Deepen your talents and interests and build lifelong memories by participating in one of Caltech's organized athletic programs, its student-run clubs, or its many performing arts organizations (music or theater). You can also discover a variety of cultural and awareness events, diversity workshops, and support groups through the Caltech Center for Diversity. The Caltech Y offers opportunities for community service, outdoor adventures, and more.
There is plenty to explore beyond the labs at Caltech!
The athletics department offers individual and group options for participation in intercollegiate, club, intramural, and physical education sports. Caltech fields 20 NCAA Division III varsity sports and is a founding member of the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC).
Our mascot, the Beaver (nature's engineer), epitomizes the student athlete, excelling both in the classroom and on the field of play.
Clubs & Community Service
Caltech students exhibit a diverse array of backgrounds, talents, and passions. While all of our students are scientists, engineers, and mathematicians, many are also student leaders, musicians, artists, dancers, chess champions, and athletes. Name an interest, and there's probably a group of Techers who share it. If not, you're welcome to try to round up a group of your own!
Clubs: There are more than 100 student clubs and organizations on campus, covering everything from religious and faith-based organizations to groups that bond over community service, the environment, extracurricular interests, and food.
Caltech Center for Inclusion & Diversity: You can also discover a variety of cultural and awareness events, diversity workshops, and support groups through the Caltech Center for Inclusion & Diversity.
Caltech Y: Techers can also get involved in community service projects through the Caltech Y (an independent organization formerly, but not currently, affiliated with the YMCA/YWCA). The Y also organizes outdoor adventures, social activities, and educational programs for the student community.
Music
Whether your musical interest is instrumental or vocal, group or solo, classical, techno, or anything in between, you'll find a group here. Together with Occidental College, Caltech offers symphony orchestra, chamber orchestra, and concert band; on campus we have two jazz bands and over 25 chamber music ensembles, men's and women's glee clubs, chamber singers, and several a cappella groups.
Theater
Theater is also alive and well at Caltech, thanks to Theater Arts at the California Institute of Technology (TACIT). This group of thespians, drawn from student, staff, and even faculty ranks, presents three shows every academic year, including everything from one-acts to musical theater to original plays.
Public Events
If you find yourself to be less of a performer and more of a patron of the arts and entertainment, you can take advantage of the world-class events, performances, and lecture series organized each year by Caltech Public Events. Many of the events, which take place at multiple locations on campus, are free and require no tickets—and as a student, you will often have access to preferred seating. For those events where admission is required, Caltech students pay a nominal fee.
