<p>Hi everyone, application deadlines are around the corner and I was wondering if you could help me out with this very big decision:</p>
<p>Harvey Mudd has always been my top choice college and I think it is a really good fit for many reasons – its small, intimate community, caring professors, and the rare combination of a strong science/engineering program with the liberal arts. As someone who is fond of math and science but unsure about an area of specialization, it will also give me a strong education in all areas of STEM, so that I can explore different areas before finally declaring a major at the end of my sophomore year. It seems to more or less fit the criteria of my ideal college.</p>
<p>But I realize ED is a really big commitment, and I still have some doubts. I was hoping that some of you who know the environment there a bit better could help out.</p>
<p>First of all, I am planning to take up engineering but I am not 100% sure about it because I have never had any hands-on experience in the field. I was worried that, supposing I realize that it really is not for me, I may feel a bit limited (the other practical alternative seems to be CS and I heard off-campus majors are administratively difficult). </p>
<p>I was also wondering whether all the other students would be completely focused and passionate about a certain area. If everyone is already sure of themselves while I am still discovering myself, I’m not sure how confident I’ll feel. Perhaps the engineering programs at Yale or Brown may be better for me in this respect, because I’ll be immersed in a diverse academic environment and exposed to people with interests across the board (this is just the impression I have, I might be wrong).</p>
<p>I’ve never visited the campus, so I’ve learned everything about the school from the website and a few ex-students. As an international student, I’m also a bit concerned about whether the Harvey Mudd brand will help me find employment in the field in or out of the US. Branding is not a priority in my college search, but Mudd tuitions are pretty steep and if (by some miracle) I get into an ivy the name can last me my whole life wherever I go (again I might be wrong).</p>
<p>Nonetheless, although I’m not confident in my interest in engineering, I am definitely passionate about math and science. But I’ve heard people advice that if I am not head over heels in love with STEM, I shouldn’t apply (at least ED) to Harvey Mudd, and I don’t think I have that kind of resolution about anything just yet. But by not applying ED I may be losing an advantage in getting into a school I really like. And perhaps the only reason I’m having these concerns it that I’ve researched Harvey Mudd more than I have any other school. </p>
<p>Overall it seems the best fit of them all – besides the ivies many of the schools I’m considering are even less flexible and just because more options may be around does not necessarily mean I’ll have time to do them justice. So maybe Harvey Mudd can give me the broad education I’m looking for so I can be equipped to do well in whatever field I enter (after all an undergrad degree does not have to define my life). Many people have told me to just close my eyes and go for it, because ultimately almost everyone is happy at Harvey Mudd.</p>