Competition - post a photo you've taken of nature >>

This discussion is now closed.

Check out other Related discussions

Anyone attend Cal Tech?

Hi
One of the places that our uni has on offer for an exchange in 3rd yr is Cal Tech. Just wondered if a) anyone has ever been on exchange there or b) if anyone is currently studying there who can tell me abit about the place....
Heard lots about MIT, but not much about Cal Tech... why is that?

Scroll to see replies

Reply 1

forpolarbears

Caltech is a bit more localized than MIT. They do a lot of research concerning California & the USGS, and NASA, whereas MIT has a larger national presence & commercial relationship. I've never actually visited the campus, but its right in Pasadena with JPL & other space agency related stuff.

Reply 2

Knogle

MIT seems to have a better global reputation too... although I've heard CalTech produces geeks who're geekier than you could have ever imagined. :p:

I'm sure CalTech is as good as MIT when you're within the right circles (i.e. employers, academics, etc).

Reply 3

Red Thunder

Caltech is better than MIT at research. But it's more discreet, and not known very well for undegraduate programs. For postgrauate research, nothing coems close to CalTech.

Reply 4

NaN

I've never heard of Cal Tech., but without any research I've know about MIT.

Reply 5

fonzievision

RJ89

I've never heard of Cal Tech., but without any research I've know about MIT.

Given that you're not even at university yet, that is hardly surprising.

Reply 6

forpolarbears

Red Thunder

Caltech is better than MIT at research. But it's more discreet, and not known very well for undegraduate programs. For postgrauate research, nothing coems close to CalTech.

Exactly.

Caltech only comes up in the news in relation to earthquakes and astronomy, while M.I.T. is more of a brand and patent factory.

ie, Caltech has the director of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory as a professor of electrical engineering and planetary science. I'd say that would be a fun job.

However, Caltech is kind of out in the suburbs, a drive from Hollywood/beach. Though, I'm sure not many of their students are very concerned about that :p:

Reply 7

NaN

fonzievision

Given that you're not even at university yet, that is hardly surprising.

Yes, that would be the whole point, it's an unbiased viewpoint as I haven't researched either.

Reply 8

arod

Gryffindor

Thanks... I'm more interested in molecular biology or biochem... which via their web site looks interesting -but it's always better to try to talk to someone who has actually been there. Was hoping that someone where out there there might be someone who could tell me what the program, proffs etc. would be like for this type of course

Reply 9

BiscuitFuelled

My mate is on a third year exchange there at the moment, doing electronic engineering (off the top of my head). From what he's been telling me, the workload is INCREDIBLY heavy, although he is enjoying himself - it is a very geeky college though! He had intros in talking to girls, and making friends, at the start of the year, which made me chuckle.

Reply 10

arod

Now that's funny, but perhaps it applies to all engineering courses, from what I hear there aren't many women in engineering anywhere.... :-)
Which uni is he from originally? Just wondering how hard/competitive it is to get into these exchange programs. I'm thinking that any of them to the US will be tricky since there'd be lots of applicants.

Reply 11

Bape

One of my physics A-Level teachers went caltech. He got there on a special access kinda scheme...as in he wasnt from the same background as a typical caltech student or anything. Why he teaches at a crappy further education college, i have no idea :rolleyes:

The guy's a genius!

Reply 12

arod

Hmmm, would he recommend it as a good undergrad experience?
I had read somewhere that it's really in the midst of nowhere and it's a VERY small uni. So at 11pm at night there is no one about on the streets, not many bars, clubs etc. not that I'm an alcholic, but just don't want to end up in a boring total geekdom

Reply 13

forpolarbears

yeah, its in Pasadena. Its like 30 minutes from Hollywood/L.A. And its a small university. Its built for nerds.

Reply 14

The girl upstairs is from CalTech. On an exchange type thing.

Reply 15

BiscuitFuelled

My mate was at Edinburgh - they apparently had a small number of applicants for the exchange, but he's a very smart guy anyway.

Back home, we're standard Scottish drinkers, and he's having a good time with the people out there, even with his workload - it is a tiny college though, and there is an immense amount of trust amongst people on campus too, which is something that doesn't really happen in the UK.

Reply 16

Bape

arod

Hmm i dunno about him reccommending it as a great uni for socialising etc, but he said it had a small intake, about 250 undergrads a year or something, and the people were pretty much brainboxes. As in some would be upset with getting anything less than full marks....in v.difficult exams.

Reply 17

aiman

CalTech is pretty amazing. They accept less students than MIT and (arguably) are considered to be better than MIT...
I'd definitely recommend you go to Caltech for an exchange program, if you're willing to lose sleep + 'social life'...

Reply 18

arod

BiscuitFuelled

A small # of applicants??? I would have thought that there'd be loads of students from cold, dark (in the winter), and rainy Edinburgh who would want to go to warm, sunny California. If I understand correctly you don't have to pay the outrageous USA fees on an exchange, you just pay the fees at whatever uni you attend - but you get to study in the USA (if you get accepted for the exchange).
Did Cal Tech help him find accomodation etc? What happens with marks? Will Edinburgh take what Cal Tech gives him in 3rd yr as though he took the courses in Edinburgh?