<p>Let's make the MASSIVE assumption that I can get into Caltech and the safe one that I can get in to GA Tech. </p>
<p>Of the ~170k to attend Caltech for four years, I am need to get ~90 in scholarships and loans. The EFC calculator on Collegeboard tells me that I have to pay more than the annual cost every year, so need based loans are out.</p>
<p>I can safely say that I won't qualify for Axline. </p>
<p>What are your thoughts on Caltech w/ 90k in debt vs GT w/o debt?</p>
<p>Also, if anyone has a link to non Axline caltech scholarships, that'd be awesome.</p>
<p>Well, it depends on your intended major. For engineering, I would say GT is as good as Caltech. I know GT have wonderful aerospace eng. dept. and whatnots. For math/science, especially physics, i would say Caltech has a upper hand. For the money part, I think 90k loan is just too much debt. Put it this way, you can have two bimmers for the price :)</p>
<p>Physics is my favorite major- I think. At ten, I read a college astronomy textbook from my brother (at UGA). My favorite part was the conflict between relativity and quantum mechanics in black holes. What major do you suggest?</p>
<p>You need to also take into account grad school afterwards if you're considering debt. Engineering majors are more likely to go into industry after undergrad, and are more quickly in a position to pay off their undergrad debt. Math/science majors are more likely to go on to grad school, adding more debt (though undergrad is far more expensive than grad school). However, I do agree with Rabban that the difference between Caltech and Georgia Tech is larger in math/science than it is in engineering. </p>
<p>On a side note, if you hadn't noticed yet, Caltech's new president is from Georgia Tech.</p>
<p>If there's a legitimate reason for the difference between the EFC and what you can actually pay, you may be able to get some fin. aid. Apply and see if you can get in, then talk to the financial office. Once you see exactly what your options are, Then worry about it. First worry about getting accepted. :)</p>
<p>No, not exactly. I'm saying that if you're in engineering, the differential between the schools is low academically, but it's not as big of a deal if you rack up a ton of debt by choosing the better school (which I believe is Caltech). If you're in math/science, Caltech is a much better school but you'll also end up with more debt than you're estimating.</p>
<p>I guess the moral is that if you're in engineering you can choose based on which school you like better, regardless of the cost. But if you're in math/science, you really do have to choose between the money and the academics.</p>
<p>Hhm I don't really agree with alleya in this case; I believe the differential between Caltech and GaTech is pretty high academically for <em>undergraduate</em> level. This not only include the fact that Caltech has more rigorous undergraduate engineering classes than MIT, but also the fact that being from Caltech would generally place you much better on the cream of engineering jobs</p>
<p>If you are talking about Berkeley w/o debt vs. Caltech w debt, then I would suggest you go to Berkeley, since they have similar strength and prestige in engineering.</p>
<p>For someone graduating from caltech I dont think a debt of 90k will be THAT major of a problem down the road. Especially considering that there are PLENTY of scholarships to get down the road.</p>