How different are MIT and UChicago in terms of student life/culture?

College Search & Lists
1

Both MIT and UChicago offer tons of opportunities and phenomenal academics and they’re pretty comparable in that sense, so I don’t want to compare them that way. So, how different are they in terms of student social life and culture? How different is a “typical” MIT student compared to a “typical” UChicago student? (I’m aware that both schools are diverse enough to have a “typical” sort of person go there, but still).

2

Here’s what I’ve heard:

  • Both are known for their rigor and workload and for students that take academics very seriously. Neither's party scene would ever be confused with Dartmouth's or Penn's. However, MITers have been known to have a good time, and UChicago is slowly shedding the "where fun goes to die" tag. I'm sure you can find a party, or at least some kids to hang out with, on weekends. Considering their city locations, there's plenty to do if you feel like venturing off campus.
  • If you are into intellectual vibes, these are two of the world's epicenters. At both places, students are known to discuss academic topics outside of the classroom. Both are quite into the life of the mind.
  • Because there are a lot more (proportionally) CS and Engineering majors at MIT than there are at UChicago, you could say that MIT's student body is more STEM-oriented. UChicago is more of a bastion of humanities and social sciences, relative to MIT. Both are absolutely world-class in Math, Physics, and Economics -- there is definitely overlap there. And if what I hear about the quality of the English department at MIT is true, that would be a fourth realm where both are outstanding. (to be sure, neither school will offer a subpar program or major; I'm just mentioning some areas in which both really excel)

So – both schools are hard, so you might not have as much time to party as you would at most other schools; but you will find willing friends at either school, and wonderful cities to explore; and the overall vibe is more STEMy at MIT, but both are full of people who really care about the quest for knowledge and in the sifting and winnowing of the wheat from the chaff.

3

Majority engineering students vs. hardly any. Hands vs. mind. A lot of MIT students build things for fun like the East Campus roller coaster.

4

I would get my hands on some good college guide books (ex. Fiske, Princeton Review, Insiders Guide) and read up on both colleges. These books can often be found in the guidance office or in the library.

5

Why not just apply to both? If you are lucky enough to get both then worry about picking one over the other. In fact, among the top schools only MIT, UChicago and Caltech allow you to EA simultaneously. You can do a trio if you want, lots of work though.