<p>I have done a lot of research on universities' sites and on google.com and I have still three unsolved doubts I hope You can help me with:</p>
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<li><p>Stanford will be my top choice, but I also consider Caltech as my second pick (non-academical factors). From what I've heard Caltech is a better university and due to this it is tougher to be admitted there. So I do not know if I should send an application to Caltech because logical thinking tells me that if Stanford does not take me, Caltech is going to do the same. Is there any good possibility I might be accepted by Caltech but rejected by Stanford? Do You anybody with such experience? Do You think I should apply to both of them?</p></li>
<li><p>I also consider applying to Princeton, mainly because of financial aid. I want to enroll at the department Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, but I keep finding opinions that even with engineering degree at Princeton, people tend to become economists. Do You think that I can be a successful engineer in a company like Boeing or Lockheed Martin while graduating from Princeton?</p></li>
<li><p>Is it true that Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree with major in aero/astro means nothing and to be hired as some kind of aircraft engineer in mentioned companies (Boeing, Lockheed Martin) I need to get a Master's degree?</p></li>
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<li><p>Your logic is simply wrong. Each college has their own criteria for what they look for in a student. Anyways, there’s some luck of the draw when it comes to getting accepted to these top schools, because there are so many qualified students who apply, and they simply don’t have room for all of them. Therefore Stanford may turn you down even though you are qualified, and Caltech may take you. You never know.</p></li>
<li><p>You could be a good engineer no matter where you go to school. If you’re smart, applied, and learn the material, there won’t be much of a difference between an engineer from MIT or a SUNY. Having said this, Princeton is a top school and will provide you with a wonderful education to succeed anywhere…</p></li>
<li><p>Dunno.</p></li>
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<p>Uh… I don’t know where you heard that Caltech is better than Stanford. Academically, they are both equally regarded. Also, Caltech is less selective than Stanford, but that may have to do with the self-selection process (mostly only STEM people apply to Caltech)</p>
<p>However, they are both COMPLETELY different schools. Caltech is focused on sciences/math/engineering, whereas Stanford may be more well-rounded. Both, have well-regarded programs in STEM, however. Caltech will offer you a really low student-faculty ratio. Both will have research opportunities in abundance, although the existence of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory near Caltech may be a factor for you. Stanford’s social scene will be more diverse (more diverse extracurriculars) simply due to its larger student body (Caltech has a small student body).
These are just generalizations, however, and there are many differences I’ve not listed. You should do more research.</p>
<p>Neither school (and throw Princeton in there as well) will give you an advantage over the other for a company like Boeing/Lockheed.</p>
<p>Princeton is well-regarded in engineering and will look the same as Stanford/Caltech on a resume. </p>
<p>However, Princeton’s school culture is very different from Caltech/Stanford, and you should do your own research on the differences (weather, faculty interaction, research opportunities, social scene, etc)</p>