Caltech, or as it is officially called- California Institute of Technology is one of the best schools in the world. Known to house some of the brightest scientific minds in the world and for the number of alumni that have gone on to win Nobel Prizes in their fields of research (a whopping 32 scholars in 123 years), it is a top-tier scientific school for the most curious and pioneering minds in the world. Now one does wonder if a school of this stature is an Ivy League school- the answer is no.Though Caltech is known very well for being a scientific hotspot with the smartest students, it is not an Ivy League school- though it is held in a similar stature and revered by many. But what is the Ivy League? What does It Mean to Be an Ivy League School? Let us know about, Is Caltech An Ivy League School?
If you’re someone who watches a lot of teen dramas, you must have seen some of these movies happening at the heart of some of the most high-quality institutions in the world- Harvard, Princeton, Yale etc. All of these movies show some peculiar minds who are shaped and honed in these tight and close-knit walls.
These colleges are generally grouped into an umbrella called the Ivy League.
Is Caltech An Ivy League School?
Ivy League- The Prestigious Schools
The following institutions are part of the Ivy League:
- Harvard University
- Yale University
- Princeton University
- Columbia University
- Brown University
- Dartmouth College
- University of Pennsylvania
- Cornell University
The Ivy League is a group of some of the world’s most prestigious and famous institutions, known for being the best at, well…everything!. These are schools that train the most prolific students in the world and also have the best college-level sports talents. The Ivy League began with the success of these colleges in sports, which led to higher funding for their teams. This consequently led to an increase in the number of people applying to be part of their student base.
To this day, these Ivy League Schools are held in high reverence by anyone across the world. However, some other high-quality institutions can give these colleges a run for their money but are not part of the Ivy League umbrella- Stanford, MIT and Caltech. If you’re just beginning to look into colleges to go to, these Ivy League colleges are most likely to attract your attention for all the right reasons.
They use the huge number of resources at their disposal to attract some of the best students from across the world. It is also to be noted that degrees from any of these colleges ensure a bright future for anyone who goes there- most alumni get placed in the best companies and firms and also go on to be an integral part of governmental institutions.
So, If Caltech Isn’t an Ivy League School, Why Should you Consider Them?
Now that it has been established that Caltech is not an Ivy League school- though they are equally good and some may say, better- a part of you might be less attracted to it. But don’t be so quick to judge, Caltech has a great number of reasons to keep you hooked, provided you are good enough for the university.
Here they are:
- Selective Admission: Caltech, on average has only around 250-300 students in each undergraduate year and this says a lot about the students they take in. Their student base has the best of the best and it is very hard to get into. This also ensures that scholars get a good amount of focus on their work, with faculty having very few people to split time between. So better learn to be extraordinary!
- Interdisciplinary: Caltech is a small school, which means they need to prove their inter-disciplinary nature. With around 600 scholars and 300 faculty, there is a need to share resources and work beyond what is required of each individual to get things done. This helps Caltech-ers to interact with each other and share wisdom about their fields, leading to some great groundbreaking research.
- Autonomy for faculty: Most universities hire three or four junior faculty to compete for a single senior post, but Caltech makes it a point to cater to its size and hire only one. This one member is given a whole lot of support and enough financial resources to succeed.
Conclusion
Caltech is not an Ivy League school. But it is still considered the best by many. Students at Caltech have the best GPA and the highest average SAT score for fresh undergraduates across the globe. It has a vibrant student base with smart and high-achieving pupils who would most certainly go on to achieve in the fields of science. Caltech is known to cater to exceptionally focused and smart students who are looking to go all the way to the end in STEM fields and are willing to give it their heart and soul to make it in the scientific world.
