Caltech vs. Columbia vs. Berkeley

Colleges and Universities A-Z California Institute of Technology
1

<p>I'd like to have everybody convince me some reasons for me to go to Caltech... I've been accepted to all three schools and am having a hard time deciding between the three. I'd like to major in EE, don't know if/how that will change halfway through school. I'm kinda nerdy but I have other interest, too (took Japanese language proficiency tests, among other things -- Japanese is one of my interests) and my friends aren't like me at all. </p>

<p>Does anyone have any input?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>(crossposted to Berkeley and Columbia)</p>

2

<p>I mean, I know plenty of people here who are interested in Japanese. There are four years of instruction available in the language, including some literature stuff I think.</p>

<p>Also, the EE program here is pretty awesome (I’m a EE).</p>

<p>It’s kinda hard to tell you much more given the very small amount of information you’ve given us. I suggest you read the letter stickied at the top of this forum, and also VISIT Caltech. Then you’ll find your decision probably not too hard.</p>

3

<ul>
<li>I <em>have</em> read the stickied letter.</li>
<li>I <em>have</em> visited Caltech. During the summer on a tour. When I visited, there was no one there. Why? Maybe it’s summer. Why did Caltech schedule a tour when no one would be there? Beats me…</li>
</ul>

4

<p>A relatively large portion of Caltech students stay on campus over the summer to do research, but it’s certainly true that the campus is less lively over the summer than it is during the year (which is true of virtually all colleges). When you visited during the summer did you attempt to talk to students outside of your tour guide? </p>

<p>Since apparently you have done some research (although it would of course be better to visit during prefrosh weekend or at least during the academic year), you should be able to ask more specific questions to guide your decision. Obviously, Berkeley, Columbia, and Caltech are all very different in a number of ways.</p>

5

<p>One thing you should look at if you’re interested in Japanese is the Caltech-Japan Internship program: [Caltech:</a> Humanities and Social Sciences](<a href=“http://www.hss.caltech.edu/humanities/jip]Caltech:”>http://www.hss.caltech.edu/humanities/jip)</p>

6

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<p>There are fewer people hanging out in the houses during the day in the summer, because people often spend regular business hours working in lab. </p>

<p>…would you rather Caltech just not schedule any tours during the summer, when high school students are the most likely to have time for college visits?</p>