BME: MIT vs. JHU vs. Georgia Tech

College Search & Selection
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Ok I need some help here. I got into the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (would major in biological engineering), Johns Hopkins University Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology (for BME), as well as UVa, Northeastern University (honors and scholarship), and U Miami (full tuition scholarship). After some deliberation, I have ruled out the latter 3, but I need some help for the former few.

Everyone expects me to go to MIT because it’s MIT. And I think it’s awesome there and I realize that with its phenomenal faculty and world-wide positive reputation, I would gain invaluable opportunities. But I am very concerned about the nerdiness of the students, extremely difficult work load, potential lack of a true college experience (no D1 sports), and winter weather (I am so sick of it tbh).

For JHU, I realize that the BME program is very well-renowned (#2 US News) and I also love the campus. I am just concerned about Baltimore. Boston >>>> Baltimore. My parents really don’t want me to go here due to its location, so I probably won’t… but it kind of breaks my heart to completely give up on it lol.

Georgia Tech: This is where I would have definitely gone if not for my acceptance to MIT. I love the quality of academics (#1 BME), great school spirit and sports, warm weather, location in Atlanta, etc. My dad went here though and has some concerns about the lack of attention give to individual students due to its being a public school.

It would be great if I could get any advice on which school would be best. I want to love MIT and to be happy going there… I just need reassurance about my concerns. It’s hard to let go of JHU and GT, both of which I have grown attached to, though. I just really don’t know how to go about finalizing this decision. Thanks!

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Not all of Baltimore is bad (the area surrounding one side of campus is filled with private schools and 3+ million dollar houses) - parts of it are however. But given there is security everywhere on campus and escorts available where needed, I wouldn’t worry about safety. You do need common sense to not venture out at 3 am at night into a dark alley though…=).

Cambridge around MIT (where I went for grad school) is also not the safest city. Off-campus is definitely sketchy and there was a fair share of classmates that got robbed. It’s decidedly different than Boston downtown. Boston is more of a college town and has a huge sports/bar scene.

Try to visit and do overnights at the schools. You can’t make life decisions listening to strangers.

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MIT: high stress, amazing opportunities, excellent in other engineering areas, great college town, can cross-enroll at Harvard for other classes.
JHU: Great BME, not all that good in other engineering, somewhat unstable Baltimore.
GT: medium stress, great in other engineering areas, worst for M/F ratio, grade deflation. Can be lots of fun in downtown Atlanta. Tie-in with Emory.

I know a few people who were too stressed out at MIT and transferred. You are going to have to visit and see what your tolerance is for each of the colleges. If you can handle it, I’d go with MIT. JHU may not be the best choice is you are not 100% certain on your major choice. Friend’s kids who attend there have been very happy however. GT is somewhere in the middle.