<p>Hey,</p>
<p>I'm a high school junior looking into the Humanities and Sciences department of Carnegie Mellon. </p>
<p>I know that opinions fluctuate, but I've read up on some different sites about student attitude at CMU -- what's the general opinion? I've heard people hate it, that people are rude, that your major isolates you, and that people can't wait to get out. I've also heard that it's a lot of fun, the academics are great, the people are nerdy but fun, and that many enjoy it. So what's the truth here? Are people proud to be Carnegie Mellon-ers? Should I keep considering the school?</p>
<p>Thanks,
Hart</p>
<p>All of that is true, and none of it is true at the same time. :)</p>
<p>Of course some people hate it here, just like some love it. You'll find that at lots of places.</p>
<p>People rude? Well again some are rude and some are nice. A few are shy and might come off as rude at first glance. Lots of international students cluster together and from someone not in their group that might make them seem rude too. Some (not all or even a lot, but some) girls also have inflated egos due to the ratio. Overall I wouldn't say that the entire student body is rude though.</p>
<p>Your major does isolate you in ways. You'll of course meet people from other colleges in common classes like math, etc and through orientation and residence halls but yes this does occur. H&SS isn't a bad place to be people wise though. I can't speak for the other colleges.</p>
<p>"People can't wait to get out." Hmm. I know I can't wait to get out but I'm probably having less fun then most (and I am here to learn...get my degree and a job). I'm only a freshman so I haven't gotten that much of a "feel" for the student body as a whole but it does seem like most people know what major they are declaring. So I won't comment on that but CMU is hard work in general and doesn't pretend to be a funhouse. Fun can be had but your work/studies should be your priority (not preaching, just saying that if it isn't there are better fits for any given person). Now there are frats, a few parties, clubs ... people if you find a group you like, etc etc. but CMU is by no means a social haven. If you are excited to learn about your subject then you might like it here - but if you are less so then maybe not (or maybe so, but make sure you keep looking at schools)</p>
<p>The academics are great in general. You didn't specify a major so it's hard to say if your program is but the academics are why I'm here - and if they were anything less then great I'd have transfer applications printed out and on my desk :D</p>
<p>Do you know how science majors and engineering majors fare? Are they highly stressed?</p>
<p>I am not in science or engineering but you might try searching through old posts as some probably have posted about that.</p>
<p>Define highly stressed....</p>
<p>I'm going to declare an ECE major at the end of this month. I was told that next year is supposed to be hell, but I'm really not worried. I currently spend about 3 hours a day (including Saturday and Sunday, but not Friday) on homework and studying. But it's actually more like 6 hours every other day because of the way homework is balanced. And yes, I did make the CIT Dean's List.</p>
<p>In the mean time, I go to parties, play video games, go out to eat, see movies, or just "hang out" with friends. So life is good. I can pretty much do whatever I want, whenever I want, and nobody will stop me. With that kind of freedom, I don't know why anyone should really be stressed out.</p>
<p>This is really not a question anyone else can answer for you. TonyM is quite correct that the answer is yes or no for every individual on every campus. The important thing is for YOU to get to know the school - visit, attend a sleeping bag weekend, if you're a junior, consider pre-college. Try it on for size personally and you'll be able to answer for yourself. CMU is an awesome school, but only you can answer if it's the right place for you. Good Luck!</p>