<p>Are you two "runners" related, or is that just a weird coincidence?</p>
<p>drunner2007</p>
<p>I applaud your ambition. But remember that there are alternatives. Georgia Tech has a good reputation. I think that if you went there and wanted to get some of the Caltech/MIT "feel" or experience, you should remember to take the toughest course load you can handle with a big emphasis on the more mathematical courses. Also try to do research or get into contact with a professor as soon as you know enough to be useful. You can look up the curricula at both schools if you want guidance on what equivalent courses at GT to take.</p>
<p>Bear in mind that there are disadvantages to the big Techs. When I went to Caltech, the courses were targeted to the top third of the class and the transfer or drop out rate was extremely high. Many would have been better served had they gone elsewhere from the beginning. The situation is a lot better now, but those who end up in the bottom quartile still have a rough time. Many of those who transferred were "stars" at their new schools -- even at highly selective universities.</p>
<p>For me the biggest benefit of being at Caltech was obtaining a realistic appraisal of what it took to end up a professor of theoretical physics at a decent research school. I didn't want to play that lottery so I switched to another area for grad school which matched my interests and career goals. You can figure this out anywhere, you just need to calibrate appropriately.</p>
<p>Not quite old
I agree with some of what you say, e.g. the recognition that one may never become top professor at a highly respected research school. One can learn that they are not a genius while at Caltech. I think Caltech tries to take care of their own. The first 2 terms are pass/fail. There are many study groups. Any class can be switched to P/F in later years. The transfer rate now is low. They've added humanity major.Humanity classes are excellent, each geared to scientific minds. Contacts and research opportunities are terrific.
I am surely not one with the answers, but such questions can best be asked on the Caltech site.</p>
<p>Not quite old: What field did you switch to? Are you happy with your choice?</p>
<p>Thanks, cptofthehouse, for some very good points.... In my opinion, fit is also an important factor. The student has to be able to visulize himself/herself at the school. And kids do change their minds about majors once they're in college. So, depending upon the student, he/she might do best at a large state university that has more to offer than a small, expensive LAC. It's also worthwhile to look at the number of students that have received major awards, like the Rhodes, Marshall, Fulbright scholarships and others. Some of the award recipients have come out of non-elite, non-Ivy schools. I think that if a student gets into the honors program/college at a state u and does well, opportunities will open up. And many state schools are really trying to groom and support these kids for competitive awards. The state uni's are worth everyone's consideration - then students/parents can decide what's best....</p>
<p>twinmom,</p>
<p>I am delighted with my choice of economics and am quite happy as a professor. There are many more challenging problems to solve, there are a lot more academic jobs, and the pay is usually better. (grins) Grad school was a cakewalk in comparison.</p>
<p>Indeed, I was very glad to have gone to Tech. Most of my classmates look back on the experience with a mix of gratitude and a shudder of relief. Even those who literally flunked out think a lot of the experience. Nonetheless, it was not for everyone. Very much of the "few, the proud, etc."</p>
<p>Of all the schools I've been to, taught at, visited, etc. Caltech still stands out (with Chicago in second place) as the most purely intellectual, academically focused institution in the USA. There was very much of a sink-or-swim mindset (albeit in a supportive environment) and frankly, I wish that ALL the elite schools were like that. If you went there, you knew that all your classmates -- regardless of major -- had gone through the same set of uber-rigorous and hard to pass core courses. But that is not the fashion today -- most schools are smorgasbords. So for those that don't agree with me, Caltech is not the best choice.</p>
<p>Indeed, even Caltech has partially caved in to the grade inflation trend. It is no longer true that nearly half of the entering class flunks at least one course. Failure is much, much less common today and grades are inflated relative to the past, but are deflated relative to other universities.</p>