<p>CrazyGlue,</p>
<p>You can get great preparation for graduate school in engineering and/or science at either Caltech or Stanford. As discussed, the advantage that Stanford has would be that you could change out of the engineering/science if you discovered that you wanted (say) a poly sci degree. </p>
<p>Since that seems unlikely from your posts, then Caltech provides more research opportunities and more 1-1 interaction with faculty to its undergrads. This increases your likelihood of publishing and getting good grad school recommendations. That's 2/4 of (what I consider to be) the main criteria for grad school admissions. The other 2 are GPA and GRE scores. Stanford provides an easier source for a good GPA but grad schools know that - so I would discount that. GRE is pretty much dependent on you and not where you go to school.</p>
<p>I know it seems rather unscientific, but after all your analysis is completed, I suggest that you do what oaklandmom says and just trust your instincts.</p>
<p>CrazyGlue,</p>
<p>Seems like you are quite realistic about how the environment and opportunity could influence your future. If you are aiming at entering graduate school afterward, Caltech is likely give you a better preparation. After all, majority of Caltech graduate went on to graduate study and only single digit of Stanford graduate did so. At Caltech undergraduate routinely do research and are taking seriously in their participation and at Stanford there is a high GPA requirement to do so ( At least that was the policy around 2000 when my DS2 was there). Also don’t assume Stanford’s grade inflation will necessary give student good grade. Good grade still require strong motivation and there is an environmental factor involved. That is if your classmate are counting on grade inflation and not motivate to work hard, you may also likely follows. When I went to Caltech’s Seminar Day or Alumni College, I saw alum at advance age still listen to lecture intensively and took serious notes. It was obvious to me their Caltech training had impact them for life.</p>
<p>"As discussed, the advantage that Stanford has would be that you could change out of the engineering/science if you discovered that you wanted (say) a poly sci degree."</p>
<p>Actually the high degree of math training gives Caltech grads an advantage even if they switch to poli sci for grad school. There is still a shortage of poli sci applicants with strong math/stats training for PhD programs. I would bet that a Caltech math major who switched to Soc Sci in junior year and got a 3.5 would have an advantage over most elite school poli sci grads who didn't take more than the minimum math required by their respective departments. Considering the exceedingly small number of Caltech alums who went on to get PhDs in social science, it is striking how many are tenured professors. It is quite possible that on a per capita basis (taking all undergrad alums in the denominator) the fraction of Caltech alums who are tenured professors in poli sci today is comparable to the figure for almost any other school such as Stanford. Because of Caltech's small size, you also have a better shot at doing research, getting to know a professor better and getting a meaningful letter of recommendation -- especially in poli sci or econ.</p>