Applying to Cal Tech-The California Institute of Technology
The California Institute of Technology can direct you to the right path if you’re looking for a road paved for greatness in the fields of science, technology, and engineering. Founded in 1891 by local businessman Amos Throop, Caltech had a variety of names such as Throop University, Throop Polytechnic Institute, and Throop College of Technology before it finally settled for its present name in 1921. This school, though largely underpopulated as compared to its direct rival MIT, is considered as one of the best universities in the world as it has many Nobel Prize winners among other distinctions. Caltech also boasts of alumni who have made milestones in science - from the discovery of anti-matter to space and aeronautical laboratories that NASA has employed for the monitoring of their robotic satellites.
Student life in Caltech isn’t that hectic and crowded as there are only approximately over two thousand students enrolled for the current academic year. This can be a good thing as equipment and facilities ratio at Caltech isk ept at a tolerable balance, enabling each student to fully utilize these facilities for his or her own means. Housing is well-provided for, with 8 major houses within Caltech catering to only a couple of thousand of students. These houses are not only for the board and lodging of Caltech students during their stay in college but are also their venues for developing social interactions and ties that grow stronger throughout the years and even beyond Caltech. The school’s location in Pasadena, California provides its students a chance for an occasional break from academics and to pursue other interests.
Although the size of the student body in Caltech may seem suitable for individual assignments, "techers," as Caltech students are fondly called, never work alone. They are encouraged and trained to do group work in almost every assignment or research project that they undertake at Caltech, building up the team spirit that has been an invaluable component in many breakthroughs in science and technology throughout the years.
Frosh techers, the term applied to freshmen, can only choose their options for majors at the end of their first year. Caltech offers courses grouped into six main classes: (1) Division of Biology, (2) Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, (3) Division of Engineering and Applied Sciences, (4) Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, (5) Division of Humanity and Social Sciences, and (6) Division of Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy. A special category named Independent Studies may help some techers who want to sample different fields from the various course offerings.
The typical brainy guy from senior high may be the best candidate for a slot in Caltech, but it’s much more than the grades that Caltech admissions people and undergraduate techers who are part of the selection committee look at. Caltech requires that applicants have at least four years of schooling in math and calculus, three years in English, and one year each in history, chemistry, and physics. Caltech admissions look for your math and other analytical problem-solving scores in the ACT and SAT tests that you have submitted. Extra-curricular activities of applicants also show how they can display the same amount of zeal and effort as they do for their academic activities. Lastly, recommendations made by your high school teachers are also required measures for eligibility. If you do require a scholarship to help support your education, Caltech also offers financial assistance for deserving applicants.
Photo Credits: Velo Steve
