Differences between Harvey Mudd College and Cal Tech? - Page 2

geek_mom · 01-04-2009, 05:24 AM

... Caltech seems to have a lot more CC activity than Mudd. Do Techers have too much time on their hands, or do Mudders have fuller lives?

Or does the stereotypical CC personality (chance me, I'm a 17-year-old god among mere mortals!) "fit" Caltech better?

rocketDA · 01-11-2009, 08:07 PM

"You spend about 4 yrs in college. Make it happy."

HAHAHAHAHA

Good one.

mathboy98 · 01-17-2009, 02:21 PM

Oh come on...it's reasonable to try to be happy even when enjoying one's studies -- at that, this applies even to the biggest stars of stars. I'm rather not a fan of the "brutalize yourself until you scream, but learn" philosophy.

Seiken · 01-17-2009, 02:58 PM

I dont think rocket was trying to imply that college cant be happy. That being said, I have no clue what the hell he was actually trying to imply.

mathboy98 · 01-17-2009, 03:20 PM

I know, I mean...from how it sounds, he really regards his engineering program, I'm sure with reason. And I'm sure he likes the program in many ways.

But I think his sarcasm referred to how students at Mudd get royally thrashed into shape, and how terms like "happy" are alien

My own reaction is that this probably sends a certain impression to readers, and that I want to clarify (whatever rocket meant) that quite a few superstars have a pretty relaxed attitude...now, that doesn't mean they're not working on cutting edge stuff at every moment and stunning the world. Anyway, one of the biggest superstar professors I have met in my school consistently says "Math should be fun."

mathboy98 · 01-17-2009, 03:23 PM

Oh on second though, he may just be reacting to someone saying that lots of Caltech students are a miserable lot, and that there are certain advantages to going to Mudd.

With due respect though I think there may be great truth that the Mudd students are happier...even if it's as much of a boot camp and thrashing they're getting.

rocketDA · 01-24-2009, 11:46 PM

College is only 4 years of your life. You should do what will make you happy the remaining 60.

Where is the ambition in the world? Being unhappy for four years is a small price to pay if it allows one to follow his/her long-term dreams.

And BTW, I think a lot of people are happier at Mudd than me. The profs are very open and caring and brilliant. The problem is that they are too perfect and in no way try to make you feel inferior. However, the fact that they are so good at what they do and are so humble makes you feel like you have a LONG way to go. They are, in fact, Avatars.

mathboy98 · 01-25-2009, 12:28 AM

"Where is the ambition in the world? Being unhappy for four years is a small price to pay if it allows one to follow his/her long-term dreams."

Well, I would be so audacious as to suggest that one can be *happy* four years and still do cutting edge stuff. Abstract math is just not stuff I think one can brutalize oneself through without really finding it pretty fun. And I'm talking well past your basic upper division math -- the *real real stuff* gets over the top, and I think enjoying one's studies is really crucial. Now, the element of fear at being owned by the material keeps one on one's toes, but I think one of the worst, worst fates is getting freaked out about the abstraction level, because once you've freaked out, you're not getting back together for a while.

maruhan2 · 11-01-2009, 07:21 PM

Rocket....
There won't be much opportunity to be as happy as in college
I'd try to be as happy as possible in college

geek_mom · 11-01-2009, 07:34 PM

^ He sounds awfully happy now... I'm thinking his approach yielded pretty well.

rocketDA · 11-03-2009, 03:22 AM

Suck it up, America!

Work hard now and play harder later!

(and, yes, i'm having a BLAST right out of college working 50 hour weeks. seriously!)

mathmom · 11-06-2009, 09:40 AM

I really urge students to visit both campuses before deciding. I didn't get the impression that Caltech was full of unhappy students at all, either when we visited or when my husband was a grad student there. There is a high percentage of quirkiness though - you need to decide whether you like it or not. Both my kids (even the non-science guy) loved Caltech. They are both great schools.

mathmom · 11-06-2009, 09:52 AM

I really urge students to visit both campuses before deciding. I didn't get the impression that Caltech was full of unhappy students at all, either when we visited or when my husband was a grad student there. There is a high percentage of quirkiness though - you need to decide whether you like it or not. Both my kids (even the non-science guy) loved Caltech. They are both great schools.