My parents are forcing me to decide by tomorrow morning (and I don’t blame them, I want to have everything set already), so I thought I would turn to my fellow CC’ers for some last minute advice. It was almost painful to do so, but I narrowed my list of colleges down to two, Caltech and University of Pennsylvania (the latter of which I got accepted into the dual degree program for Computer and Cognitive Science). I’m aware its an odd decision since the two schools are very different, but I like them for different aspects.
<p>Some Pros and Cons so you can see my thoughts here. . .</p>
<p>Caltech
Pros
- The school caters to my set interests in biology and computer science
- Comprehensive education in science and math that is stimulating
- Work really prepares you for graduate school
- Powerful, well recognized name despite campus size. If they've heard of Caltech, they know the person is bright and hard working.
- 3:1 faculty ratio means very personalized education
- Fellow students are interested in the same things as me, seemed very supportive; cohesive community
- Nice weather all year long, I liked what I saw when I was in Pasadena and there's much less crime than Penn
- Almost absurd amount of research opportunities starting as early as this summer. Very good for a high school researcher who loved doing research. </p>
<p>Cons
- Distance is an issue. I live in Long Island, NY. 6 hour flights + jet lag is inconvenient
- Work is very demanding, studying seems to occupy the bulk of the day.
- Although there is a humanities requirement, I get the feeling that I'll be missing out on some key liberal arts courses. I believe in focus, but I also appreciate the value of a well-rounded education.<br>
- Extracurriculars definitely cater to my interest (chess club and anime club, anyone?) but are small in number.
- Wasn't too impressed with some of the dorms
- Other campuses appeared much more impressive. . .the campus just seemed to be missing that "college" feel.</p>
<p>University of Pennsylvania
Pros
- Got into the dual degree program for Computer and Cognitive Science, a perfect application for my interests in biology and computer science and usable in growing fields like artificial intelligence. Having two degrees might really help when going to graduate school or when searching for a job. I guess I need to ask if two Penn degrees beat out or fall behind one Caltech degree in science.
- Ivy league college with great name recognition (that is, if they don't confuse it with Penn State. . .grrrr) and a relatively diverse amount of students. I know if I went there, I would find a clique of nerds like me to band with, so its not a problem.
- Key liberal arts courses are not only provided but required, it is hard to beat a Penn education in terms of being well-rounded
- Dorms looked very nice, although I was only allowed limited access inside so I'm not an expert (anyone want to comment on the quality of Penn dorms?) Buildings were grandiose as well, and I got a real college feeling there.
- Wide variety of extracurriculars and excellent resources
- 2-3 hours drive from home, so I'm far enough to gain some independence from parents but not too far enough to visit.</p>
<p>Cons
- Wharton seems to be the main focus of the school. Unlike Caltech, the school's focus is business, not science. Although I will be working at both SEAS and the College (for both I have heard excellent things, but still) I'm not sure how powerful my education would be in the scientific field compared to Caltech.
- Programs and research opportunities for my interests would probably be of a higher quality at Caltech.
- School is very large, so it is easy to get lost in the mix of things. Education is certainly not as personalized as at Caltech. Additionally, I did not get that supportive, collabarative feeling amongst students that I got at Caltech.
- Philadelphia is a double-edged sword - there's plenty to do but its also quite bustling there and Penn is particularly not in a nice neighborhood. I preferred the atmosphere of Pasadena better.</p>
<p>Now you see why I am split here. . .what a difficult decision to make -_- .</p>
<p>Where did you feel more at home?</p>
<p>It really depends on what kind of an environment you're looking for, since the dual degree program at Penn and Caltech are very similar in academic reputation. Personally, I come from the high school verison of Caltech and I've been with the same few people for four straight years. Although everyone is incredibly smart and great (most of the time), I get sick of the too-close-for-comfort feel and everyone knowing about my business :\ So, because of this background, I've turned down Caltech (among others) for Penn for a bigger, more exciting and well-rounded experience.</p>
<p>ohio_mom - Tough question. I guess I'll have to say Caltech. Like I said, I like the clean but urban atmosphere of Pasadena. Additionally, my peers there seem much more accepting and share my interests.</p>
<p>bean001 - Interesting that we had to make the same choice here. You make a good point to counter what I just said to ohio_mom. It might be too cohesive a community at Caltech because its too small. However, I really got a feeling that Techers are accepting people who don't really pry into your business. Nevertheless, having a more diverse and well-rounded experience is certainly one of the factors favoring Penn in this decision.</p>
<p>Chaotic,
Boy, you're right on the fence. About the only other thing I can think of is to look at the current research on both sights, and see which is more appealing. If that is similar ... prayer or meditation or listening to music might help to clear your mind so that the answer will just appear.</p>
<p>I'd pick Caltech, especially for your major. However, it is pretty intense, so I could see if you wanted more of a social life/humanities you might pick Penn</p>
<p>I still think Hopkins. It seems to me to be a mixture of UPenn and CalTech.</p>
<p>academically they are both great. how important is a social life to you?</p>
<p>as a fellow long islander, id pick UPenn</p>
<p>Oy, its almost 3 in the morning and I'm back to where I started from. . .I'll take any extremely last minute advice from anyone still prowling the boards. . .</p>
<p>i would definitely go with u penn</p>
<p>i feel as if upenn would offer you a more rounded college experience with an opportunity to try and do more things. i feel as if caltech would be somewhat one sided (not only academically, but i feel like the student body woudln't be as diverse as far as interests and backgrounds go)</p>
<p>If you're not sure where you want to go, why travel 3,000 miles to get there? :) </p>
<p>This seems like your first real life decision but you've got to take to heart that it isn't a win/lose - right/wrong decision. You will be happy and successful at any of these schools, close/far/big/small. This isn't about the schools anymore; there is nothing anyone can tell you about them that is going to help you make up your mind. It's about you making a decision. No one can do that for you and as hard as it is, you don't want them to. Look to yourself. Or as Shakespeare put it "This above all; to thine own self be true." </p>
<p>One definition of freedom is the "right of self-determination". Now step up to the plate and self-determinate!</p>
<p>I think that you sound like you would rather go to Cal-Tech. Don't let stuff that other people value interfere with your values, your decision.</p>
<p>I think, in the end, a technical person with people skills is most valuable in the marketplace. If you want a job in industry, choose the program that develops your communication and interpersonal skills in addition to your technical skills. Sounds like UPenn to me. Good luck and congrats on having two such outstanding choices!</p>
<p>I think you can get the well rounded education at Caltech, they have a lot of humanities and social science classes there that are set up to be relatively easy to get a decent grade, but whenever you're motivated to learn the subject you can go the extra distance to develop a more well-rounded education for yourself. The only problem may be that about 80% of the people there may not care much about discussing something like literature.</p>
<p>That aside, it seems like the major advantage to Penn is distance, if it's really important for you to see your family (well it is really important, but i mean to see them regularly and inexpensively), then you should probably go to Penn, if you think you can handle being far, I'd say you definetely belong at Tech.</p>
<p>So what did you pick???</p>
<p>Thank you everyone, I appreciate all of your responses. You gave me a lot of good considerations to think about, and I finally came up with a decision. I decided to go to Caltech. The deposit has been sent, and the college admissions game is finally over. It was a really tough call and I was literally up all night. Besides the obvious stuff and the pros I mentioned for Caltech, I think the major factors that swayed me were the fact that I felt comfortable in the atmosphere there, my desire for a challenge - both academic and personal - that will help me mature and develop my independence, and my certainty in studying science. Even though there's no way I believe my education would be as well rounded as in Penn, humanities courses do exist at Caltech, and its even part of the core curriculum, so its not like I'm locked out of it. Moreover, my education in the sciences would be very focused and extensive. </p>
<p>Save worrying about the schools I got waitlisted into, the admissions process is finally over for me, and I couldn't be more relieved. Every step of it has been trying, and I still envy all of the ED/EA guys out there. Nevertheless, I made it. Thanks again to everyone who has helped me out, and good luck to all.</p>
<p>ha- as I was about to submit my post I read your final decision. My suggestion was Caltech because of one thing you wrote: "I would find a clique of nerds to band with" at Penn. At Caltech you will be surrounded by kids just like you, and as great as Penn is (I'm an alum) I think Caltech is special and more impressive in many ways.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>congrats on deciding chaoticcranium. Like 2331dk, i was going to give a go to caltech post, but its a little late.</p>
<p>Congratulations on your decision! Best of luck to you.</p>