Many Years of Hard Work, Less Pay, but Invaluable Experience
Pros
Prestige, Working with some of the best and brightest minds in the World, Intellectual rigor, Tons of opportunities for payed-for international travel and educational experiences, good benefits, good scholarship/fellowship opportunities, and (most valuably) an incredible network during and post-graduation. You cannot go wrong with an MIT degree(s).
Cons
Fast-paced and Intense Environment that could lead to insecurity/mental health issues. Some professors can be very cruel, and there is gender-based discrimination, especially with some older engineering faculty. Can feel at (many) times, overworked. Pay is not that great as a grad student, but one of the best for being a graduate student. Master's students can work for pay. You really feel like you are "drinking from a firehose." Had to take 3 months of "semi"-downtime after graduation (both undergrad and grad school) to get over the stress.
