Really? Does EVERYbody work that hard?

[apathy]

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You are asking one of the top technical undergraduate institutions in the country to alleviate its requirements or rigor? That will never happen. Period.

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<p>No, I am not asking that, why would I ask that? Did it seem like I came off that way? If so, I didn’t mean to.</p>

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You have NO CLUE as to how far Mudd goes to help less-privileged kids. They probably do more than any other school. Between free Upward Bound (aimed at low-income under represented minorities) programs during the summer and every weekend throughout the year, Science Bus outreach programs, sponsored volunteer trips to areas that need aid, local volunteer work, and its drive for better general science/math education, Mudd has done more than its share of aid to those less fortunate.

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<p>Don’t accuse me of things that aren’t true. I do have a clue what Mudd does. Yeah I did Upward Bound. It’s a good program, though many of my fellow tutors got really frustrated because their charges weren’t perfect little angels. I’m talking about Mudd’s own students though.</p>

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It really ****es me off to hear complaints about Mudd giving someone an opportunity (probably with associated financial aid) and that person turning around and saying that the school is bad for it.

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<p>I don’t say that the school is bad for giving them the opportunity. I say that the school needs to help them be able to keep that opportunity, not leave them to swim the rest of the way themselves.</p>

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Let’s get into the topic of reverse racism here… which is really racism. I’m a white male and no one gives a **** as to what my heritage is. They see me as a privileged white boy with no heritage or social issues. Let’s rewind 60 years to WWII where HALF of my people (in the world) were systematically exterminated. This is part of my history that I don’t leverage even though it brings pain and discomfort with all the anti-semitism in the world today. It is time to move on and make the best of what I have…

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<p>…No, let’s not get into that topic. Why are you bringing up reverse racism? In what way am I attacking white people? (nevermind my own opinions about the validity of “reverse racism”) I say Mudd needs to do better at recruiting and retaining lower-class, people of color, and I stand by that. And thanks for telling me I “leverage” my race, because you know, it obviously helps me gain privilege in all sorts of situations.</p>

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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.

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<p>You’re right about SI, but some people can’t do it cause of time restrictions and what-not. 20% don’t usually attend, this year they had unusually high attendance because of some super grant thing that was given to OID. I know not everyone takes the pre-tests. Maybe they should, but they don’t. That is probably their own problem. Also, AE isn’t very helpful from my experience. The tutors always seem to be overloaded with students when I go.</p>

<p>And again, the professors are incredibly helpful, but the help goes to those who know how to ask for it. Those Upward Bound kids, I had to ask them if they needed help on anything. On their own they never would have asked me, even when they were struggling with something. Being told simply to work harder might not be because the professor is uncaring, but because the student doesn’t know what to ask. People might be too intimidated, too embarrassed, just learned not to ask for help.</p>

<p>I think the college makes efforts, but I think they could specifically reach out better somehow to struggling students, maybe? I don’t know, academic advisory notices don’t seem to do much for people. It worries me when people struggle so much despite giving their best efforts. It’s soul-crushing. And again, disproportionately the people I know who are struggling that much come from lower-class backgrounds. And the makeup of the school, it’s overwhelmingly white.</p>

<p>I may have sounded harsh, but I think Mudd is a great school. For math and science. I would have transferred out of there if I didn’t think it was.</p>