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California Institute of Technology (CalTech) Reviews

Average Rating Details

Academic Rigor

See California Institute of Technology reviews submitted by students. Find out what students have to say about various aspects of attending California Institute of Technology. Read about academic experiences and campus life in these free California Institute of Technology reviews, or contribute your own California Institute of Technology review if you're a current student there.

  • 15 out of 16 people found this review useful.

    Kimberly from Bloomington, IL

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Am learning a lot

    You will learn more than you thought was possible. Sometimes it will seem impossible. It isn't.
    Am enjoying being here

    Most people enroll at Caltech because they love the culture and everything that comes with it.
    Bang for the buck

    Caltech's financial aid for freshman year seems a bit stingy in comparison to some, but they won't raise it after your frosh year (cough MIT cough)

    It was cheaper than good-state-college for me. I'm leaving with a reasonable amount of debt and don't worry much about how I'll pay for it.

    Also, there's a hell of a lot of bang.
    Tips for prospective students

    Work hard. It isn't impossible to get in. Caltech only accepts the students who are capable of keeping up with the workload. Sometimes all it takes is a bit of enthusiasm to separate you from the nameless herd. Don't worry too much about how well prepared you are. Just come during prefrosh weekend if you get in and go to all the house events. You can tell if you belong here.
    Great for these types of students

    The ones who see a clever proof and find it beautiful. The ones who want to know not just how, but why things work the way they do. The ones willing to power through nights of studying knowing that they're working with best friends who happen to be the smartest in the nation. The ones willing to release their competitive nature in the name of collaboration and realize how well it actually works.

  • 3 out of 3 people found this review useful.

    Mateo from Houston, TX

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Am learning a lot

    This school has a very rigorous academic curriculum that has expanded both my understanding and my appreciation for the physical sciences.
    Am enjoying being here

    The social environment is welcoming and caring. Everyone works together on our classes, and the desire to help each other is very common amongst my peers.
    Bang for the buck

    This place will form me into the best scientist or engineer I can be. It is just a matter of choosing the major I love.
    Tips for prospective students

    If you want to be in an environment that will push you to your limits while living in a beautiful place, this is the right college for you. This place is not made so that anyone can glide through with a 4.0. This is truly a place where you learn that your amount of effort is reflected on your scores.
    Great for these types of students

    This place is great for all determined, curious, and engaging individuals who want to learn purely for the joy of it. If you want to really understand physics, chemistry, engineering, math, and enjoy great humanities classes, this is the place for you.

  • 6 out of 11 people found this review useful.

    Megan from Edna, TX

    Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has not been to campus.

    Categories Rating Comments

  • Addam from Garden Grove, CA

    Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has been to campus.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Will learn a lot

    This school, being one of the top in the nation, is naturally one that is going to encourage learning, especially with its small class sizes and ability to work side-by-side the professors.
    Will enjoy being here

    I may be a little out-witted by the students here, at least as far as numbers go, but hopefully, this will be a good school to call home.
    Bang for the buck

    It IS one of the most prestigious universities in the nation, and, being that tuition is less than forty gran a year, it does seem a better choice for some.
    Tips for prospective students

    STUDY, STUDY, STUDY!!! Also, work hard, get good grades, and make sure to do well on tests, and also, take a good amount of tough classes.
    Great for these types of students

    Smart, studious, works really, REALLY hard, and has a good imagination and inquisitiveness.