CMU vs Cornell vs Caltech

<p>If you got into the three, which would you got to? Include place, academics, teachers, people etc.</p>

<p>I got into the three (with 1/2 tuition at CMU) and chose Caltech. Place - So Cal is a major attraction for many people - I like the mountains, but would prefer a proper (i.e. snowy) winter. Picking purely on place, I probably would have gone to Cornell, but I recognize that most people would prefer Southern California weather to cold snowy Ithaca. The campus itself is gorgeous.<br>
Academics: I like the lack of oppressive breadth requirements + extreme focus among the students on science. I think the student body is stronger at Caltech, and I look forward (I will go this fall) to studying with people who are all smart, many brilliant, and all find science interesting.
Teachers - willing to get undergraduates involved with their research. this was the biggest teacher factor for me.<br>
People - seemed very nice and helpful - I'd expected more boring people, and was pleasantly surprised.</p>

<p>are there people who are acutally outgoing and smart?!?!?!?!</p>

<p>the reason i ask is b/c when i visied, there were two guys who came into a thermo class without anything but themselves and torn clothes. they looked they had gotten out of a dumpster and came strt to class....they didnt even have shoes or flipflops or any footwear on...it was kinda scary!</p>

<p>So apparently if two guys dress like idiots that means people aren't outgoing and smart? I don't see the connection.</p>

<p>To answer your question, there are many smart AND outgoing people here. Everyone's smart, and there's a good amount of the outgoing type too :)</p>

<p>And, perhaps the reason they were dressed the way they were is that Caltech students are smart enough not to judge a person by his appearance, and outgoing enough to feel comfortable going to class barefoot.</p>

<p>Oh, and besides, really, one doesn't wear a formal suit in one's house! :)</p>

<p>Caltech is really footwear-optional. I know I'm not the only one who habitually lost my shoes for weeks without noticing. You can hang shoes on your nose!</p>

<p>Mind mentioning what major you're considering? Or what you're looking for socially? </p>

<p>That might possibly help.</p>