<p>Ever since my first AP physics class I wanted to be a physicist, and I've wanted to go to Cal Tech to become one. But this school year I read some of Walden and I decided that I want to live in the forest. It wasn't as sudden as a decision as it sounds, I've been a fisherman and outdoors man for years. I thought that I would have to choose one or the other, but then I saw that there is a forest not far from Pasadena on google earth.</p>
<p>So my question is could I have both, and would it be legal.</p>
<p>Generally, freshman are required to live on campus, after that, you can live wherever you want, although if you actually want to do this, the commute would probably be a pain. I don’t know anything about the legality of living in the forest.</p>
<p>You can live in the forest through Caltech’s Alternative Housing program. This program was designed to encourage students to get away from the confines of Caltech’s small campus by providing them funding to live up to an hour away from Pasadena. The only people I’ve heard about who applied for funding wanted to rent beach houses (their mentality was “if I’m in So Cal, I should be at the beach for as much time as possible”), but since we’re so close to the San Bernardino National Forest, I don’t see how the Alternative Housing Committee could deny you funding–you’d probably get some camping supplies and enough money to rent a small cabin. Like all committees at Caltech, the AHC is composed of both faculty and students, so surely someone there will understand where you’re coming from. Good luck, both with your eventual Alternative Housing proposal, and with your admission to Caltech!</p>
<p>op, sorry to be harsh, but you really need a reality check. i realize you have such dreams and they feel so important to you, but you really have to come to terms with the fact that not all such dreams are attainable. when i was younger, i used to dream of having a team of siberian huskies to be my family and i’d live far to the north in the lands of ice and snow and stuff. but i realized that this is hardly a way of life, there are far too many complications that make such a dream impractical. and just as i came to realize the folly of my dreams, you must also mature to set your sights on more practical goals. studying physics just isn’t reasonable. maybe you could be an applied physicist instead?</p>
<p>Quello: ‘i’d live far to the north in the lands of ice and snow’</p>
<p>As soon as I read that line, the Immigrant Song by Led Zepplin started playing in my head [run to the lands of the ice and snow…].
Evokes strong imagery!
I wonder if you got inspired by the same song to write that line…
Sorry to detract:)</p>
<p>BTW OP, a lot of the forest was burned down during the wildfires last summer. It’s closed off to the public. I tried to get a group together to hike up Mt. Wilson, and found out that its all closed off due to hazardous conditions from the fire. Of course, I think the OP is ■■■■■■■■ anyway, but whatever.</p>
<p>In all seriousness, I’d recommend someone feeling this way to try and go into geology. I’ve had a few friends that went into it (either here or elsewhere) and the trips they take to do their fieldwork make me more than a little jealous!</p>