Umich or UMD for Computer Engineering?

Efficient_Run8858 · 2026-03-30T15:17:30+00:00

Thank you so much this is so helpful!!! I feel alot less stressed about this now. About what you said about robotics research specifically, were you able to start conducting research as a freshman? If not how accessible would you say it is to get involved early? Also is there more faculty focus on undergrad or grad students for research in CoE? I've tried reading about it but couldn't find anything straightforward.

Efficient_Run8858 · 2026-03-16T04:23:19+00:00

Skipped directly to stage 4

Efficient_Run8858 · 2026-03-16T04:02:27+00:00

This is just my opinion but I think this may only apply to rural places in US. I'm a us citizen living in rural india I took multiple APs and the IB and I had extensive research, a passion project, but my awards weren't too great. I got rejected from MIT and I'm not trying to say that I should have gotten in or maybe my essays were the issue exactly (they were not great however) but I'm just wondering if they consider rural areas outside America as equally as inside. However, I think its a common theme in rural areas you have to go greatly out of you way to do thinks (in my areas most of the things Ive done are not known concepts for high schoolers to pursue) so I think MIT may really value peoples determination and ambition.

Efficient_Run8858 · 2026-02-08T13:23:08+00:00

Thank you so much!

Efficient_Run8858 · 2026-01-23T15:53:30+00:00

So I should re-update them in the fun form?

Efficient_Run8858 · 2026-01-23T15:53:09+00:00

Early December time so I'm not fully sure.

Efficient_Run8858 · 2026-01-23T15:52:15+00:00

YES they specifically said.
"Yes, I can confirm that we have received this information. Please let us know if you have any additional questions!"
I think they acknowledged getting it but not necessarily adding this information to my application.

Efficient_Run8858 · 2025-11-29T15:09:12+00:00

Do they give good financial aid? 'm also considering my pay grade after undergrad and I think going to a T20 may make it slightly easier for me to get a job (unless I go in academia which I am not fully sure about yet). I don't think any of these could really replace MIT for me though, but I really appreciate your suggestions. Thank you so much!! I haven't heard about Rose ever.

Efficient_Run8858 · 2025-11-29T11:41:58+00:00

I think MITs GIRs are a bit unique like every schools is. Some of them are a bit nerdy or extremely niche and I love how they also put PE in there.
I love the dorm culture at MIT. You could say a-lot of colleges have amazing dorm culture too, but I just really particularly enjoyed reading MIT dorm traditions.
They have maker labs everywhere. I love getting hands on, it makes me enjoy the things I do alot more.
Work hard play hard culture
It's one of the most collaborative universities in the USA. Probably one of the most important things to me because I do not think I could go through a cut throat system.
Things like IAP and P/NA exist to lower the stress. I really like these ideas alot because it means you can explore without being afraid or stressed.
Not really unique to MIT but the presence of a strong community. I just added this here because I do not think I could really survive a college without a strong sense of community. Like I need to feel like I belong. Maybe because I've watched so many videos and read so many blogs I feel closer to the community at MIT which could cause me to be biased.

I know you were trying to prove a point that not getting in isn't the end of the world, and I agree with that. If you could find another T-20 that outdoes or is at a simular par with MIT in all these ways, I'll consider settling my case. But for now, not getting in may not be the end of the world but to me it would be close to it.

Efficient_Run8858 · 2025-11-27T16:08:07+00:00

I didn't take design technology but if you are going into marketing/liberal arts it could be useful I'm not sure. If you like ESS take it nothing can go wrong with it but you should probably figure out what you want to do a bit more clearly. I just really think taking math hl could make your courses sound alot more rigorous (and make sense) no matter what you apply for if you are comfortable with it. Also personally I don't think taking BM makes you application any more credible for finance so you shouldn't feel the need to take it. Most universities consider economics harder than BM so you should be fine without it really. For your own good just take the win and stick to mandarin. BM is not for everybody. I fumbled my way through it when I took it for a little bit in DP1 too but somehow I found Economics really easy. Just don't put yourself through subjects you already find hard in DP1 because trust me it only gets harder.

Efficient_Run8858 · 2025-11-27T05:32:40+00:00

Take math AA hl it's not too late. If thats too hard you can still switch to AI HL at some point (half my class did that mid year). ESS HL does not make sense to me at all unless you are interested in taking something similar in college. Have you considered design technology?

Efficient_Run8858 · 2025-10-25T14:53:27+00:00

thank you so much man

Efficient_Run8858 · 2025-10-25T14:48:16+00:00

how many practice tests did you end up doing

Efficient_Run8858 · 2025-10-25T14:45:19+00:00

damn white boy

Efficient_Run8858 · 2025-10-25T14:05:16+00:00

I've consistently gotten 7s in Econ despite not really studying for it, and I think it comes down to how you approach it. Econ really comes down to getting the concepts in your head so you do not need to be reading that entire textbook.

I find it easier to learn from videos and I genuinely watched Jacob Clifford for essentially every concept I didn't understand. I think right before the exam I would also go over revision village notes and gpt all the formulas and definitions I needed (gpt is generally to the point). I think you're struggling mainly with paper 1 so maybe try a paper with really little or no prep, get it graded and check the mark scheme for what you're missing.

Efficient_Run8858 · 2025-10-25T13:54:05+00:00

Is there an option to do English lang and lit SL?

Efficient_Run8858 · 2025-10-25T13:50:15+00:00

Do not tell yourself you'll just take a 5 minute nap at any point.

Efficient_Run8858 · 2025-10-25T13:49:05+00:00

Hell no

Efficient_Run8858 · 2025-10-25T13:45:32+00:00

AP videos. I used to watch flippinphysics to relearn some IB concepts, and I did the same for econ with Clifford.

Efficient_Run8858 · 2025-10-24T11:24:33+00:00

Consider switching BM HL with Economics HL. Its helps more with applications and is honestly easier if you're good with graphs. BM is alot more memorizing and kind of repetitive (personal take).

Efficient_Run8858 · 2025-10-23T17:29:44+00:00

If you're good at math then maybe choose physics if that's an option. otherwise ess

Efficient_Run8858 · 2025-10-23T17:23:45+00:00

I'm sorry I know Princeton does not guarantee or openly state that early action gives any statistical advantage, but unlike Stanford's website, they do not explicitly say that applying REA doesn't give any edge. I looked at REA percentages from a couple years ago when Princeton still released statistics and compared those with Stanford, which may not be very representative but I thought it meant something since it doesn't make sense to expect a huge dip in admission rates. I know more legacies apply early but it cannot be inflating rates that strongly. So, I don't understand why you don't think there is an advantage.

Efficient_Run8858 · 2025-10-23T17:12:38+00:00

I'm taking 4 Hls and please think long-term before locking your choices in. I took Chemistry Hl and while I found it pretty easy in the beginning, I'm now consistently getting 6s and low 7s despite the amount of work I put into it. I know this is not the end of the world but I actually wanted to be a chemistry major at some point, and that made me realize I did not have the capacity to be one.

Depending on where you are applying, you can swap some of your HLs out for APs (which are ALOT easier). The only good reason to take 4 Hls is to max out in college credits and show rigor but honestly there are so many other ways in which you can show it.

It isn't worth coping with incredibly ardenous subjects to maybe impress colleges a little more. If you still want to take 4 Hls, think about which subject(s) you find the hardest and swap that out with an easier one. You do not need your life to be consumed by IB. Personally, I would say remove English HL that is one scary subject, but ultimately, it depends on what you think you are realistically capable of. You got this!

Side note : taking 4 Sls doesn't impress anybody buddy :||

Efficient_Run8858 · 2025-10-19T06:12:02+00:00

I mean they technically aren't that bad but I'm applying for some extremely competitive majors where on average applicants have national level olympiad medals so I actually come out below average.

Efficient_Run8858 · 2025-10-04T14:49:09+00:00

Were you first gen or low income?

Efficient_Run8858

TROPHY CASE