things about MIT that would send other universities into a coma

@laurayzhang

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Why it worked

The video uses a listicle format with relatable and intriguing points about a prestigious university, appealing to a broad audience interested in college life and academic culture. The creator's engaging delivery and the specific, often surprising, details about MIT create curiosity and shareability.

Summary

The creator lists seven things about MIT that they believe would surprise or impress other universities. These include mandatory STEM classes, PE requirements with a swim test, a pass/no record system for freshman fall, a high concentration of STEM olympiad medalists, the culture of "hacking" (which involves pranks and exploring campus), a significant interest in poker, and the prevalence of merchandise from quantitative finance companies.

Structure

1Introduction to MIT's unique aspects
2Mandatory STEM classes and rigor
3Physical education requirements and swim test
4Freshman fall pass/no record policy
5Presence of STEM olympiad medalists
6The culture of "hacking"
7Obsession with poker
8Prevalence of quant company merchandise

Original caption

mit can be a crazy place #mit #college #stem #study #grades #poker #academicweapon

More from @laurayzhang

Product placement

The creator shows a blue water bottle with "Jane Street" logo and various stickers, representing merchandise from quantitative finance companies.

On-screen text

things about MIT that would send other universities into a coma 1. mandatory STEM classes 2. PE requirements 3. freshman fall is pass/no record 4. so many international STEM olympiad medalists 5. hacking 7. quant company merchandise

Transcript

things about MIT that would send other universities into a coma 1. mandatory STEM classes So number one is mandatory STEM classes, so biology, chemistry, two semesters of physics and multivariable calculus. And this is MIT, so these classes are pretty dang hard. Number two is PE requirements. So we have mandatory PE requirements. So I promise that we're active and touch grass. We also have a swim test since MIT is right next to the Charles River. Number three, freshman fall is pass/no record. So there's no letter grades, so you either get a pass or nothing shows up. This is to give freshmen time to adjust since MIT is so rigorous. Number four, there are so many international STEM olympiad medalists here. I did math olympiads really seriously throughout high school, so it's crazy seeing such big names just in my classes and clubs. Number five, moving on to more fun MIT culture stuff. Hacking is a really big deal here. Basically, people climb through tunnels and sneak into places that you're not supposed to go to. I heard two people got arrested during MIT's campus preview weekend for hacking. But usually people don't get in trouble for this. Number six, obsession with poker. This might just be the friend groups I'm in, but so many people I know love playing poker, especially with real money. Like sometimes I'll stay up until 4 AM to play poker with my friends. Number seven, I see so many people wearing quant company merchandise on campus. Literally everyone I know has a huge collection of t-shirts from quant finance companies like Jane Street, Citadel, Two Sigma. I had foot stickers on my walla since so many people have the same exact water bottle. So many people have the same exact water bottle.