<p>@ apathy: I couldn’t disagree more when you say Mudd takes students with less rigorous preparation “and throws them to the dogs”</p>
<p>They have multiple programs to help people catch up. It starts with Summer Institute, which is a few weeks of classes and leadership activities before Orientation. The program is specifically aimed at those from ethnically and economically diverse backgrounds. About 20% of the Freshman class attends, and those that attended this year seemed to have a smoother transition, especially socially.</p>
<p>They also send out physics and chemistry pre-tests during the summer to make sure everyone has the basics covered in those areas. For those that don’t do well on those, they have review sessions during the first few weeks of class. </p>
<p>There’s also Academic Excellence, the tutoring program for Core classes. There are separate sessions for math, physics, chemistry, etc. all taught by upperclassmen who are majoring in the subject they tutor. A fair number of people will go to these regularly, and almost everyone I know has gone once or twice.</p>
<p>With everything they do, anyone with determination and decent time management skills can do well.</p>