The Massachusetts Institute of Technology

It's hard: weekdays are very much a grind. Weekends are pure sleep-filled heaven. Five classes is really a lot harder than four classes, and really, here, it doesn't take much to crash head-on into your limits. But that's the central spirit of the place (part of the fun of it), seeing what you can do, what you can build, what you can find. MIT is for those who are after that kind of independent, explorative culture, not something so prominent in any other university in the world. If you're looking for a continuation of high school or college as depicted by teen movies, I recommend you look elsewhere. You can find the alcohol, parties, sorority girls really anywhere, and probably not have to work your ass off for it.

1st Year Female -- Class 2009

Scholastic Success: A+, University Resource Use/ spending: B+

Very tough academic work load. Do not attend if you are not a disciplined person with good study habits. When you graduate you know you've gotten one of the best educations possible. The name of the school means a lot to others, even many years after you've graduated. Much to my suprise, after graduation (in 1958)I found that I had received far more than a "nerd's" education. Not only was the technical stuff supurb, but I discovered I'd learned more general humanities(literature, art, etc.)than the typical graduate of a so-called "liberal arts" college.

4th Year Male -- Class 1958

University Resource Use/ spending: A, Collaboration/Competitive: C