<p>Since applications are starting soon I think I need to come to a decision soon over which college to apply ED/EA to. Frankly, I'm split down the middle over which to chose, as are my parents. I think the only way I may be able to get into UPenn's M&T would be through ED and it would result in me getting a degree from Wharton and SEAS. However, when I visited the schools past weekend, I felt "at home" in MIT however I had a few qualms about the work load and fraternitiy scene. Also, I don't know if I gave UPenn as much time because it was raining pretty heavily during my visit so I had to cut it short early. I didn't find that I strongly liked or disliked UPenn yet the M&T program seems like it was "made" for me. Yet, I'm sort of apprehensive about applying Early Decision, and my dad is very apprehensive since he'd be paying for the bulk of the tuition. Frankly though, I think if either school accepted me it would be a great honor. The real problem comes in though because my Mom is pro-UPenn (she thinks that MIT is filled with...well tools and she wants me to make a lot of money) and my Dad is pro-MIT (he went there and thinks it's pretty much the greatest institution in the world). I don't want to insult either parent by going the other way however I think I need to come up with a decision quickly. (Even though it could all be for naught, both schools could easily reject me or M&T might accept me regular) Thanks in advance for the help.</p>
<p>I think I'm interested in this too. I feel the same way about MIT and UPenn M&T!</p>
<p>The thing about MIT's early program is that they have a cap only 300 students can get in early. So they defer a huge number of kids. Especially because of those 300 they really want the bulk to be their minorities and women.</p>
<p>What about the MIT fraternity scene didn't you like?</p>
<p>If you're not psyched about joining a fraternity, you definitely don't have to. There are plenty of upperclassmen who are dorm guys -- I'm marrying one. :) The social scene is different if you stay in a dorm vs. joining a frat, but it's not like guys who don't pledge are socially impaired.</p>
<p>As for workload, if you can get into MIT, you can do it. It's tough. But it's not going to turn you into a burned-out shell of a human being, either.</p>
<p>Plus, the Penn M&T is pretty challenging as well. Will you have a chance to visit Penn again, preferably during the school year? Penn has an active frat scene as well. </p>
<p>Is your dad more apprehensive about the cost of Penn than MIT??</p>
<p>If you really feel at home at MIT, that is probably the most important factor. You will get a great education either place.</p>
<p>Why do you have to decide so soon?</p>
<p>ugh! i hate Upenn's campus ( i live 10 minutes away).</p>
<p>Frats and sororities are a much bigger part of the social scene at MIT than they are at Penn. Per US News, 55% of MIT male undergrads are in frats, and 26% of female undergrads are in sororities. At Penn, the numbers are 24% in frats and 17% in sororities. Plus, Penn has more than twice the number of undergrads as MIT, so the impact of the frat/sorority scene is further diluted.</p>
<p>My dad is just apprehensive that if I get accepted ED and Penn gives poor aid, I would not be able to compare the aid to other schools offers. I'm not sure if I'll be able to visit Penn again before applying and it seems that I'm pressured by outside forces (family, friends, etc.) to make a decision. As for the fraternity scene, 45 Percenter got it right, it's the fact that most male undergrads (which I will be if I go to MIT) are in frats and I'm not so sure I'd fit in one. Of course though, I'm certainly not discouniting joining a frat. It's just that if I realize that it is not for me it might impact social life (am I right?) However, I don't know why, but I liked the vibe I got from MIT (as compared to other colleges by far). Oh and ses, I'm a minority.</p>
<p>I just posted this in another thread, and it may be of some help here:</p>
<p>
[quote]
For what it's worth, Wharton Undergrad just launched its new web site (learned about it over on the Penn forum), which includes a page comparing Wharton Undergrad with the alternative of a liberal arts undergrad program and subsequent MBA:</p>
<p>I'm not trying to push Wharton Undergrad (much :)), but it's probably worth getting the perspective of the nation's leading undergrad business program. I'd highly recommend exploring the rest of the site, also, as there is a lot of informative discussion (including student videos, blogs, etc.) of what the Wharton Undergrad curriculum--including its ability to heavily incorporate courses in Penn's excellent liberal arts departments--has to offer.</p>
<p>3 interesting statistics that caught my attention: (1) Wharton undergrads can--and are encouraged to--take up to 43% of their degree requirements in the arts and sciences; (2) over 30% of Wharton undergrads graduate with dual degrees (e.g., a B.S. from Wharton and a B.A. from the College of Arts and Sciences); and (3) last year, 87% of Wharton seniors got the job they wanted before the end of their fall semester. These and more fun facts are available in this David-Letterman-esque list of The Top 10 Reasons To Come To Wharton:</p>
[/quote]
</a></p>
<p>In addition, you're probably already aware of this, but in case you aren't, here's the M&T web site:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.upenn.edu/fisher/%5B/url%5D">http://www.upenn.edu/fisher/</a></p>
<p>I second afan's suggestion that you visit Penn again in the Fall--preferably when it's not raining! If you can spend some "quality" time, you'll get a better feel for it. Although others may dissent, Penn's campus is really very lovely, and the atmosphere on Locust Walk, in the Quad, or around the Engineering buildings, for example, can be quite enticing.</p>
<p>Here's the thing, if you're worried about aid then don't apply ED at all.</p>
<p>
[quote]
As for the fraternity scene, 45 Percenter got it right, it's the fact that most male undergrads (which I will be if I go to MIT) are in frats and I'm not so sure I'd fit in one. Of course though, I'm certainly not discouniting joining a frat. It's just that if I realize that it is not for me it might impact social life (am I right?) However, I don't know why, but I liked the vibe I got from MIT (as compared to other colleges by far).
[/quote]
No, the majority of male undergrads aren't in frats. It's close to half, but not more than half.</p>
<p>Deciding not to be in a fraternity at MIT will impact your social life, but it's not automatically a negative impact. It's just that if you choose not to join a fraternity, it's probable that you won't run around with lots of fraternity guys -- but if you don't want to join a fraternity, you're probably not interested in running around with lots of fraternity guys.</p>
<p>My fiance and his male friends went to Rush their freshman year, ate lobster and steak at lots of different frats, and decided it wasn't for them. Their social lives were perfectly healthy in the dorms. MIT's dormitory housing system tends to facilitate finding a group of people who like what you like, so a lot of guys decide to stay in the dorms because they already like the people they live with.</p>
<p>Of course, there are 26 different fraternities at MIT, and you may find one that you really click with -- many people come to MIT each year thinking they won't pledge, and end up pledging and enjoying their fraternity experience. But if it's not for you, then it's not for you.</p>
<p>It's easier for a male to get into MIT RA than it is EA, so i think you should definitely do PENN ED...but thena gain...you have to stick with that decision for life...</p>