Cal Tech vs. Stanford?

<p>Im torn between CalTech and Stanford, since I got into both. I want to major in either ComputerEngineering/Computer Science OR Electrical engineering. Can anyone out there
tell me which school is better for these types of engineering? If you had a choice, which
one would you go to? My parents is letting me choose which one I want to go to.
I visited both campuses and I love both of them. Finances are not a problem. Which
should I choose? Any advice or help would be appreciated.</p>

<p>Since finances are not a problem, why don’t you visit both? When you do, talk to students and ask questions that are important to you both about the majors and about the non-academic life. That would help you understand bothe schools better.</p>

<p>Do you want a big school or a small school? Does Caltech’s house system appeal to you? Do you want strong programs in humanities/social sciences as well or strong extracurricular options? Do you want your school to have division I college sporting events? Would you like being able to play NCAA division III sports? Even if one school is slightly better than the other in the majors you list (and I’m a chemistry major, so I wouldn’t really know), I think the above factors will be more important than the slight difference. Both are excellent schools, so I think you should focus more on the environment (size, social life, etc). </p>

<p>For example, Caltech is small, has a unique housing system, and has a comparatively weak humanities/social science program and fewer extracurricular options. </p>

<p>Stanford is larger, has a more conventional housing system, and has people who major in things other than math/science.</p>

<p>You should also think about what kind of learning environment you want. Do you want to be around a lot of science and engineering focused people, or would you prefer to hang out with more normal people. Which way do you work best? Do you work best by having a high self esteem, or do you prefer to always be chasing someone better than you? Lots of talented people have different preferences, and you should think carefully about your own preferences.</p>

<p>“More normal people” hahahaha</p>

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<p>I heard from someone I know that of all his very academically intense friends, the only batch that was consistently happy at Stanford was the CS batch. I think the CS program will probably suit you great if you’re really into it. </p>

<p>That said, from my acquaintances in both, Caltech is way more severely skewed towards the math/science areas, as well as just intense academics above all else in general. Stanford attracts a more diverse crowd. This is part of the whole point of why the schools are very different, and it shouldn’t be particularly hard choosing.</p>

<p>What does Caltech have that Stanford doesn’t? Use your head on this one.</p>

<p>A higher percentage of unattractive and unsociable people, also more stringent requirements and less prestige.</p>

<p>And far better students in Electrical Engineering :). I’m just about to graduate with my degree from Caltech in EE, and I’ll be attending Stanford for my PhD. I spent three months at Stanford last summer working as a researcher in EE. </p>

<p>I can confidently say that the average Caltech EE undergrad blows the average Stanford EE undergrad out of the water.</p>

<p>lizzardfire:</p>

<p>did you go straight from undergrad in EE to PhD? I realize its a little early to be thinking about this myself as I’m a prefrosh hoping to go into EE, but in your opinion is a master’s necessary? Or is it more dependent on the sub-field you want to go into? I want to work in the industry and I would prefer having a Ph D. Cutting out the extra time to get a master’s would be nice.</p>

<p>Most PhD programs in EE are combination MS/PhD programs, so I will be getting my masters on the way to a PhD. Some schools (instance: Berkeley) do not require a Masters in the PhD track, but most people end up getting it anyway as it isn’t a huge increase in time expenditure.</p>

<p>Here at Caltech all that’s required to get your MS on the way to a PhD (in my department, at least) is filling out a two page form and having it signed by three people.</p>

<p>I actually got my MS before I passed candidacy/quals.</p>

<p>@KnowYourRole, post #8. Amusing. In the prestige category though, it’s a question of prestige with what group? I’ve heard that there are people out there who confuse Caltech with Cal Poly. Among scientists, though, Caltech is unequivocally the top American university in terms of prestige. That’s not the difference computergeek should be thinking about.</p>

<p>Oh wow, thanks for the insight, guys. I guess I’ll just figure it out when I get there. :)</p>