<p>In recent years, all major innovations are coming out ofplaces such as Stanford, Berkeley, and even Caltech. When I was going to school MIT was the only name in town. Now peopole have to think twicw between MIT and other places, some such as Olin which I never heard of. It certainly seems MIT is fast becoming a "have been." What do you think?</p>
<p>This is not the impression I get. Perhaps if you could define "major innovations" and give us some examples I could then get a better light.</p>
<p>I think it's better for the academic world when new centers of innovation and learning come on the scene. MIT hasn't dropped off. It's still a great place. The emergence of places like Olin (which doesn't deserve your "I never heard of it" condescension) and Caltech just means that MIT lacks a monopoly over innovation. Is that a bad thing?</p>
<p>OT: Please note that "scientist" joined CollegeConfidential today and has precisely one post: this one. While you may want to respond to the question in general, you may also want to consider the timing of the post and whether there might be some troll issues going on. I'm just sayin'...</p>
<p>First, the universities you mentioned are all on the same level as MIT. Second,
As MallomarCookie said no one has monopoly over innovation.</p>
<p>Yeah, MIT's not into the whole "let's dominate science alone!" thing. As programs like OCW, OLW, Splash! and the like can attest, MIT is more into the "share the wealth" paradigm.</p>
<p>Scientist -in what way do you think MIT is losing its position specifically? How has Stanford Berkeley Cal tech or Olin passed it by?</p>
<p>I am sure MIT is a good unviesity. I do not have anything against Olin, I just never heard of them. But the realities are, as other people have posted, let's say in the last 10 years compare the list of companies out of MIT and other schools. In a longer period of time, none of the top compnaies have come out of MIT. Microsoft, google, Yahoo, GE, Intel, and the list goes on. with respect to the number of Nobel prizes Caltech easily is ahead MIT considering their size. In any particular major, let's say computer science, EE, mechanical engineering, civil enginnering, and a lot of liberal arts type majors MIT is not the top university anymore, look at US news.30 Years ago, things were different.</p>
<p>But a lot of great innovations are still coming out of MIT. Which of those other schools has created innovations that benefit communities around the world (forget profitable Fortune 500s)?</p>
<p>And which of those schools has reputable graduate school programs in the humanities and social sciences? Don't forget MIT's unique strengths.</p>
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with respect to the number of Nobel prizes Caltech easily is ahead MIT considering their size.
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<p>MIT has twice as many. You can't just lean on the fact that it is a small school to say that Caltech is better.</p>
<p>MIT is a premiere school. However, it isn't and never has been the only good school out there. Those schools you mentioned have been on par with MIT for 50 years.</p>
<p>
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In any particular major, let's say computer science, EE, mechanical engineering, civil enginnering, and a lot of liberal arts type majors MIT is not the top university anymore, look at US news.30 Years ago, things were different.
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</p>
<p>I just looked at the US News for grad schools and MIT is still #1 in ME, EE, and CS. US News also has them ranked #1 in undergrad engineering. Am I missing something? </p>
<p>If you are going to use facts, get them straight, and don't make things up.</p>
<p>Scientist,</p>
<p>Did you apply to MIT this year, or in a previous year? If so, what is your status?</p>
<p>MIT is number one in chemical, mechanical, EECS, and I think 4 other engineering fields (undergrad and grad), including #4 in bioengineering, which coincidentally didn't even become a major until 2 years ago (yeah, and we're magically already 4th).</p>
<p>And if you took all of the MIT grads in the world and put them on an island we would be something like the 5th biggest economy in the world, so I don't think we're lacking in prestigious companies.</p>
<p>Dude...What's your definition of innovation ?</p>
<p>100 Dollar Laptop, Foldable Car, Bio-diesel innovations....</p>
<p>MIT strives to change the world for the better...</p>
<p>MIT has not been losing it, silly goose. MIT and Caltech are and have for 50 years been the two top science/tech schools in the world. MIT is bigger and more outward-looking and focused on engineering innovations, Caltech is smaller and in some ways more intense and scientific, but both are putting out students who end up at the top of virtually every intellectual endeavor there is. And Olin seems well positioned to join the group.</p>
<p>I think since there is uniform agreement that OP is a goose, we should direct him to Canada and proceed to other topics.</p>
<p>I guess some people never bother to or can't read. I seldom pick up any publication, technical or non technical, without reading reference to MIT, Caltech and other fine schools. Oh well..... No child left behind and all that.</p>
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I think since there is uniform agreement that OP is a goose, we should direct him to Canada and proceed to other topics.
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</p>
<p>Yes, most of Canada is north of MIT. This was my LOL of the day.</p>
<p>I think almost everybody aggrees Silicon Valley is the capital of information technology. Boston is a far cry #2. The major reason is that Stanford drives silicon valley, while MIT drives Boston's route 128.</p>
<p>MIT golden days are past. It has not maintained its undergraduate admissions standards as Caltech has. Its decisions to artificially gender- and race-balance itself, pander to political correctness (LSE used to screen porno movies, now we get Chomsky lectures), soften its nerd profile, and invest in boondoggles such as Media Lab and cognitive science (minus a medical school) are, in my opinion, a huge mistake. It's not only Stanford but foreign universities that catch up.</p>
<p>In graduate school ranking, MIT is not always #1 in engineering fields.</p>
<p>In 1995 ph.d program ranking by NRC (national reasearch council), Stanford is #1 in Computer science, Electrical engineering, Mechanical engineering, and Environmental enginneering. NRC is the most respected ranking in academic world.</p>
<p>In US News ranking, MIT still has an edge, but not much. In Computer science ranking, Stanford is the only school which has been always ranked #1 for years. But right now it is a 4 way tie: Stanford=Berkeley=MIT=CMU.
In Aerospace engineering, Stanford is #1 in US NEWS, while Caltech is #1 in NRC ranking. In Civil engineering, Berkeley, UIUC, and Stanford are ahead of MIT. In environmental enginnering and petrolium engineering, Stanford is #1. In industrial engineering, Georgia Tech is #1, and both Berkeley and Stanford are ahead of MIT.</p>