<p>Are there many people who are not going to caltech as pure engineers but rather biology or chemistry majors? I have heard from individuals attending there that it is extremely tough being an engineer, but wasn't sure if that was the same for other majors. I really like Caltech especially the idea that I can do research in bio combined with the pratical application of engineering in things like nanotech, but I do eventually want to go to med school or pharmacy and need around a 3.5 supposedly. However, I keep hearing how people are just happy to pass classes with a C so it seems a little disconcerning, but then again I also heard that the average GPA is a 3.5 so what is really true? Thanks</p>
<p>Biology is definitely one of the top three most popular options here, if not the most popular. Chemistry is also a very good department (one of our profs shared the Nobel in Chemistry last year). </p>
<p>Caltech is a great place if you're interested in biology research, but not if you're interested in med school. The average GPA is probably closer to about 3.2. The problem is that half the students here are going to have a GPA lower than that, and they could probably all make >3.8 at almost any other college with less work. Med schools have pretty strict GPA requirements, so a lot of people who would have made excellent applicants if they'd been at another college, have a lot of trouble getting into med school from here.</p>
<p>That said, every year there are probably about a dozen people who go into med school from Caltech. It's just much more of a gamble trying to do so from here than it would be from elsewhere.</p>
<p>Do med schools, and other grad schools for that matter, not see Caltech before your GPA and cut you some slack? Or is it a zero tolerance, black and white requirement?</p>
<p>Med schools are very silly --- they often have strict cutoffs and ignore the school. Graduate programs are MUCH more reasonabble.</p>
<p>Nice. I have a question. Is biochemistry offered at Caltech? i went through
the academic divisions and i can not find infomation about it. Also, what is the reasonable GPA that is accepted by graduate school for techers?</p>
<p>Biochemistry is not an undergrad option, however you can take classes in both biology and chemistry- you can probably find whatever you're looking for.</p>
<p>You can expect them to add about .25 to a Tech GPA (roughly speaking) to get the GPA standard they apply to most other schools.</p>
<p>Thsnks for the responses. I had no idea it was so popular. I've only known people who have for engineering there or possibly Biomedical engineering but not purely biology. I hate how med schools have those cutoffs.</p>
<p>youknowme: Biochemistry is offered along with organic, physical, and inorganic chemistry as a track within the chemistry option. So, there is a formal biochem track, but even if there weren't, there would still be plenty of options for you to take classes in your favorite fields within your major.</p>
<p>takingiteasy: <a href="http://pr.caltech.edu/commencement/06/bs.pdf%5B/url%5D">http://pr.caltech.edu/commencement/06/bs.pdf</a> - Degrees that the class of 2006 recieved. As you can see, there are plenty of non-engineering degrees there. :)</p>
<p>UndulyLL
How come only 28 names?</p>
<p>If you scroll down you will see more ;)</p>