<p>Sooo I'm pretty much set on MIT at this point. ESG sounds like it might be a way to access some of the awesome benefits of Olin that I'm turning down - lots of student-professor interaction, small classes, support network. What I want to know is: how many kids usually apply to ESG a year? The website said that they take something like 50 freshmen, and if more than 50 apply they use a lottery - do more than 50 usually apply?</p>
<p>Also, are there any real differences between ESG and Concourse?</p>
<p>My S was in ESG his freshman year (also pebbles's freshman year, hi pebbles! :) ). My understanding is that for the past 3 years, there have not been more than 50 applicants, and they have not needed to resort to a lottery.</p>
<p>Evaluating what he's gotten out if it, it was indeed an awesome experience, and far more flexible than I'd thought it might be. And such a great community! I can't recommend it highly enough.</p>
<p>I'm not really up on the pros and cons of Concourse vs. ESG, but I do know that Prof. Jeremy Wolfe teaches the humanities classes in Concourse both semesters, and he is awesome and funny and a great teacher.</p>
<p>I suspect that one difference between Concourse and ESG is that Concourse seems to offer only one set of courses, while there's more flexibility in ESG.</p>
<p>I'm in Concourse! Concourse also offers smaller classes and more personal interaction, and additionally provides tutoring several times a week. Mollie is right in that ESG is more flexible - there are a LOT more classes to choose from, while Concourse only has 4 fall term or 3 in the spring. (Then again you'd only be taking 4 or 5 classes a semester anyway :)) I don't really know much about ESG. I've noticed that ESG tends to have more East Campus/Senior Haus people while Concourse tends to have more Next/McCormick/everyone else people.. though that's not an absolute. Both have awesome, but very different, lounges.</p>
<p>No stigma, the only disadvantage is the whole adjusting to big lectures sophomore year and competition from a lot more students. You're also limited to having the same people in all your classes which is a pain but will come with any small-classroom-ish learning experience.</p>
<p>i'd prefer esg, wolfe is a great prof, I think there can be a minor stigma (i perceive one), and they have certain personalities
I dunno, it's not a big deal I think; all the people in your hall are going to share 3 classes with you anyway, and you might find big lectures aren't really a negative
regardless, for you I would recommend ESG (I'm clairvoyant)</p>
<p>
[quote]
the only disadvantage is the whole adjusting to big lectures sophomore year
[/quote]
Hmm... I'm thinking back, and I think my son took 3.091 while he was in ESG and had his recitation for that big lecture course with ESG, is that possible?</p>
<p>Some thoughts:
-If there are more than ~50 applicants, a lottery is held. The lottery is not the last word; I've been screwed over by most of my lotteries here (including the ESG lottery), but when I talked to Holly and made it clear that I really wanted to join ESG, she let me.
-I've found the teachers very good. The classes I've taken through ESG are 8.012, 8.022, 3.091, 6.001, and SP.234, so I'll just say a few words based on my experience with those. 8.012 and 8.022 in ESG are absolutely amazing. The professor, Peter Dourmashkin, really knows his stuff AND has as first priority education, so his class is amazing. I know people who specifically joined ESG second semester to take his class. My 3.091 teacher was very good -- she held solid pre-test sessions and the like and we did very well (Note: we have lectures in mainstream, recitation in ESG for 3.091). My 6.001 recitation and tutorial leaders are also very good -- ESG picks out people who did <em>very</em> well in 6.001 to lead sections, and since they're students, they really cut out the BS and make sure you know what you need to know. My SP.234 seminar is taught by my 3.091 teacher and is fun.
-Transitioning to lectures is not a problem. I only took 2 classes in ESG each term b/c of the classes I wanted to take in HASS and math, so I got exposure to lecture. Having recieved this exposure, I can safely say I didn't need it; there is no problem transitioning between mainstream and ESG, especially if you can work mainstream psets with ESG buddies.
-I don't find any stigma associated with ESG. If anything, our average GPA after we leave ESG is slightly higher than the average in mainstream, according to Holly.</p>