As I’m now preparing to leave Caltech, it’s a bit of whiplash to think about what the application process was like for me. I remember working on applications over my Winter Break, with the application deadline being close to the new year. I applied Regular Decision to Caltech, so I also had not received a lot of information about where my acceptances were when I submitted the application. That being said, I went for it and applied, and here I am!
Why apply? What was I looking for?
I didn’t really know what I was looking for during my college application process. I knew I likely wanted to go out-of-state so that I could experience a different culture and weather. I knew I wanted to pursue STEM and go somewhere with a strong research focus and research opportunities for undergraduates. That was about all I knew when I started applying. Caltech definitely has both: a very different environment from North Carolina, and the research opportunities I have been a part of here have been remarkable.
As I got further in the college application process, what drew me to Caltech was the small school and research opportunities. My high school had similar class sizes to Caltech, and I wanted to continue to be able to form those close connections with faculty and other students. Tying into the research as well, I knew it would be really easy and encouraged to explore research opportunities and get started in undergraduate research as early as my first year. The small school community was also really interesting, especially with the House system. More information about the houses can be found at the Interhouse Committee Website, ihc.caltech.edu. It’s one of the most distinct things about Caltech and has made a substantial difference on my time here.
Why did I choose Caltech?
Although my Pre-Frosh Experience was virtual due to the pandemic, it was really interesting to talk to different students and learn more about what student life was actually like. At such a small school, I was worried I wouldn’t be able to have a social life or have fun. But all the students were really nice and welcoming, and they spoke about their friends and houses with so much enthusiasm. Some of my main fears were assuaged, and I could further see Caltech as a realistic and favorable choice for my college experience.
Yet, what ultimately led me to accept my offer of admission, more so than talking to students (virtually) or the allure of California, was honestly the application process itself. The advice I give most often for writing college essays is to have fun with the essays. And when it came time to actually determine which college I wanted to attend, I thought about how much fun I had writing and reading my Caltech supplemental essays. They actually cared about me as a person, and in my letter of admission, there was a line in the email that confirmed that they actually read my essays and cared about my interests. Like I said, I was worried about having a social life and having fun, and the essays helped me make sure that fun would still be prioritized.
Why do I still choose Caltech?
This is always a tough question for me to think about, because Caltech is unanimously agreed to be a hard school. People don’t come to this school to coast by and get easy grades. There is an undeniable focus on learning and taking part in research opportunities. Why I’ve stayed at Caltech can be split into both academic and personal/social reasons. Academically, I’ve gained a very high baseline level of knowledge. This high baseline has been clear when I start a new research project or at different internship experiences, and I’m able to understand the research articles and fundamentals discussed. Socially, the houses have provided a great community for me, and I’ve developed bonds with upperclassmen and peers that extend beyond Caltech and graduation. The houses and people have been my greatest source of support here, and I am infinitely thankful for the opportunity to have met all my friends. They have shaped me much more than I could’ve thought possible. Caltech has become a home away from home, and I couldn’t imagine my college experience any other way.
