Great point, PACADAD. I can only speak to the MIT culture and will give my opinion on that. It would be great to hear from a current CalTech parent on this topic. I am pleased to say that my son has had a very complete college experience. In addition to baseball and school, he has interned at 3 vastly different companies, held leadership positions in his fraternity, had a girlfriend and is currently in a top position with MIT's chapter of a national organization. He has loved all that MIT and Boston have to offer, but it might not be right for others.