<p>I'm looking for a college that is strong in academics, specifically physics and math, but has a lot else to offer. Definitely want a fun campus, interesting/diverse people. I could go for a decent amount of parties, people who take academics pretty seriously but aren't afraid to let lose after hours. I can definitely be a slacker myself. I want a fairly attractive campus, or at least don't want myself saying how ugly the people are or where are all the hot girls. I could go for an interesting surrounding area, preferably a nice city with lots to do. I want opportunities around campus to pursue science and math topics. Involved teachers and classes that aren't too big but don't have to be really small. Friendly/nice people on campus. Applying to top colleges in my field has me a little worried about nerdy/techy campuses, I definitely don't want this and want a campus where there are a lot of people who are pursuing different interests. Also a fairly equal number of boys and girls. Good sports teams would be nice. </p>
<p>Anyways thats probably my ideal college scene. How does MIT match up with that? What are things one should worry about or definitely look for if you ever went to visit. What are things that only a person that goes there would really know. Common misconceptions.</p>
<p>Any help would be appreciated since I am trying to cut down on my college applications, and please try to keep the bias to a minimum and don't be vague.</p>
<p>I want a fairly attractive campus, or at least don't want myself saying how ugly the people are or where are all the hot girls.</p>
<p>of everything you said, this i'm going to pick at as being a. terrifically vague and b. really subjective. not knowing your standards of attractiveness or aesthetics, i'd be astonished if you got any useful information on this point. also, socially, going to MIT also includes the greater-boston scene, so this may not be as huge a concern as, say, cornell.</p>
<p>as for the rest, you may find mit a little slanted towards science and math, but there's plenty of interests, both inside and out of those fields. the limiting factor is usually time and energy to pursue them. ~equal girls/guys, sure. sports exist more than you'd imagine, but this ain't duke. you win on the nice city with lots to do; boston kicks, imo. and i'd say we come up solid, if not damn good, on the "work hard, play harder" scale, tho it depends on who you are and the efforts you make.</p>
<p>I think MIT has a great "work hard, play harder" philosophy. Whether that "play harder" involves building a disco floor or partying at the slew of frat parties going on (I've been told by many that MIT frats have the best parties in Boston, I've been arfound the city and seriously think that it's true.) As goddess32585 mentioned, going to MIT includes the greater Boston scene so as MIT isn't as attractive you have schools like BU, BC, Simmons which takes care of that aspect. This school destroyed many of my stereotypes and it can be whatever you make it.....</p>
<p>MIT is pretty much what you are looking for. The only downsides are MIT is very hard, people aren't too attractive, and people can be pretty "nerdy".</p>
<p>The only schools I would consider besides MIT is Stanford for engineering and Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Stanford only if you want to do something else.</p>
<p>On a sports note: if you are looking for good sports teams to watch, you won't really find a sports watching culture here. You will, however, find a sports playing culture. There are so many sports at MIT that more people are playing than watching.</p>