<p>Two words: Caltech Sports.</p>
<p>Caltech all the way</p>
<p>@WillHeMakeIt - meh, not really that concerned about sports :P</p>
<p>Update: I figured out today that there was an major error on my FAFSA, which, if corrected, will significantly increase my EFC. Should I notify Cornell about this (I called Caltech, and they seem to have realized this already), or does Cornell use data from PROFILE anyway (i.e., telling them won’t affect my fin aid package, since EFC calculation was based on PROFILE)?</p>
<p>Oh, you mean Cal tech had your EFC correctly figured and Cornell did not? Or that CT uses only Fafsa and Cornell uses Profile? I’ve never heard of a Profile EFC being lower than a FAFSA EFC. Hmmm. Well, I have a strong feeling that they WILL figure it out. You do know that you HAVE to reapply for FA each year, correct? So don’t count on this error never being found out…</p>
<p>@menloparkmom: (Between my last post and now, my dad figured out that we messed up on the adjusted gross income entered for both forms.) Both schools asked for FAFSA and PROFILE, but because of error on our part, it seems like Caltech has the numbers correct and Cornell does not.</p>
<p>Caltech finaid told me that they noticed the discrepancy between fin aid forms and tax returns, and they calculated based on the tax returns. (I’ll assume Caltech calculation is correct because their combined federal/institutional methodology confuses me.) As for Cornell, I will contact them asking how they calculated it, because if they went by tax returns, nothing will change. Assuming that they used the numbers on FAFSA/PROFILE, I expect estimated EFC to go up by at least ~$7k and for more loans (based on finaid calc on website). However, that calculator is for SY 2010-11, so I’m not sure if the numbers are accurate :x</p>
<p>If the recalculation for Cornell ends up this way, Berkeley will be less expensive than Cornell by ~$1k (before plane tickets) and difference between Cornell and Caltech goes down to ~$15k. If I decide to go to Caltech, which is where I’m currently leaning towards, and hold back on personal expenses as much as possible, would the difference in cost be worth it?</p>
<p>Caltech is definitely worth the price tag. The other two schools are huge and you will not get the same kind of attention from professors as Caltech.</p>
<p>From what I understand, you would not have a “normal” college experience at Cal Tech, you will be treated basically as a younger version of a grad student and you will have the academically toughest courses that exist, in those areas but not huge breadth, or fields outside them. If that’s the experience you prefer to have, you are most assured of getting that experience at Cal Tech. Cornell is a very different place than I imagine Cal Tech to be.</p>
<p>But I have never set foot at Cal Tech, this is just from what I’ve gleaned from what I’ve read.</p>
<p>
I attended Cal and ALL of my UG classes were taught by full Profs, not TAs. TAs lead discussion and lab sections…just like any other research university.</p>
<p>First, only you can decide whether the Caltech experience is right for you – regardless of the price. For many kids, even a full ride would not be worth passing up a more “regular” college experience, with full liberal arts and study abroad programs.</p>
<p>Second, at the ~same price as Cal, Cornell is very attractive. Not because it’s “better”, bcos it is not, but that going away to college is a positive thing, IMO. It builds character. You meet a bunch of people from around the country. Ithaca is not for everyone, but is a great college town. Outside of location, Cornell and Cal have a lot of similarities; they are both world leaders in nearly everything that they offer. Both have strong alumni networks.</p>
<p>If I were you, I’d jump on a plane and go visit Cornell this week.</p>
<p>If SCIENCE is your PASSION and you want the opportunity to do research as soon as possible with other smart, committed , future scientists and engineers, then CT is the place to be. The motto I’ve heard about CT is that the pace of learning there is like “trying to drink water out of a fire hose”. I believe the first semester grades are all C/NC because it is a big step up in intensity for new students. It is intense, and requires a lot of hard work, but for future employment opportunities or grad school applications, you can’t go wrong there. I believe that 35% of CT grads go on to earn PHD’s. CT is the MIT of the west. I think it would be worth the extra $$, but the choice is up to you and your parents.</p>