<p>Hey guys,</p>
<p>Just got my packet today! At the moment, I'm leaning towards Olin, but there's one problem: my dad. He's really stubborn and claims that Olin doesn't have a name yet so it'll be difficult to get a good job. I also got into Caltech, so he wants me to go there.</p>
<p>Anyone have any ideas on how to convince my dad? I have the profiles of the classes of 2006 and 2007, which I'm going to show to him, but I'm afraid I'll need more than that.</p>
<p>Thank you!!</p>
<p>Well, I hadn't heard of Olin (Olin didn't exist when I attended MIT) until a friends son applied there (he didn't make the 1st cut, so uber congrats to you). I did a little research and I came away VERY impressed by the school. I'd give it a very serious consideration. Then again, Caltech has a well-established reputation. So I see your dad's point. If your plans include grad school, your graduate degree will ultimately mean as much or more. I'll say that based on what I now know, if I saw a resume from with a degree from Olin, I would definitely give them a 2nd look. If you do well at either school, you can look forward to a successful career (grad school, industry, whatever). </p>
<p>If your degree interests are equally met by Olin & Caltech, consider finances and location. Don't underestimate the value of graduating debt-free/minimally, even at what new engineers from a top school can make these days. How did the school "feel"? It might require another visit - I was lukewarm on MIT the 1st time I visited; I was I "have to go here!" after the 2nd visit. The Boston area is a great place to go to school. So is Pasadena. It might come down to New England vs SoCal. (For me, it was Boston vs Troy.) </p>
<p>Either way, enjoy your decision! If you can, visit the schools again, or at least see if they can put you in touch with current students and recent alumni you can speak with.</p>
<p>Look into Princeton Review rankings. Compared to CalTech, the students at Olin are happier, like their teachers better, have better quality of life, etc. etc.</p>
<p>Show your dad the kinds of jobs and internships Olin students are getting. Check this out to start: <a href="http://careers.olin.edu/docs/Internships%20and%20Research%20Organizations%20List%20Summer%202007.pdf%5B/url%5D">http://careers.olin.edu/docs/Internships%20and%20Research%20Organizations%20List%20Summer%202007.pdf</a></p>
<p>I went to Olin and graduated in 2006. I am now quite happily employed at a startup company, and many of my friends work for big names like Google, Yahoo!, IBM, HP, Texas Instruments, etc. Also several of my classmates are working for top-notch design/engineering firms like IDEO and DEKA.</p>
<p>There are also the grad students, many of whom have their own personal academic funding through NSF or major national fellowships.</p>
<p>And on top of all this, my friends who went to places like Caltech, MIT, and the Ivies are working at their similar jobs, but also paying off their student loans. It has been a godsend not to have to worry about finances!</p>
<p>Caltech may in the end be the best choice for you, so be sure to weigh it appropriately. But it sounds like your heart belongs at Olin to me.</p>
<p>Tell your father that if it's so difficult for an Olin student to get a job, then why is Google the #1 employer of Olin grads? Google is well-known for its difficult application process!</p>
<p>Check out <a href="http://careers.olin.edu/docs/profiles/2006_Current.pdf%5B/url%5D">http://careers.olin.edu/docs/profiles/2006_Current.pdf</a> and <a href="http://careers.olin.edu/docs/profiles/2007_Current.pdf%5B/url%5D">http://careers.olin.edu/docs/profiles/2007_Current.pdf</a> to see where Olin graduates are working today.</p>
<p>Grant Hutchins
Olin '06 (first graduating class)</p>
<p>What's your career choice? Olin's curriculum is based on projects. If you're looking for a career in product development or working on the real-world application, Olin would be a compelling fit. However, if you're more of a research person like I am, Caltech would give you a better theoretical base for future studies.</p>
<p>Google's business plan focuses on solutions to known problems, which is exactly what the Olin curriculum teaches to. The match is great. However, how many Olin grads do high-level quantum dot semiconductor laser research? Many fewer than Caltech.</p>
<p>This Caltech or Olin topic has been explored here in the recent past. If you use the search function here on CC, you'll find relevant posts.</p>
<p>yeah, I think Caltech has grad school. that's the difference.</p>
<p>Competition to get into Olin is VERY intense. Many students who are accepted have also received offers from MIT, Caltech, etc. S1 visited both Caltech and Olin and liked Olin better. Unfortunately, he was not committed to engineering, which was a deal-breaker for him.</p>
<p>Olin is an engineering college, certainly. But many students who graduate from there go on to other things, such as law school, med school, MBA, and technology policy.</p>