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Caltech
Caltech Connection

Testimonials

"The Caltech Connection program played a crucial role in shaping my academic journey. Under the guidance of [my mentor] I gained valuable skills such as conducting literature searches, critically analyzing scientific articles, and creating effective poster presentations. These skills not only contributed to my success in upper-division science courses but also served as a foundation for undertaking an independent Public Health student research project at UCLA."

"The program has been an amazing way for me to develop my skills as a researcher and interact with so many people at Caltech from different disciplines. It has played a significant role in helping me choose my major and reinforced my career plans for the future."

"The Caltech Connection program was a really positive experience for me and definitely helped prepare me for the future. After Caltech Connection ended last May, I applied for the Caltech WAVE program and was accepted. I got to live at Caltech during the summer and participate even more directly in research. The mentorship I have received during my time at Caltech has been invaluable and I am even more encouraged to go to grad school and continue research. Currently, I am still working as a research intern in the same lab from last summer and plan to do so until I transfer. I am a sophomore right now at PCC and plan to transfer after next year."

"Great feedback from mentors and faculty. Positive environment for student growth while learning from mentors. Working alongside mentors refined technical skills in project."

"I never really thought about teaching as an option. Because of the influence and passion of my mentor I would like to teach at some point in my career. Whether or not I end up in a teaching position, I would like to play a leading role in diversity oriented programs like this one which empowered me significantly."

"I bonded with my mentor and truly feel ahead of the game based on the things I got to be a part of and experience."

"Program overall gave a strong enhancement of being a scientist with focus on experimentation, literature, presentation, and collaboration with mentors and other students of interest."

"I am confident that I will transfer to a research institute, gain a PhD, and attend mentorships in STEM. Caltech Connection influenced me to pursue a PhD and become a postdoctoral scholar by creating unique and solving current problems."

Selected Statistics

Learned Skills:

  • 100% ranked "opportunities to learn about real world applications research" as good or excellent
  • 94% ranked "opportunities to learn about the STEM field you are studying" as good or excellent
  • 100% said their "understanding of the research process" improved
  • 100% said their "readiness for more demanding research" improved
  • 100% said they learned "to work independently"
  • 100% said their confidence to "succeed in a STEM research curriculum" increased
  • 94% said they are prepared or very prepared to "present scientific results"
  • 94% said they are fairly likely or very likely to "transfer to a research-intensive university"
  • 100% said Caltech Connection had an influence on "their future plans for college"

Program Outcome Examples:

  • 80% of students go on to STEM majors at 4-year colleges
  • 10-20% of students go on to STEM grad programs
  • Transfers to schools such as UC Berkeley, UC Irvine, UCLA, UCSB, ASU, Cornell, MIT
  • Summer Fellowships such as at Caltech, Harvard, Pacific NW National Lab, USC, NASA
  • Goldwater Scholarships

Partner College Demographics:

  • 90% of students from community colleges
  • 10% of students from 4-year colleges
  • 100% of students from post-secondary

4-Year Averaged Program Demographics

  • 40-60 Mentor Mentee Pairs per year
  • 50:50 Male to Female participants
  • 40-50% URM (Hispanic, Black, Interracial)
  • 40% first generation