<p>Hi everyone, I'm a rising freshman in college and I've been accepted to two fantastic schools, Columbia and MIT. I've visited both campuses and love both of them, so I'm having a hard time choosing. Current students and rising freshman who were/are in the same situation as me, please let me how you decided/will decide. What are some pros and cons of each school? How are their cultures different? Thanks in advance for everyone's help!</p>
<p>What do you want to study?</p>
<p>^^^That’s the thing, I don’t know yet. I just want to get a sense of what each school’s like in terms of programs that are strong/not so strong. I know MIT’s engineering program is number 1, but in terms of other programs, I’m not so sure…</p>
<p>MIT has excellent math, bio, chem and econ depts. How do feel about social fit of each place? I know people who graduated from both places.</p>
<p>@Jenny What were your friends’ impressions of the schools?</p>
<p>If you are not sold on the sciences, i would opt for Columbia. That being said, Columbia is not a traditional campus surrounded by other great schools with lots of “student activity” if you want that then MIT would be the choice. If you are more independent and prefer the city lifestyle then Columbia is the choice.</p>
<p>Business and econ will also be very strong at MIT but be prepared for core classes in the sciences/math. On the other hand, be prepared for the required core classes in the humanities at Columbia.</p>
<p>If you have thoughts about english, history, poli sci, soc, psych - head to Columbia. If its the sciences, bus-econ, I’d personally favor MIT. If in mentioning engineering you are still considering the major, definitely MIT.</p>
<p>MIT–you can cross-register at Harvard and Wellesley to satisfy whatever intellectual curiosity you might have.</p>
<p>Columbia is a more rounded and balanced school (in terms of majors, career paths, classmate interests, races etc.) while not compomising the quality of students. Columbia has amazing math and science departments with big shot professors and ground breaking research, so I wouldn’t worry about that. Tell us a little more about yourself and what you want from college, at the moment there isn’t much to go on.</p>