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.
Do you enjoy the experience at your school?
Though many people see MIT as simply a nerdy place for those who feel pleasure from solving a triple integral problem in multivariable calculus (ok ok, we do have some of those types here too), the party scene here is vastly underrated. Students from around the area including Boston University, Boston College, Wellesley College, Tufts University, Harvard University (them and their oxford clothing of course), and many others primarily come to MIT on the weekends due to the active fraternity scene here. The students are also usually welcoming and due to the extremely high diversity you will find on campus, you can always find a group of friends.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
The money you pay to go to MIT isn't primarily for the academics. As with many top schools, it is for the sheer number of activities you can be involved in, the prospective internship and professional activities you can be exposed to and last but not least, the connections you can build amongst not only fellow students, but the faculty who have already achieved monumental breakthroughs and continue doing so today. Though it may be expensive, coming to MIT will pay off; the catch is that you must be able to push yourself, work hard, and ACTIVELY search for the opportunities lying around for you. Also, financial aid here is pretty good; over 58% of the student body takes on financial aid that does not need to be repaid (grants, scholarships, etc).
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Don't try and just get by. It's possible - in fact, many students do it every year and there are several super seniors that I know personally. But it's not worth it. At all. To lose out on the opportunities presented is a complete waste of the financial strain you might have to put on yourself and your family. Be ready to have a lot of fun and have the time of your life...but also be ready to work hard.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
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.
Though many people see MIT as simply a nerdy place for those who feel pleasure from solving a triple integral problem in multivariable calculus (ok ok, we do have some of those types here too), the party scene here is vastly underrated. Students from around the area including Boston University, Boston College, Wellesley College, Tufts University, Harvard University (them and their oxford clothing of course), and many others primarily come to MIT on the weekends due to the active fraternity scene here. The students are also usually welcoming and due to the extremely high diversity you will find on campus, you can always find a group of friends.
The money you pay to go to MIT isn't primarily for the academics. As with many top schools, it is for the sheer number of activities you can be involved in, the prospective internship and professional activities you can be exposed to and last but not least, the connections you can build amongst not only fellow students, but the faculty who have already achieved monumental breakthroughs and continue doing so today. Though it may be expensive, coming to MIT will pay off; the catch is that you must be able to push yourself, work hard, and ACTIVELY search for the opportunities lying around for you. Also, financial aid here is pretty good; over 58% of the student body takes on financial aid that does not need to be repaid (grants, scholarships, etc).
Don't try and just get by. It's possible - in fact, many students do it every year and there are several super seniors that I know personally. But it's not worth it. At all. To lose out on the opportunities presented is a complete waste of the financial strain you might have to put on yourself and your family. Be ready to have a lot of fun and have the time of your life...but also be ready to work hard.
Anyone with a drive to excel and succeed.