<p>What's the difference between the two at MIT? Would a transfer student be limited in the type of classes they can take or the number of semesters they can attend for? </p>
<p>If you are a transfer student accepted to MIT, you can receive credit for subjects that are equivalent to those at MIT (e.g. a multi-variable calculus class would give you 18.02 credit), and for some subjects, you can also ASE out of subjects that you know but can’t obtain credit for.</p>
<p>Transfer students are bound to the same graduation requirements as other MIT students (including completing the GIR’s and classes in their major), so I don’t think they are limited in the classes they can take in that sense.</p>
<p>The transfer admit rate is about 60% lower than the frosh rate from what I’ve read on the web. You’ll also miss out on a lot of the bonding process the incoming frosh go thru as they get thrown into the maelstrom. They take something like 25 xfer students so there isn’t a big group of new kids past frosh year looking to make friends and figure out how the place works; just about all the other kids your grade level will be used to the pace, know their way around, and have a set of friends. I believe you’ll also miss out on the gentler introduction to MIT the frosh get with their 1st semester pass/fail.</p>
<p>MITer94,
What attracts me to MIT is the campus culture and UROP. I wouldn’t want to minimise my time there if I can help it.</p>
<p>mikemac,
Acceptance rates aren’t a reliably measure if difficulty. The transfer rate is lower simply because the ratio of people applying to slots available is greater than the freshman rate. Some college market themselves to prospective students to get their acceptance rate down and there by look more appealing. </p>
<p>I knew about the no fail/pass policy, but forget it might not apply to transfers. The bonding time is also something I didn’t consider. </p>
<p>Thanks all, now I have a better idea of my options.</p>