Caltech

FAQ from PFW

So, a few weeks ago, Caltech held its annual Prefrosh Weekend (PFW) where admitted students get to live with a current Caltech student for two days/nights and experience Caltech to its fullest. This weekend is jam-packed from the second you step foot on campus - the schedule has a list of events running from 9 AM - 2 AM! (This just goes to show how nocturnal we college students are.) I helped out a decent amount this PFW, giving lots... Read more →

Denim Day and the PFW Club Fair

I hope you all enjoyed Prefrosh Weekend! We love having prefrosh on campus for PFW. One of the highlights for me is always the activities fair, where we get to meet prefrosh who might join our clubs and teams next year. This was the Feminist Club's table: It was a little bittersweet for me, as the outgoing president of the Feminist Club, because I met a ton of amazing, engaged prefrosh who are excited and interested in activism and discussion... Read more →

Blogging with the PREEEEEEFROSH!

PFW is awesome. Caltech can now be colloquially called the "Physicist's Playground." Shoutout to my boy Stephen Hawking. Keep doing what you do. I LOOOOVE Prefrosh Weekend!! There are so many things to do, the people are legit, and the weather is awesome! :) Katie is Awesome!!!! Read more →

I just got to take a photo with Stephen Hawking.

Only at a place like Caltech. Only at a place like Caltech can you run into an international academic celebrity like Stephen Hawking in the bookstore. And sometimes you just have to seize an opportunity when it appears - even if you start shaking when you walk up because you're seeing one of your idols in real life for the first time. But there's more to this post than me getting a photo with Stephen Hawking. There's an amazing feeling... Read more →

Prefrosh thoughts on prefrosh weekend!

I really enjoyed the roundtables because I got to know more about the major I am interested in. I walked the wrong way and found the autoshops. I just got here, but it's awesome so far!! There's a fountain with this polyhedron in it. Included is an explanation of what the polyhedron is supposed to represent. Everything I ever wanted. I love getting free popsicles! The weather is legit! The people are nice and plus water slide and plus sun!... Read more →

Prefrosh Weekend DAY 2

Day 2 of PFW was quite...the opposite of Day 1. Look at the pictures closely (or wait till the end of the post) and you will understand. It was definitely a PFW unlike any other. Caltech Prank Club at its best. Molecules everywhere! These are ammonia and water in Millikan Pond. And Adam is caught guilty... Chlorophyll at Throop Pond. Benzene at 22 Gates. Nucleic acids in the Gene Pool (picture taken from Facebook). Caffeine near Red Door Café (picture... Read more →

Prefrosh Weekend DAY 1

Prefrosh weekend has just passed by! I have pictures! There are lots of pictures from Day 1! The beginning of PFW. Prefrosh filling an already-crowded physics recitation section. Hi Reyna! This is my prefrosh. Prefrosh walking down San Pasqual Mall probably to the welcome event. Three prefrosh and a pre-prefrosh enjoying the beautiful weather. The welcoming admissions staff and volunteers! Debbie and Demetrius sharing a laugh. The check-in tent. Caltech Class of 20?? Caroline talking to a family. Breakdown of... Read more →

Adventures Galore!

HI. My name is Joanne Lynn. I am from Troy High School in Fullerton, CA (GO WARRIORS!). I like food. I like Caltech too. :) PFW so far has been a blast (even though it’s been a bit windy and cold). Talking to everyone from different places makes up for all the glum weather; Caltech people are seriously the coolest, most intelligent, most informed collection of interesting people you’ll ever meet. Looking forward to food in 30 minutes or so,... Read more →

So, what’s next?

Hey everyone! I am Pratheek, and I am from South Florida. I flew into Caltech today for PFW and I was excited to seem some familiar faces as well as all the other prefrosh. The campus looks beautiful, and it's very small and homely. I got to listen in some of the departmental roundtables such as the Physics and Computer Science ones. I enjoyed speaking with some of the current students as well as the faculty! I look forward to... Read more →

Jittery First Days

First day of being a Techer: I came into to PFW thinking that everyone at Caltech would be very stressed out from the well-known, heavy load of work from the previous night. I was surprised to see that just about everyone on campus was cheerful and still excited about PFW and their work. I started the day by wondering around to get a feel of campus and then visiting the Elowitz lab to attend someone’s thesis defense. This was a... Read more →