>> Is MIT really THE final word in taking your engineering degree?I’ve always heard that MIT is the best.

It is true that MIT attracts brilliant minds, but it’s difficult to label any university as “best”. It depends on what you are looking for. For example, if intense competition with fellow classmates is a turn off, MIT is not the best for you.

>> What are the job opportunities you get?

A degree from MIT will impress anyone, and it is certainly a feather in one’s cap at a job interview. However, it’s not a free pass. The real benefit from attending a school like MIT is networking. People at MIT tend to have connections with other people in high places.

>> How is the living on campus?

You spend most of time studying and/or trying to keep up with your classmates. In the remaining hours of the week, you’ll work on “hacks” ( see http://hacks.mit.edu/ ) with your friends.

>> How do I get into MIT?

Get perfect or near perfect scores on your SATs. Have a 4.0 GPA. Hold a leadership position in an organization. Do things that “separate you from the pack” that also exhibit a high level of interest in your desired field of study outside of school. Knowing someone on the selection committee doesn’t hurt either. A degree of luck is also involved due to the overwhelming number of applications the admissions department receives.

>> What exams do I have to answer? Is there any additional tests for non US citizens?

SATs or ACTs. SAT IIs. AP / IB tests. For non-native speakers of English, you’ll most likely be required to take the TOEFL.

Good luck!

There are two things that set MIT apart from other universities: 1) It attracts the best students and the best teachers in the world. You will meet some of the coolest people at MIT. In fact you may end up learning more from fellow students than from the coursework. 2) Research opportunities: even as an undergrad you can still create your own project and work in the famous AI or Media Labs. Campus life can be a lot of fun especially if you join a living group or fraternity, Since MIT is near Boston there is tons of stuff to do. To get in, you have to take hard classes in High School and do well. Take the initiative: join clubs, enter the science fair and get involved in sports. There will be plenty of job opportunities. Company recruiters come to MIT and can sign up for several interviews every day if you want, in your senior year. And don’t forget: you have to pass the swim test or you WILL NOT graduate. So learn how to swim before you arrive or you’ll spend a PE credit in swim class instead of taking something more interesting like archery or boxing.

They say that a degree from MIT is like drinking from a firehouse: a lot of information being forced into you all at once. It’s very difficult academically, but students DO have lives outside of class. In fact, 60% of students participate in the arts in some way (music, art, drama, etc.) and I believe the number for intramural sports is even higher. MIT has an incredibly diverse group of students, and the learning process is collaborative rather than super-competitive. It’s very hard, yes, but the idea is that everyone is in the same boat together.

Life on campus is supposedly very unique. There are all different types of personalities (not just nerds–and it’s totally okay to be a nerd there), hundreds of clubs, lots of different living communities and dorms, etc.

No, MIT is not the only amazing engineering school in the world or even the U.S., but it is a premier institution. You can get a much better idea of what it’s like by reading the student blogs at http://www.mitadmissions.org .

As for being an international student, there are two things you should know:

1) It’s VERY hard to get in as an international student, with approximately 100 applicants (out of about 2000) getting in. That’s an international acceptance rate of 5%.

2) Every international student is admitted regardless of their ability to pay–80% receive some sort of financial aid.

As for tests you have to take–you must take the SAT Reasoning Test or ACT + writing, and two SAT subject tests, including at least one science test. http://www.mitadmissions.org/topics/apply/international_applicants_helpful_tips/index.shtml#testingrequirements

If English is not your native language, you can take the TOEFL (test of English as a foreign language) and two SAT subject tests.

http://www.mitadmissions.org/topics/apply/international_applicants_helpful_tips/index.shtml#testingrequirements

http://www.mitadmissions.org/topics/apply/international_applicants_helpful_tips/index.shtml

Good luck.