<p>I have a S who chose between Chicago, MIT, Mudd and a full ride to our flagship two years ago. After many years in a public math/science selective admit program, he was ready to develop the other side of his brain and to find others who were as passionate about English Lit, polisci, etc. as he is about math/CS. Chicago offers both the stellar math and the Core. He knows he wants to attend grad school and has had the subspecialty nailed down for a few years (and it has only further solidified since).</p>
<p>He LOVES Chicago. Is happy with his classes, the Core, math and CS department advisers, access to accelerated UG and grad placement, extracurriculars, etc. Over time, he has come to realize there are certain things MIT math/CS offers that are harder to come by in Chicago. (Cambridge also has a Trader Joe’s and more contra dancing, but those are separate issues. :)) However, he has been able to create some of his own opportunities/take advantage of other programs/activities through his experiences at Chicago. For example, he got a job working for a prof at MIT after first year that came about largely <em>because</em> he was taking Chicago’s Core. He has a most excellent high-tech job this summer. </p>
<p>We’ll see how the rigor of the math department plays out when it comes time for graduate school applications, but he is learning a great deal and gets his tail kicked regularly with the level of challenge. But that’s exactly the experience he wanted to have at Chicago. </p>
<p>I have a younger S who is currently in the throes of deciding between Chicago and Tufts (he’s an IR guy). Internships are a bit more important towards his future goals, so this is something he’s been hunting down with students and contacts at both schools. </p>
<p>Both my kids have focused on the kind of education they would get and the abilities they’d have in terms of analysis, writing and critical thinking that they could apply to whatever they do throughout their careers. It has not been about job placement per se. (I may regret this approach later, but for now, it has been working pretty darned well for S1.)</p>
<p>Chicago vs. MIT is a terrific dilemma to have. There are no bad choices here, just different ones.</p>