<p>I'm sure lots of you are looking at book schools. I'm interested in both, and frankly, one day I think one of them is clearly better only to change my mind the next day.</p>
<p>Post comments, thoughts, speculation... I'm sure there's lots of us who'd want to hear more.</p>
<p>Caltech was my dream school when I was a kid, because of Ditch Day. But I didn't go to either of the schools you are considering. I've been to the campuses of both in subsequent years on business trips. I'm kind of fond of big schools with large enrollments in big urban areas today, and that weighs a little bit toward MIT in my mind. But, hey, I'm just a parent, and I won't have to go there. </p>
<p>My son has been to information meetings for both schools, and liked both meetings, but probably got more excited by MIT's hacker culture (as presented at the MIT meeting) than by the rather intense Caltech culture as presented at the Caltech meeting. He may have a different opinion in a few years, just as you can see strong points in both schools. </p>
<p>You're lucky that both schools accept simultaneous early applications, so you can see what happens in the application process sooner.</p>
<p>What's Ditch Day?</p>
<p>caltech has much less of a traditional social life, theyre more of your stereotypical nerds</p>
<p>MIT... because its MIT(Don't shoot me Ben Golub!!!). </p>
<p>Honestly, once you get to that level of academics, it doesn't matter much which school you go to, its more to do with personal preferences. Personally its been a dream of mine to work at <a href="mailto:CSAIL@MIT">CSAIL@MIT</a>. I also like the area. Of course, I haven't gotten in to either(for at least a year! :( ), but you never know :p</p>
<p>Yeah, the CS deparement of MIT gets the cake.</p>
<p>MIT. Honestly now, it's in BOSTON.</p>
<p>Caltech. I'm really looking forward to a change of weather and location, and hopefully with a car I'll get to explore California.</p>
<p>Plus, for me personally, I have a few friends going there who are just awesome people.</p>
<p>I personally would like to explore the change of weather of MIT. I live in Florida, it cant get much hotter than it is here so I want to go someplace quite cold (ill regret saying this when i cant feel my fingers). Boston is a lovely city.</p>
<p>bump (chars)</p>
<p>I have to agree...Caltech has a not-so-swell social scene (my cousin goes there and complains non-stop) although the academic program is very rigorous.</p>
<p>I know someone who goes to MIT and complains that it isn't what he had thought it would be. Anyone else have the same experience?</p>
<p><a href="http://www.caltechvsmit.com/%5B/url%5D">http://www.caltechvsmit.com/</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.caltechvsmit.com/%5B/url%5D">http://www.caltechvsmit.com/</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.caltechvsmit.com/%5B/url%5D">http://www.caltechvsmit.com/</a></p>
<p>need I say more?</p>
<p>i love mit! but then... i'm from wellesley. im sort of considering transfering just becuase im sciency, but i like the wellesley campus its gorgeous. and quiet time is ACTUALLY quiet. but taking the cuddle shuttle is not fun. MIT is so pretty. whatever people say to tell u its bad, they're only trying to make mit lowkey not like harvard okay i just made that up but thats how i feel and this is a bad runon sentence which probably takes away credibility to whatever im writing right now... ill stop</p>