MIT Pros & Cons vs Caltech (+ why I didn't apply to MIT) 🦫

Summary

In this video, Amy, a Caltech graduate, compares her experiences at Caltech with MIT, discussing the major pros and cons of each school. She highlights Caltech’s focus on pure science and its small, collaborative environment, contrasting it with MIT's larger, more applied engineering culture. Amy shares why she chose Caltech over MIT, citing factors like location, weather, tight-knit community, and unique opportunities. She also touches on the rivalry, the prestige factor, and her decision to pursue an MBA at MIT Sloan later. The video offers insights into the personal side of choosing between top-tier tech schools.

Takeaways

• 😀 Caltech is renowned for its pure science research, while MIT is more applied and better suited for students seeking a bachelor's degree without pursuing a PhD.
• 😀 MIT offers more variety in classes, clubs, and sports, including a football team, whereas Caltech's smaller size limits its range of extracurricular activities.
• 😀 MIT's larger size contributes to its greater name recognition and 'clout,' but Caltech has its own unique prestige within the scientific community.
• 😀 MIT's size also means less personal attention and fewer research opportunities compared to Caltech, where the smaller student body provides more direct access to faculty and labs.
• 😀 The social atmosphere at Caltech is highly collaborative, with a supportive environment, while MIT is known for being more competitive, which can impact the academic experience.
• 😀 Caltech’s tight-knit community is enhanced by its small student body, which allows for more personalized experiences and events.
• 😀 Weather is a key factor in choosing between Caltech and MIT; Caltech benefits from warm California weather, while MIT has harsh Boston winters.
• 😀 Caltech has strong ties to the tech industry, especially in California, which may offer more entrepreneurship opportunities compared to MIT.
• 😀 The unique house system at Caltech, similar to Harry Potter's Hogwarts, provides a strong sense of community and personalized student life.
• 😀 Caltech’s exclusivity and focus on cultivating future Nobel laureates make it an attractive option for students aiming for top-level research and academic careers.

Q & A

Why did Amy choose Caltech over MIT?

Amy chose Caltech over MIT because she was more drawn to its smaller size, tight-knit community, and research opportunities. She also preferred the warm weather in California and the unique house system at Caltech, which reminded her of Hogwarts.

What are the main differences between MIT and Caltech according to Amy?

Amy highlights that MIT is more applied and better for students aiming for a bachelor's degree and then moving on to work, while Caltech is focused more on pure science and is ideal for students intending to pursue a PhD. MIT has more variety in terms of classes, clubs, and sports, while Caltech has a smaller, more collaborative environment.

Why does Amy mention 'clout' in the context of MIT?

Amy mentions 'clout' to describe the perceived prestige and recognition that comes with attending MIT, which is often more recognized by the general public compared to Caltech. She discusses how people sometimes didn't recognize the prestige of Caltech and confused it with lesser-known institutions.

How does the size of Caltech compare to MIT, and how does this affect student experiences?

Caltech is much smaller than MIT, with only about 900 undergraduate students compared to MIT’s 4,300. This smaller size leads to a tighter-knit community, more personal access to faculty, and greater opportunities for research, which Amy valued during her decision-making process.

What does Amy think about MIT's competitiveness?

Amy believes that MIT has a more competitive environment compared to Caltech. While both schools have tough academics, she feels that MIT’s competitive nature may make the academic experience harder and less enjoyable compared to the collaborative environment at Caltech.

How does the location of MIT and Caltech impact students’ experiences?

Amy highlights that the location of Caltech in California offers better weather, proximity to LA and Silicon Valley, and a more entrepreneurial atmosphere. On the other hand, MIT’s location in Boston means harsh winters, which Amy finds less appealing.

What unique feature of Caltech's culture stood out to Amy?

Amy was drawn to Caltech’s house system, which she compared to Hogwarts. Students are sorted into houses based on their personalities, creating a unique and supportive community. This system was one of the factors that made Caltech feel special to her.

What role did Amy’s basketball recruitment play in her decision to attend Caltech?

Amy was recruited for basketball at Caltech, and the school’s small size allowed her to connect with the team and consider playing varsity basketball, something she wouldn’t have experienced at a larger school like MIT.

What does Amy say about Caltech’s research opportunities?

Amy points out that Caltech offers incredible research opportunities, especially due to its smaller student body, which means less competition for spots in labs and more access to faculty. She felt this would be beneficial for her long-term academic goals.

Why does Amy feel that Caltech’s tight-knit community is advantageous?

Amy believes Caltech’s tight-knit community, facilitated by its small size, creates a more supportive and collaborative environment. She felt that this camaraderie would be essential in helping students cope with the tough academic challenges.