Tips for First-Year Students
Welcome to Caltech! Below are some tips to consider as you successfully launch your first year of graduate studies at Caltech.
There are multiple ways of getting involved at Caltech and it can significantly benefit your overall college experience and enhance your personal and professional development, leadership skills, community engagement, as well as cultural and diversity exposure.
On campus:
- Learn about Student Leadership Opportunities, including the Graduate Student Council (GSC) and Student Clubs.
- Participate in Caltech Community Associates (CCA) events. Started in 2010, the CCA program enhances community building and social engagement among graduate students. CCAs are graduate student volunteers and they plan and implement community-wide events for their graduate student peers. Past events include ice-skating, board game nights, dessert and boba in the Cats, movie screenings, trips to museums and art galleries, comedy shows, and more. Interested in becoming a CCA? Email [email protected]
- Clubs and Organizations: Caltech has over 140 student clubs and organizations! We hold an annual club fair and encourage all students to find a club that piques their interest. If you don't find what you are looking for, consider starting a new club or organization!
- Help make a difference! Founded by students in 1916, the Caltech Y offers leadership, service and civic engagement opportunities as well as a number of student events, trips, activities and resources (including equipment rentals).
- Become a Resident Associate. At Caltech, Resident Associates are full-time graduate students who live in assigned Caltech housing and provide leadership to the community. Resident Associates are responsible for providing educational and social programming, connecting students with campus resources, and enforcing Institute policies.
- Participate in our theater, musical, or art programs – no experience necessary! Get involved with Performance & Visual Arts! Caltech offers excellent opportunities for the study and performance of music, theater, and the visual arts.
Off campus:
- Participate in the off-campus event series, which includes sporting events (past trips include LA Kings Hockey Game and LA Football Club Match), musicals (Hadestown), food-oriented activities, and more!
- Pasadena City Offerings – Pasadena is a vibrant city with many local businesses, restaurants, museums, stores, etc. Explore Events in Pasadena to learn about upcoming events, view directories & sign up for the newsletter!
- Free Metro Pass – Explore Southern California with the Free Metro Pass! Members of the Caltech community can receive a Free Metro Pass that is valid for unlimited rides on all Metro bus and rail lines, as well as many local bus systems including Pasadena Transit. Visit the Parking Services Website for info on how to obtain a pass.
The Caltech Residential Experience has distinctive features that make this experience unique to our community. Each community benefits from the support of an RA. The RA role facilitates the social, academic, and personal adjustment of students to the institution and develops community, mentors students, and advises leaders where students live, whether that is one of the 8 undergraduate affiliated houses or one of the two unaffiliated buildings.
To be effective in the role, RAs must have strong interpersonal communication skills and the ability to foster and recognize and address complex social dynamics. Given the diversity of residential experiences and the distinctive personalities of the various residences, it is important that RAs understand and have the skills and experience to support and complement the community where they live. These skills factor into RA selection and placement decisions. These decisions are made at the discretion of the Office of Student and Family Engagement (SFE) in consultation with students.
Eligibility:
Applicants must be currently affiliated with Caltech as a graduate student in good standing, and must be making satisfactory academic progress, as determined by both the student's advisor and the Office of Graduate Studies. Before assuming the role in July 2026, applicants must have completed a year of academic work at Caltech. The RA role should take priority over other commitments apart from those that relate to the RA's academic responsibilities at Caltech. RAs must be enrolled for the entirety of the assignment. Graduate students who have not yet completed candidacy should consider the commitment carefully. Post-docs, Caltech staff, and individuals who have previously been separated from the Resident Associate position are not eligible to apply.
Overview:
RAs are a key part of fulfilling the mission of Student Affairs and SFE as well as Caltech RA's serve as a resource, community builder, advisor, and role model and to support students in their efforts to create fun and engaging residences communities.
The RAs must support an inclusive community and build a positive, safe, and a respectful environment for students to learn and grow. RAs will be evaluated on their contributions to the program and their engagement as positive and supportive members of the SFE team. This educational role is a one-year assignment from July 2026 to June 2027. Reappointments are not guaranteed but will be at the discretion of SFE, who will take into consideration performance reviews, budget, plans for staffing and housing, academic factors, and approval from the Graduate Dean's Office.
Academic success is integral to graduate students' personal and professional development. Across the six academic divisions and student-centered support offices at Caltech, graduate students are provided with resources that focus on personal well-being, networking, research opportunities, and developing communication skills alongside their academic and research pursuits.
- The Hixon Writing Center offers Caltech writers individualized support and feedback on their works in progress at any stage of the writing process.
- Explore resources offered by the Graduate Studies Office and various academic affairs staff, such as option representatives. Staff in the Graduate Studies Office helps promote the personal and academic development of all graduate students and supports students in monitoring academic progress, advising students with diverse needs, and provides a wide range of financial support for graduate students including emergency funds, parent support funds, dependent health care reimbursements, and external and internal fellowships.
- Connect with Faculty outside of the classroom! Meet the Faculty in Residence.
Personal success contributes to your holistic development during your graduate career, as well as beyond your time as a student.
- Need help with time management? Want to focus on getting better sleep? Having trouble with procrastination? Occupational Therapy at Student Wellness Services can help with that! Occupational Therapy Services teaches students skills and strategies to improve their routines and habits. You can schedule an appointment and/or click here to access time management resources, on-demand workshops, recommended readings and even useful apps to download!
- The Career, Achievement, Leadership, and Exploration (CALE) Office assists Caltech students with career planning, including career exploration, graduate and professional school advising, and job search strategies
Through the Center for Student Services, you can engage with individuals of similar background or connect with identities other than your own on topics ranging from affinity groups to international education.
At Caltech, we value in investing in the health and wellness of our students. The academic curriculum can be rigorous, so it can be helpful to participate in regular physical activity to stay active. At the Department of Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation and Student Wellness Services, we recognize that active bodies support active minds.