<p>I’m still questioning applying early to Caltech. Is it the right decision if I think it is a good match for me? Is there a real advantage in EA? (I know their website says there isnt) Or is there an advantage to waiting the extra month or two for the RD round and working on perfecting my application? I personally don’t know anyone who has applied there early, so I’m not very sure.</p>
<p>There is no drawback, from what I can tell, to applying Caltech EA. You will, however be up against a very strong list of candidates. But, if you get deferred, I believe you are now allowed to update your application to make it stronger. As for perfection your application, remember that it will be due within a small timeframe of all the other crap, so you might be better off finishing it months before. </p>
<p>This gives two other advantages. It gets one application out of the way, so you have a less crowded schedule when it comes to the rest of your apps. Also, it gives you ‘practice’ in filling out college applications. It wont be long after you submit your application before you start thinking along the lines of ‘crap i wish i had done this or that,’ which are good thoughts to have before applying to a majority of your colleges. </p>
<p>And of course, Caltech is nonbinding early action so its all good. </p>
<p>And yes, by all means come and visit Mudd. A weekend stay here is often enough to make people nearly certain that this is the place they want to be.
*
My counselor suggested Harvey Mudd as a school thats similar to Caltech; small and science oriented. But Mudd is kind of TOO small. It’s smaller than my high school, which has around 1,000 students. To me that feels awkward.*</p>
<p>Do you know how large Caltech is?
*
-I need some help distinguishing between Harvard/Yale/Princeton: I know Princeton is more focused on liberal arts and the “wide spectrum” of learning thing, but aside from that they’re still pretty much the same in my mind.*</p>
<p>Yale doesnt really fit in the science category in my mind. Its just not usually associated with it, especially on the levels of Harvard and Princeton. As for those two, they both have great science programs, at least in reputation of difficulty (I hear bad things about the teaching). Princeton does have LAC thinking in mind, but if you look at their rankings in math and physics its quite something. Plus Princeton has spectacular financial aid. </p>
<p>*
Any suggestions on any good universities I’ve missed? I do prefer to stay in state, but I’m open to anything.*</p>
<p>Cornell comes to mind, though go to someone else for info on THAT.</p>