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CC Resources for California Institute of Technology
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11-02-2009, 07:27 PM
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#1 | | Junior Member
Join Date: May 2008 Location: Colorado
Posts: 50
| "Happy" at Caltech?
I know that it's a given that 1) everyone at Caltech is the "once every 10 years kid" for his highschool instructors, and 2) the academics will rip you apart and rebuild you better, stronger, and faster.
But it seems that even the people who love it there love it only because it's teaching them so much. Are you "happy" or are you there only for the future opportunities? Is the school broccoli that you eat because it's good for you, or is it lasagna that's good for you but also fun? (Please don't sic the Broccoli Growers Association on me!) (Note: I'm also posting this at HMC)
Thanks!
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11-02-2009, 07:49 PM
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#2 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Pasadena, CA
Posts: 1,310
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I have been happy with the exception of the nonexistant dating scene. Because I dated seriously in high school, I found myself far ahead of the curve at Caltech. For instance, a large portion of my friends here have never kissed a member of the opposite sex.
If I had been similarly inexperienced, I probably would have enjoyed everything. Since I was not, I will say that I enjoyed most of it--but that one aspect was enough to frustrate me. While I will look upon my time at Caltech with fondness, I'm definitely ready to leave the bubble.
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11-02-2009, 08:06 PM
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#3 | | Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Ann Arbor
Posts: 132
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"For instance, a large portion of my friends here have never kissed a member of the opposite sex."
I don't see why this is such a bad thing. does that mean I'd fit in? :P
lizzardfire - are you a senior?
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11-02-2009, 08:55 PM
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#4 | | Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 293
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WOAH WOAH!!
WHAAT?!?!?
I want people to date!!! I don't want to be around a bunch of asexual people!! WTH!
I would die of sexual frustration!!
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11-02-2009, 09:02 PM
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#5 | | Member
Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Miami, FL--->Pasadena, CA
Posts: 793
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I want someone to do my laundry too! :d.
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11-02-2009, 11:18 PM
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#6 | | Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 64
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I really enjoying hanging out with and talking to the people here. house social teams have events almost every weekend and even when there aren't any scheduled events there are always people willing to do stuff. There are parties and interhouse sports and places to explore. I'm really enjoying my time here, and not just for the academics.
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11-03-2009, 12:48 AM
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#7 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Pasadena, CA
Posts: 1,310
| Quote: |
Originally Posted by T-bird I don't see why this is such a bad thing. does that mean I'd fit in? :P | Probably. Quote: |
Originally Posted by T-bird lizzardfire - are you a senior? | Yep. Quote: |
Originally Posted by QuantumArbiter I want people to date!!! I don't want to be around a bunch of asexual people!! WTH! | The people here aren't asexual (for the most part). Just inexperienced, that's all.
I think of Caltech as a playground. For the most part, I have a lot of fun, but sometimes I want to do "big kid stuff".
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11-03-2009, 03:10 AM
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#8 | | Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 293
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Lizzardfire...are you a girl by an chance? Hey, I'm only asking...that is all.
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11-03-2009, 03:52 AM
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#9 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Pasadena, CA
Posts: 1,310
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No. I am not a girl.
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11-03-2009, 05:03 AM
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#10 | | Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Boston->Hogwarts '13
Posts: 141
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Okay, I'm only a frosh, so I'm still on pass-fail and still in love with Caltech. So take everything I saw with that in mind...
There are a wide variety of people here. Some people drink, others don't. Some people date, others don't. It's all about finding the people that have common interests as you and exploring these. If you're in a relationship (I am right now), you're probably going to have people looking at you and talking about you somewhat; it's a small school, it's sort of to be expected. I am also a girl, so the ratio is on my side. (ps lizzardfire is an awesome guy, though I haven't seen him since rotation).
Academically, you sort of need to know what you're signing up for. You're taking 5 terms of physics and math, two terms of chem, 12 terms of humanities/social sciences, etc (you can look this up). I personally don't understand why someone would come here if they're not interested in learning science, not just to major in one thing. Again, I'm a frosh and my opinion may change if I suddenly don't like core; right now I'm enjoying it. I think Caltech's the right place for certain people and absolutely awful for others. I'm happy (even though I'm writing this instead of doing the second half of my chem midterm).
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11-09-2009, 03:23 AM
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#11 | | Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 223
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The answer is "yes" to both parts. I don't think it's a mutually exclusive "or" in the OP's question. I think most people would be happier, at least for four years at a time, if they could just do whatever they enjoy and not worry about difficult problem sets/exams/etc.
Most ppl are happy at Caltech and are also there for the future opps that Caltech opens. But someone who doesn't enjoy working on math/science/engineering will definitely not be happy at Caltech.
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11-10-2009, 07:09 PM
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#12 | | Member
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 308
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lizzardfire...are you a boy by any chance? (Sorry i had to ask that one)
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11-11-2009, 02:09 AM
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#13 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Pasadena, CA
Posts: 1,310
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No, I'm a large hairy white man.
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