<p>So, I got admitted to MIT this weekend, and when looking through the descriptions of people who DIDN'T get in...it's amazing. I know a ton of people apply, but at the same time, I know that there are people who are far more qualified than some of the people I'm encountering that got admitted as well. And where did these other people get admitted? Caltech.</p>
<p>It seems like in a way that MIT is just a Diet Caltech in a really pretty can. Caltech is tougher and more focused, and admits people on merit, while MIT is broader, more business oriented, and admits people more readily based on gender/race.</p>
<p>And so while there was once a time when I would have immediately chosen MIT over Caltech, you know, I'm not sure at all anymore. Full-flavored, original Caltech, or Diet Caltech?</p>
<p>Well, I wouldn't consider MIT diet Caltech. It's still a very hard and tough school, no matter what. You should first decide what you wish for in a college, then compare what Caltech and MIT offers you.</p>
<p>Example,</p>
<p>What size would you prefer? Small or large? Would you want to know everyone in your class or know only the people in your residence hall?</p>
<p>How much do you love math and science? It's very rare for someone to graduate from Caltech with only a humanities degree, but it's much more common at MIT. </p>
<p>Are you business oriented? Caltech offers a Business economic Management major, but I'm not sure how it stacks up to MIT's Sloan. </p>
<p>Would you like to do research in the summer and year? If so, I don't think there's a better place than Caltech. </p>
<p>Which area do you prefer? Pasadena or Cambridge? Cambridge has a lot of other colleges, great historical sites, great cultural areas etc. Pasadena has palm trees, in Cali, and has pretty good weather all year round, and if you have time the pretty beaches. </p>
<p>You have to sit down and decide for yourself what you would prefer in your college, and then decide based on which college you feel would be a better choice for you. If there's anything specific about either college you want to know about, feel free to ask on these forums. </p>
<p>Also, congrats on getting into MIT (not sure if you got into Caltech also, you didn't state). Caltech is much prettier looking than MIT though, in my opinion.</p>
<p>MIT gives affirmative action to under-represented minorities and women, while Caltech does not. So you can be sure that every student at Caltech "deserved" to be admitted. In any case, MIT still has slightly more name recognition than Caltech.</p>
<p>well, there's something weird going on at MIT this year for sure (maybe even last couple of years, but I since I applied only this year, that's afaik ;) )</p>
<p>anyways axxiom, go to MIT go to MIT!!! noooooooooo, my support towards your going to MIT has got nothing to do with the fact that I'm waitlisted.... jk... man, just.. I don't know.. caltech was always for me more HC than MIT.. that's one of the reasons why I like it so much. And because of everything kamikaze said.. and much much more..</p>
<p>Seriously, visit both and then make your decision. The campus life is totally different--I think the difference in the social aspect is much much greater than difference academically.</p>
<p>Excuse this blatantly pro-MIT post my west coast friends!</p>
<p>I think it's important to remember that MIT is planning to take in roughly 1000 people per class, where as Caltech takes in about 200-250 if I'm not wrong? </p>
<p>I guarantee that you will find at least 250 people of equal if not stronger acadamic caliber on MIT's campus compared to Caltech. But they will be distributed amongst other people, including hackers (referring to benevolent computer programmers), entrepreneurs, educators, etc. This may or may not be something you want. </p>
<p>Also, if you are looking for a very Caltech'ish environment on campus, there are several dormitories at MIT that tend to have very high concentrations of hardcore science/math/engineer's. (But as I know from living in one of these places, the more hardcore your academics get... often the more hardcore the place can... smell. :)). </p>
<p>But I second Lizzardfire on saying to visit both campuses, and choose the one you feel you will be happier at. Trust me, it doesn't matter where you go, you aren't going to learn much of anything if you are depressed and sad about life all the time.</p>
<p>Oh and don't judge hardcore-ness on the few high school stats people on CC post. If you want to see real hardcore, go to MIT or Caltech and post back in 3 years.</p>
<p>My goodness, sf49rox, you are absolutely right! When choosing between two different colleges, it doesn't matter which you pick! I mean, who cares about the vast differences in social atmosphere, weather, required curriculum, etc.? I sure don't! I'll just pick a name out of a hat!</p>
<p>To any reading this post, I urge you to heed sf49rox's intelligently formed reply to this thread. He clearly understands the importance of the choices important to you and he cares!</p>
<p>P.S. it's Caltech, not CalTech. I mean, come on.</p>
<p>People should stop making these comparisons. Of course, each school surpasses the other a bit in some categories, but on the whole, they are largely comparable. In either one, if you do well, it will look equally impressive. </p>
<p>Caltech is a bit more difficult to get into however, given the much smaller admittance numbers.</p>
<p>zooooooooooooooooooooooooooooogies (Sorry, just wanted to add some extra o's in there) is right on the money. How's your spring break going man? 113 is going to be awesome next term</p>
<p>yes, but the fact they can choose between those two doesn't mean their choice is easy.. ;) though, if you ask me, most of the kids shouldn't be choosing between these two schools in april when they get the decisions (i've chosen a year and a half ago hehehe).. though axxiom has some new insights into MIT, that can be seen only now, and i understand his dilemma.. .</p>
<p>even if differential was right in everything he said.. i would still choose caltech.. it's not only the HC of a school that shoul be looked at, but so many other factors, like the ones Kamikazewave said.. I, for example, would choose almost any west side school over MIT.. I've been living in a place that has weather and looks like boston for almost whole of my life.. And I don't like it :) and i wont even begin with the nasa & caltech story! and the small student body of caltech is sooooooooo perfect, you can get to know everyone! (yet MIT has to much ppl, and i'm afraid i couldn't remember all of those naaaaaaames.. not enough memory ;) )</p>
<p>so sf49rox, that's just the beginning of a very big list, so in the end, it's two waaay different schools, and you cannot just do random function on it.. what use is it if you're on some prestige school if it's raining everyday and you hate the rain? or earthquakes...?</p>