<p>I was accepted into Caltech and CMU's CIT for ECE, and now must decide between the two. I know both schools are excellent, but I am leaning towards CMU for the following reasons:</p>
<p>Caltech has given me a very good financial aid package, but everything I have read indicates CMU will match it. I live significantly closer to CMU (New Jersey), and have several relatives who live near Pittsburgh. Also, Caltech seems like it is comparatively too small. I haven't been able to visit Caltech yet, but I doubt I will "fall in love" with it any more than I did CMU. As far as I know, Caltech leans more heavily towards the theoretical side, whereas CMU is practical and application-oriented. Similarly, CMU's ECE program (vs Caltech EE(/CS)) seems to be better for a career in robotics, which I wish to pursue. Research opportunities seem to be good enough at both.</p>
<p>However, my main worry is that I'll go to CMU and feel as though I missed out on a lot by not going to Caltech...because, after all, Caltech IS Caltech. Does anybody have any advice or information that may help me decide? Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>Don't go to a college because of it's name, go to a college because of what it has to offer. It appears CMU has more to offer you than Caltech, but have you done your research on Caltech thoroughly?</p>
<p>S advisor (employer, mentor, teacher) said she went to MIT for her phD for the usual reasons but the wrong reasons. </p>
<p>Metaldragon2400 has good advice.</p>
<p>I was essentially following Metaldragon2400's reasoning, but as of late, everyone (people I value the opinions of) has been asking me, "Why aren't you going to Caltech?" so I've been second-guessing myself. </p>
<p>I didn't expect to get into Caltech, so I didn't research it thoroughly before I applied. (I applied to MIT, Caltech, and Stanford assuming somewhat vainly that I would get in one of the three, knowing they are all excellent schools but with chancy admissions. I was hoping for Stanford or MIT EECS, but I got into Caltech instead.) I applied to RPI as a safety and CMU as my second choice, but after some soul-searching I feel that CMU is better for me than any of the three "name schools," particularly for ECE and robotics.</p>
<p>After I got into Caltech I began reading up on it and such, but I haven't found much about the theoretical vs. practical issue or how its EE/CS programs compare to CMU. From what I do know about the two, CMU does have much more to offer for undergrad, at the very least.</p>
<p>If you have a chance, do visit Caltech. It is tiny, intense and very quirky. I really think you'll know if it's the right place for you if you spent a day or two there. It is definitely not for everyone.</p>
<p>My son has a full ride to both, based on need, and honestly, it appears they considered his academics when being that generous based on anecdotal evidence. He loves both. Caltech is more prestigious but more challenging, as in you have to ask yourself if you are driven to find your intellectual limits. It’s tough. But, it’s sunny and warm and when it’s bitterly cold in Pitt, you can be walking outside in a T-shirt in Pasadena for a refreshing study break. So, I asked my son if he would be happier at one or the other if he set aside the rigor and prestige but considered the life he would have. He had to think for a while but ended up saying, “I loved CMU, and I might get some preferential treatment there as in having top dips on some projects, but the kids at Caltech seemed more like me.” He has one good friend going there, and a bunch going to MIT where he felt he would be a good fit for grad school but not for undergrad because of the intense party life. Pretty tough decision though mainly because I keep asking him questions. </p>
<p>Bottom line: you can’t go wrong with either for education or prestige (power to get the job or grad school you want), but are you willing and eager to go through Caltech’s brutal academics or are you satisfied with CMU’s truly excellent and respected academics and probably have more fun time? Caltech students do have fun, but they find their limits faster and more profoundly than students at many other top schools. </p>
<p>Also have to think about whether the weather will affect you when you’re exhausted from schoolwork. Will it matter to you at all? Pitt lets you walk to places, like Boston for MIT. Caltech does, but you’re walking to an upscale, pleasant, fun southern cal town versus the city of Boston or gritty but fun Pittsburgh. So, Caltech is laid back in every way except academics. Boston is intense and world class. Pittsburgh is fun and more middle class. Love that in both MIT and Caltech you can be an amateur but still compete or participate in a lot. CMU probably but maybe not so much. Caltech doesn’t care if they win games or have the very top orchestra. They do those things for the students because it’s good for them and don’t need those things to bolster their name. That’s a huge appeal of Caltech. When we visited, the basketball coach was eying my son, who had never played. I discouraged him because my son had his activities sort of planned and they did not involve basketball, but it’s so cool that they have a no cut policy.</p>
<p>Congratulations, Popoagie.
It’s not that cold in Pitt. Its colder in the PNW because of the dampness. In fact Pitt is much warmer. </p>
<p>zzGladx hez goinng to CalTechhhh.,</p>
<p>ym finngerrs.</p>
<p>I cannot stress enough how you need to visit CalTech. </p>
<p>You already know you would be happy at CMU and that academics is top notch-- especially # 1 in research. Caltech has unbelieved research opportunities as well- but the best robotics is happening at CMU.</p>
<p>You already know I suppose that Caltech has like MIT a very specific freshman curriculum and a smaller incoming class. At CMU, you have no such restrictions and will have the opportunity to immediately take more classes at more levels and yes, research oppts are there when you walk in the door.</p>
<p>It’s tempting to pick Caltech b/c it’s caltech. You still need to visit. Also, join the FB page and see if you are getting or picking up a different vibe in the type of student at Caltech vs. CMU? D has this choice for CIT 3 years ago - she elected CMU and has never regretted the choice. Something about the responses in the discussion threads in the caltech FB page just turned her off-- but it may not be so for you. A visit is essential.</p>
<p>It’s rather close to May 1 - and you aren’t going to get a financial review in time to make a difference to your choice at this point-- so don’t count on that this late in the process. Hopefully that is not essential to your choice – didn’t sound like it.</p>
<p>Congrats-- !!</p>
<p>I’m surprised I didn’t notice this thread a while back. From my experience as an undergrad at CMU and a grad at Caltech, I’d have chosen CMU again in a heartbeat. I felt Pittsburgh was a way better college town (Pasadena sucks and public transit is a hassle to access unlike at CMU where you’re on the main road for the city), CMU is a tech-focused school without being overbearingly so. CS lounger type kids seem to be a lot more of the norm here than at CMU, and I definitely think there’s a broader type of engineer at CMU.</p>
<p>Finally, the classes at CMU were about a billion times better taught. If nothing else, homeworks were reasonable, lectures worth going to, and recitation sections weren’t solely there for undergrads to try and worm answers out of TAs because they just wanted to get through the homework and nothing more.</p>