<p>Ok, I'm kinda concerned about putting this up, because we've gotten negative comments from rocketDA and whomever forsaken quoted recently, but I feel like this is a pretty accurate description of my experience at Mudd when I'm in my cynical "this is a waste of time" mood:</p>
<p>"I go to a school so difficult it kills your soul, and you have to spend 4 years with such a small group of people that you'll likely be sick of them all by the end, but your soul will be gone, so it wont really matter, and in the end, you'll be smarter than everyone else, but you'll have no clue because you spent the last 4 years getting grades that said you knew nothing about your classes... and yet I won't give up. I'm gonna stick it out, for better or for worse."</p>
<p>At the same time, there are things I really love about this school. I, too, considered transferring, and didn't apply because I missed the deadlines. This semester (2nd semester sophomore year) has been better than the last 2 (the first one was a breeze). I'm starting to believe the people who say it gets better after core. And speaking of core, I disagree with the people who say it's useless. I use it all the time, even the physics -- <em>gasp</em> (I'm a biochem major). I like having the background knowledge in those subjects, even if the classes DID kill my gpa. </p>
<p>Some of the things said by the person that forsaken quoted are quite true. I can't comment on the "myths" cause I'm still at the school, so I don't have any firsthand experience with the "life after Mudd" issues, but I have a hunch the person may be right about those. Also, Facilities and Maintenance is pretty crappy. The dorm I'm living in currently got "deep cleaned" last summer, and somehow that caused my room to have about a bajillion things wrong with it when I arrived, and it took far too long to get them fixed (some never were). There are obnoxious people, but I think that probably happens anywhere you go. At any rate, it's better than high school.</p>
<p>There are also things I disagree with. As I already mentioned, I think core is useful. I have never had a problem with Campus Security (which is officially Campus Safety, but everyone calls them CampSec), but I've heard of others who have -- though complaints have been filed and supposedly that's improving. I'm also not sure who the person is referring to in terms of "administration" but I've found the deans, for example, to be very understanding and helpful. From petitioning to drop a class last minute to having to get an extension on an exam thanks to mono, the deans have been a great help to me.</p>
<p>This school is hard. It stresses people out. But people survive it. And there are some really amazing people here. If you don't think you can handle it, don't come here, cause it can cause major mental and emotional damage. But if you think you can handle the challenge that could potentially be the most difficult 4 years of your life, then join us. We'll help you get through it, I promise.</p>
<p>Oooh, and I just thought of something. It was mentioned somewhere about how having TA's teach recitation sections is useful 'cause they're more likely to be able to answer specific homework questions, and I wanted to point out that we have a great system of student tutors for each of the core classes as well as all engineering classes to fulfill that role so that if you need help, you can get it. Plus, profs always have office hours that you can go to for assistance, and they're more than willing to set up weekly meetings or any other regular schedule that will best help you understand the material.</p>