<p>So I just recently had my interview for MIT and my interviewer had some interesting things to say about the school (of course, all of them good things).</p>
<p>He did comment however on what the social life at MIT was and thus is. He went to MIT not necessarily too long ago but some time has passed.</p>
<p>He said that the typical MIT student is an introvert and rather awkward socially. </p>
<p>He used the following example:</p>
<p>Imagine you are in the main dining hall, and after you grab your tray you sit down at a table with other people you don't know. When you sit down, they won't say hi to you among other pleasantries, because they are introverts, rather shy people. This is unlike other universities where people are more open and friendly by nature.</p>
<p>So I was wondering if he is correct in this claim? Or have things changed? Because I am not necessarily a very extrovert person but I am more than reasonably sociable and I do tend to strike up conversation because I do need other people for social interaction.</p>
<p>So are people at MIT still really reserved because that is their nature or have things changed to the point where if I decide to attend MIT, I won't spend four years of my life with really socially awkward people?</p>
<p>I’ve sat next to strangers at dining halls in two other universities. I haven’t noticed a difference.</p>
<p>People are plenty social here You’ll get your awkward, shy types, of course - you’ll also get incredible social butterfies, and everything in-between. Different communities have different degrees of awkwardness.</p>
<p>If you get in, you should try your best to go to CPW, and find out for yourself :)</p>
<p>At MIT, yes, most are at least somewhat introverted unless it has changed greatly. At Harvard, when you sit down they are more likely to say “hi.” They are also more likely to eat the food on your plate, and then when they are done, they will insert themselves into your startup if you have founded one and then proceed to cut you out of the company.</p>
<p>MIT is a very diverse place. We have both introverts and extroverts. If you play it right you can probably spend all four years avoiding one or the other if you want, though extroverts are harder to avoid. I am personally friends with a variety of people. Some of them are indeed a bit socially awkward. A few might even be really socially awkward. I’m also friends with a lot of people who are not socially awkward–at least, not any more socially awkward than I am, since I haven’t noticed their awkwardness.</p>
<p>More serious now: I second Piper. You should definitely go to CPW if you are accepted to MIT. Many of us are very outgoing, and I have yet to meet an MIT student who is not friendly.</p>
<p>Not to get too attached to the specific example, but I don’t think I ever went to a dining hall by myself at MIT – I would go with a group of my friends, and would of course sit and talk with them.</p>
<p>Wow thanks so much guys for your responses. It’s nice to know that there is a variety of people in a community! Thank you, you put my mind at ease.</p>
<p>Are there more introverts at MIT? Yes, you would expect so. But, there are all kinds of personalities at MIT just as you would expect at any other school. </p>
<p>There are many clubs, varsity and intramural sports teams, an active fraternity system (ie. living groups) and other ways to have a real, honest social life. And if you want more, there is always Boston and Cambridge to explore.</p>
<p>I’ve gone to fun places in Boston and Cambridge (restaurants, museums, Boston Symphony Orchestra concerts) with my MIT friends and sometimes with my high school friends, but I’ve never felt the need to explore Boston and Cambridge because there are too many introverts at MIT. I’ve also never been bothered by introverts at MIT.</p>
<p>Being shy and introverted/intraverted are two separate items; being introverted has nothing to do with being shy or lacking social skills and pleasantries. And why would your interviewer describe MIT that way? It is a negative portrayal and anyone connected with MIT in such a capacity would have more tact.</p>
<p>Sometimes people who are extroverts will be concerned about having quiet thinkers around. Or, the interviewer might have taken you as an extrovert who might have been bothered by it. There seemed to be a lot of extroverts around when we were there, but those students were probably more likely to participate as established students at CPW.</p>
<p>Generally, people are very friendly and open to conversation. Over CPW, I asked around a million questions, and people gladly answered them, some even quitting their psets to show me around their dorm.</p>
<p>I actually thought a majority of people were really sociable, nerds who’ll explain to your their intense research project to sororities girls who’ll invite you to their parties. Of course, some are shyer and probably stayed in their dorms/rooms instead of participating in CPW.</p>
You’ll get your awkward, shy types, of course - you’ll also get incredible social butterfies, and everything in-between. Different communities have different degrees of awkwardness.</p>