Very interesting. Some people take this to think MIT students have self-image problems, but I don't see that. To me I see this as most students reasonably confident with their own abilities (although feel they could do a bit better academically, although those are just high standards), but are very humble about themselves relative to their peers.
Compared to most groups in life, this is a very rare breed of "yes I know I'm amazing, but I know the people around me are REALLY amazing". Which I'd argue is shockingly healthy for such a large group of people so smart and under so much pressure.
Compared to most groups in life, this is a very rare breed of "yes I know I'm amazing, but I know the people around me are REALLY amazing". Which I'd argue is shockingly healthy for such a large group of people so smart and under so much pressure.