<p>inerse: I think you and others are pointing out aspects of Caltech that many of those who eschew it to go east fail to consider in their decision making. It is unfortunate but Caltech seems to lose out in some the college hype wars.</p>
<p>I'm not sure I'd credit the UMAs that much ("as a result...") with the fact that faculty know a significant portion of their undergrad students, but I'm sure it doesn't hurt! Professors knew me pretty well (maybe because I had a tendency to speak up, haha!) and I never applied for an UMA. In my case I would credit small class sizes and the easy availability of research opportunities.</p>
<p>All of these things are very positive parts of the Caltech experience, of course.</p>
<p>Joe- I meant that only at Caltech, professor will not only know their own students through teaching and research, but also know many many other students as they are all been compared annually for UMA selection.</p>
<p>I see. But the UMA committee is only a few professors...</p>
<p>But professors talk.</p>
<p>Haha, all right. :-) Clearly this is a pretty insignificant way that profs get to know students. [Imagines a campus wide network of gossiping profs with the 5 or 6 on this one committee at its nexus.] But I won't disabuse you of your theory anymore. Carry on. ;-)</p>