What is the name of the institution you attend and what year are you currently at the school? Additionally, please provide any information pertaining to your relevant background i.e. high school, ethnicity and gender. All of your answers to the questions below will greatly help parents with prospective students separate the reality from myth of different colleges.
MIT: 2014, Lynbrook High School, Male, mathematics student, from CA, Asian.
1. What were your expectations of your college in terms of its academic and social culture? How did your time at this institution stack up to your expectations?
To be honest, I expected that I'd be challenged at MIT, but not as challenged as I was. I did skip a few levels in Physics and math, and slack chemistry to the point where it became incredibly hard to catch up, which may be why it was hard for me. Still, the Physics I decided to take turned out to be a very challenging and very rewarding experience, much more difficult than AP Physics at High School or even the USA Physics Olympiad material. Math and chemistry weren't really impressive, but that's probably because my expectations for what I'd learn were too high, even if my expectations of difficulty were too low.
PS: MIT has no “dead week” for you to study for finals: classes are still in full swing before finals week!
2. In your personal experience, what is the drug scene (excluding alcohol) at the college like? Please give estimates of the percentage of people that use them. What are the disciplinary actions taken towards student who are caught using substances?
To be honest, I have no idea about either, as I don't hang out with people who regularly do drugs. I'm sure MIT's usage is well below the national average, however.
3. In your personal experience, what percentage of people drink on a regular basis (at least once or twice a week) at your college? What are the disciplinary actions taken towards students who are caught drinking?
There was an actual survey about this at MIT, and it's something like 30-50ish percent
4. What are some of the most significant differences between your college and high school experiences?
Classes in college, unlike high school, are actually worthwhile, and there isn't pressure to take the AP whatever blah blah courses because of Asian parent or college pressure. Basically, I can do whatever the heck I want without much restriction, whereas high school had parent restrictions, resource restrictions, and a bunch of heavy class work that inhibited other pursuits (at least, for my lazy self).
5. What do you like most about your college? And conversely what do you enjoy the least about it?
What I enjoy most about college is that I can basically do whatever tinkering I want, and there are places where I can ask for good insightful questions and opportunities.
What I enjoy least is that there's this huge gaming culture which just sucks you in because you're allowed to do whatever.
6. What are some of the most important things you feel students should know or do going into college? What about going to your college?
The most important thing students should know is that nobody's going to judge them, and that they're finally on their own in ways that high school never prepared for.
The most important thing that people should know before going to my college is that it's going to be one great struggle.
