<p>Excellent response, molliebat, and I certainly wouldn't disagree with anything you said. The atmospheres are slightly different -- MIT is larger, Caltech is somewhat more personal; which one you like is totally a matter of taste. The general institute requirements differ -- Caltech has harder physics and math requirements, and whether you like this is also a matter of personal preferences.</p>
<p>I'd apply, visit both places if you get in, and decide based on the gut feeling you get about which one you prefer. It's a system that works pretty well :)</p>