<p>Getting into MIT would be a dream come true, but I don't want to put everything into it, not get accepted, and not have have a back-up plan or other schools on my list. Saying all of that, what would be some other great colleges for students to look into? I'm interested in mathematics and physics, things like that. So applying at MIT only makes sense. What are some other great schools that would accommodate these interests? What are some of the smaller schools that are great? Not necessarily unheard of, but schools besides Harvard and Princeton, etc.</p>
<p>I am also wondering the same although my focus is on engineering and business. The other schools I'm applying to are RPI, WPI, Penn State, and UVa atm. I'm pretty sure those all have strong math and physics programs as well.</p>
<p>University of Chicago
Carnegie-Mellon
Harvey Mudd
Cal Tech
Georgia Tech
University of Texas (Austin)
Duke</p>
<p>Case Western Reserve in Cleveland has several past Nobel Prize winners in Physics among its alumni. It also gives phenomenal merit aid. Alumni</a> Relations: Case Western Reserve University</p>
<p>Also: From the school's website: "At least 11 Nobel Prize winners have ties to the medical school, as faculty members or students, and is the only school to have graduated two U.S. surgeons general."</p>
<p>I've already completed some of the application for the University of Chicago. It looks like a great school. I've also been considering Georgia Tech because it is close to where I live.</p>
<p>For those of you interested in engineering, I'd recommend looking at F.W. Olin College of Engineering and The Cooper Union. Very interesting schools.</p>
<p>I second U of Chicago for a math/physics person.</p>
<p>Also:</p>
<p>Columbia
Stanford
UC Berkeley
NYU (for math, less so for physics)
UMich Ann Arbor
UMaryland College Park
UCLA</p>
<p>UPenn M&T Program (Joint Wharton / SEAS program). Northwestern Integrated Science Program. Both are more selective than ordinary admissions to the respective schools.</p>
<p>For Math and Physics:</p>
<p>Cal Tech
Princeton
Harvard
Cornell
UChicago
UPenn
UVa
Georgia Tech
Carnegie Mellon
U Michigan
RPI
Columbia
Yale
Stanford
Duke
Rice</p>
<p>is rpi that good?</p>
<p>So Georgia Tech has a great mathematics program? Also, along with CoolCalculator, is RPI that good?</p>
<p>Penn State University Park</p>
<p>I am an alum from the mid-70's and active in academic-related committees at RPI. It is actually a phenomenal school and education that suffers from its location in Troy, NY (although the area is beautiful and close to great skiing, the town of Troy isn't - that is why RPI has a ton of things to do on campus). The education is top notch, demanding, and emphasizes rigor and entrepreneurship in a similar way to MIT. It has very innovative educational techniques, pioneering the experiential approach. Recently, the school committed to sending ALL its engineers for a semester abroad - a very leading edge idea to connect its grads with the new global economy.</p>
<p>There are so many great things about the school and a rich history. It was the first engineering school in the US, first school to give a BS degree, etc. RPI engineers are very respected in industry and the school does very well placing grads who enter the job market.</p>
<p>I recommend it as a great alternative to MIT for those not accepted. If you visit, you will understand why I say this.</p>
<p>I live 15 minutes away from RPI and i visited and its great except for a few problems. One is that Troy sucks and is not safe to be in downtown at night. For that reason theres nothing much to do off campus other than shop at the big malls nearby. So not much nightlife. Another problem in that its 75% guys 25% girls. Although Russell sage college (all girls) is nearby, I don't know how much interaction they get since no one goes into the city much. Academically though its very good. My major downside to going there is becuase I want to live somewhere farther away from home than 15 minutes.</p>
<p>I keep receiving emails from RPI about a Candidate's Choice application process. I would like to apply there along with the other schools, but money has been tight lately. So these application fees are starting to get pricey.
Does anybody know much about Georgia Tech? I'm probably going to apply there as well because it is close and has the majors I am interested in, but I don't know much about it. And the Georgia Tech forum page is kinda dead. So I figured I would go ahead and ask on this one. Or information on any other great schools would be wonderful.</p>
<p>As mentioned, Troy isn't a great town. However, RPI was one of the top rated schools last year in Princeton Review for "things to do on campus." From what I hear, it is still the same as when I went there - many different activities on campus from concerts to plays to parties. Also, Russell Sage and RPI have lots of social interaction. The M:F ratio was less of an issue than it would appear.</p>