<p>The formal letter is a little over the top. It’s possible that it’s even a joke. But working most evenings and weekends, as well as during the day, is a completely realistic expectation for a Caltech postdoc in chemistry. It can’t really be viewed as a “job.” It’s more like a step toward a top position that requires substantial accomplishment.</p>
<p>I think pre-college is too soon to worry about what being a post-doc at a place like Caltech is like. Most people who get that far are wrapped up in their work to the point that they actually want to work that much. Friend of mine, now a professor at MIT: “It’s just that there’s no place I’d rather be than the lab.”</p>
<p>You don’t need to buy into this at this point! When you are completing a Ph.D., then you can look at your preferences and options.</p>
<p>Addendum: I interrupted work on a manuscript to post this message.</p>