<p>i’ve heard its easier to get into caltech if you’re a girl…just something i heard, i have no idea if its even remotely true!</p>
<p>Similarly qualified applicants, regardless of gender, are likely to get similar outcomes. Soo… no, I wouldn’t say its easier.</p>
<p>Caltech is a pure meritocracy, and it defines merit in terms of achievements and character. As neither of these things are gender specific or gender related, it’s easy to see that gender plays a very small role (if any) in Caltech admissions.</p>
<p>In comparison, does anyone know if MIT has the same policy?</p>
<p>I believe MIT favors girls.</p>
<p>I’m not 100% that they do, but if this:</p>
<p>ttp://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2003/mlk.html </p>
<p>is any indication, then I’d be very surprised if they didn’t favor girls as well. But the MIT forum is probably better for that.</p>
<p>I’ve never gotten a straight answer from anyone representing MIT (they like to answer with things like “Women do just as well once they’re here! Actually, their GPAs are higher and they’re more involved!” but pressing the question of whether gender’s taken into account in admissions doesn’t get anywhere - “We consider the whole person.”) Caltech, on the other hand, seems not to take gender into account for admissions - just for giving students money after they’re admitted. Best of both worlds (for girls at least) :)</p>