured in terms of literature and music; wherever I go, I want to do a 'softy' type minor or major in combination with a top notch chemistry/or physics degree. I got Yale SCEA, so my three other options that I'm looking at are MIT Princeton Harvard and... maybe caltech.</p>
<p>But I really do want to take some great literature classes, play in an orchestra, take a drama class maybe, etc, get a little liberal arts, little economics before I leave college. Does it make sense to apply to caltech? I love chemistry and I fell in love with caltech's chemistry building - but I need to know if Caltech has at least a decent amount of the 'all around goodness' going on or is it like the stereotypical amazing science, CRAP everything else. </p>
<p>And when I graduate, I want to be looking at a wide range of options, not just grad school research. I may want to work in the future booming investment industry... lets say hypothetically that's what I want to do - how deft is Caltech when it comes to getting their students into top NONsciency jobs?</p>
<p>Because I'm a research publishing, ass kicking high school scientist, but I have some doubts about whether I want to be a scientist for life. Should I leave caltech alone?</p>
<p>Although I'd say it's possible to fulfill literary interests here, especially with something like English as a double major, if you're not sure that you want to be a scientist (or mathematician, or engineer) you might not be happy here. After all, it's a lot of work, and if you're not doing it because you love it, you'll not be happy here.</p>
<p>That being said though, I urge you to apply. If/when you get in, come visit at prefrosh weekend and talk to a bunch of students (especially ones double majoring in humanities/social sciences) and see what they say :). Then you'll be able to make a good, informed decision about what you want to do.</p>
<p>DS is a junior at Caltech. He's acted in plays (and received credit for it), taken lit classes and lots of economic classes. And he's currently on the fencing team. He's also taking Japanese classes. If you look at Utube you can find a very recent trip the Caltech orchestra made - they played in Carnegie hall. So from his perspective, yes, there's enough liberal arts to keep him happy. But you need to judge for yourself whether or not you want more. Another option is taking classes at Occidental while at Caltech. </p>
<p>Congrats on your acceptance to Yale. Good luck making your decision. Maybe the answer is apply, & if accepted come to prefrosh weekend and learn more.</p>
<p>You sound risk averse. You can go to Yale and kick your feet up and wait for that "future booming investment industry"--the Ivy League degree should help. To be more direct, Caltech does a fairly good job at placing students into top ibanks and MC firms, but I would guess that Yale has a higher rate of placement (and the students don't have to work as hard during their four years).</p>
<p>Chemistry at Caltech has been amazing to me. The prof's here are unparalleled. One of the best departments at Caltech by far. All of them have been incredibly supportive of whatever I've wanted to do.</p>
<p>If you want to do Chemistry. You should seriously consider Caltech.</p>
<p>Nick, not to troll, but to suggest another possibility that sounds like it might be a good fit for you... have you considered Harvey Mudd College? It calls itself a Math/Science/Engineering Liberal Arts College... HMC actually requires you to take a concentration in another field, and you'd have the whole Claremont system's classes /and/ ECs to choose from. And if you decide midway through that a Math/Science career is not for you, there's always the "off-campus major" option. It might be just the ticket for someone like you.</p>
<p>Quite frankly, if you are not interested in pursuing science/engineering post graduation and already have your sights set on a job in finance, I wouldn't go through with a Caltech education. The rigor simply wouldn't be worth your time. On the other hand if you would like to really learn Chemistry, then I can't imagine a better place to go than Caltech. </p>
<p>By the way, as aforementioned its not that you can't get a good finance job with a Caltech degree -- many have. But again, if that's your goal, I really don't think you would enjoy your time here.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice, the thing is that while I like science, I just want a school that whatever i gravitate towards, I'll have top notch classes and job placements. I mean, I have no doubt that caltech kicks the stuffing out of yale's science - no question, but the way I determine what I want to do is by trying a variety of things. Currently the plan with Y is that I will be able to try out every field I'm interested in and if I gravitate towards... law (god forbid), I'm covered excellently. At caltech, it seems that if I find out that high school science proficiency and research doesnt translate to wanting to do science forever, I'm kinda screwed. </p>
<p>But thanks for the answers, they were really helpful. I'm going to apply just because my brother goes there (but he doesnt give good advice, which was why I asked here.) This gets into the moral issue of whether to apply to a place that I probably wont attend, but I will think about and visit again.</p>