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<p>I think it can be quite difficult to understand just how smart one has to be in order to be an MIT professor in course 6. I am fortunate to know some of them, and they are just brilliant. </p>
<p>Many of these people are the rock stars of their respective fields. Many are worth tens, hundreds of millions and yes even billions from companies that they’ve started. I took an acoustics class from Amar Bose when I was an undergraduate. A more inspirational professor you could not meet. He actually talked to ME a few times. Life changing! So much of how I think came from paying attention to him. </p>
<p>For a student, learning that their professor’s time is worth a whole lot more than their own is critical in order for them to get the most out of student-faculty interactions. I don’t care how much you pay, you’re not going to get on their radar unless you’re prepared to put in the effort and meet with them prepared, and you’re not going to find a sympathetic ear to whining about it, because 90% of the people who applied to MIT would be happy to take your place in a heartbeat. </p>
<p>If this is unacceptable, you need to find a liberal arts college where the professors are paid to teach and coddle. MIT professors are paid to lead research and inspire. Most are amazing at both.</p>