Yes, they are a lot better than most. Like a lot a lot. They do have some ole boys and gals around, but they also have a lot of extremely hard working extremely talented young people.

This does not mean that there are not hardworking talented people elsewhere. They will make it too. But the density of talent at a place like MIT, compared to most other places on Earth in general, is unprecedented, and if that rubs you the wrong way, so be it.