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I applied to MIT for undergrad (didn't get in, and this was with have worked for 3 years at the Naval Research Lab and winning awards). Did get into CMU, but they didn't offer me any money. U of MD offered me a full ride (+ stipend, would have been in the inaugural class of the gemstone honors program) and almost went there, but ended up going to a small liberal arts college for social reasons (who also made it financially worthwhile). Don't regret that decision. I then applied to MIT again for grad school. Again didn't get in (kept working at NRL until I got into IBM's Extreme Blue internship program in its 2nd year (I've been lucky with opportunities, but MIT must really not like me :) ). Ended up going to Columbia. Had other opportunities as well (almost chose NYU and the person who was recruiting me then hopped to Stanford, so I probably would have followed him). But, again, don't regret that decision. At Columbia, I was given freedom to work on what interested me and ended up arguably creating something that is integral to how computers are managed today. With all that said, I would strongly recommend you consider MIT, you will be pushed by your peers (if you so desire) to be better than you ever thought you could be. When I compare my small liberal arts college where I was a big fish computer science wise to Columbia, it was a world of difference. There are just more opportunities available at the "better schools" from peer projects to research opportunities. On the flip side, I'm unsure its worth spending $200K (or even going into debt over), as you do want to go to grad school. But as others have said, 1) explore financial aid opportunities with them 2) explore external funding sources, there are many. yes, if option is big state school and zero debt for MIT and $200K debt, the calculus might lead one way, but that doesn't have to be the only scenario. And even if you don't get into MIT for grad school if, you'll most likely get into a program that is a good fit for you. |