The Truth about MSOE

Introduction
If you're looking at MSOE, know that at MSOE you're going to have to work really hard, and there won't be a lot of opportunities for partying. The fraternities and sororities aren't very big here, and it really isn't a party school. If you're looking for classes that are taught by awesome professors who genuinely get to know and care about every student, and you're willing to work hard, then this is the place for you. If you're looking for a party school with a diverse student body, you're not going to find that at MSOE. Most of the students here are the typical engineering type, and you won't find a ton of people into the fine arts, although I'm hopeful that with the way things are going, there will soon be more opportunities to join extra-curriculars in the fine arts. If you want an engineering degree, MSOE is one of the best schools to go to.

Campus Life and Social Life
The best of social life is the fact that students here really band together to help one another. Classes aren't extremely competetive. In fact, one of the coolest things is that the upper classmen tend to look out for, and help the newer students. We realize that it's hard here, and the students band together to make it through. The other nice thing is that everyone here probably at one point was considered a nerd, but here, people are people. We don't really have nerds and jocks and such.

The worst part of the social life here is that it's not very diverse. I was really into the fine arts in high school, and most of my friends were into the fine arts as well, and had that personality type. At MSOE, it's really hard to find people with interests other than math and science, but it's getting better every year. There is now a choir, and a symphony orchestra (both student run), and a new theater troupe. With a few more years to develop, I'm hopeful that these organizations will draw a more diverse student body to MSOE. Advertisement
Academics
MSOE is hard. There's no two ways about it. If you want to succeed here, you have to be willing to work hard. Most of the students who come here were at the top of their classes in high school, and didn't really have to study much, but here, everyone who succeeds studies. The workload is heavy all the time. We're on a trimester schedule, so we pack in the same amount of material as other collges (and sometimes in more depth) in about 5 weeks less time. The nice thing about the trimester is that if you don't like a class, it's over sooner, but it also means that you really don't have the luxury of screwing around the first couple of weeks. The homework load is also heavy, but managable. All the departments I've encountered are great because the professors are great. My favorite thing about MSOE is the fact that there are no TA's teaching classes, and the classes are small enough that your professors get to know you both in and out of the classroom. You can't get that at a big school. MSOE has some of the brightest professors I've met, and they're all genuinely concerned about the well-being of their students. They're good people, and they care.

Student Body
The typical student is introverted, and quiet. They tend to be nice, and helpful. A lot of students are from wisconsin, and video games are a big hit on campus. There are quite a few students, however, who are into sports and the fine arts, and the number of diverse students like that is increasing every year. People are people, but if you're a nerd or geek, and seeking a home, MSOE can provide that for you, but it also is great for anyone willing to work hard.

In Closing...
MSOE is a tough school, but it's worth going to. You'll come out with a great education, and most likely some life-long friends. The way the students at MSOE band together to help each other shows you some of the best humanity has to offer, and I highly recommend this school. It may not look like much, but don't judge a book by it's cover.