A Brief Introduction
Established in the year 1891, the California Institute of Technology is a doctorate granting, private university situated in Pasadena, California.
The University boasts of an exceptional student faculty ratio of 1:3 and the University ranks high in most ranking systems.
The QS World Rankings placed it 8th in the world, whereas Times Higher Education placed it 1st.
Also known as Caltech, the University houses the world’s best brains which challenge boundaries of science and technology.
Campus
Spreading across an area of 124 acres, the institute is located on a beautiful campus. Since its first establishment in 1891, the University has added 5 buildings to its campus.
Even though the students are highly competitive and on the edge of one another, the University promotes community living and pranks are a way of life at the University.
Some of the notable places across the campus are The Millikan Pond, the Millikan Memorial library, Chandler Dining hall, Braun gym and Caltech Store. These are a must stop points for visitors.
Courses
The academic work of the Institute is organized into six divisions: Biology and Biological Engineering, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Engineering and Applied Science, Geological and Planetary Sciences, Humanities and the Social Sciences, and Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy.
Student Facilities
California Institution of Technology offers the following facilities to its students:
Chauffeur Services
Custodial Services
Energy Services
Estimate Requests
Ground Services
Moving Services
Parking
Receiving Packages
Recycling
Accommodation
The Housing Office of the University is responsible for all the accommodation provided to the students. First year undergraduates and graduates are treated as a priority and are mostly guaranteed comfortable housing.
While only freshmen are required to stay on campus, most of the remaining students also choose to stay on campus due to the academic and cultural spirit found on campus.
Nearly 84% of the student body receives on-campus housing.
Other campus facilities and services such as health service, non remedial tutoring, transport/escort service, safety patrols, on campus career help, computer and library resources are readily available.
Cost of living
2014-2015 Estimated Single Graduate Student Expense Budget
| On-Campus (Single apt.) | On-Campus (Share 2- bedroom apt.) | On-Campus (Share 4- bedroom apt.) | Off Campus (Families Only) |
Cost of living |
|
|
|
|
Room | $13,188 | $7,776 | $6,552 | $14,688 |
Board | $7,011 | $7,011 | $7,011 | $7,011 |
Utilities | $1,680 | $1,140 | $1,020 | $1,980 |
Books/Supplies | $1,198 | $1,198 | $1,198 | $1,198 |
Personal Expenses*** | $2,987 | $2,987 | $2,987 | $2,987 |
Transportation | $3,327 | $3,327 | $3,327 | $3,594 |
SUBTOTAL* | $29,391 | $23,439 | $22,095 | $31,458 |
International student fees
Annual tuition fees 2015/16:
UNDERGRADUATE | DOMESTIC & INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS |
All UG programs: | US$43,710 (+$1,680 mandatory fees*) |
POSTGRADUATE | DOMESTIC & INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS |
All PG programs: | US$43,710 (+$1,554 mandatory fees*) |
*As is the case at many US universities, all programs at Caltech are subject to further fees. In addition to tuition and living costs, all students will be expected to secure health insurance either through Caltech or a comparable plan. Caltech’s health insurance plan for 2015/16 costs $2,646.
Scholarship
Although the University offers quite a lot of scholarships to US citizens, there are very little or no scholarships available for international students.
Still, around 60% of undergraduates receive financial aid, 98% of graduate students and 99% of doctoral students receive full financial support in the form of fellowships and assistantships.
Various scholarships are offered by different foundations and agencies. Some of the organizations are:
American Association of Japanese University Women
American Chemical Society
American Council of Engineering Companies
BMO Financial Group/Lime Connect
Critical Systems, Inc.
Force and Motion Foundation
Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans
Novus Biologicals
Science, Mathematics & Research for Transformation
*Caltech Grants are awarded to needy students to help cover the cost of attending the University.
Noted Alumni
The alumni of the University are its pride. Here are some of the most notable alumni of the University:
Sr. No. | NAME | NOTABILITY |
1. | Anant Agarwal | Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at MIT; CEO of EdX; holds a Guinness World Record for the largest microphone array |
2. | Hari Balakrishnan | Fujitsu Professor in the department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at MIT |
3. | Timothy A. Gonsalves | 1st Director of IIT Mandi |
4. | Ramayya Krishnan | Dean of the Heinz College at Carnegie Mellon University |
5. | T. K. Alex | Director at ISRO Satellite Centre, Bangalore, 2008–2012 |
6. | Prabhakar Raghavan | Vice President of Engineering at Google; former head of Yahoo! Labs |
7. | Chandu Thekkath | Managing Director, Microsoft Research India |
8. | Ramesh Sundaram | Vice President, Manufacturing Services, Finisar Corporation, USA |
9. | Aravindan Vijayaraghavan | Assistant Professor in the EECS department at Northwestern University |
10. | L. Mahadevan | de Valpine Professor of Applied Mathematics, Physics and Biology, Harvard University; MacArthur Fellow 2009 |
Advising & Counseling
https://career.caltech.edu/about/requestappointment
Contact Details
The Institute's main address is 1200 E. California Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91125.
The general phone line is (626) 395-6811.
