MIT today

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DS was rejected from MIT. He is disappointed as MIT was his dream school and had worked very hard to maintain very good stats. He was accepted to Caltech, Georgia Tech and Berkeley MET. He wants to do electrical engineering. Which school would be the best for his major? He is leaning a bit to the MET program due to dual degree advantage and as he is interested in entrepreneurship.

He has received Stamp's scholarship at Georgia Tech, part scholarship at Berkeley. He had not looked into Caltech earlier but had just applied. Money is somewhat of a consideration but ultimately we want him to go to place that is best for him ( we do not mind taking loans). Understand that Caltech would be much higher fees. If we were not to consider money situation, any advice?

Wow, those are some great choices. Lots for you to consider there. Congrats!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So, I take it that MIT > Cal Tech? Why?? Does MIT offer more popular majors, better research opportunities, greater inter-disciplinary approach? What is the allure? I'd rather take Pasadena weather than Cambridge in the winter!

MIT does a very good job in caring for their undergrad students than Caltech. The level of support and resources that MIT students have access to, and by the openness and communications from MIT administration and president’s office. During the pandemic, they communicated with students and parents all the way through those semesters. From what I saw on parents page, Caltech didn’t handle it well. The lack of organization and communication caused a lot of frustration. For such a small school with such a large endowment, I think Caltech has a lot of room for improvement when it comes to how they treat their undergraduate students. I don’t know why administration makes it so hard for undergrads and why communication is lacking.
Just think about it - more than half of students accepted to Caltech choose to attend other schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DS was rejected from MIT. He is disappointed as MIT was his dream school and had worked very hard to maintain very good stats. He was accepted to Caltech, Georgia Tech and Berkeley MET. He wants to do electrical engineering. Which school would be the best for his major? He is leaning a bit to the MET program due to dual degree advantage and as he is interested in entrepreneurship.

He has received Stamp's scholarship at Georgia Tech, part scholarship at Berkeley. He had not looked into Caltech earlier but had just applied. Money is somewhat of a consideration but ultimately we want him to go to place that is best for him ( we do not mind taking loans). Understand that Caltech would be much higher fees. If we were not to consider money situation, any advice?

How much scholarship money did Berkeley give him? It's hard to beat a full ride at Georgia Tech.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, I take it that MIT > Cal Tech? Why?? Does MIT offer more popular majors, better research opportunities, greater inter-disciplinary approach? What is the allure? I'd rather take Pasadena weather than Cambridge in the winter!

I just know what my friends and professors at MIT said about Caltech. My one professor said that it was the one place he saw bunny ears on physics books from kids reading them, repeatedly. He felt like his lectures were a joke to some because they knew the material already. One friend described it as a much deeper nerdom than even MIT. "East campus" at MIT has that vibe, so that's how it was put to me.

I was in Greek life, sports and most of my friends were too. That POV is people very smart, dedicated to studies but also well balanced, love to party, etc. MIT was very fun place to be.

When were you there? At a certain point in time, there were shortages of housing, so most students, even new students lived at frats. Not as many women at the time, so there were fewer sororities. It really was not so long ago!

MIT has to provide more housing for undergrads, out of necessity/liability.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, I take it that MIT > Cal Tech? Why?? Does MIT offer more popular majors, better research opportunities, greater inter-disciplinary approach? What is the allure? I'd rather take Pasadena weather than Cambridge in the winter!

I just know what my friends and professors at MIT said about Caltech. My one professor said that it was the one place he saw bunny ears on physics books from kids reading them, repeatedly. He felt like his lectures were a joke to some because they knew the material already. One friend described it as a much deeper nerdom than even MIT. "East campus" at MIT has that vibe, so that's how it was put to me.

I was in Greek life, sports and most of my friends were too. That POV is people very smart, dedicated to studies but also well balanced, love to party, etc. MIT was very fun place to be.

When were you there? At a certain point in time, there were shortages of housing, so most students, even new students lived at frats. Not as many women at the time, so there were fewer sororities. It really was not so long ago!

MIT has to provide more housing for undergrads, out of necessity/liability.

*ie: had to create more on campus housing

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So, I take it that MIT > Cal Tech? Why?? Does MIT offer more popular majors, better research opportunities, greater inter-disciplinary approach? What is the allure? I'd rather take Pasadena weather than Cambridge in the winter!

My DS got into both schools and strongly preferred MIT over Cal Tech. A few of the reasons: MIT is more gender balanced whereas Cal Tech has significantly more men than women; everything is walking distance in Cambridge but Cal Tech is kind of far from stuff for someone without a car; Cal Tech is a much smaller school which means that there are fewer options and fewer opportunities if you decide to switch majors; from the DMV it’s so much easier and cheaper to get to Boston; Boston is a fabulous place to be a college student. No regrets.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DS was rejected from MIT. He is disappointed as MIT was his dream school and had worked very hard to maintain very good stats. He was accepted to Caltech, Georgia Tech and Berkeley MET. He wants to do electrical engineering. Which school would be the best for his major? He is leaning a bit to the MET program due to dual degree advantage and as he is interested in entrepreneurship.

He has received Stamp's scholarship at Georgia Tech, part scholarship at Berkeley. He had not looked into Caltech earlier but had just applied. Money is somewhat of a consideration but ultimately we want him to go to place that is best for him ( we do not mind taking loans). Understand that Caltech would be much higher fees. If we were not to consider money situation, any advice?

I’m sorry about MIT but your DS has amazing admits! I have heard Stamps is supposed to be amazing even without the money — lots of opportunities for the scholars! That would be in the running if it were my child. But look into GA tenure (they were making some changes, but not sure about current status), safety at school especially getting to and from airport, culture (cutthroat or collaborative?) GT has amazing school spirit as well. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, I take it that MIT > Cal Tech? Why?? Does MIT offer more popular majors, better research opportunities, greater inter-disciplinary approach? What is the allure? I'd rather take Pasadena weather than Cambridge in the winter!

My DS got into both schools and strongly preferred MIT over Cal Tech. A few of the reasons: MIT is more gender balanced whereas Cal Tech has significantly more men than women; everything is walking distance in Cambridge but Cal Tech is kind of far from stuff for someone without a car; Cal Tech is a much smaller school which means that there are fewer options and fewer opportunities if you decide to switch majors; from the DMV it’s so much easier and cheaper to get to Boston; Boston is a fabulous place to be a college student. No regrets.

MIT is MIT, has the brand name. Anyone in the world and in US will know MIT, not so much about Caltech. I am a professor in engg. and I know the high rigor at Caltech in engg. I do not have a DC at either of these places ( DS is still a high school freshman), however he got into both places, MIT would the place to go. More opportunities for sure!

[Anonymous]

DD just got accepted by MIT but we're neither qualified for any merits nor financial aid. The cost will be 73K+/yr and it is a lot of money. DD will likely get full-ride from state schools. DD is debating whether to invest 300K and attend state school for pre-med.

Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, I take it that MIT > Cal Tech? Why?? Does MIT offer more popular majors, better research opportunities, greater inter-disciplinary approach? What is the allure? I'd rather take Pasadena weather than Cambridge in the winter!

I just know what my friends and professors at MIT said about Caltech. My one professor said that it was the one place he saw bunny ears on physics books from kids reading them, repeatedly. He felt like his lectures were a joke to some because they knew the material already. One friend described it as a much deeper nerdom than even MIT. "East campus" at MIT has that vibe, so that's how it was put to me.

I was in Greek life, sports and most of my friends were too. That POV is people very smart, dedicated to studies but also well balanced, love to party, etc. MIT was very fun place to be.

My cousin went to MIT and I spent a weekend staying with him - those guys def know how to party and have fun!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD just got accepted by MIT but we're neither qualified for any merits nor financial aid. The cost will be 73K+/yr and it is a lot of money. DD will likely get full-ride from state schools. DD is debating whether to invest 300K and attend state school for pre-med.

Thoughts?

If considering pre-med and money is an issue, I would say state school. Med school admission requires high GPA which may be difficult at MIT. This is what I have heard fro my DS who is at MIT, but if maintaining high GPA is not a concern, no place like MIT!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, I take it that MIT > Cal Tech? Why?? Does MIT offer more popular majors, better research opportunities, greater inter-disciplinary approach? What is the allure? I'd rather take Pasadena weather than Cambridge in the winter!

I just know what my friends and professors at MIT said about Caltech. My one professor said that it was the one place he saw bunny ears on physics books from kids reading them, repeatedly. He felt like his lectures were a joke to some because they knew the material already. One friend described it as a much deeper nerdom than even MIT. "East campus" at MIT has that vibe, so that's how it was put to me.

I was in Greek life, sports and most of my friends were too. That POV is people very smart, dedicated to studies but also well balanced, love to party, etc. MIT was very fun place to be.

When were you there? At a certain point in time, there were shortages of housing, so most students, even new students lived at frats. Not as many women at the time, so there were fewer sororities. It really was not so long ago!

MIT has to provide more housing for undergrads, out of necessity/liability.

I was there mid to late 2000s. Right around when MIT hit the 50% male to female ratio on campus. Freshman were not allowed to live in fraternities or sororities. It's still a big part of life at MIT. Around 40% are in one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DS was rejected from MIT. He is disappointed as MIT was his dream school and had worked very hard to maintain very good stats. He was accepted to Caltech, Georgia Tech and Berkeley MET. He wants to do electrical engineering. Which school would be the best for his major? He is leaning a bit to the MET program due to dual degree advantage and as he is interested in entrepreneurship.

He has received Stamp's scholarship at Georgia Tech, part scholarship at Berkeley. He had not looked into Caltech earlier but had just applied. Money is somewhat of a consideration but ultimately we want him to go to place that is best for him ( we do not mind taking loans). Understand that Caltech would be much higher fees. If we were not to consider money situation, any advice?

I’m sorry about MIT but your DS has amazing admits! I have heard Stamps is supposed to be amazing even without the money — lots of opportunities for the scholars! That would be in the running if it were my child. But look into GA tenure (they were making some changes, but not sure about current status), safety at school especially getting to and from airport, culture (cutthroat or collaborative?) GT has amazing school spirit as well. Good luck!

My DD is in Stamps. Stamps is a great program with plenty of opportunities. Georgia Tech is a big school, if it were not for Stamps, not sure if I would send DD there, you can get lost in the school! DD's friend is in the MET program and loves it. UC Berkeley is a big school but the MET program takes only 40 students or so each year, so it is also very highly selective. I would take Stamps or UC Berkeley. Would not consider Caltech

[Anonymous]

Berkeley MET is a great program with a highly motivated cohort — and if your kid is in any way looking at the tech industry, I’d definitely choose Cal over GA Tech. All of Silicon Valley startup scene vs MailChimp in Atlanta and a few others. Starting salaries/opportunities for students coming out of Cal going into tech will more than make up for scholarship differential. Berkeley is also internationally recognized as top tier eng school so if your kid wants to work abroad that’s also a consideration

That said if they want to stay in Atlanta with low cost of living and great education, GA tech is amazing and regionally super well respected.

Both schools will have diverse social opportunities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD just got accepted by MIT but we're neither qualified for any merits nor financial aid. The cost will be 73K+/yr and it is a lot of money. DD will likely get full-ride from state schools. DD is debating whether to invest 300K and attend state school for pre-med.

Thoughts?

If the end goal is med, it makes a lot of sense to get the full-ride now, from financial, academic, and mental health point of view.