Summer housing options and summer work?

<p>Hi,
Are there part-time internships offered in the summer at Caltech/JPL? Or only full-time?
Has anyone ever participated?</p>

<p>What are some housing options (low cost as possible yet near within walking distance to campus and hopefully with other students) just for the summer? Are there lots of students who sublet? Are there any situations where I can live with as many people as possible (more than the usual just to save).. What's the average price? Will it be difficult to find a place to live? How about the dorms? (i'd like to so i can meet people but i'm guessing it's too expensive...how about staying over someone's place?) </p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>SURF is a full-time job for part of the summer. (It's 10 weeks out of the 15 free you get for the summer). As far as I know, everything here is 10 weeks or very close to it. I have done two SURFs.</p>

<p>I'm pretty sure summer students have the option of staying on campus in the student dorms. That's what I'd do. I don't know what the price is off the top of my head, but we usually have enough space over the summer. </p>

<p>I'm pretty sure the dorms are one of the cheapest housing options around...</p>

<p>There are non-SURF opportunities at Caltech. Thus, you don't necessarily have to work 10 weeks, although most people will tell you even 10 weeks isn't much time for research. I worked in a lab last summer (as a prefrosh). I just emailed a few professors to see if they had space in their lab. From what I've seen, it seems like there are less labs taking people this year. I say this because I know a number of undergrads who wanted to work in a lab this summer, but weren't able to find a mentor for a SURF. If you really want to work in a lab, this basically this means you just need to talk to more professors and be ready for more rejections. </p>

<p>For housing, I just lived in the dorms. I think you just need to fill out a form like this. I'm not sure if this one is valid for this year. Caltech</a> Housing: Summer Forms</p>

<p>I don't know that I necessarily agree that fewer labs are taking people than last year. Every year there are plenty of people who don't manage to find a mentor. In my personal experience the ability to find a mentor is directly related to how hard you try. You may have to beat down doors and track professors down if you really want it, but it will sure guarantee you the job. Every year I've been at Caltech, I've had at least two different summer research options.</p>

<p>i guess you do have more experience.. but why do u always have to disagree with me?? =(</p>

<p>Also take note that just because you've always managed to find a lab doesnt rule out the fact that certain years are harder to find surfs than others. it is definitely a possibility that profs are taking fewer undergrads this year. what im saying is for the avg applicant, this year may be harder than others.</p>

<p>Again, I'm not sure that that is necessarily true. Additionally, I'm not sure that you (as a freshman) have an adequate basis of comparison. It's hard to say that this year is harder than last year when you weren't here last year.</p>

<p>Hi thanks for answering! Though I meant full-time with respect to hours not weeks?
So the dorms are the best option? Which of the 3 dorms offered exactly? Did you get the meal plan; is it worth it for $320? Can you purchase it later since there's no refunds? For housing, I'm looking for the cheapest alternative closest to campus and to meet other students and also convenience if you're not a caltechstudent. I see the rates are per month; what if you intend to move in or move out within half a month? </p>

<p>Will any of you be there this summer in case I have more questions later on?</p>

<p>Any of the houses will be fine, although the North houses (Lloyd, Ruddock, Page) and the South houses (Blacker, Dabney, Fleming, Ricketts) are all at the same place, whereas Avery is off on its own.</p>

<p>I won't be here for the summer.</p>

<p>ELIGIBILITY</p>

<p>Summer housing is available for individuals or groups that participate in official Institute/JPL business. Undergraduate dorms are primarily for undergraduate students.</p>

<p>Are SURFs always the first 10 weeks of the summer or can they be the last 10 weeks?</p>

<p>They are by definition the first ten weeks of summer (although note that summer at Caltech starts later than at most places) but scheduling can be flexible. The only thing I don't know is since SURF requires a presentation at the end of the summer, and there are only two presentation dates (one at the end of the first ten weeks and another in October) I'm not sure if you could do it the last ten weeks of summer without sticking around for the second presentation date.</p>

<p>If you're looking for something to do THIS summer, SURF application deadlines have already passed, by the way.</p>