<p>I have decent chances of getting into MIT/Caltech. However, I do not want to go miss out on the famous/infamous “college experience”. I know that CC will claim that MIT has the best parties and etc, but I really don’t want to spend my entire life doing work.</p>
<p>Should I be applying to MIT/Caltech simply because many people really want to go there and I will basically be set for life when I graduate?</p>
<p>There is no college that will render you set for life. To be set for life, you need parents who can instill core values and you must have the discipline to live by them.</p>
<p>If you have a solid work ethic, you will work hard no matter where you go to school. ASU can be, but does not need to be, any easier than MIT/CalTech.</p>
<p>Most students at MIT and CalTech have a great time, but if you fear that you will miss out on some amorphous college experience, it really only means that you are too imature to maximize the benefit of going to a top-tier school.</p>
<p>If you are not ready for it, let another person go, but don’t come whining to CC when you have second thoughts during a mid-life crisis.</p>
<p>The fact is that the “college experience” exists. Life is short, and seeing no other purpose, I just want do what makes me happy, which at the time seems to be alcohol and girls. Just because for some reason or other, you seem to value hard work and depression over fulfillment of basic hormonal needs doesn’t mean you aren’t immature. The very fact that you THINK you are mature simply because you have “better” values makes you all the more immature. There is no such thing as a system of correct “core values”. You are too close-minded to realize that you are a hypocrite. But don’t worry, most of our society is at your level.</p>
<p>Have fun with your mid-life crisis.</p>
<p>OP-</p>
<p>wow . . . best way to have that alcohol/girls experience is to take a gap year, get an apartment near school and join the fun w/o the bother of going to classes . .that avoids the pesky problem of having to drop out while fulfilling basic hormonal needs :-)</p>
<p>But that isn’t what you asked, now, is it.</p>
<p>1) you want to work hard and learn a lot got to a school that has that culture</p>
<p>2) you want to play hard and work some go to a school that has that kind of culture</p>
<p>which is it? you tell us.</p>
<p>Kei</p>
<p>Sorry for my rant. It is directed towards society, not you glido.</p>
<p>How about a “work hard, play hard” culture?</p>
<p>MIT and Harvard practically invented the “work hard, play hard” college culture. Cambridge is the idyllic college town and parties are available. Though, to be honest, you seem to have a very stereotypical (and therefore somewhat hilarious) “freshman” point of view - that sex and booze is the way to happiness. Most college students get over that after freshman year, and if you end up voluntarily not going to MIT/Caltech, that will be the point when you will start to realize, “Oh god, I’ve made a terrible mistake.”</p>
<p>The best advice is probably to ask a ton of questions. Ask Caltechies and MITers about what they think.</p>
<p>Coincidentally, MIT and Harvard ranked #1 and #2 in number of suicides in the 1990’s…followed by Johns Hopkins.</p>
<p>4 years actually consists of like 2 years of vacation. So college passes by really quick. The satisfaction of going through a meat grinder like MIT is unparalleled…</p>
<p>Plus you realize how important it is to do work…</p>
<p>MIT is known for some pretty crazy parties. I don’t think you have to worry about zero social scene there…you’ve got your “work hard, play hard” attitude.</p>
<p>I am open to that being the case, and am willing to realize that later on. If I get accepted (and finances allow it) I would force myself to go.</p>
<p>The question remains, should I apply?</p>
<p>I’m an MIT grad, so I have some credibility.</p>
<p>If you went to MIT or CalTech
<p>I think that you are very wise to know in advance that you won’t be happy there and agree with your assessment that you should look elsewhere.</p>
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<p>Thank you, this was by far the best answer. Thanks for understanding where I’m coming from and giving me an honest opinion.</p>
<p>I appreciate everyone’s comments! But, the rest of the decision I must make on my own, haha :)</p>
<p>^^If you reject all input except what confirms the answer you are already looking for, why bother to ask? Just go with your original thought and be happy. Don’t confuse yourself or ruin your mood with conflicting opinions.</p>