California Institute of Technology

Caltech Undergraduate Admissions

General Information
Register for Prefrosh Weekend
Information for Students
Information for Parents

Thursday, April 2 - Sunday, April 5

We encourage you to take advantage of this unique opportunity to see Caltech from the inside. For three days, you will experience life as a Techer (a Caltech student). You will eat and sleep in the student houses, meet lots of current students, attend classes, and interact with other members of the Caltech community. There will also be opportunities to explore Pasadena and attend panels on topics ranging from academics to student life.

Prefrosh Weekend Tentative Schedule

Register for Prefrosh Weekend
The first step is to register for Prefrosh Weekend. You should have received the necessary forms with your admit packet. Please mail the forms in the self-addressed envelope provided. You can also download the forms below. The registration deadline is Friday, March 20, 2009.

Registration form (PDF) (all students)

Release of Liability Form (PDF) (students over 18 before April 2, 2009)

Authorization/Medical Release Form (PDF) (students under 18 before April 2, 2009)

Please send these forms to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions:

Caltech Office of Undergraduate Admissions
1200 East California Blvd.
Mail Code 1-94
Pasadena, CA 91125

OR

Fax them in to (626) 683-3026, subject line, "Prefrosh Weekend"

Also, please send us an email to prefrosh@admissions.caltech.edu to let us know you plan on attending. This is so we can notify you if your forms haven't been received.

We look forward to seeing you!

Information for Students

Travel Arrangements
If you use our travel agency to make your Prefrosh Weekend travel arrangements, follow these instructions:

• Contact Protravel at (800) 481-7774 (out-of state) or (626) 737- 0208 (local) - 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. PST - Earlier reservations are appreciated!
• Identify yourself as a Caltech Prefrosh Weekend participant.
• Make flight arrangements to arrive prior to 2 p.m. (PST) at either Los Angeles (LAX) or Burbank (BUR) airports on Thursday, April 2 and to depart Caltech prior to 12:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 5.

Aside from sending us your registration forms, there is not much else you need to do besides showing up on Thursday, April 2. The Admissions Office and the student Prefrosh Committee work together to pair you with student hosts and arrange for all the panels, performances, and activities available over the weekend. There are, however, a few things you can do to make sure you have the best possible experience:

Please make sure you arrange in advance a way to get in touch with your parent/s, and vice versa (cell phones, hotel numbers, etc.) Also, arrange a place to meet when they pick you up on Sunday.

What to Bring (PDF): A suggested list of what to pack for the weekend.

Directions to Caltech: If you are making your way to Caltech on your own, here is a link to ways of getting to campus from major airports, highways, and public transportation.

Information for Parents
Prefrosh Weekend is a chance for your son or daughter to get a feel for life at Caltech. It is also a chance for you to learn more about academics, resources and opportunities, and meet Caltech faculty, staff and current students. We encourage you to ask questions and interact with members of the Caltech community. We invite parents to all scheduled events with a few exceptions: We do ask that you refrain from attending classes with your student, as this may interfere with the professor's ability to teach. Evening activities planned by the Prefrosh Committee are also meant only for students - this is a time for your son or daughter to experience the independence of college and the peer environment at Caltech. Throughout the weekend we will also have receptions and sessions especially for parents.

Please make sure you arrange in advance a way to get in touch with your son or daughter, and vice versa (cell phones, hotel numbers, etc.). Also, arrange a place to meet for picking up your student on Sunday.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding Prefrosh Weekend, please feel free to contact the Admissions Office at (626) 395-6341.

What to bring (PDF): A suggested list of what your student should pack for the weekend.

Directions to Caltech: Here is a link to ways of getting to campus for the major airports, highways, and public transportation.

Local Accommodations: We have provided a list of area hotels and motels. Please note that Caltech does not promote nor endorse any of the establishments listed.

Pasadena Favorites (PDF): While your student is having dinner in the houses and participating in evening activities, we encourage your family to explore Pasadena area restaurants and night life. The admissions staff has put together a list of our personal favorites.