<p>i visited mit in october sometime when school was in session. coming from a 95% white suburban town, i was a bit weirded out at mit-- its extremely diverse, particularly, the asian crowd. most of the ppl i saw had thick glasses and high socks-- during the info session, the presenter admitted that EVERYONE THAT ATTENDS MIT IS A NERD-- YOU CANT DENY IT. i can handle all types of people so i dont really care, but am i going to find the right group of people to hang with? i keep my grades high, but im laid back and not cutthroat competitive. advice?</p>
<p>Most of the people had thick glasses and high socks? You're kidding, right? Where were you looking?</p>
<p>My son's a first-year at MIT now, and I can't think of anyone I've seen there who fits that description. He's found a niche, with people who like the same bizarre music and photography and adventures, and hasn't seen a hint of "cutthroat competitive" as far as I can tell (at least not among first-years). I suppose there are always a few students who don't feel they've found "their people" but it's such a varied place, with so many activities and interests and bright, passionate people, and so many different residential communities, that if you just reach out to seek a little, you're quite likely to find your community.</p>
<p>And it surely is a diverse place: wouldn't have it any other way!</p>
<p>This question comes up far too often, in my humble opinion.</p>
<p>I will accept that many people at MIT have glasses, and that perhaps some even have thick glasses. I read a study once that connected nearsightedness with superior performance on intelligence tests. QED.</p>
<p>High socks, that I will not take lying down. There are many sorority-girl fashionistas on this campus who would die at the thought of high socks, unless high socks happened to be the trendy item of the moment. One of the most amazing MIT women I know (she's a cheerleader with me) has an Imelda Marcos-worthy collection of approximately a zillion pointy shoes. She would never wear high socks.</p>
<p>There are some people on MIT's campus who can be immediately pegged as MIT students. (To be fair to us undergrads, a decent percentage of them are grad students.) There are a lot of us whom you'd never place unless you had insider information.</p>
<p>At any rate, I think there's a difference between being a nerd and being immediately recognizable by others as a nerd. Sure, most of us have a soft spot in our hearts for cellular physiology/quantum physics/aerodynamics/computer code/what have you, but that doesn't mean we live in that bubble all the time. And it doesn't mean that we're incapable of being completely socially normal.</p>
<p>And I'm with mootmom on the competition -- we're definitely not a cutthroat place.</p>
<p>I don't wear glasses.</p>
<p>and I most definitely don't wear socks.</p>
<p>My son is also a first year now, and I've been on campus for several visits both before and after he started. It's a diverse place alright, in terms of lots of people with backgrounds from other part of the world, particularly Asian. But visibly nerdy? Thick glasses and high socks? No! That's ridiculous. And definitely not cutthroat. The majority of students seem to work very hard, but there is lots of cooperation.</p>
<p>I have spent almost 20 days hanging on and off MIT campus and I can testify -</p>
<p>1) quite a LOT of asian faces, yep.
2) yes many people wear glasses, but hey :cool:
3) whoever says MIT doesnt have pretty girls is probably high or hasn't been around campus
4) no scarcity of cooool people.. work hard play hard seems to be the mantra here. finding your "gang" shouldn't be hard at all
5) stereotypes only exist in people's minds. I have not met ONE person who fit any of the stereotypes created about MIT students.. heck, I learnt a new sport here (squash)!
6) campus is NOT ugly!! though it could be better :p (I'm comparing to the place</a> I go to). but the city-like atmosphere is still great.
7) cut-throat competition? this is probably the most co-operative school i know of</p>
<p>edit: 8) this thing about high socks and stuff.. everyone seems normally dressed to me..</p>
<p>sucks to have a car in MIT</p>
<p>MIT is big enough that you will find people to hang out with, trust me. I was captain of the football team in high school and I had no problem making the transition. MIT is diverse enough that there are people of all types roving the campus.</p>
<p>However, I will say these things. Everyone at MIT has an inner nerd. I'm a nintendork, particularly a Kirby nut. I can name all 150 original pokemon by picture. Virtually everyone here has some sort of nerdy tendency, and to be honest, it's kinda cool. </p>
<p>As for the campus, it isn't the most beautiful campus. But I'll gladly sacrifice ivy draped gothic architecture for a functional nuclear reactor any day. And besides, Boston is right across the river, and there is plenty to do there, so if MIT's got you down, just head into the city.</p>
<p>Lastly, you won't find state school hotties at MIT. I'll just say it. For whatever reason, they just aren't here.</p>
<p>You can be MY friend!</p>
<p>FOR A PRICE</p>
<p>
[quote]
Lastly, you won't find state school hotties at MIT. I'll just say it. For whatever reason, they just aren't here.
[/quote]
some of those "state school hotties" may put in a helluva lot of time and effort on their appearance. I suspect female MIT students have better things to do.</p>
<p>
[quote]
You can be MY friend!</p>
<p>FOR A PRICE
[/quote]
</p>
<p>NO! Don't do it. It's not worth the price. Trust me. :(</p>
<p>
[quote]
some of those "state school hotties" may put in a helluva lot of time and effort on their appearance. I suspect female MIT students have better things to do.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I was thinking something along those lines as well.</p>
<p>Too bad. You agreed, and YOU MUST PAY!!!!11dundundun</p>
<p>
[quote]
I can name all 150 original pokemon by picture.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>lol the good old days with squirtle. god i miss the good old days with squirtle.</p>
<p>well,
an attack on MIT is something I cant resist talking about.
Now no hard feelings to anyone but here's what I feel:</p>
<p>THERE IS NO DAMN NEED FOR ANYONE AT MIT IMO TO JUSTIFY HOW THEY DRESS,HOW THEY MEET WITH OTHERS, HOW THEY COMPETE....THE PEOPLE THERE ARE MAKING STUFF HAPPEN AND THATS WHAT I LOVE ABT THEM. SO FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO LEAD SUPPOSEDLY SOCIAL LIVES IN FRONT OF OTHERS OR BE LESS 'NERDY' SHOULD NOT EVEN THING OF GOING THERE COZ GETTING GOOD GRADES AND BEING ABLE TO WORK AT MIT IS DIFFERENT.</p>
<p>Now, I may dislike many of the ways in which the OP's original question was asked, but that doesn't mean I don't respect the OP's reasons for asking. </p>
<p>I think it's perfectly legitimate to inquire about the types of people at a given school; after all, if we're all preaching that choosing a college is all about fit, shouldn't someone have the right to make sure that he or she fits with the people at the school? We do "make things happen" at MIT, but we also have parties and social lives. There's nothing wrong with asking about both.</p>
<p>I think MIT fits better in the Boston area college social scene than our neighbor down the street. Harvard tends to keep to themselves, where MIT parties with wellsely (sp?), simmons, BU, etc.</p>
<p>snowgirl my son studies at MIT and he does in fact wear glasses! But he's also REALLY funny, caring, kind and considerate. The kind of kid who makes a great study partner and is fun to hang out with.</p>
<p>It might pay to make another visit and try to spend some time interacting with the students.</p>
<p>whatever..........
and the OP is not even interested in the posts....so I am not writing anything more.</p>
<p>oh man...no offense but can the parents please refrain from comments about his/her child being social....</p>
<p>anyways the topic starter is generally correct about the MIT student...they are nerdy, talk slightly different, and probably can be spotted easily outside of Cambridge. With that being said, the people are friendly and helpful despite the social awkwardness.</p>