<p>does anyone know what does Caltech do if you're traveling during the summer or something like that? or do they tell you when its going to be mailed/is it emailed also?</p>
<p>it's not usually emailed but you can probably make arrangements to have it sent to you early or something if you talk to the appropriate departments.</p>
<p>oh good, thanks!</p>
<p>What are the benefits to testing out of classes? I'm worried that if I try too hard on the tests I'll end up with a schedule at Caltech that is far too dificult for me to manage. I'm taking Calculus right now but we've never done anything like a proof (besides "show that"s.) Is it worth learning how to do proofs just to do well on the placement exam?</p>
<p>yea, i never learned proofs either</p>
<p>Its worth learning how to do proofs regardless of whether you have any interest in the placement exam.</p>
<p>Testing out of Ma 1ab and 2a meant that I got to wake up at 10 first term and that I don't have to deal with Ma core next year. And pass/fail was my ticket to getting through 2b.</p>
<p>First of all I should clarify what I said about the math tests and proofs: it's only necessary to know proofs if you're trying to test out of certain terms (Ma 1a being among them). In order to avoid taking the extra Math class (Ma .9 is what it's often called), you just have to demonstrate some understanding of calculus -- you don't have to know how to do a proof.</p>
<p>As for the benefit of placing out, I'd suggest that you go ahead and take the tests to the best of your ability and see how you do. Review what you know, but don't try to learn stuff you don't. If you do end up testing out of something, you can wait until Add day (about two and a half weeks into the term) before you make the final decision about whether to take the class you passed out of or not. Only a small percentage of every class tests out, so there's no use worrying about what you should do before you know if you're part of that group.</p>
<p>As for proofs, don't bother learning them if you don't already -- Ma 1 a will teach you. (If you don't know proofs you definitely should not skip out of Ma 1a.)</p>
<p>Thank you for the info. :) Ma 1a sounds good to me since I have zero experience with proofs but a good amount of experience with the Calculus.</p>
<p>If you got in, kiddo, you're good enough to attend.</p>
<p>Ok, so I'm 99% sure I'm attending Caltech... now what?
I know it's a little off-topic, but what benefits are there to taking AP tests this May? Are they extra stress, that is not worth it because AP credit doesn't count for classes at Caltech? :)</p>
<p>...confused</p>
<p>There is no benefit to the AP tests other than the immense personal pleasure you will derive from sitting in a room for four hours per test : )</p>
<p>yay....
thanks...
another off-topic question... any advice for dorms?</p>
<p>Pay attention to them during rotation, pick one you enjoy. You will get plenty of advice on this process in due time.</p>
<p>Don't take AP exams.</p>
<p>dancinchik, pick a hou/vse based on the personality NOT the living arrangements (e.g. presene of single rooms). The people around you will have far more affect on how much you like the house than the type of room you're living in.</p>
<p>Thanks! Would you happen to know if we get to see the different personalities of the houses prefrosh weekend?</p>
<p>You will to a small extent. It's only two days and the point is to understand the personality of Caltech, not of the hou/vses. There will be plenty of time to learn the latter during Rotation. However, if you've already decided on Caltech, there's no reason not to go ahead and start paying attention to the personalities.</p>
<p>Oh my goodness. That's the exact same thing I thought when I got my big letter: "Wait, I'm not a genius! How did I get in?" I never took much of anything seriously in high school. Well, I guess I pulled the occasional (okay, more than occasional) all-nighter to finish a paper, but I never got too stressed out about my grades or GPA or SAT scores or whatever. I never even qualified for the AIME. So I just laughed when I got the grey-orange thing in my mailbox, or rather, when my dad pointed out that I got a grey-orange thing in my mailbox.</p>
<p>Maybe they were looking for someone who doesn't take herself too seriously? I did technical theater stuff and quiz bowl stuff. Well I got a 5 in BC calc and some other schtuff. But that's about it.</p>
<p>I can't help but feel a twinge of guilt that I might've beaten out someone more qualified or someone who knew they wanted to go to Caltech since kindergarten. Friends have told me "just be happy you got in." Meh, sometimes altruism can get the best of you... no pun intended :)</p>