<p>Assuming acceptance at both schools....</p>
<p>My primary concern about MIT is the excessive techy (perhaps 'nerdy') atmosphere and the very heavy workload. Dartmouth students seem to have more fun, are more normal, less overwhelmed by work, but less Dartmouth has less prestige. I'm not that concerned about location, because both are good in there own ways. Any thoughts?</p>
<p>You're in Boston. There is so much more than just nerd activities. All I can suggest is you overnight at both schools and see what you like.</p>
<p>Yay stereotypes! >_></p>
<p>Remember Bryan Nance's post a while back?</p>
<p>Something like
"Normal kids do get into MIT. But if what you do makes you a nerd in high school, it will make you a superstar at MIT"</p>
<p>The atmosphere is as much what you want to make it as anything. I've known some extremely "normal" people (Football captains who just happened to be nationally-recognized math geniuses), and I haven't known a lot of people who've gone to MIT in general. Chances are you'll find a lot of people with your own interest set; you'll find thme and you'll make a group or whatever.</p>
<p>Remember, no matter how popular you think you are, or you will be, you will have no more than a dozen (tops!) really good friends with whom you'll spend most of your time. And yes, no matter what your interests, there will be a dozen kids at whatever college you get into who also have the same interests as yourself (regardless of the size of the college).</p>
<p>That being siad, don't forget that the admissions committee itself does most of the pre-screening in terms of personality and general "fit" when it accepts or denies you. If you really couldnt be social at MIT, then the admissions committee would see that very quickly and say "Bad Fit" for MIT.</p>
<p>Nothing to worry about mate :) <just choose="" mit="" though="" ;)=""></just></p>