As a fairly recent graduate, I'm going to try to take you through the pros and cons as well as I can and help you understand why I think MIT is a great place -- for some -- but why I cannot recommend it to everyone in general.

Here's What MIT Can Provide You:

1. Great Faculty -- the research going on at this institution is truly fabulous. Regardless of if you're talking about electrical engineering (which remains a most popular undergraduate major) chemical engineering... whatever. If it's anything science or math, this is truly a top-notch place. There are some brilliant (as well as famous) minds there.

2. Research Opportunities -- the great thing about MIT (and what initially attracted me to it) is that not only are the professors top notch, but they offer research positions to the undergraduate population. And you don't have to be top of your class, or an upperclassmen even, to get at some of these positions. For anyone who's interested in research, getting published, or just being involved in cutting edge research, this is a fabulous opportunity.

3. Alumni Support -- there is a great alumni support system, both formally and informally through the institute. There are a lot of people who went to MIT and really believe in the institute -- people with connections in all the right places who will be willing to bend over backwards just because you wear a brass rat.

4. The students -- there is a truly eclectic (and therefore, I think, interesting) group of people at MIT. The undergraduate population is large enough to support a wide variety of sports, clubs, etc. The students are bright enough that you'll learn almost as much from them as from the professors.

Now for the Caveats:

1. This is not the place to be if you're not sure you want to be in science -- Despite the fact that MIT often accepts very well-rounded students (alongside the fair share of mathematical prodigies and geniuses) this really is not a good place for anyone who's "not sure" if science if for them. It's not that the literature faculty isn't wonderful (because they are distinguished, well, qualified and really fabulous overall) it's just that it's not common. You'll get a good education if you go to MIT and major in Literature, it's just sort of a waste unless you're also majoring in Chemistry or Biology. All the resources, the research and prestige (both within the school population and outside) is tied up to the science fields. So if you're not sure if you want to major in science, go somewhere where there's a fairly equal and even emphasis on all the major subjects. Because even though the professors in Literature of Political Science will be just as good, your experience just won't be the same. If you want to debate abortion or argue about symbolism in the Sun Also Rises, it's not that you won't find people to do this at MIT, it's just rarer, and so if that's something you think you'd be interested in, look elsewhere.

2. The Pressure Cooker -- many students at MIT are under tremendous pressure, trying to live up to high expectations that they or their parents have set for them. If you're in this category, you should beware. Though they're regularly trying to improve the mental health support at MIT, improvements are really incremental at this stage, and general awareness is, I believe, still low. Also, while not all students are like this, there are some who have gotten into MIT by being highly competitive their whole lives, and will remain a little too competitive once there. So just beware if that's not particularly your cup of tea (though I have to say that overall, there's more an attitude of students banding together than not).

3. Careful of Grunge Work -- there are some truly fabulous research opportunities available... there's also just grunge work. It all depends on the professor, and people should beware of which they end up in. A big name is nice, but ultimately it's the skills you've acquired that really count.

4. The Financial Cost -- Tuition is 13,000 a semester and rising.

5. The Other Costs -- MIT is tough. Which is good because it forces your best academic efforts -- and it's also bad because your social life, your extracurricular activities, your general down time, will all take huge hits. It's all about prioritizing and at MIT, your academics have to come first. If you're someone who clubs, sports and activities aren't mere hobbies but lifelong passions, you might want to look elsewhere.

Basically it comes down to this -- if you're sure that science is for you, if you care about working with top-notch minds, and if you need an undergraduate school that lives up to its academic reputation, this is the place for you. If you're uncertain about any of those qualities, I'd beware. MIT can be a great place -- but it's not just a college, it's a culture, and it's not for everyone.

I'd also like to add that if you're considering MIT as a graduate school, it's completely different. Almost all of my friends who were graduate students were much happier with their experiences.

Recommended: No