Admitted Students Get Sneak Peek of Caltech Life at Prefrosh Weekend

Caltech will welcome 266 students—along with 280 family members—to campus April 20-22 for Prefrosh Weekend, the Institute's signature welcome event for newly admitted first-year students.

Prefrosh Weekend features more than 45 academic and student life panels and events to give parents and students a feel for the Institute; these include the popular Caltech Club Fair and Carnival along the Olive Walk on Friday afternoon. In an effort to highlight the importance of diversity in the Caltech community—and more broadly in science and engineering disciplines and careers—the admissions office is also sponsoring several sessions on the topic, as well as a Women in STEM roundtable. Admitted students have until May 1 to commit to Caltech; about 235 are expected to be enrolled.

This year's admitted class of 525 students is the Institute's most diverse yet, with record high percentages of women and of underrepresented minority students.

"This class of admits represents a tremendous amount of effort to create a more diverse and inclusive community of scholars," says Jarrid Whitney, executive director of admissions and financial aid. "We are also able to offer all eligible students need-based financial aid, which meets 100 percent of demonstrated need; this means a Caltech education can become a reality for accepted students. Prefrosh Weekend is truly the culmination of our community's efforts to enroll the best and brightest STEM leaders."

Prefrosh Weekend also presents an opportunity for members of the campus community to welcome members of the incoming class. To that end, Whitney asks all of those on campus during the event "to engage visitors and offer friendly assistance to anyone who appears lost or has questions about Caltech during their stay."