I am a Singaporean interested in pursuing Technology Entrepreneurship, preferably in the consumer products segment. As I am on a scholarship, I will do Defence R&D and work on unmanned systems for the first six years of my career.
I am attracted by the small class size at Caltech which allows me to work closely with professors but I heard that the curriculum at Caltech is generally extremely tough and there won’t be much time to do my own product development and entrepreneurship projects even if I wish to. The prestige, weather and location also helps to a large extent in my studies and future career/ connections but I will have to finish the course in 4 years instead of 3 at the other universities. Moreover, I think the lack of overseas opportunities, especially to China isn’t very great.
As for Michigan, I find that there’s a higher rate of success in technology entrepreneurship with large-scale support from VCs and large market. I would also be able to complete my Masters in Mech Eng/ Product Design/ Product Management (hopefully at Michigan, MIT, Stanford) in 4 years. There are also many chances to explore many different parts of the world through IPE/ CGIS (fully paid by scholarship). Nevertheless, the large class size and discussion lessons taken by GSI which results in the lack of opportunities to work with the professors worries me too.
Georgia Tech to me is a great engineering university which provides a good ME education and research opportunities. There are also numerous chances to increase the breadth of my education through taking minors and certificates in subjects I am interested in (e.g. a minor in industrial design to learn product design skills). The chance to do a year in France with the Georgia Tech - Lorraine programme attracts me too. However, the lack of school spirit, large class size (really a huge concern: situation is worse than umich), crime rate in Atlanta and the lack of a multidisciplinary education due to substandard education in the other majors makes it less appealing.
Of the 3, Caltech is definitely the most prestigious and well known, especially in CS/Engineering. I wouldn’t go to Georgia Tech just because I am prejudiced against the South, but that’s just me. Michigan is known for lots of subjects, not just engineering. The football program and loyal alumni base of mostly in-staters will probably make you feel a bit like an outsider. Caltech is very competitive, but if you are good in math and science, you’ll do fine. Since most kids in that school came from all over the country instead of in-state like Michigan or Georgia Tech, you probably won’t feel as much like an outsider and will find it easier to make friends. So, I’d choose Caltech if I were you.
I don’t think Michigan or G Tech can really compare to Caltech. The class size being so small makes it really unique. It’s definitely tough and competitive, but if you were smart enough to get in then you can very likely handle it. The only reason I might choose Michigan or G Tech over Caltech would be if one of them offered you FA and Caltech did not.
All 3 are excellent. I believe Ga Tech would offer you the most flexibility in your quality of life – that is, you’d be able to really concentrate both your academics and your business ideas…plus, the campus is exceptionally nice…and I don’t believe there is a crime problem there…I believe its quite safe.
Well that in itself is an outstanding achievement. I’m very partial to Michigan and you could have have a great experience there but I’ll admit it would be tough to pass up Cal Tech.
“Since most kids in that school came from all over the country instead of in-state like Michigan or Georgia Tech, you probably won’t feel as much like an outsider and will find it easier to make friends.”
Caltech is tiny compared to the other two schools. Michigan has a large OOS/International community. There are excellent reasons for the OP to attend Caltech, but lack of internationals will not be one of them. Now if the OP is male and is interested in the opposite sex, then Michigan wins that debate hands down.
I don’t think Caltech would suit you. Yes, the weather is awesome, the environment is beautiful and the exclusive one-to-one professor access (lunches and dinners at the Athenaeum) may not be available at any other university (I think). Caltech, however, is extremely tough, especially the first and second year; you may be able to do the work, but, you have to be able to work with others (ALL OF THE TIME) without being in awe of yourself.
Your plan to do everything in 3 years doesn’t suit Caltech. These students work, live and play collaboratively, yes PLAY!, a lot! For many high-achieving students, who are used to doing things alone, it doesn’t work that way at Caltech.
I don’t know you, but the micromanaging of time doesn’t allow for surprises. Caltech has surprises. Being independent and doing your own thing which, might work well at other universities, won’t work at Caltech. “Techrs” graduate together as a team. Think about your acceptances and to what you need to do.
@aunt bea I don’t know what gave you the idea of me being unable to work with others but I can assure you that’s not the case. I work with people all the time, be it in Student Government, sports or research. Wanting to be an entrepreneur clearly indicate that I would have to work with people across fields, in different environments and that definitely won’t work out if I wish to work in silo as well.
As I have mentioned as well, I won’t be able to finish Caltech in 3 years so I am comparing a 4 years bachelor’s at Caltech vs. 4 years masters at the other colleges.
Caltech is very special, but it is a pretty extreme institution. You either really love it, or you probably won’t like it at all. From what the OP has said so far, I think GT and Michigan are better for him.
CalTech is a cut above the others, clearly. But it doesn’t sound like it’s the right fit.
GTech will be a compromise between Michigan and Caltech (better weather than Michigan, very intense academics, some parties but not crazy about parties and football).
Atlanta’s crime rate doesn’t affect GTech’s campus.
Michigan has Ann Arbor (top college town) and a more diverse profile (better gender ratio on campus/GTech has mixers with Agnes Scott but still…; better mix of majors and perspectives).
When one has a choice between three very strong schools, personal safety should take precedence. If it were me, I would chose between Caltech and Michigan.
Wrong. Caltech’s prestige is mostly derived from its Earth science and quantum physics programs.
For engineering and computer science, the three are nearly the same for prestige.
The environments, as you’ve eluded, are much different. Choose the one that you like best.
Thanks a lot for all your comments! Really appreciate it!
I guess most of the people here tend towards Caltech and Michigan; with Caltech winning in international recognition while Michigan wining based on its fit.
I have a hard time deciding but looked into many areas and i actually found out some details, while not commonly ultilised at Caltech.
It actuallt has a partnership with the Art Center College of Design (one of the top Product Design programmes in the world) to allow people to take design courses (that would suit me). I also found out that the collaboration also spawned a few entrepreneurship incubators and accelerators which aim to fill the midpoint between technology and design which is great.
The BEM profs would also be helpful if i aim to start up or do r&d projects.
I wonder what people think of these initiatives? Will they help/ are they successful?
You can also check out Caltech’s tech transfer office – http://innovation.caltech.edu/startups. It appears to be a professional, proactive group, especially given Caltech’s very small size.
I had to make a very similar decision (Duke, GT, and Caltech) and while I may not be International, I would like to share why I would say to choose GT (as an out-of-state student to each school as well). Yes Caltech has the name, but the emphasis there is a lot more on team-based activities and research than on what you want: an environment to pursue entrepreneurialism. Georgia Tech and UMich are inherently designed (GT more so but UMich still qualifies) to develop students to work in industry. GT has the inVenture prize: the “Nation’s largest undergraduate invention competition” that is designed to provide funding to people with innovative ideas. There is also a large startup culture on campus with plenty of organizations designed solely to aid in getting started in the industry as well as a pretty well-equipped “Invention Studio” with high-end technology and great staff to assist in product development (I personally have designed and 3D printed a lot of things in there as an Aerospace Engineering major and it is pretty incredible).
There is also a VERY good and extensive study abroad program that definitely trumps Caltech’s and slightly edges out UMich’s. Just this summer alone around 80% of my friends are either intern-ing in China, studying in Japan, touring South America, volunteering throughout Africa, or of course studying at GT-Lorraine, to name a few (we also have satellite campuses in China, Singapore, and Ireland btw). About 40% of undergraduates study abroad and there is also a large international community there (Source: many of my friends are international) so you shouldn’t have a problem fitting in.
With large class sizes also don’t worry too much. It ultimately comes down to your preference, but personally I find it easier to stand out in a large school since you are not going to be overshadowed by being in a class full of highly-motivated, bright people like you would at Caltech (not to say UMich or GT students are not smart, but being public means there are plenty of “non-geniuses” in those schools as well). Safety-wise, Atlanta is not the safest at night, but there are PLENTY of transportation options 24/7 as well as emergency phones literally every 15 feet on campus to call the police. I do agree with you about subject diversity though. Unfortunately I think only UMich would provide you with good programs in both the liberal arts and engineering. However if you value a higher tier engineering degree over the presence of good liberal arts programs (and GT has decent ones in that category too. Again it is super industry/international-focused so the language programs are great), then I’d say Caltech or GT.
Source: Second Year Aerospace Engineering Major and International Affairs Minor, International Plan student (a program that requires acquiring language proficiency in a language of choice – I chose French-- taking “globally-focused coursework” and studying for 27 weeks minimum abroad in a country related to your chosen language)
