<p>Oh man, I can’t believe I missed Quello’s post up earlier in this thread. I miss Caltech… there are some nice creature comforts that private schools provide. More seriously, I think the CA budget cuts are seriously hurting at Cal, and there could be real repercussions to Berkeley’s ability to attract and retain people.</p>
<p>@ Amby:</p>
<p>The classes can be pretty intense. Learning fluid dynamics from John Brady himself and Thermodynamics from Zhen-Gang Wang (He has no notes for the course. He derives everything either from memory or on the fly) can be pretty ridiculous, talking to the grad students I work with. Other than that, like Lizzardfire said, it depends entirely on your adviser. Choose wisely.</p>
<p>I’ve applied late to conduct to a PhD at Caltech and am currently a waiting to hear the acceptance result. I have a few questions for those who are currently enrolled at Caltech, Whats Prof. Mitchio Okumura like as an advisor ? How much do you get as a teachers assistant ? When do you receive the instalments of the funding ?</p>
<p>Well, I don’t think anyone will really know what he’s like as an advisor unless he’s been that person’s advisor, and given that there are not many people on this board that seems unlikely.</p>
<p>I do know Professor Okumura though and he’s a really awesome guy from what I know. Very nice, friendly, funny. </p>
<p>How much you get as a TA depends upon the class you’re TAing (usually around 2-3k per term per class) and you get paid once a month.</p>
<p>Cool, thanks lizzardfire for answering my questions. If i do get accepted now what chance have i got of getting in to student digs either at Caltech or close by ? (i’ve seen pictures but would like to know from your view) Whats the student dorms and houses like at Caltech ?</p>
<p>As a grad student, you’ll most likely be living in the Catalina apartments or somewhere not owned by Caltech. The houses are undergrad only with the exception of Marks and Braun, which are mostly undergrads and really quiet.</p>
<p>Grads can also live in Avery, though my friend that did that wasn’t too stoked about it after about six months or so of it. He moved in to the Catalina Apartments for his second year.</p>
<p>Oh, yeah, I totally forgot about Avery.</p>
<p>Cool, thanks for that. I really hope i get accepted.</p>
<p>good luck!</p>