Neil_Peart

I plan on majoring in aerospace or civil engineering, and i think i would fit in well at both schools. I am from boston and would like to go somewhere else for college, so CMU would be a good change. however, i have read that it is very difficult to change majors at CMU, where as it is extremely easy at MIT. I am not completely sure of what I want to do, so this might be a problem. Academics aside, could anyone comment on pittsburgh vs. boston? boston is probably one of the best college towns, but is pittsburgh close? Finally, is there a social scene at carnegie? both schools are very intense places and have the work hard, play hard philosophy, but mit seems to have a friendlier and more collaborative atmosphere. also, carnegie has fewer girls (im a guy). I know I would get an amazing education at both schools, so now I'm just trying to figure out where I would have a better experience.
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RabbitHole

Coming from a hopeful transfer student, MIT all the way. Carnegie is a great school, but I feel like MIT has more to offer with easier access. The sense of community that they seem to strive to develop makes the school so much more desirable as well.

rainynightstarz

I got into both. But once I heard back from MIT, I didn't even glance at any other school, except maybe Berkeley for the cheaper price tag.
I have friends who are in the Pittsburgh area and hates the place. There are few schools in the world that can compare to MIT in terms of Engineering, and CMU is probably not at the top of that list.
MIT just have so much to offer.

gnrfan

I've heard cmu is used as a backup by MIT/Stanford/Caltech hopefuls, which might be why its yield is like 25 percent. If you got into MIT, I don't know why you'd forgo it for Carnegie. BTW, Rush is a kickass band. Saw 'em on their recent tour for Snakes & Arrows and it was a terrific show.

molliebatmit

You know, I had several friends at MIT who were from the Boston area (my husband's actually from the South Shore), and I don't think it impacted their college years much, if at all. Living on campus in a dorm is a pretty different experience from living with your parents in the area, after all.

piccolojunior

Lots of truth in this statement.

CalAlum

@Neil:
Is money a factor in this decision? If not, here's my very opinionated two cents: If you give up MIT for Carnegie Mellon, you'll be beating yourself up about it for the rest of your life.

Neil_Peart

No, money is not a factor. Both schools gave me almost an identical package. Thanks for all your helpful advice guys. i will probably send in my reply form today.

Tsenguun

Congrats on your decision!!! You might be making the most right decision of your life.