Massachusetts Institute of Technology

MIT is the #1 Engineering school in the nation and perhaps the world. However, even those studying other subjects have come to a University that pushes the limits of time management and, quite plainly, one's genius. This University requires its students pass Calculus I and II, Physics I and II, Biology, and Chemistry to graduate, which says a lot about the emphasis on learning.

Not only is there an extensive amount of material covered, but you also have professors who are the top of their fields, right from the beginning of freshman year!

Freshman year nearly everybody takes a version of the same classes: physics, chemistry, biology and calculus. Most of these classes are good, but you may have learned some of the material before in high school. I found this especially true of physics. There are multiple levels, however, of each class, and this allows students to choose one appropriate to their skills.

I found my HASS (humanities) classes to be great. They are generally small (<20 students) and very interactive. I have learned a lot so far at MIT. I would even say that more of what I have learned has come from outside of the classroom. Homework and social activities offer an opportunity to learn how to stay organized. Extracurriculars have given me a chance to learn how to be a leader, and work with other people.

mit is all about constructive chaos. the institute provides the resources and environment you need to be creative/innovative then they just kinda yell "go". in a sense, you're on your own to pave your path and make the most of the opportunities, but there's also plenty of help if you seek it.

The material taught in the lecture hall of MIT is...difficult. There's no way around it. But don't fear, you won't be alone in thinking it is. However, the professors are always available during office hours as well as the TAs so receiving help on those weekday nights doing problem sets isn't an issue. The classes here have a lot of material, sometimes it seems like too much, but as long as you do what you are expected to (doing the readings, doing the problem sets, going to lecture, etc), you will learn more in depth and in scope here than anywhere else in the world.

An awesome place full of students and professors who are excited to learn and teach each other, who collaborate every day on projects that advance knowledge on topics ranging from aerospace technology to brain and cognitive sciences. Not only do you receive one of the best educations available, you are part of an amazingly talented and enthusiastic group of people who live and learn together as a community. There are opportunities for everything here at MIT, including athletics, study abroad, theater and arts, and numerous research and internship opportunities all over the world.

The students here are all brilliant, motivated, inspired people. Everywhere you go there is amazing science happening, and every individual has terrific opportunities through the UROP program and the many research connections that MIT has to gain experience and participate in the lab. The work is difficult, but the opportunities are worth it.

Despite preconceived notions of MIT, students here are not cut throat; rather, more like the cliché “we’re all in it together”. Although, as much as they say it’s not competitive, it really is. The attitude/atmosphere doesn’t feel competitive like everyone is at your throat, but it’s still there. Most technical classes are curved, and you ARE competing with everyone else in that class for your grade.
MIT requires all its graduates to have a significant breadth across math, science, and humanities; however, any undergraduate degree will leave you inches deep and miles wide in terms of specialization Most freshman attending MIT already have a sense of direction, and now that the masters is the ‘new bachelors’, specialization is even more important. That being said, yes, an MIT education is very demanding and you will learn a lot, but everyone nowadays will agree that a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering hardly makes you an engineer, let alone a master’s. Regardless, MIT has an excellent program in Course 6 (EE) called M.Eng, which allows MIT undergrads to enroll in a special one year masters program in engineering. In lieu of academics, a primary source of motivation to get good grades as an undergrad is that acceptance into this program is dependent only your undergrad performance; in particular, an A/B average will almost guarantee acceptance. After one year at MIT, my focus narrowed greatly as I now know my interest and exactly what role MIT will play in my specialization, just as it will for you.

I have truly found paradise or I hate this fracking place. Both are true all the time. This is the most stressful, most fun, and most challenging experience I have ever had, and I love it.

The pace is really fast, but everyone works hard and with each other on problem sets so everything is definitely manageable. This is a difficult school but you are always learning and constantly improving both yourself and your academics.