<p>Oh on second though, he may just be reacting to someone saying that lots of Caltech students are a miserable lot, and that there are certain advantages to going to Mudd.</p>
<p>With due respect though I think there may be great truth that the Mudd students are happier...even if it's as much of a boot camp and thrashing they're getting.</p>
<p>College is only 4 years of your life. You should do what will make you happy the remaining 60.</p>
<p>Where is the ambition in the world? Being unhappy for four years is a small price to pay if it allows one to follow his/her long-term dreams.</p>
<p>And BTW, I think a lot of people are happier at Mudd than me. The profs are very open and caring and brilliant. The problem is that they are too perfect and in no way try to make you feel inferior. However, the fact that they are so good at what they do and are so humble makes you feel like you have a LONG way to go. They are, in fact, Avatars.</p>
<p>"Where is the ambition in the world? Being unhappy for four years is a small price to pay if it allows one to follow his/her long-term dreams."</p>
<p>Well, I would be so audacious as to suggest that one can be <em>happy</em> four years and still do cutting edge stuff. Abstract math is just not stuff I think one can brutalize oneself through without really finding it pretty fun. And I'm talking well past your basic upper division math -- the <em>real real stuff</em> gets over the top, and I think enjoying one's studies is really crucial. Now, the element of fear at being owned by the material keeps one on one's toes, but I think one of the worst, worst fates is getting freaked out about the abstraction level, because once you've freaked out, you're not getting back together for a while.</p>
<p>Rocket…
There won’t be much opportunity to be as happy as in college
I’d try to be as happy as possible in college</p>
<p>^ He sounds awfully happy now… I’m thinking his approach yielded pretty well. :)</p>
<p>Suck it up, America!</p>
<p>Work hard now and play harder later!</p>
<p>(and, yes, i’m having a BLAST right out of college working 50 hour weeks. seriously!)</p>
<p>I really urge students to visit both campuses before deciding. I didn’t get the impression that Caltech was full of unhappy students at all, either when we visited or when my husband was a grad student there. There is a high percentage of quirkiness though - you need to decide whether you like it or not. Both my kids (even the non-science guy) loved Caltech. They are both great schools.</p>
<p>I really urge students to visit both campuses before deciding. I didn’t get the impression that Caltech was full of unhappy students at all, either when we visited or when my husband was a grad student there. There is a high percentage of quirkiness though - you need to decide whether you like it or not. Both my kids (even the non-science guy) loved Caltech. They are both great schools.</p>
<p>i chose caltech after being admitted to both caltech and harvey mudd and graduated a few years back. obviously i’ve only experienced one school so i am bias and i don’t advocate one school over the other. </p>
<p>someone asked before if techers have any free time and the answer is yes. though most people would love to claim that they work “all the time,” and some really do, and most feel like they do, the truth is that most techers find some time for other activities. the school has active intermural sports, ncaa teams, theater, music, art, gaming societies etc. some people are very intense about their hobbies, others are not. there are enough social groups, that most people find at least one where they feel comfortable. there are angry people, tired people, and happy people everywhere, at caltech or any school.</p>
<p>looking back, the thing i miss most are the other students i met. they are quirky, and in no other situation have i been surrounded by people who love asking difficult questions and challenging themselves to find the solutions. this may be true at mudd also but i can’t speak to that.</p>
<p>We visited Cal Tech and Mudd last spring. Although we liked the Claremont consortium, I did think the Cal Tech campus was nice. </p>
<p>My son seemed to like Cal Tech, but then the next day Mudd more. The “house” concept (sort of like Hogwarts) might be good, bad, or nonissue depending on your preferences. I think the meal plan is only for weeknight dinners, and all eat together. There are official “servers” (I think doing it for work/study).</p>