The California Institute of Technology

Caltech was a love-hate experience. There were a number of very positive aspects of life there, most of which had to do with academics and research. The research opportunities abound at Caltech, and the majority of undergraduates participate in real, top-notch university research with some of the brightest professors out there. It's simply unmatched in that regard.

Less predictably, there are other benefits to Caltech, as well. Because the school is so small (under 1000 undergraduates), students can participate in whatever activities are offered. If you are interested, you can be involved in everything from music to student government to journalism. All of this, of course, is on a smaller scale than at big schools, but it's also open to everyone. Fellow students tend to be very smart (like you are, surely) and generally helpful. There is virtually no competition among students when it comes to academics or research. It's a very open environment. This extends all the way to professors and staff, even, who are (on the whole) very friendly, helpful, good people.The downsides all involve social life. Because the school is small and there are relatively few girls, undergraduate social life is very strained. Compound this with the extreme amount of work students undertake, and you're left with a pretty boring place. If you want to party your undergrad career, do not go to Caltech.

Alumnus Male -- Class 2000

A wonderful but very intense experience. The work load is high (much higher than certain schools in Massachusetts), but it is made managable by the other people around you.The house system, where, each student places themself/is placed in one of 7 Undergraduate houses as a Freshman and tends to be a member their entire time, is incredible. It serves to make a small University into an even tighter-knit community, and my house is probably my favorite thing here.

3rd Year Male -- Class 2003

Education Quality: A+, Innovation: C+

I have so far loved my experience at Caltech. I came with a solid though not unusual background in math and science but with a true passion for it. I wanted to be immersed in the books, and found lots of people who could teach me anything I wanted to learn and were glad to do it. So if you're truly excited about math and science (especially if you're excited about all kinds of it) and don't mind doing LOTS of it, you'll probably like it here very much. The faculty are approachable, the kids are wonderful, and the resources are to my knowledge unmatched by any other place in the country or the world.There are, however, lots of bitter people here. I think it's mostly so because they like to sleep, and don't like to work as much as Caltech forces them to. Also, collaboration is definitely a key to survival here =).

1st Year Male -- Class 2006

Collaboration/Competitive: A+, Campus Maintenance: B-