MIT: Academics

Research heavyweight MIT "is the ultimate academic powerhouse," its students brag. MIT is the type of place where "almost everyone, including the teachers, loves to learn for the sake of learning, and you end up loving MIT for what it gives you while hating it for the work you have to do to succeed." Sure, "it's hard to get into and hard to stay in," but the rewards for all the difficult work include "professors who are just as eager to teach in their field as they are to research in it." The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program puts students in the lab "doing cutting-edge work in almost any field. This can be invaluable, giving students a chance to get a real feel for what life is like in their chosen field, to learn a great deal, make good contacts with prestigious faculty members, and even earn a little cash." Not every professor here is entirely obliging. One student writes, "As is likely the case at most schools, professors range from excellent to terrible, but if you ask around, you can usually figure out which ones to avoid." The overarching spirit of MIT is one of cooperation. As one student puts it, "If you are willing to put in the work, there is always a way to get enough help to complete all assignments." Undergraduates appreciate how "The name 'MIT' opens many doors for internships and full-time jobs." They also love that first semester freshmen are graded pass/no record in all their classes.