<p>henryx - Well said:)</p>
<p>Comparing IITs and MIT is futile. Both those schools have different demands. But clearly, MIT is better equipped in terms of infrastructure, opportunities etc. Also, IITians are only book smart; that’s where they are at a MAJOR disadvantage. Indians say getting into IIT is tougher not because the entrance exam is very tough( it is fairly tough), but because of the extreme competition. Also, IIT-JEE math paper is quite tough; definitely tougher than SAT/SAT II. You’re right, not many people are concerned with the IMO; its only for people crazy about MATHS. Nevertheless, IIT JEE maths is equally demanding, it requires fast thinking skills and good problem solving techniques. The IIT JEE was designed with a purpose to test problem solving techniques, speed, tenacity to sit for 3+3 hours in one day, amazing memory retention, in short, all amazing academic skills that anyone with an interest in maths/science/engineering must require. After all, a good engineer should be able to solve problems in an innovative, a creative and a bold way. </p>
<p>BUT, a good engineer should also have other qualities, qualities which do not depend on your brain. People in India think getting into MIT is easier because they are ignorant. It requires equal efforts, but the efforts are of a different kind. In my opinion, the admission process for US unis is better because the don’t just test your intelligence, they see if you show your PASSION in whatever you do. They admit you for your overall qualities, not just for your brains. Anybody can develop their brain power, but it takes guts to show your passion, your leadership, and all those qualities which are dormant in an IIT aspirant due to the extreme pressure to do well only academically.</p>
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<p>Are you even familiar with the difficulties of the two tests? IIT-JEE math is a laughable joke compared to tests like the AIME, and comparing it to the IMO is akin to comparing a kindergarten subtraction test with a college-level final exam. Also, there are a lot of people concerned about the IMO (400,000 in the US). </p>
<p>IIT math is not very hard at all, it’s mostly textbook math, and the portion which isn’t requires maybe one thinking step to do. Chemistry is all rote memorization, and physics isn’t hard either. So, it doesn’t require problem-solving skills, it primarily tests your knowledge of the material.</p>
<p>Notice how no one makes threads saying MIT is better than IIT</p>
<p>You know why?</p>
<p>Because it is common knowledge that MIT is a better school.</p>
<p>MIT>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>OSU>>>>>>>>>Podunk State>>>IIT-Bombay>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Other IITs</p>
<p>Accepted at Harvard with 90% Aid and I’m sure that I’ll get in top 100 in JEE . Where should I go ?</p>
<p>Well, MIT is #1 on here: [World’s</a> Best Universities; Top 400 Universities in the World | US News](<a href=“http://www.usnews.com/education/worlds-best-universities-rankings/top-400-universities-in-the-world]World’s”>http://www.usnews.com/education/worlds-best-universities-rankings/top-400-universities-in-the-world)</p>
<p>IITs are mostly engineering-centred, I think. Most science students usually opt for IISc or the like instead of IITs. MIT, however, atleast from what I can gauge, is more of an all-round university, from engineering to physics (\o/) to fencing. Personally, it should be a matter of your opinion. After all, though academics is the main reason for pursuing a university, there are other things to consider. Then again, MIT has an observatory. So MIT for me :D</p>