<p>so I am going to MIT and have found out that MIT requires its students to do a heavier workload than at most other schools. My question is, do you feel that the extra work is worth it in terms of the amount you learn? Like, does MIT's "extra" workload increase the amount you know in your fields? Do you feel like you'll learning all the time, and that you know, on average of course, more than other engineering majors at other shools in your major? </p>
<p>Also, Does MIT's extra workload really make you better engineers compared to other top tier US schools like Stanford, Princeton, and the like?</p>
<p>At the risk of sounding overly sanguine, I do think that the MIT workload is beneficial for educating scientists and engineers.</p>
<p>In the first place, MIT problem sets and exams are intended to hone problem-solving skills and critical thinking abilities, which are absolutely essential skillsets for people in technical careers. </p>
<p>Secondarily, careers in science and engineering require you to work very, very hard for long periods of time, sometimes to the exclusion of other parts of your life. If you’re serious about a technical career, it’s advantageous to learn how to work hard, and how to work efficiently, as early as possible. Taking it easy in college would not be beneficial in the long run.</p>
<p>It’s sad that I’ll have to forgo some of my extracurriculars although i am not sure if i went to other gr8 universities, i will be able to pursue them as well?</p>
<p>But Mollie, you didn’t answer the second part of the question. Does MIT’s extra rigor entail greater (deeper or broader?) knowledge in engineering? Like, Is an MIT undergrad engineer MORE KNOWLEDGEABLE IN ENGINEERING than his peers at other top schools?</p>
<p>btw, you’re a very comfortable person and your comments i relieiving You’re good in making everyone who reads your posts happy!</p>
<p>^ Who says you’ll have to forgo your extracurriculars? MIT students are all about work hard, play hard. Despite our incredibly difficult courseloads, we still do a lot outside of those. I know I personally would be bored out of my mind just doing schoolwork when I spent my high school life flying, riding, acting, and karate-ing :)</p>
<p>From what I’ve heard from potential employers, MIT students do tend to know above and beyond what students at other schools learn, and tend to have the background to do much harder problems or get much more creative in problem solving.</p>
<p>very relieving! I really want my extra work to produce some beautiful fruits (okay too cheesy and art-y for MIT students ) I think it’s bad to feel that i work harder than at other schools and that those other students are equal to me in engineering !!! I was concerned that MIT is famous for engineering due to legacy. If what you say is true, then MIT should be the place to go for engineering i guess…</p>
<p>Well, I mean, I’m not an engineer. But yes, I think that the entire point of an education in engineering is learning how to solve problems. Being able to solve problems faster and with more elegant solutions makes someone a better engineer, in the same way that being able to lift heavy weights makes someone a better bodybuilder – and training serves the same purpose in both cases.</p>
<p>I don’t know that MIT engineers are better than, e.g., Stanford engineers. But I doubt Stanford engineers have that much more free time than MIT engineers, as far as that goes.</p>
<p>I agree with Piper that working hard doesn’t mean not doing extracurriculars. I mean, we’re talking about working hard, not working to death.</p>
<p>There are also some benefits to having a really heavy workload that you might not expect. For instance, when I have something to get done at work, I can just sit down and do it. It really breaks down the mental barrier to doing work, honestly - 20-hour project? No problem! I’ve done this before.</p>
<p>This will also translate well to other parts of your life. Need to wake up early? Just do it. Going running? Can’t be as painful as doing an 8.02 pset. 18 hour drive ahead of you? Focus on the road, only stop to pee, and get there four hours before you can get your apartment keys because you planned to take a nap and then just beasted through it (this is actually from personal experience).</p>
<p>Additionally, your manger and coworkers will be impressed by your focus and get-er-done attitude. At least, mine have been.</p>
although i am not sure if i went to other gr8 universities, i will be able to pursue them as well?</p>
You’re good in making everyone who reads your posts happy!</p>
) I think it’s bad to feel that i work harder than at other schools and that those other students are equal to me in engineering !!! I was concerned that MIT is famous for engineering due to legacy. If what you say is true, then MIT should be the place to go for engineering i guess…</p>