<p>Hey everyone,</p>
<p>I've recently found myself in a "happy problem" where I've been accepted into both Caltech and Stanford for a graduate program in Materials Science. I'm an international student doing my undergraduate degree in London, so I don't really have an opportunity to head down to California and do a campus visit, so I was wondering if anyone had any opinion on anything about graduate life at both universities.</p>
<p>I think academically, trying to distinguish between both universities is like splitting hairs - both are really good at what they do. Although that much said, I have heard that Caltech is more geared towards academia and Stanford more towards developing start-ups for applied engineering. Anyone care to comment on that?</p>
<p>tldr: How does Caltech and Stanford compare, from a non-academic point of view.</p>
<p>Is this for PhD or MS? I think if PhD it is a shame not to be able to visit. To meet the departments particularly.</p>
<p>They are both nice campus is nice areas but very different. Stanford is a large spacious campus and larger community than Caltech. It is quite a bit warmer in Socal. </p>
<p>Thanks shrouded, but that’s pretty dated as of now. This seems to be more updated: <a href=“http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-engineering-schools/material-engineering-rankings”>http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-engineering-schools/material-engineering-rankings</a></p>
<p>(although rankings are always subjective, but its clear that stanford is always ranked higher)</p>
<p>Although as i said, I think academically both will be extremely challenging and amazing. I would actually like to know more about the non-academic parts of the course</p>
<p>That ranking is based solely on citations</p>
<p>Hey Brownparent. For Caltech, its a PhD with full funding, while for Stanford is only for an M.S with no funding. I’m not too clear if I’m geared for a PhD yet, but apparently, its possible to leave with an M.S even if you are on the PhD track.</p>
<p>Yes, I would really like to visit, but unfortunately, it doesn’t seem likely. </p>
<p>Caltech is slightly more geared towards producing students that will go into academia because the research they do is very FUNDAMENTAL. Stanford does that as well, but the proportion is lower. They have a nice spread of fundamental and applied research. The majority of Caltech engineering graduate student graduates tend to find academic positions at top tier schools, but it doesn’t seem like you will go down this path.</p>
<p>Stanford’s M.S. is not highly regarded by those in ACADEMIA, because it is typically not funded and thus, it isn’t too selective despite the Stanford name. Industrial leaders are probably not familiar with the politics that goes on in these schools, so it probably won’t matter, but do you really want to pay for a Stanford MS?</p>
<p>Caltech has a more competitive and arrogant atmosphere. Stanford is a bit more chill. I can only speak for the mechanical and aero departments at these schools tho.</p>
<p>From a non-academic perspective, Stanford will probably carry more weight in industry because plenty of Stanford graduates go into industry. The proportion of Caltech students that go into industry is lower and it is also a MUCH smaller school, so you will not find a lot of Caltech graduates in industry, but the name is still well known to industry. </p>
<p>Did you apply for the PhD at Caltech? It’s unethical to enroll and intentionally leave with an MS.</p>
<p>If money is not a concern (though this is a huge factor if you’re considering grad school), then Stanford will probably better equip you for non-academic positions.
I personally dislike anything about Stanford that is MS related, because I feel they are more geared towards bringing in money rather than producing stellar graduates. </p>
<p>Hi DoubleD, </p>
<p>Thanks a lot for the post, it was very informative. To clarify, yes I did apply for the PhD at Caltech, and I do have the intention to go for it. But in the event that I find myself unable to handle it or find that it is something I cannot foresee myself doing/enjoying, then I might end up dropping out. </p>
<p>Anyway, could you elaborate more about the competitive and arrogant atmosphere at Caltech please? Money is an issue for me, so Caltech really appeals to me but my plan after graduation is to go into industry… Hmm</p>
<p>Were you from Stanford or Caltech?</p>
<p>I’m not. I’m a prospective grad student as well, Choosing between Stanford and Caltech for aero and mechanical engineering. I visited both campuses and worked at Caltech for 2 summers.</p>
<p>If money’s and issue then definitely go with Caltech. You won’t have a problem finding an industrial position as a Caltech graduate. It’s just more likely that Caltech graduates go into academia than industry. </p>
<p>In terms of competitiveness and arrogance, keep in mind I can only speak for the mechanical and aerospace departments at these schools. I’m not familiar with mat sci people. I don’t like the social setting at Caltech (I wouldn’t want to be around many of these people outside of work/school). It depends on what kind of person you are and the people you like to be around. The vibe at Caltech is such that, somewhat generally speaking, each individual think the research they’re doing is the most important and complex.
Arrogance exists at all schools, but I think it’s much more common at Caltech, per capita. </p>
<p>I think there are a couple of Caltech materials engr/sci students on here or gradcafe. So they’ll probably be able to tell you more about that department. </p>
<p>RacinReaver is at Caltech. You might PM him because he hasn’t posted since Dec. PM copy goes to email.</p>
<p>My housemate went to grad school at Caltech, chemistry. I’d ask her questions for you but it has been a long while.</p>
<p>Caltech is in Pasadena, a small city within Los Angeles county ( there are 99 municipalities). There is a bustling shopping and restaurant/bar scene. Some culture–the Norton Simon Museum. Good weather if you like hot summers, mild winters. Some nice neighborhoods if you don’t live in grad housing, but I haven’t lived there for a long while. I go there for music or restaurants sometimes, went to UCLA football game at the Rose Bowl. Downtown LA is not too far. The far reaches of LA county high and low culture and beaches are there for exploration if you can manage the traffic.</p>
<p>How do they deal with students who can’t visit? Do you get to Skype with professors in the dept? I take it there is a good match if you got the offer?</p>
<p>It is easy to find an apartment very close to Caltech campus. Son found his last place thru the Caltech housing site.</p>
<p>I cannot say much about the individual department, but all the Caltech people I met (thru son) seemed nice, with good sense of humor. </p>
<p>I think many grad students consider academia, but reality is there are few options out there. Many seem to end up doing research in big companies or start ups. </p>
<p>I think RacinRiver would be a great resource.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the help! </p>
<p>@DoubleD,</p>
<p>Your posts are really helpful! I’ll keep your words in mind if I go to Caltech.</p>
<p>@BrownParent,</p>
<p>International students don’t get to do anything basically. We just wait for the results. I’m not sure how it’s like for other universities, but for Caltech, I was just told that I needed to find a supervisor by end 2015. I’m assuming they found me a good fit based on my SOP and LORs? </p>
<p>@bookworm,</p>
<p>Thanks, i’m starting to look at accommodations now. Will pm RacinRiver.</p>
<p>OP, I have only positives to say about Caltech. My son would not be pleased if I posted just how great some of the profs have been. </p>