Downsides...I am probably not the person to ask. I couldn't imagine
myself anywhere else. I know all my professors. If you want something
you can usually make it happen. I suppose one downside is that I
haven't had time to do theater, first semester I was getting four
hours of sleep a night, and you really don't have very much free time.
Mudders usually say there are three things: study, sleep, and social
life...you can choose two. Also, you are probably a genius, but one
downside for me is always just barely being average. Think about it.
Harvey mudd is a school chalk full of national merit scholars,
students in the top 10% of their graduating class, 1600 SAT scores (or
whatever the highest is with the new one...2400?), and do you know
what that means for a school with no grade inflation?? That means I am
average! Just average... 3.0. It kind of sucks and is discouraging for
me. If you are used to being the best at everything, this place will
not feed your ego, or at least it doesn't for me. Now I also have it
on good authority that if you want a college experience filled with
lazy afternoons, a chance to spend lots of time in creative pursuits,
and never feel like you have tons of work hanging over your head, then
run away from Mudd as fast as you can! Only come here if you want to
learn, and learn for all your worth! You will have time for
relaxation, to be sure, but it is quite minimal, and you will always
feel like there is something else you should be doing (unless you are
very good at compartmentalization.) It pains me to say this, but I
want to be honest with you.