liberal arts at caltech?

Colleges and Universities A-Z California Institute of Technology
1

<p>Hello. </p>

<p>I enjoy learning almost every subject (not languages). My primary interests are physics and math. I can spend 10+ hours a day just working tough contest math or proof problems. Anyways, although I enjoy the humanities (esp. literature and philosophy) I like to spend my free time mostly focused on math and sciences.</p>

<p>This leads me to a dilemma in my choices of colleges to apply to. I want my undergrad education to be well-rounded enough to push my abilities in the humanities and help expand my world view. I figure I can have the rest of my life to immerse myself in math and science, but I doubt that I will want to allocate the time to study the humanities.</p>

<p>So will Caltech's liberal arts program challenge me/be diverse enough that I can find classes outside of my "comfort zone"?</p>

<p>Maybe a more important question: Is the importance I place on liberal arts indicative that I am not a good fit for Caltech?</p>

2

<p>Caltech’s liberal arts is very… bad. Faculty is ok, but students usually view liberal arts as a hassle.</p>

<p>In reality, while many students want the best of both worlds, most will tend to lean towards one area.</p>

<p>I would still apply to Caltech and then just check out the campus if you get in.</p>

3

<p>[Core</a> Curriculum - Caltech Caltech Undergraduate Admissions](<a href=“http://admissions.caltech.edu/learning/2013Core]Core”>http://admissions.caltech.edu/learning/2013Core)</p>

<p>Caltech has a requirement for you to take one humanities course every term.</p>

4

<p>I have thought more and decided that I love math and science enough that if I got in (a big if) then I would almost certainly attend no matter the liberal arts education.</p>

5

<p>Why don’t you apply to Harvey Mudd? Just down the road, also very strong in math & science, AND they still encourage you to pursue the liberal arts? The first 18 months are pretty immersed in the core, but you still get to take around 30% of your classes in the humanities/liberal arts over your four years there.</p>

<p>The mission of Harvey Mudd says:</p>

<p>“Harvey Mudd College seeks to educate engineers, scientists, and mathematicians well versed in all of these areas and in the humanities and the social sciences so that they may assume leadership in their fields with a clear understanding of the impact of their work on society.”</p>

<p>Caltech is obviously fantastic, but if you want to keep a hand in the humanities as well, consider Mudd.</p>

6

<p>At one of the student presenters’ days, there was standing room only for a psychology class. The presentations were funny, and the kids clearly liked this prof.</p>

7

<p>Requiring 1 hum per quarter doesn’t mean you’ll get a good liberal arts experience.</p>

<p>Trust me, I’ve been to plenty of those classes</p>