<p>Hi, </p>
<p>I recently got accepted to Stanford and CalTech in Aero/Astro....</p>
<p>my dilemma is that I have full funding from CalTech (Masters and PhD) and I am on the waiting list for a fellowship from Stanford (Masters only).</p>
<p>So in the event if I hear I received the fellowship from Stanford, what school do you guys think is the better choice?</p>
<p>Thanks,</p>
<p>I would choose caltech, especially if you gained acceptance to a ph.d program there and only a masters program at stanford. But even if you got accepted to a ph.d at stanford i would still choose caltech for your area of study. I havent checked the rankings, but i would imagine caltech to be excellent in your area of academia. You cant exactly go wrong either way with two schools like stanford and caltech. Congrats!</p>
<p>Both are excellent. Caltech has the world-recognized JPL, which is probably the most cutting edge Aero thinktank in the World. Stanford is not slouch when it comes to Aero either. If you get the same deal from Stanford, I'd say go for the one that fits your needs and personality best.</p>
<p>If you have been accepted into the PhD program at Caltech with full funding but only the masters program at Stanford with the POSSIBILITY of a fellowship, you should go to Caltech. This seems like a no-brainer. Is there something I am missing?</p>
<p>Thanx for all your input, </p>
<p>CalTech says they fund all students in the PhD programs (whether combo of fellowship or assistantship) and I am admitted in the PhD provided I perform satisfactory in their masters. </p>
<p>My only concern is the ranking of these schools and the job prospects after?</p>
<p>In this regard, that is why I am hesistant because of Stanford's higher ranking....</p>
<p>I don't know if I am just crazy but you guys believe that both schools are equally great despite their difference in rank?</p>
<p>Thanks again all you guys,</p>
<p>Have you been accepted into the PhD program at Stanford?</p>
<p>Both schools are equally great. Go for the Phd and the funding.</p>
<p>Yes, Caltech and Stanford are equal. The reason why Stanford is ranked higher overall is because it is much larger. But their reputations are equal. In fact, I would probably say that Caltech is even more highly regarded among engineers.</p>
<p>Hey Guys - Thanks again for all your input ....</p>
<p>I am from Canada so some of the reputations are not as clear as those from California or the US - </p>
<p>I haven't been accepted to a PhD at Stanford or well it seems "less certain" about being admitted - I have to reapply or at least get approval for Stanford PhD - I believe. Caltech stated " you will be given permission to pursue a PhD degree upon completion of the masters degree"</p>
<p>are job prospects equal as well to Stanford? - it just seemed as though more recruiters go to Stanford - am I wrong?</p>
<p>Thanks again to all you guys,</p>
<p>dude this is like picking between</p>
<p>a ferrari and rolls royce</p>
<p>This is a no-brainer. Unless you're sure that you want only jobs that don't require a Phd, you'd even be better off going to a much lower ranked program with a full PhD ride than an MS program without one. Since we're talking Caltech here with its control of JPL and its association with TRW and other such companies, as well as having been the home to path breaking research on aero for decades, what exactly is the question?</p>
<p>Remember, many of these rankings don't correct for size. In any size-corrected adjustment in almost any field Caltech shoots up quite a bit.</p>
<p>Remember, this is grad school. It's not the general reputation of your school that will count later. It is finding that ONE faculty adviser who will be your mentor to guide your research and help you find a job.</p>
<p>I would totally go with Caltech -- I've heard Stanford has a rep of taking in lots of masters students, then weeding them out mercilessly, which they can do because almost everybody's paying his/her own way.</p>
<p>I don't think there's a significant difference in prestige between Stanford and Caltech -- my boyfriend's in aero, and his profs have told him that "the only places worth going in aero/astro are MIT, Stanford, and Caltech." Seems like they're all pretty equivalent.</p>
<p>Of course, the really important question, as not quite old mentioned, is your personal research interests. Can you find someone at Caltech you'd be happy to be a graduate slave for? :)</p>
<p>Involuntary servitude -- What Grad School is All About!</p>
<p>In the US, PhD programs are ranked according to the strength of the department and subfields. The "overall" ranking by US News and others means little. If you get into a top 5 school, you are golden as far as the school reputation goes. Your thesis topic and quality of publications are much more important. Picking a right advisor goes a long way also.</p>
<p>I just looked up the US News ranking, and they rank Caltech #1 in aerospace. No brainer there.</p>
<p>Hey there, NQO -- it's voluntary servitude! :D</p>
<p>...that's what I have to keep telling myself.</p>
<p>Hey guys, </p>
<p>Thanks for all your input...Those were the answers I was looking for...if any of you have any more info or suggestions it would be most appreciated!</p>
<p>Thanks again</p>
<p>Right Molliebatmit. I forgot. The official term is "indentured servitude" Heh.</p>