Hey Monorina- These are questions I really can't answer for you, because, well, I've never been an international student. I think you'd have the best chance at getting your questions answered if you call up Caltech admissions, or even shoot them an email. Good luck! -Jordan

Khalid- I completely agree with that. I mean, we all love math and science here, but sometimes you've just gotta stretch your brain in the other direction, you know?

Tiffany- Now THAT'S dedication. I'm going to use that as inspiration next time I'm convincing myself that my bed is much warmer than chem class. Khalid- Then you will LOVE Ch1a with Nate Lewis. Michael- I guess I had a different experience than everyone else. I got in everywhere I applied early, and suddenly had some very tough choices to make. Andrey- Not sure. She wanted to be internet-famous, but apparently she just wanted her hair to be famous. m.- Of course, I have to insert the disclaimer that my experience is just one of many, but yes, I truly increased by aid, nearly threefold, through communication with financial aid. I would say it's never too early to let them know that their offer isn't going to work for you, but I remember there wasn't much they could do until I could show them some other offers. If you applied elsewhere early, and will be getting their offers soon, then yes, wait for them. If you'll be waiting all the way until March or April to hear from your other colleges, I'd go ahead and at least let them know that you have a problem. Ok, cool! I'm looking to post again some time tonight. See y'all later!

Hey Tiffany. Yeah, I'm pretty sociable, so it makes me kind of uncomfortable when the person next to me doesn't speak to me at all. I start to wonder if I smell or something... Well, once I fill out this drop/add card, I should be taking: Ma1b, Ph1b, Ch1b, Ph8bc (an E&M lab), L103b (French), and fencing. Does taking Orgo make you a senior? What else are you doing your senior year? I made the mistake of taking cool classes as soon as I could in high school, and was stuck with a pile of graduation requirements my senior year. I don't want to make that mistake in college, so I'm going to stick pretty tight to core, I think.

Physics homework? Don't mess with me, Michael!

Michael- I think you can retake the higher level foreign language classes, as their topics change every term. Additionally, though a lot of students told me to just relax over the break, I also think it would have been useful to get A LITTLE headstart on reading. Then again, I didn't get most of my textbooks until a week into term...Oh crap I haven't gotten any second term textbooks yet! And I will continue to copy-paste from Word. :) Lloydie- Thanks! There was so much to do I could only remember a few things. Duke- I don't have MSN, but you can always email me at jtheriot[at]caltech[dot]edu.

Michael- I have no clue. I didn't understand him during Prefrosh Weekend, and I doubt I would understand him now. Avanti- That is one of my all-time favorite xkcd comics! They have a copy of it taped on the door of the math office in Sloan, in fact. Tiffany- It's tough for me to give you an exact answer, because I really only worked hard haggling with Caltech, and haven't asked other Techers exactly what their financial aid is. All I can really say is that I never expected Caltech to be as helpful as it was, and that I ended up very satisfied with my financial aid. I'll elaborate a little more on PFW in my next post.

Thanks, man!

I went to see Milk this week! It was INCREDIBLE. Anyway, welcome to the blogging family, Faith! We'll be running this show over the holidays...go us!

Awww, it's okay. I forgive you. And Tom, 6-8 hours? Are you serious? I gotta do whatever you're doing!

Aww, c'mon guys! I took that pic during my Prefrosh Weekend! Don't give the frosh such a hard time. :) Khalid- Of course I remember! No, I suppose the waiting wasn't TOO happy. And that's missus to you! Tiffany- Uhm...not enough. I guess if you had good time management, you could get as much sleep as you want, but I don't, so I clock about 5-6 hours a night.