Caltech vs. Olin

<p>Discuss, please</p>

<p>Elaborate, please</p>

<p>I never applied (to Olin) because they only have engineering majors (no science or math). I imagine you'd have to be pretty sure of your commitment to engineering before going there.</p>

<p>Although im pretty sure I wanna go into engineering, I didnt apply to Olin because they only offer so few majors. They dont offer aerospace or chemical engineering for example. Maybe you can go into these fields in grad school after olin though. No tuition is certainly a big plus.</p>

<p>I want to pursue ECE, but I'm also interested in the sciences. Olin is great for engineering and particularly ECE. No tuition is a big plus for my family. However, Olin is a bit lacking in the sciences, so I would probably have to cross-reg. Caltech is good in engineering too (probably around the same level as Olin). However, I've heard their engineering is theoretical, not practical like Olin. On the plus side, Caltech is very good in the sciences, particularly what I'm interested in.</p>

<p>A tricky part: I have a SO who's close to one of the schools. It's hard to determine how much weight I'm giving to that factor and also decide how much weight I should give to that factor.</p>

<p>How hard is it to cross-register? You might want to get in contact with some Olin students and ask if anyone cross-registers. If the answer is yes, go to Olin if you like it -- no tuition, seems like a great place, and you seem like their more practical focus. If the answer is no, you should find out why that is. </p>

<p>Which areas of science are you interested in?</p>

<p>This year I was accepted at Caltech and wait-listed at Olin... But to defend Olin (since I know more about it than Caltech):</p>

<p>Olin does have a very practical and hands on approach to engineering. I had the chance to see some of the projects that the Olin freshman had done and they were impressive. Olin has new everything, including workshops. I have not met many of the people from Caltech, but the Olin people were wonderful to talk to and spend time with!</p>

<p>But Olin really only has general engineering, mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering degrees. The faculty will try to teach any class that you want if they are able to do it. Olin students are also able to take classes at Babson (which is honestly just across the street), Wellesley, and Brandeis.</p>

<p>From what I see, Olin is an engineering school, Caltech is more focused on Science, and aeronautics. Truthfully, the sort of admits Olin's looking for matches more with MIT, since it's more of a business engineering school, hoping people start their own companies etc...</p>