<p>Assuming you got into both universities for physics, where will you go and why?</p>
<p>They are totally different type of colleges.</p>
<p>You will study other things at Caltech apart from Physics but you will only study Physics and nothing else at Oxford.</p>
<p>So, where will you go?</p>
<p>Which college?</p>
<p>I would personally choose Oxford. Anybody who is uncertain of Caltech should go elsewhere. Caltech is such an extreme experience that only those who absolutely “know” should attend.</p>
<p>The question should be “Cambridge or Caltech?” If you’re asking “Oxford or Caltech?” then I think the answer isn’t Caltech. Sounds like you’re looking for a more academically diverse experience.</p>
<p>Caltech is a very special technical school. It’s really the only one of its type, and the only school that can really even compare to it is MIT, although tbh, i think such a comparison would be rough. I agree with the above statement, if you’re asking ‘caltech or…’ caltech probably isn’t for you. </p>
<p>I heard about someone who got into Caltech but chose UCLA over it because the Caltech kids wouldn’t ‘party enough.’ Even ridiculously smart people want different things. Caltech isn’t for everyone.</p>
<p>If you want an academically diverse experience Caltech is not a good choice. But a UK university would be even worse as essentially all your classes are in your major.</p>
<p>Alexandre, what do you mean by “extreme”? I am just curious what the atmosphere is at CalTech, or what you are referring to. Level of study? Intensity? Focus? Amount of work? Thanks.</p>
<p>I am referring to everything. Caltech is an institute dedicated almost entirely to enrolling extremely focused and intense students who wish to study Engineering and science. Last time I checked, a whopping 96% of undergrads at Caltech majored in either Engineering, Mathematics/Computer Science, Chemistry, Physics or Biology. Those students are pushed to the limit academically and are expected to desire nothing more than to dedicate virtually every ounce of their energy to their academic discipline.</p>