Caltech vs Princeton

<p>I've been accepted to both Princeton and Caltech, and now a decision has to be made, so I was wondering if someone could offer some critical opinions.
If we set aside financial aid and weather, what are the differences (academically)?
Personally, I have been a couple of times at the IMO and the IOI (olympiads in mathematics and informatics), and I'd like to specialize in computer science/engineering, probably artificial intelligence, robotics, maybe cryptography, or theoretical comp. science/algorithm theory. Given this, where would I fit better? I've heard more than once that Princeton is much stronger in math than engineering and comp. science, so I guess I am more inclined toward Caltech, but I would really appreciate some thoughts on the matter.</p>

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<p>I've always heard that Caltech is stronger in engineering and that Princeton is better for the pure sciences. I also have the same sort of problem, but include MIT, Columbia engineering, Penn M&T, and Rice. Ideally, I want to double major in chemistry or chemical engineering and business/ management, so MIT might be good, but Caltech's small size and academic intensity really appeals to me. Do the smaller class sizes result in much more individual attention? Also, does this have tangible benefits for students?</p>

<p>Caltech is the one for you.</p>

<p>Princeton has a better undergraduate social life for most people (though Caltech is better for very nerdy people), which is not to say that Princeton's isn't weird in its own ways.</p>

<p>Caltech is better for most applied science/engineering majors than Princeton; they're about equally good for CS, with Princeton having a bit of an edge; and pretty equal in pure sciences, with Caltech having a slight overall edge but not at the level that would really matter to an undergraduate. </p>

<p>Visit both places and see which one you click with. The personality compatibility is really the important factor now.</p>

<p>Wow, so you think Princeton might have an edge in respect to CS? Interesting.. And what about research? I've heard that Caltech really offers many research opportunities, even for undergraduates. But I've also heard that they are more oriented towards physics? How is this at Princeton? Also, since I am an international student, where is there more diversity on campus?</p>

<p>The big thing about Caltech is that it is ridiculously tiny, and so you will definitely have more research opportunities there (and you will know your professors better, etc.)</p>

<p>Where are you from? As with most Cali schools, Caltech has lots of Asian people, as it does not practice affirmative action, whereas East Coasters like Princeton are predominantly white.</p>

<p>Also much large percents of Caltech undergraduates went on to get their Ph.D.s as compare to other schools. If advanced study is one of your goal, Caltech may be a more compatible place for you.</p>

<p>What inverse says is true, but...</p>

<p>Caltech has more majors that really require a PhD, ie, the maths and sciences.
Check the math and science majors at a school like Princeton, and i am betting the numbers are pretty similar. It certainly wouldnt hurt someone to get their undergrad at Princeton!</p>

<p>It certainly wouldn't hurt someone to get their PhD from Princeton, as well... Perhaps even more so than undergrad. That's why going to Caltech for BS and then to Princeton for PhD (at least in Physics) seems like a better choice.</p>

<p>Princeton actually isn't a spectacular place for grad school compared to somewhere like Harvard.</p>

<p>I disagree w/ anotherparent. I think that Pton's business/finance culture pervades strongly even in the engineering majors. This could be a plus or a minus depending on personal tastes.</p>

<p>Math and physics are the only technical majors where Princeton is on par with Caltech for grad school. But as Ben said, Princeton is good enough in the sciences that it wouldn't matter for an undergrad.</p>

<p>And is there a difference between the BSE degree in CS in Princeton and the degree in CS in Caltech? I mean this in respect to possibilities for work and possibilities for further education?</p>

<p>It's actually more or less a toss up academically between the two (for undergrad CS). Definitely choose based on fit!</p>

<p>tintin20 - That seems like a completely erroneous claim. Yes, this is anecdotal evidence, but my father received his math Ph.D at Princeton and right after that became an assistant (i.e. untenured) professor at Harvard, and was actually shocked at how much better the grad program at Princeton seemed in comparison. He had originally hoped to get his Ph.D at Harvard, but in retrospect is intensely thankful for the experience he had at Princeton.</p>

<p>What are you thinking about in terms of a career? Do you want to go into academia in the sciences? Caltech is a good option if that is the case. But, honestly, regardless of what you want to do, I think in terms of your post-college jobs options it would be a big mistake to pick Caltech over Princeton. Just my two cents.</p>

<p>Go to Caltech, its light years better than Princeton. The amount of ug experience you get is enormous.</p>

<p>I'm a Sophomore in EE at Caltech. I really have no idea how Princeton performs in the subjects you mentioned, but I'll attempt to shine a little light on my opinion of Caltech in those areas.</p>

<p>1) CS here is very theoretical. I don't really know much about how it compares to other CS departments, but I've heard that it is good for those into the theory. It focuses very little on actual programming from what I've been told.
2) Robotics is not very big here. We do have CDS (Control and Dynamic Systems) , but it's only offered as a minor. There are a few robotics things going on, like DARPA (which undergraduates can actually easily get on) and robocup, but there doesn't seem to be a strong academic or research emphasis on it. I'd seriously check out MIT or Carnegie Mellon if you have the opportunity for these fields.</p>

<p>If any other techers agree/disagree, please chime in.</p>

<p>Can you tell us in what ways your father was "shocked" at the differences in the math programs between Princeton and Harvard -- two of the best in the country? Thanks.</p>

<p>Princeton for math. CalTech for other, "pure" science. MIT for EECS and other engineering. FYI, new MIT EECS integrates robotics in entry level programming course sequence.</p>