the genius caltech - amazon s3 · 2015-11-04 · admissions.caltech.edu linus pauling, caltech...

CALTECHGENIUSTH

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2015-2016 FINDINGS

“ Getting to work with Prof. Harry Gray is a really neat experience. He’s studied everything, from bonding in metal complexes to electron transfer in proteins, and he’s pioneered the field of inorganic chemistry in a lot of ways. He helped set up my first SURF. After that, I asked if he had a place in his lab for me to work. We get a lot of opportunities to pres-ent our research and ask for feedback. It’s really cool to talk with a world class scientist about research.”

Student/Faculty RatioLowest of any research university in the country!

3 :1

Approachable Mentors

• Banjo aficionado and Nobel Prize winning

Professor David Politzer teaches a Freshman Seminar on the Science of Music.

• Professor Julia Greer set aside her fabrication of 3D nano-lattice materials to play the accompaniment for the 2014 Spring musical Rent.

• Professor Paul Asimow—a recipient of the Richard P. Feynman Prize for Excellence in Teaching—engaged in a wizard’s duel in a Hogwarts-themed Ditch Day Stack.

Cutting-edge Tools & Technology

• Functional MRI• T5 Hypervelocity Shock Tunnel• Lucas Wind Tunnel• Paleomagnetics/

Biomagnetics lab• Drosophila Repository

(one of two in the US)

Impressive History

Caltech has hosted just a few luminaries over the years:• Albert Einstein• Stephen Hawking• Niels Bohr

Eminent Faculty and Alumni

• 32 Nobel Prize Winners (33 prizes)

• 5 in residence: David Baltimore (1975, Physiology or Medicine) Rudy Marcus (1992, Chemistry) Ahmed Zewail (1999, Chemistry) David Politzer (2004, Physics) Robert Grubbs (2005, Chemistry)

• 345 other significant awards and prizes

• Both Directors of DARPA and the NSF are Caltech alumni

All elements of the Caltech Community have a high probability of establishing bonds with all other

elements—peers, teachers, researchers, and labs.

BASIC ELEMENTS OF CONNECTIVITY

THE CALTECH HONOR CODE: NUCLEUS OF THE COMMUNITY No Member of the Caltech community shall take unfair advantage of any other member of the Caltech community. Manifestations:• Non-proctored, take-home exams• Collaborative homework assignments• 24/7 access to classrooms and facilities• High level of trust and collaboration

at all levels

admissions.caltech.edu

LINUS PAULING, CALTECH ALUMNUS (1922-1925) AND PROFESSOR (1927-1963), IDENTIFIED THE NATURE OF THE CHEMICAL BOND—CONSIDERED THE MOST IMPORTANT DISCOVERY IN THE HISTORY OF CHEMISTRY.

CALTECH MADE ITS FIRST APPEARANCE AT THE ROSE BOWL IN 1962 WHEN TECHERS TRICKED A STADIUM FULL OF DEDICATED WASHINGTON HUSKIES FANS INTO HOLDING UP FLIP CARDS THAT SPELLED OUT CALTECH!

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FAST FACTS

Founded 1891

Location 124 acres in Pasadena, CA

Mascot The Beaver, nature’s engineer

Student Newspaper The California Tech

Most Popular Course Cooking Basics

Most Popular 2nd MajorBusiness Economics Management

Percentage of Double Majors 20

Motto The truth shall set you free.

Katie Fisher 2015, Chemistry

“At Caltech, our low 3:1 student-to-faculty ratio

encourages our students to build meaningful

relationships with our world-class professors. This

results in unparalleled access to academic and professional

mentoring that typically goes beyond a student’s undergraduate years.”

TECHER QUIRK

Joann StockFaculty Chair of the

Freshman Admissions Committee, and Professor of

Geology and Geophysics

More pranks? caltech.edu/pranks

CONNECTIVITYCALTECH THEORYTH

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CALIFORNIA INSTITUTEOF PRANKOLOGY

ACADEMIC DIVISIONS

• Biology & Biological Engineering

• Chemistry & Chemical Engineering

• Engineering & Applied Science• Geological & Planetary

Sciences• Humanities & Social Sciences• Physics, Mathematics &

Astronomy

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Learn more!caltech.edu/catalog

STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS

• Cambridge Scholars Program• London Scholars Program• Copenhagen Scholars Program• Edinburgh Scholars Program • École Polytechnique

Scholars Program• Melbourne Scholars Program

EXPANSIONCALTECH THEORYTH

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CORE ENRICHMENT

Faculty Advisors: Small-group or one-on-one guidance by professors on everything from

research to the transition to college.

Pizza Courses: Weekly sessions (supplemented with tasty brain-fuel) when

faculty members present their current research, introducing students to the nuances of

research in different fields.

Freshman Seminars: In-depth exploration of intriguing issues in the lab, in the classroom,

or in the field, capped at 10 to 15 students to provide immediate access to faculty.

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“ I am extremely grateful that my physics education at Caltech has enabled and encouraged me to pursue research experiences in many places. This summer I am very excited to be doing a research internship at the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics in Germany, and to have the opportunity to travel around Europe.”


ACADEMIC VARIABLES

26 UNDERGRADUATEOPTIONS

• Applied & Computational Mathematics• Applied Physics • Astrophysics• Bioengineering• Biology• Business Economics & Management• Chemical Engineering • Chemistry—choose from

4 concentrations: – Biochemistry – Chemical Physics – Inorganic Chemistry – Organic Chemistry

• Computer Science• Economics• Electrical Engineering—choose from

6 concentrations: – Communications & Signal Processing – Control – Electronic Circuits – Microwave & Radio Engineering – Optoelectronics – Solid State Electronics

• Engineering & Applied Science—choose from 2 concentrations: – Computation & Neural Systems – Materials Science

• English • Geobiology • Geochemistry • Geology • Geophysics• History• History & Philosophy of Science• Independent Studies Program• Mathematics• Mechanical Engineering• Philosophy• Physics • Planetary Sciences• Political Science

MINORS

• Aerospace Engineering• Control & Dynamical Systems• English• Geological & Planetary

Sciences• History• History & Philosophy

of Science• Philosophy• Structural Mechanics

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Learn more!studyabroad.caltech.edu

TO CELEBRATE THE 100TH BIRTHDAY OF NEARBY HOLLYWOOD, CALTECH STUDENTS ARMED WITH BLACK AND WHITE PLASTIC TRANSFORMED THE WORLD-FAMOUS HOLLYWOOD SIGN INTO THE WORLD-FAMOUS (FOR 15 MINUTES) CALTECH SIGN.



Jonathan Liu2015, Applied Physics

Techer minds are subject to decreasing density and rapid expansion due to the positive force of Caltech’s educational model—learning through discovery.

ACADEMIC ABSOLUTESOur world class education begins with one of the country’s most demanding core curricula. An interdisciplinary foundation and exposure to all the sciences affords Techers the opportunity to declare their option after three terms of classes, the first two of which are graded pass/fail.

Science Communication 1 term

Humanities & Social Sciences 12 terms

Physical Education 3 terms

Freshman “Menu” Course Astronomy, Geology, Environmental Engineering and Science, or Energy Science

CORE CURRICULUM

Mathematics 3 terms

Physics 3 terms

Chemistry 2 terms

Biology 1 term

Introductory Lab 2 terms

TECHER QUIRK

HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCE COURSES OFTEN APPEAL TO THE INTERESTS OF THE SCIENTIFIC MIND, WITH COURSE TITLES LIKE HISTORY OF MECHANICS FROM GALILEO THROUGH EULER, THE COLD WAR AND AMERICAN SCIENCE, THE SCIENCE FICTION FILM, AND PHILOSOPHY OF SPACE AND TIME. GOTHIC FICTION AND MORAL PHILOSOPHY AND THE BRAIN ARE SO POPULAR THEY ARE FILLED BY LOTTERY.

Esther Du2016, Computer Science

“ I was surprised by how approachable the professors were. Even though a lot of them are famous and have done a lot in their field, they are all very willing to

answer questions and help the students in any way that they can.”

IN APRIL 2014, TECHERS DELIVERED 800 HEAT-SENSITIVE COFFEE MUGS TO MIT’S ADMITTED STUDENT

VISIT DAY. THE BLACK MUGS READ “MIT THE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY.” WHEN FILLED WITH A WARM BEVERAGE, THEY TRANSFORM TO ORANGE AND CORRECT THE SCRIPT TO READ “CALTECH THE HOTTER INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY.”

Bobby Sanchez 2017, Geophysics

ATTRACTIONCALTECH THEORYTHE

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High proximity and reciprocal respect enable the Techer element to form strong academic

and professional bonds with top-tier faculty, researchers and other like matter.

SUMMER UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP (SURF)Through this program, students have oversight of their projects from writing proposals to presenting results. During the course of their fellowship, Techers have access to many of the finest research facilities in the world, plus an opportunity to receive personal mentoring from global leaders in their respective fields.

10 research weeks in SURF

$6,000 provided by fellowship

95% proposal acceptance rate for Techers

80% of all Techers participate in SURF

1/3 of current Techers received SURFs in 2014

59% of first-year students participated in 2014

A FEW OF THE MOST POPULAR PLACES TECHERS INTERN

APPLE BOEING

GOOGLE JPL MICROSOFT

NORTHROPGRUMMAN CERN SPACEX


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STUDY AT THE EPICENTER OF SCIENTIFIC ADVANCEMENTCaltech owns and/or operates over 50 cross-disciplinary research centers and institutes where solutions to some of today’s most complex global challenges are sought. These include:

CALTECH IS THE ONLY UNIVERSITY TO MANAGE AND OPERATE A NASA SITE: THE NEARBY JET PROPULSION LABORATORY. JPL CURRENTLY HAS SPACECRAFT AND INSTRUMENTATION ON 34 ACTIVE MISSIONS, LITERALLY SEEKING AND DEFINING THE FRONTIERS OF SCIENCE.

TECHER QUIRK

Worldwide observatories provide unprecedented views of the universe (in miles from Caltech): • WM Keck Observatory 2,492 miles • Caltech Submillimeter Observatory 2,472 miles • Palomar Observatory 92 miles • Combined Array for Research in Millimeter-Wave

Astronomy (CARMA) 214 miles• LIGO Hanford 847 miles • LIGO Livingston 1,612 miles • Owens Valley Radio Observatory 250 miles • Big Bear Solar Observatory 70 miles • Chajnantor Observatory 5,132 miles

Linde Center for Global Environmental Science: a LEED platinum laboratory where scientists survey challenges in oceanography, atmospheric chemistry, biogeochemistry, and environmental microbiology.

LIGO: joint astronomy project with MIT, located in rural Louisiana, rural Washington, and on our campus, which seeks to measure the gravitational waves of colliding neutron stars, black holes, and supernovae.

Center for Bioinspired Engineering: exploring engineering solutions found in nature for potential applications in wind energy, flow control, propulsion, and biomedical devices.

Resnick Sustainability Institute: fusing the fundamental sciences to produce imaginative solutions for an energy-driven world.

Seismo Lab: birth- place of the Richter and Moment Magnitude scales; world leader in geophysical research.

And coming soon...the Thirty

Meter Telescope! To be housed on Mauna Kea,

Hawaii. It will be the most advanced and powerful optical telescope on Earth.

Learn more!surf.caltech.edu

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“The amazing scientists and resources available at

JPL allow students to do research at the forefront

of planetary and earth sciences. For example, using remote sensing technology I

am able to study the detection of sulfurdioxide plumes

from volcanoes.”

Beckman Institute: home to research considered too innovative or “high-risk” for government or industry in pursuit of new methods, materials, and technological advances in the multidisciplinary chemical and biological fields.

NASA Centers: in addition to JPL, Caltech hosts 5 NASA Science Analysis centers—Exoplanet (NExScI), Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX), Herschel Space Observatory, Infrared (IPAC), and Spitzer Space Telescope.

Kavli Nanoscience Institute: testing the frontiers of advanced nanofabrication, work at KNI reverberates through the fields of quantum physics, medical and bioengineering, and sustainability.

Center for Advanced Computing Research: investigating phenomena through computer-based modeling, simulation, and data analysis beyond current experimental replication.

HEY FUTURE TECHERS!

EXPAND HERE

TO REVEAL ALL OPTIONS

ON DITCH DAY, SENIORS VANISH FROM CAMPUS, LEAVING COMPLEX MAZES AND PUZZLES, IMAGINATIVE SCAVENGER HUNTS, AND OTHER CHALLENGES FOR UNDERCLASSMEN— PREVENTING THEM FROM WREAKING HAVOC IN THE SENIORS’ ROOMS.

TECHER QUIRKSWIMMING& DIVING

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SOCIAL DYNAMICSCALTECH THEORYTH

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The social life of a Techer accelerates when exposed to powerful on-campus forces such as housing, athletics, fine arts, and special-interest organizations.

85% of students live in Caltech housing.

A life immersed among brilliant peers: • Discover the personalities and

traditions of each house and submit your preference list during Rotation (the week before classes).

• Study, socialize, and dine together— every house has a student Grill Master!

• Students remain part of the same close-knit community all 4 years.

The MOSH, the Master of the Student Houses, is a professor who hosts faculty-student events and acts as liaison between Caltech undergraduates and faculty.

LIFE REVOLVES AROUND 8 ON-CAMPUS HOUSES BODIES IN MOTION STAY IN MOTION!

• 80% of students participate in intercollegiate, club, intramural, and informal recreational activities.

• Caltech competes in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference SCIAC and has racked up a number of landmark victories and honors!

Learn more!admissions.caltech.edu/houses

19 DIVISION III VARSITY TEAMS

BASEBALL BASKETBALL CROSSCOUNTRY

FENCING SOCCER

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W

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W

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TENNISTRACK& FIELD (WTR/SPR)

VOLLEYBALL

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W W

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WATERPOLO

FLYINGSAUCERS

AEROBICDANCE

ROCKCLIMBING

HIKING TABLETENNIS

HALF-MARATHONTRAINING

Some favorite Physical Education courses include:

EVEN THE FINE ARTS HAVE NUMBERS• 2/3 of Techers play at least one

musical instrument.• 70-piece Caltech/Occidental College Orchestra

includes professors and students, as well as JPL scientists and engineers.

• 2 Jazz Bands often invite local professionals to perform.

• 25 Trios, Quartets and Quintets comprise the Caltech Chamber Music Ensembles.

• 2 Glee Clubs—Men’s and Women’s—perform two concerts each year.

• 3 levels of guitar instruction! Pick tunes from the Renaissance through the present.

• 2 to 3 full productions each year are staged by Theater Arts at Caltech (TACIT).

• 4 Visual Arts—Ceramics, Painting & Drawing, Silkscreening, and Film Studies—are offered every term.

GIVE BACK, GET BACK THROUGH THE CALTECH Y• Volunteer and service-learning opportunities!• The Social Activism Speaker Series

sponsors events ranging from an evening with social activist Boots Riley (frontman of The Coup) to a rumble between Bill O’Reilly and Jon Stewart.

• A Science Policy Trip to Washington D.C. convenes over winter break.

• Alternative Spring Break Trips are taken to places like Costa Rica and Yosemite.

• Join the Y for Cultural Events, such as WorldFest, Noon Concerts, and the Huntington Gardens for Tea.

• Outdoor activities: National Park visits, kayaking, horseback riding, the annual Y-hike, and backpacking through the Sierras!

Learn more! caltechy.org

Learn more! gocaltech.com

GETTING AROUND• On your feet: Nearby Colorado Boulevard and Old Town

Pasadena feature great restaurants, shopping and special events.• Public Transportation: Options include the ARTS Bus Route or the Gold

Line Light Rail which connects to Union Station in downtown Los Angeles.• Automobile: World-famous Santa Monica Pier or Venice Beach

Boardwalk, plus lots of local landmarks. LA has 300 museums (more than any other U.S. city), 80 theater stages, and dozens of concert venues!

• The Caltech campus is located in Pasadena, California, a vibrant, resource-rich city just 10 miles northeast of Los Angeles.

• Average Temperature: 77 degrees Fahrenheit• Iconic Cultural Events: The Tournament of Roses Parade and the

Rose Bowl game• Cultural Landmarks: Norton Simon Museum, Huntington Library

and Gardens, Old Town Pasadena and the Pasadena Playhouse

THE IDEAL LOCATION IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

“ The house system elevates collegiate housing way beyond the standard residential hall. The social and academic support from Caltech’s house system transforms your peers at Caltech into a second family.”

Lekha Viswanadham, 2015, Applied & Computational Mathematics

OF PRANKOLOGYCALIFORNIA INSTITUTE

ON MARCH 14, AT 1:59 A.M., TECHERS FEAST, WITH 26 PIES IN EACH OF 5 VARIETIES. PERHAPS IT’S THE SUGAR RUSH, BUT BY

SUNRISE, THE STUDENTS BRIGHTEN CAMPUS WITH A PAPER CHAIN—A COLOR FOR EACH NUMBER, AND A LINK FOR PI’S FIRST 15,000 DIGITS.


View more student perspectives! admissions.caltech.edu/blogs

EVERY HALLOWEEN NIGHT, STUDENTS DUNK PUMPKINS IN LIQUID NITROGEN AND DROP THEM FROM CALTECH’S TALLEST BUILDING (MILLIKAN LIBRARY) DURING THE ANNUAL “PUMPKIN DROP”.

Admissions analysis of academic and personal data for any given student remains

more of an art than a science.

STATISTICSCALTECH THEORYTH

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TECHERS-BY-THE-NUMBERS

STUDENT ENROLLMENT 2014-2015

CLASS SIZE

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TUITION AND FEES

THE FINANCIAL EQUATION

Undergraduate Admissions Offices [email protected] 626 395 6341s admissions.caltech.edu

One-time Student Orientation Fee

Tuition

Student Fees

Room

Board (5 days/week)

Additional Meal Allowance (est.)

Books and Supplies (est.)

Personal Expenses (est.)

Total Estimated Cost

$ 500

$ 43,710

$ 1,680

$ 7,536

$ 5,835

$ 1,413

$ 1,323

$ 1,974

$63,471*

* For a more accurate estimate of your cost, please visit the Net Price Calculator at finaid.caltech.edu.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Prospective students are encouraged to take part in student-led tours and information sessions with admissions counselors.

Visit Caltech! admissions.caltech.edu/visit

• Average undergraduate need-based financial aid package (2014-2015): $41,669

• Average Indebtedness in 2014: $12,104; less than half the national average of $33,000 (SOURCE: WSJ)

• Over 1/2 of our students receive need-based aid

• Caltech meets 100% demonstrated need for U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents

First-Year Application & Support Materials

First-Year Reply Date

Transfer Application & Support Materials

Transfer Reply Date

3/2 Application & Support Materials

3/2 Reply Date

November 1

May 1

–

–

–

–

January 3

May 1

February 15

June 1

April 1

June 1

Application Type Early Action Regular Decision

APPLICATION DEADLINES

MID-RANGE TEST SCORES

SAT Composite

SAT Critical Reading

SAT Math

SAT Writing

SAT Math Level 2

ACT Composite

ACT English

ACT Math

ACT Reading

ACT Science

2230 – 2340

730 – 800

770 – 800

730 – 790

790 – 800

34 – 35

34 – 35

34 – 36

33 – 36

34 – 36

63% of classes have fewer than 20 students

33% of classes have fewer than 10 students

3% of classes have more than 100 students

3:1 student-to-faculty ratio

64%MEN

36%WOMEN

983UNDERGRADS+ =

CLASS OF 2019 RAW DATA *

Applicants

Admit Rate

Freshman Class

Women

Men

Underrepresented †Ancestry

6,507

9%

241

47%

53%

15%

*As of September 2015†Students in this category self-reported racial/ethnic identity of “American Indian or

Alaska Native”, “Black or African American”, or “Hispanic/Latino.”

FIRST-YEAR APPLICANTS

Secondary School Academic Preparation• 4 years of Math (including Calculus)• 1 year of Physics• 1 year of Chemistry• 3 years of English

(4 years recommended)• 1 year of U.S. History/Government

(waived for international students)

Testing Requirements*• TOEFL (international students only)• SAT w/writing or ACT w/writing• SAT Math Level 2• 1 SAT Science Subject test:

Biology (Ecological or Molecular), Chemistry or Physics *To be considered for admission, please submit ALL required testing.

Teacher Evaluations• 1 Math or Science instructor and 1 Humanities or Social Science instructor

EVERY HALLOWEEN NIGHT, STUDENTS DUNK PUMPKINS IN LIQUID NITROGEN AND DROP THEM FROM CALTECH’S TALLEST BUILDING (MILLIKAN LIBRARY) DURING THE ANNUAL “PUMPKIN DROP”.

TECHER QUIRK

IN 1972, A STUDENT RETURNING FROM A WEEK’S VACATION FOUND THAT HIS ENTIRE DORM ROOM HAD MYSTERIOUSLY VANISHED. PRANKSTERS HAD CAREFULLY PLASTERED AND PAINTED OVER THE DOOR, ADDED BASEBOARD, REPLACED A LIGHTING FIXTURE AND… PRESTO! ONE LESS ROOM.



Apply online: commonapp.org

SUCCESSCALTECH THEORYTH

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Data collected over a period of 123 years has provided overwhelming evidence to support the hypothesis that Caltech graduates are highly motivated, in high demand, and highly valued.

LIFE AFTER CALTECHCaltech’s undergraduate programs provide an educational foundation that enables graduates to pursue advanced education and/or careers in a vast array of fields. For example:

Undergraduate Admissions Office383 S. Hill Ave.Mail Code 10-90Pasadena, CA 91125

s [email protected] 626 395 6341s admissions.caltech.edu

Computers and Technology

Entertainment and Media

Energy and Utilities

Education

Finance and Business

Health Services & Biotechnology

Public Service

Transportation and Aerospace

Apple, Google, IBM

Amazon, Facebook, Pixar

Exxon Mobil, GE, SoCal Edison

Stanford, UC Berkeley, Caltech, MIT, Princeton

AmEx, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs

Amgen, Genentech, Mayo Clinic

NSF, US Dept of Energy, US Dept of State

JPL, Lockheed Martin, GM

55%: percentage of undergraduates who go directly to graduate school

$82,000: average starting salary for Caltech graduates (82% higher

than the national average of $45,300!)

150 to 200: employers actively recruiting Caltech students on campus

8: average number of Caltech startups launched each year

110: average number of patents filed per year over the last 5 years

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SOCIAL DYNAMICSCALTECH THEORYTH

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The social life of a Techer accelerates when exposed to powerful on-campus forces such as housing, athletics, fine arts, and special-interest organizations.

85% of students live in Caltech housing.

A life immersed among brilliant peers: • Discover the personalities and

traditions of each house and submit your preference list during Rotation (the week before classes).

• Study, socialize, and dine together— every house has a student Grill Master!

• Students remain part of the same close-knit community all 4 years.

The MOSH, the Master of the Student Houses, is a professor who hosts faculty-student events and acts as liaison between Caltech undergraduates and faculty.

LIFE REVOLVES AROUND 8 ON-CAMPUS HOUSES BODIES IN MOTION STAY IN MOTION!

• 80% of students participate in intercollegiate, club, intramural, and informal recreational activities.

• Caltech competes in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference SCIAC and has racked up a number of landmark victories and honors!

Learn more!admissions.caltech.edu/houses

19 DIVISION III VARSITY TEAMS

BASEBALL BASKETBALL CROSSCOUNTRY

FENCING SOCCER

M M

W

M

W

M

W

M

TENNISTRACK& FIELD

(W/S)VOLLEYBALL

M

W

M

W W

M

W

M

W

WATERPOLO

FLYINGSAUCERS

AEROBICDANCE

ROCKCLIMBING

HIKING TABLETENNIS

HALF-MARATHONTRAINING

Some favorite Physical Education courses include:

Learn more! gocaltech.com

the genius caltech - amazon s3 · 2015-11-04 · admissions.caltech.edu linus pauling, caltech...

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