<p>My son is interested in bio/neuroscience/linguistics, not as much in math (although his Math SAT was 800 and he is in Calc BC AP as a junior, will see how he does). He, for some reason, is interested in going to Caltech (we are on the East Coast) but his college counselor is very discouraging, saying it is really an engineering school for math/physics types and not a good match. I think we may visit anyway, but do you think the counselor is right? Thanks.</p>
<p>It might not be a very good match. Caltech requires 5 terms of math and 5 terms of physics for all students. Caltech is not just an engineering school and (I feel) focuses on science and mathematics more. As a result, it has a strong biology department. Linguistics, on the other hand, is entirely absent from Caltech.</p>
<p>Caltech is fairly strong in biology and neuroscience, but humanities really isn’t a focus here. Even the economics and business classes require math that isn’t required in the MBA courses taught by the same professor. </p>
<p>I’ve seen biology professors put math type questions on problem sets for some reason as well, just to not feel left out I guess. If your son dislikes math then this school is probably not the right place for him. Like dLo said, 5 courses of math is required, and BC Calc is expected of incoming students.</p>
<p>I don’t think my S took an engineering class. Other than CORE, lots of CS, econ, NS. Humanities had a scientific flavor (like scifi lit), writing science papers, history of science. The House system worked well, serious but fun loving kids, good labs, good food in area.</p>
<p>So, I don’t think your GC is right at all. Visit Caltech, let your son spend a day visiting classes.</p>
<p>The notion that Caltech is primarily an engineering school is false. While engineering is undoubtedly reputable here, Caltech’s greatest strength has historically been in the pure sciences. There is an abundance of seminal research going on in neuroscience and biology on campus. </p>
<p>However, it is true that Caltech puts an emphasis on mathematics and physics, as evidenced by the Core curriculum. Some biology majors find the rigor of these classes daunting, and this may be a drawback to your son. However research in Biology is become vastly more computational, and I’d argue a Biology major who has a solid grounding in math and physics has an advantage.</p>
<p>I think it would be worthwhile to visit and see if the environment is agreeable to your son. I don’t think it would hurt to apply.</p>