<p>I got into both but I'm torn between UCLA and Caltech. UCLA's got an actual basketball team and Jim Morrison but Caltech's got pranks, Oppenheimer, and Shockley. Then there's the class size thing...tons of alumnus vs a class size of 200. I'm planning on going into entrepreneurship so I'll need connections in business too. Any suggestions, comments, or pros/cons for either school?</p>
<p>well… UCLA has Kleinrock and Cerf, just in the tiny field I’m familiar with.</p>
<p>The only way UCLA will give you a similar experience to Caltech is if early on, you collaborate with some of the all star professors… assuming that, its a question of fit.</p>
<p>Go to UCLA. I have a feeling that you’re going to enjoy it there more. </p>
<p>For me, collaboration with prof and access to prof as an undergrad is less important than having a wonderful college experience. Many students at Caltech are enjoying their stay there. But a number of them aren’t. if you’re the highly sociable type of person, it’s hard to enjoy in an environment like Caltech. having said that, go to Caltech for postgrad. That would look good on your cv.</p>
<p>Just my opinion - but if you’re asking this question, you should go to UCLA. To go to CalTech, you should know *in your bones * that it’s where you belong. I can’t think of another school for which I’d make that statement.</p>
<p>Both are fantastic schools, of course. It’s hard to believe that anybody wouldn’t love UCLA.</p>
<p>Percent of all undergraduates that live in college housing
92% - Caltech
36% - UCLA</p>
<p>Go to CalTech, if you can afford it. You’d still have many connections, and will meet more individuals who actually want to immerse themselves in academics. You’d have a closer relationship with your professors (not relationships, oops).</p>
<p>I have to agree that if CalTech was a fit for you then you would not be asking the question.</p>
<p>It has been said that there are so many brilliant minds at Caltech that just driving by on California Ave. facing the campus will add about 10 points to your IQ level from all the intellectual energy that comes out of the campus.</p>
<p>that said, I agree with several posters here - if you really can’t decide between UCLA and Caltech, then maybe Caltech is not for you.</p>
<p>CalTech,but if you can’t cut it there, UCLA.</p>
<p>now, this is scary:</p>
<p>California Institute of Technology - 25%/75% - Class of 2014</p>
<p>700-780 - SAT Critical Reading
770-800 - SAT Math
710-780 - SAT Writing
34-35 — ACT Composite</p>
<p>Another vote for “if you have to ask, then it should be UCLA”.</p>
<p>I’m gonna disagree with everyone here and say that even though Caltech is a strong, academic enviroment, if you were able to get in then I believe that it means you can cut it there. One of my closest friends right now is trying to decide between Stanford and UCLA, so I have a slight inkling of where you might be coming from. Since you do have till May to decide, I think the best advice is to attend both school’s admitted students weekends coming up and immerse yourself in the campuses. Then after doing that just see which one truly fits you better. As you and other posters have stated, Caltech and UCLA have different feels so you should be able to tell which makes you feel more at home. </p>
<p>If I had to give my opinion though, I would give a vote towards Caltech.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>thebull, you can’t disagree with everyone becaue no one said anything different than what you are saying here…</p>
<p>You mean besides the reoccurring statement that if Caltech was right for him, then he would already know and be set in going there?</p>
<p>Maybe you should wait until you hear back from your other colleges if you applied to any more before deciding</p>
<p>@thebull</p>
<p>The statement you were attempting to rebuttal wasn’t based on any deficiency in intelligence or diligence. Rather, the resounding statement of “if you have to ask, then it should be UCLA,” is meant as a focus on the social aspects of caltech. Caltech obviously has one of the strangest and most unique social structures among US colleges. The point everyone is making is that if the OP isn’t sure about whether he would like caltech or, the more quintessential college experience of UCLA, then it would be safe to assume that his hesitations about living at Caltech would make going there a risk as any doubt might point to his future unhappiness at a school where there are effectively no alternatives to the ‘typical’ lifestyle. </p>
<p>Obviously, if the OP can get into Caltech, he is probably capable of handling Caltech academics. Yet, that wasn’t the point of the discussion.</p>
<p>originalthought you hit the nail on the head with your response to thebull, as would be expected of a brilliant incoming Caltech freshman.</p>