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When thinking elite engineering schools California Institute of Technology automatically comes to mind. But even among the elite, this university located 30 miles from the Pacific Ocean and 10miles from downtown Los Angeles is in a class of its own. This rather small scholarly campus counts 30 Nobel Prize winners past and present among its faculty and alumni. Its 1,200 undergraduates have a passion for innovation, intense intellectual curiosity and yet have a crazy sense of humor with interests as varied as museums and theater to hiking and skiing. And being located in Pasadena do not forget the Rose Parade which passes right by the campus every January 1st.

Caltech has maintained its reputation as one of the world’s major research centers with its outstanding faculty and off-campus facilities such as the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Palomar Observatory, and the W.M. Keck Observatory. Caltech is organized into six academic divisions: Biology; Chemistry and Chemical Engineering; Engineering and Applied Science; Geological and Planetary Sciences; Humanities and Social Sciences; and Physics, Mathematics, and Astronomy. Behind these organized departments are more than 35 areas of concentration, many of which cross division lines. Caltech has long been known as an institution where interdisciplinary approaches to research are encouraged and supported. More of its graduates follow careers in research than in engineering. Research is a big part of an education at Caltech and the opportunity to participate in one on one research with a professor in Caltech’s Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF) is one of the highlights of a Caltech education. On the other hand, students are required to take at least 12 courses in the humanities and social sciences AND 3 terms of physical education.

So if research is your thing and if you are absolutely sure that you want to be a scientist or engineer then Caltech may be your place. But be ready to work hard. Admission to Caltech is competitive to the first order. A student must have a strong record of academic achievement, a clearly demonstrated and well defined interest in mathematics, science, or engineering. The proof is in the stats: 94% of the 207 members of the class of 2008 were in the top 10% of their high school class. The middle 50% of the class scored 1460 to 1560 on the SAT I.

Residences at Caltech are called Houses which function roughly like fraternities. They are dorms, eating halls, intramural teams, and social outlets all rolled into one for four years. Living this closely helps to foster an “extended family” atmosphere. Friendships made here can last a life time. Is Caltech all work and no play? Oh no. How many campuses have The Annual Pumpkin Drop in which 30 pumpkins are frozen in liquid nitrogen and then dropped off the tallest building on campus to display gravitation?

Caltech isn’t the right school for everyone and even not the right school for everyone who thinks they would like to be an engineer, but if the sciences and math are your true love then this small university located on a lovely campus with fabulous weather might just be the place for you.
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FEATURED COLLEGE
Loyola Marymount University, is located near Los Angeles International Airport and Marina Del Rey and is a moderate sized private university (5,400 undergrads) that offers a great education with an ocean view! LMU has six colleges within the university which almost guarantees something for everyone. Students will find 80 majors in the various colleges which include Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts, School of Film and Television, College of Business Administration, the Seaver College of Science and Engineering, College of Communication and Fine Arts and the School of Education. The business and engineering programs are particularly strong as is the film production program. Due to its proximity to Los Angeles, internships in the entertainment industry are plentiful.

A Catholic institution, LMU embraces Jesuit philosophy which seeks to educate the whole person. Students are not only prepared to join the workforce in some capacity, they also learn the importance of service to others. However, it is not necessary to be Catholic to be happy and challenged at LMU - the school welcomes diversity in all areas.

Loyola Marymount is a beautiful campus that successfully mixes Spanish architecture with more modern buildings. It sits on 162 acres overlooking the Pacific. The school has recently added two very cool apartments and a dorm, some with rooms that overlook the ocean. The Burns Recreation Center includes a heated outdoor pool as well as full gym facilities. Varsity teams compete in Division I and intramurals, from ultimate frisbee to soccer, are popular. Students who wish to go off campus can take a shuttle that is available with a half hour's notice.

Listed as a Hidden Gem by Washington Post columnist Jay Matthew, it is easy to see LMU's appeal during a campus visit. Class sizes are small, professors engage with their students and with so many students sporting university sweatshirts and t-shirts it is clear that there is abundant school pride. If you are a student who wants a quality education in a nurturing setting with near perfect weather and easy access to a big city, you may want to give Loyola Marymount University a closer look! Check out their website.

Loren Pope's Guide
Loren Pope's guide to the 40 lesser known colleges that have made a real difference for students is at collegesChangeLives.com. Website