<p>So, I’ve been here for a bit, and here are my thoughts on MIT so far (in no particular order):</p>
<li><p>Procrastination is the enemy. Luckily, I had good study habits in highschool, but MIT is a notch up. Getting things done early is the way to go. I find that when I put things off until the last minute, they never get done properly.</p></li>
<li><p>Sports here rock. I had more fun playing football this season than any before. Truly a love of the game type thing.</p></li>
<li><p>The college admissions process really has some nasty after effects. First off, many people, myself included, can’t shake the “we must get an A because if we don’t then we will fail at life” attitude. We’re on pass/no record, and we still worry about grades. Even our professors complain of students “point-mongering.”</p></li>
<li><p>Everyone being smart is a very cool thing. Finally, there are people smarter than us we can turn to for homework help.</p></li>
<li><p>A love of problem solving is very important here. Problem sets can be hard and complicated… but are also fun from the standpoint of someone who loves puzzles.</p></li>
<li><p>A Beaver for a mascot leads to many cool T-Shirts and slogans.</p></li>
<li><p>What you did academically in HS is no longer a big deal. What you did outside the classroom still can be, and it often makes you unique from everyone else.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Thanks for your freshman experiences. I had a few questions regarding the specifics...</p>
<p>With regards #7:
So, people don't really compare SAT scores or GPA in MIT? I hear MIT is more collaborative than it is competitive? How do the honor societies work?</p>
<h1>1:</h1>
<p>From what everyone says, procrastination is a really BIG problem! But during freshman year don't you only have 4 classes? Is it the extracurriculars that typically overwhelm you (so many great opportunities!)? From my conversations with other freshman, it seems there are so many things to do at MIT, but so little time. They say the psets and the studying aren't the hardest part (if you're taking freshman-level classes), it's the many ec activities you must split your time amongst. Is this true in your case?</p>
<h1>3:</h1>
<p>In the end, you discuss "point-mongering" as something professors often complain about. Is it common for students to place grades above learning? From my understanding, MIT trys to accept those students who have a love for learning and ultimately want to contribute to the world. While academic excellence is obviously a byproduct of such an ideology, are there many students who learn merely for the sake of getting a grade (ie. the "point-mongers"). Or, is this a minority?</p>
<p>Anyway, I really appreciate your update and any clarification you can provide would definitely be valued.</p>
<p>"So, people don't really compare SAT scores or GPA in MIT?"</p>
<p>Nope. Not a big deal. And from what I've seen, MIT is VERY collaborative. Some teachers even encourage us to work together on the homework.</p>
<p>"But during freshman year don't you only have 4 classes?"</p>
<p>Yeah, I think you're right here. I just got done with football, and now I have ample time. Before the season ended, I was really pushed for time. I also am doing some fraternity stuff, and that eats time. But, with football over, I have enough time to get things done and do a good deal of relaxing.</p>
<p>As for the last comment: I think that "point-mongering" is a byproduct of college admissions. It is really hard to tell if people love learning in freshman classes, since they are all pretty much mandatory introductions, but you can definitely see people worrying too much about grades. The problem is, in today's insane college admissions arena, students feel they must be perfect, and when you get here, you just can't be perfect. It really gets to some people.</p>
<p>Wait... only 4 classes? Lol! I think that's the average course load for all 4 years. I myself take 4 per semester. I pulled off a 5 class semester but it wasn't too nice. Course VI doesn't lend itself to taking too many of its classes at the same time :p</p>
<p>I have no idea what my friends SAT scores are. We simply don't discuss it. </p>
<p>Competition still exists, but in a different form. You are no longer fighting against anyone in particular. You are fighting against the class average.</p>
<p>Oh, and I still procrastinate lol. I just pay for it by less sleep the next day.</p>
<p>Seems your views are consistent with those of most students. Since I've only talked with a couple of non-freshman students at MIT (most of those I converse with are freshman), I'm unclear about the number of courses that most take. A friend of mine took 9 courses at MIT in one semester--passing them with flying colors! But how do thay compare to most students. Certainly, their number of courses seems far from normal. But, what exactly is the average number of courses for non-freshman students?</p>
<p>Most people take 48 units (4 classes) per semester. Taking 60 units (5 classes) is somewhat common, but is still respected. Taking 72 units (6 classes) and up puts people in the "you're insane, how do you have time to eat" category.</p>
<p>I would like to note that freshman courses are not easy for everyone. The difficulty of freshman classes is directly related to the amazingness of your high school preparation, and those of us who went to crappy high schools had a very rough first term freshman year.</p>
<p>Definately, any couse at MIT is bound to be challenging--even to the well prepared. I would definitely agree, one's level of preparation must determine one's success, atleast initially. After the sophomore year, the competition must be more fair. I guess the p/ncr really helps there.</p>
<p>One of my TA's from MITES decided that he wanted to tack on an EECS major his senior year along with course 8 Physics. He's taking 6 classes his 4th year. Isn't 4th year, the year where your supposed to be taking less classes?</p>
<p>I asked my friends first and foremost what their SAT scores were. They all have 1600s and so do I. I think I made the right choice in selecting them like that....</p>
<p>I honestly don't care what my friends test scores are. I have a feeling we are not all 1600's (definitely not me), but I could care less what their scores are. It certainly means little once you're here.</p>
<p>I felt like test scores were kind of a hot topic at the very beginning of my freshman year, but after everybody realizes they're all in the same leaky boat together, it stops being "what did you get on the SAT" and starts being "hey, when are you coming over to help with the pset". (The only time my friends and I talk about SAT scores now is when I try to gather demographic information to talk about here on CC!)</p>
<p>I will note that I distinctly remember one guy during freshman orientation who tried to hit on me using his SAT scores. I was both extremely amused and extremely turned off. :)</p>
<p>Wow... I should try that pickup line mollie! Maybe some girl will find it so funny that it ends up being cute. Highly doubt it though. If some guy actually tried using that, it shows he doesn't have much to say. Maybe, he was really nervous?</p>
<p>YES!! I am so glad the subject of pick-up lines has come up.</p>
<p>See, I was just in my school newspaper for a little column where they survey one member of each class (subject for this issue: pick up lines). I submitted the ever classic "Can you be my integral, because I want to be tangent to your curves" line, and it made the paper, along with an incredibly pixelated pic of myself. Anyhow, that story should be appreciated more here than it was at my school (although a lot of kids liked it, but some were just like "you're out of your mind", and I just said "Hey, every time I've used it, it's worked" and they were like "hmm" not realizing I've never used it:)).</p>
<p>On top of that, I have now appeared in the school paper three issues in a row, qualifying me for the ban list. So now I can't be interviewed for the paper anymore. Believe it or not, that was one of my goals for this year. We'll see how I do on another one of those goals come Dec 15.</p>