guardianshadow

I've been accepted to both Princeton and Caltech, and now a decision has to be made, so I was wondering if someone could offer some critical opinions.
If we set aside financial aid and weather, what are the differences (academically)?
Personally, I have been a couple of times at the IMO and the IOI (olympiads in mathematics and informatics), and I'd like to specialize in computer science/engineering, probably artificial intelligence, robotics, maybe cryptography, or theoretical comp. science/algorithm theory. Given this, where would I fit better? I've heard more than once that Princeton is much stronger in math than engineering and comp. science, so I guess I am more inclined toward Caltech, but I would really appreciate some thoughts on the matter.

Multiferroic

I've always heard that Caltech is stronger in engineering and that Princeton is better for the pure sciences. I also have the same sort of problem, but include MIT, Columbia engineering, Penn M&T, and Rice. Ideally, I want to double major in chemistry or chemical engineering and business/ management, so MIT might be good, but Caltech's small size and academic intensity really appeals to me. Do the smaller class sizes result in much more individual attention? Also, does this have tangible benefits for students?

gnrfan

Caltech is the one for you.

Ben Golub

Princeton has a better undergraduate social life for most people (though Caltech is better for very nerdy people), which is not to say that Princeton's isn't weird in its own ways.

Caltech is better for most applied science/engineering majors than Princeton; they're about equally good for CS, with Princeton having a bit of an edge; and pretty equal in pure sciences, with Caltech having a slight overall edge but not at the level that would really matter to an undergraduate.

Visit both places and see which one you click with. The personality compatibility is really the important factor now.

guardianshadow

Wow, so you think Princeton might have an edge in respect to CS? Interesting.. And what about research? I've heard that Caltech really offers many research opportunities, even for undergraduates. But I've also heard that they are more oriented towards physics? How is this at Princeton? Also, since I am an international student, where is there more diversity on campus?

tintin220

The big thing about Caltech is that it is ridiculously tiny, and so you will definitely have more research opportunities there (and you will know your professors better, etc.)

Where are you from? As with most Cali schools, Caltech has lots of Asian people, as it does not practice affirmative action, whereas East Coasters like Princeton are predominantly white.

inverse

Also much large percents of Caltech undergraduates went on to get their Ph.D.s as compare to other schools. If advanced study is one of your goal, Caltech may be a more compatible place for you.

anotherparent

What inverse says is true, but...

Caltech has more majors that really require a PhD, ie, the maths and sciences.
Check the math and science majors at a school like Princeton, and i am betting the numbers are pretty similar. It certainly wouldnt hurt someone to get their undergrad at Princeton!

Hriundeli

It certainly wouldn't hurt someone to get their PhD from Princeton, as well... Perhaps even more so than undergrad. That's why going to Caltech for BS and then to Princeton for PhD (at least in Physics) seems like a better choice.

tintin220

Princeton actually isn't a spectacular place for grad school compared to somewhere like Harvard.

webhappy

I disagree w/ anotherparent. I think that Pton's business/finance culture pervades strongly even in the engineering majors. This could be a plus or a minus depending on personal tastes.

collegealum314

Math and physics are the only technical majors where Princeton is on par with Caltech for grad school. But as Ben said, Princeton is good enough in the sciences that it wouldn't matter for an undergrad.

guardianshadow

And is there a difference between the BSE degree in CS in Princeton and the degree in CS in Caltech? I mean this in respect to possibilities for work and possibilities for further education?

cghen

It's actually more or less a toss up academically between the two (for undergrad CS). Definitely choose based on fit!

echang08

tintin20 - That seems like a completely erroneous claim. Yes, this is anecdotal evidence, but my father received his math Ph.D at Princeton and right after that became an assistant (i.e. untenured) professor at Harvard, and was actually shocked at how much better the grad program at Princeton seemed in comparison. He had originally hoped to get his Ph.D at Harvard, but in retrospect is intensely thankful for the experience he had at Princeton.