<p>I am currently enrolled at CAl under EECS but I just got a call from Caltech saying that I was admitted through the waitlist.</p>
<p>NOW the stress ~~~</p>
<p>EECS at Cal is definitely stronger than Caltech, It is a very diverse environment where I get to meet all kinds of people. Cal offers me a great scholarship(Cisco) and I'll have a lot of friends supporting me at Cal.</p>
<p>but Caltech has smaller classes and the school WILL guide me according to my strong abilities. The advisor is in charge of only three studnets where as CAl....:(....I guess Caltech has less to offer socially becuase everyone is a science major, but I figured i won't have a life either way becuz of the major i chose so yeah..XD...Personally despite how many people say Caltech has a more rigorous curriculum, I think I'll be more comfortable academically at caltech because CAL has more compeition (to be the TOP student) where as caltech students have to cooperate to learn together. </p>
<p>Another factor is that Caltech leans toward the theoretical aspect of engineering, which is stressing because I love the hands on practical experience. </p>
<p>I only have a few days to reply back-Im visiting caltech this friday.</p>
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Another factor is that Caltech leans toward the theoretical aspect of engineering, which is stressing because I love the hands on practical experience.
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That is not true. Who said you cannot have practical hands on experience along with a strong theoretical education?</p>
<p>Based on what you might do in the future:
Research/Academia : Really hard to pick between the two. Caltech offers better opportunities to meet professors and join their teams, simply due to the nice faculty-student ratio. On the other hand, at Berkeley since the department is bigger, you will have better choices in terms of research topics. Remember that as a student there is no way you are going to be able to research topics of exactly your interest, however at Berkeley the chances of finding such a topic, will be higher.</p>
<p>EE Industry: I would say Berkeley, simply amazing reputation. Cool companies like Intel, NVidia all hire loads of Berkeley grads, simply because they are some of the best EE's. Although the difference in reputation is very small, it's still there.</p>
<p>Unrelated industry (banking): Your GPA will be the most important, and you should pick Berkeley because there's no way you're going to maintain a great GPA at Caltech.</p>
<p>There are lots of other things to consider, but the most important ones:
1) Social Life- Berkeley
2) Size - Caltech</p>
<p>If it was me, I would not worry too much about it, until after your visit to Caltech. Some people just like certain schools, for reasons beyond our understanding :)</p>
<p>Don't just assume because you are an EECS major that you won't have a social life, haha. I am an ECE major and find plenty of time to do things with friends, party on Friday and Saturday nights, etc. </p>
<p>Based on what you've said, you'll have to go with whichever you'd prefer. I don't think your opportunities will be any different at either. If you want a smaller, more personal environment, maybe Caltech is a better choice. If you'd rather have a more social, diverse environment, a much bigger school, more things outside of your academics to do (sports games, more parties probably although I'm sure people will party at any school, more girls [sounds stupid but 4 years with hardly any girls and even less "normal" girls could get tiring - if you're a guy of course; more "normal" guys at Cal if you're a girl]). </p>
<p>Honestly, if you are going to try and break that comparison down (like hello just did) based on academics and all that, you are really picking at straws.</p>
<p>Just reading your post, it sounds like Caltech was your "dream school" originally - you really should base your decision on environment and that type of thing, after visiting of course.</p>
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Honestly, if you are going to try and break that comparison down (like hello just did) based on academics and all that, you are really picking at straws.
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He's right, most differences are minute barring school size and social life.</p>