[andrewlgood]

As an alum of MIT, I highly recommend attending, if you are going to put in the work to be successful there. The fact that you have been admitted means you probably will.

In 30 years of working after college, with numerous job interviews along the way, the item most discussed in every single interview was that I went to MIT. Right or wrong, that is what has happened. To be clear, MIT teaches you how to think and that is what employers are looking for.

As for the cost, I agree with those above who stated that you should attempt to negotiate more financial aid from MIT. I also agree that MIT is one of the few (with the Ivy League schools, Stanford, and CaltTech) that are worth the cost. You will more than recover it over your career.

Finally, you can learn as much going to other schools such as Z. But, you will have to push yourself much harder whereas at MIT, the school will push you. It can make a big difference.

BTW, Boston is an amazing city in which to go to school. So much to do. So many other college age people there.