<p>Hello, I narrowed my college choices to MIT and Princeton. I plan to study both math and computer science (with math being a minor/for certification). I visited both campuses and love both of them, even though they have very different cultures. </p>
<p>It is hard trying to pick between the two, since I feel "at home" at both institutions, so the only things I can think of when trying to pick are location (prefer a city area but Princeton is nearby) and financial aid (Princeton gave me a full ride). Any suggestions to help me through this process?</p>
<p>Both of them are very, very strong in math, and you’ll likely meet a lot of geniuses in the math department at either places. However, if you end up not liking pure math (which many olympians realize here), I think it is much safer to go to MIT, where the EECS department is extremely solid. Also, the recruiting for EECS at MIT is ridiculously strong. If you study EECS I would not worry too much about money. EECS is the most versatile major here as far as getting a job.</p>
<p>Furthermore, applied math and CS merge very nicely together. A lot of my friends at my MIT are double majoring 18 and 6-3, and many of them build up a solid curriculum where on one hand, they become software-algorithm saavy via the engineering approach of course 6 (software lab courses), while still learning the rigorous reasoning in mathematics (think courses in combinatorial optimization, graph theory, …). I think that combo is really nice, and in fact is pursued with no moderation at MIT. You won’t be the only one doing it, and it definitely adds a certain level of intensity to your academic experience.</p>
<p>It’s important to realize that your changes of changing your field(s) of study are considerable. But, you might want look at how CS/math play out over the full four years at Princeton and MIT. Look at the typical schedules for CS/math at both, fitting in other requirements as well. That might give you some ideas.
Talk to your parents about costs as well and spend some time figuring out what sort of loan burden you would carry.
You might consider gender issues as well. (I haven’t a clue what gender you are.) Princeton’s math department is (I believe- second hand from a good friend) very strongly male -both staff and students. Is that a concern?
What about whatever you like to do for fun? Is either campus better suited to that?</p>
<p>I think if you want to do CS, you should really consider MIT. Although both are strong in math, MIT has the edge in CS. Companies literally FLOCK here during career fair week and when you go in to the career fair, all the companies are basically like “are you course 6? no? <em>disappointed look</em> OH WAIT, do you have friends that are course 6?” Everyone has course 6 friends -.- </p>
<p>But yeah, tons of people double in 6 & 18. It’s a good and common combo here and you will have no difficulty finding a job after you graduate. :]</p>