<p>I have less than two weeks right now to choose between these two and Im pretty split. Both seem to have their pros and cons academically. Stanford does appear to offer more opportunities in terms of courses I could take, and it seems to allow for more freedom academically. However, it appears to be more focused on its graduate school. Some of the majors im interested in such as aeronautics, bioengineering, and applied physics, do not have courses specifically for undergraduates. Caltech does seem to be a lot more focused on its undergrads. For example, I could join caltech's DARPA team if I wanted, whereas stanford's is all graduates. However, I hear that Caltech is very theoretical. I definitely plan on going to graduate school, so would this be a positive thing even though I am more interested in applied stuff? From the info posted at the caltech website, it seemed like a large portion of those graduating from caltech went on to top grad schools. I dont know if the same goes for stanford since they do not post this info, although I do know a much smaller proportion go on to grad school. My two main priorities for college are to figure out what field of engineering/applied science I want to major in and to get into my top choice grad school. What do yall think?</p>
<p>JJJJJJJOOOOOOOOORRRRRRRRRRRDDDDDDDDDDAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN haha sorry</p>
<p>lol is that you emmerson?</p>
<p>haha yes sir... bump</p>
<p>Stanford. More prestige, equal academics, larger, great student life, good location/weather... unless you want a smaller school.</p>
<p>How are the academics really equal? Im having a tough time being convinced.</p>
<p>Caltech is more difficult..less people..probably a little better in engineering than Stanford...You will have a lot of attention however the environment is cut-throat and the people there never ever stop studying..in Stanford you can actually have a life.</p>
<p>Then environment at Caltech is cooperative not cut-throat. </p>
<p>You can, of course, get a great education at either school but the environments are very different. Have you visited both? Talked to students and faculty? </p>
<p>If you are certain your future focus is grad school in applied science/engineering, you will have almost guaranteed access to research at Caltech as an undergrad. </p>
<p>You could go to one for undergrad and the other for grad school......</p>