Visit Report by Rick Tyler (Member since October 14 2006 with 387 posts) Visit Date - October 2006
Visit to California Institute of Technology in October 2006 by Rick Tyler (Parent of Student, HS Class of 2006)
Visit Activities:
Admissions Interview:
No - Tech doesn't do interviews. Information Session:
Yes - Caltech was once a Jeopardy category and they had a DVD of the relevant parts of the TV show. Not to brag ... but I knew all the answers. I'm a little chagrined to admit that the utes didn't. Campus Tour:
Yes
California Institute of Technology Campus:
Friendliness/Courtesy of Students: 4 - Very Good -
Didn't talk to many, but they were perfectly pleasant.
Friendliness/Courtesy of Staff: 5 - Excellent -
Helped me get directions to our airport (which was not the one we flew into).
Appearance of Campus: 5 - Excellent -
They must spend a ton of bux on maintenance. This is a really good-looking campus. I especially like the roses. Some of the residential houses (I think the "south houses") are just finishing up a substantial remodel and they are very nice.
Building/Facilities Maintenance/Cleanliness: 5 - Excellent -
See "appearance of campus."
Dormitories: 5 - Excellent -
Heh. The residential houses are asylums run by the inmates. I picked "excellent" because they represent how the students want them to look. If you like cool, white, clean and crisp, give them a "1." Personally, I liked the murals.
Security/Safety: 5 - Excellent -
Pasadena isn't South Central. It's a nice campus in an expensive residential area. I don't have hard facts, but it doesn't look like the sort of place where you would stress out a lot. They have security posts all over campus.
Overall Campus Impression: 5 - Excellent -
It's not like the University of Vermont, but if you like warm, California Spanish architecture, it's very handsome. I do!
Off-Campus:
Area Immediately Around Campus: 3 - Good -
It's a nice neighborhood for living in, but it's not the Ave in UWashington. I get the feeling that Techers are inwardly-focused and don't miss having clubs and bars next to campus.
City/Town/Community: 5 - Excellent -
It's a very nice example of old-LA suburbia. I like it, but suspect the Utes would find it dull. There is a Tommy's Original a few blocks down the street.
Campus Visit Notes for California Institute of Technology:
Visit Description:
There is a little bit a feeling that their student recruitment isn't as dialed in a college with fewer applicants might have. They were friendly, polite and helpful, but there was a little bit of "we are what we are, and if you would fit in here, you will find us." Definitely not arrogant or haughty, but also definitely, "well, we're Caltech, you know?"
The students on the tour were more interested in the Tech tradition of building parties rather than throwing them, and the extensive body of pranklore. Having done HMC on Saturday, I was a little disappointed by the tour. The guide was great, and her skill in walking backwards in flip-flops while talking was second only to our HMC guide's. I would like to have been taken inside more buildings. The only places we went into were two of the residential houses.
The orientation and tour use up maybe two hours. I scheduled our flight home out of Burbank at 5:30 and was at the airport by 2:00. Either make two stops, or go home early.
This is a place that would be dream environment for the right student. I admire Tech for not even pretending to be what they're not.
Dining/Restaurant Recommendations or Comments:
Tommy's Original World Famous Hamburgers on Hill near the 210 freeway. Enjoy!
Other Comments (Transportation, local attractions, parking, etc.):
You don't have to fly into LAX. Both Ontario and Burbank airports serve major airlines and are a lot closer. Occidental College is nearby, and the Claremont Colleges aren't too far away. You can do a lot of college visiting pretty fast.
-
Didn't talk to many, but they were perfectly pleasant.
-
Helped me get directions to our airport (which was not the one we flew into).
-
It's a nice neighborhood for living in, but it's not the Ave in UWashington. I get the feeling that Techers are inwardly-focused and don't miss having clubs and bars next to campus.