<p>i want to go to MIT because I find math and the hard sciences (particularly physics) to be very fascinating and beautiful, and I would like to have a solid background in these areas. However, my real interests for majors are in the softer sciences (cognitive, econ, poli sci, linguistics). Do you think MIT gives advantage to applicants who don't fit the stereotype of engineering or hard sciences, or will it just make getting an acceptance even harder?</p>
<p>Nope, wanting to major in a social science isn’t going to give you a huge bump in itself. You’re admitted to MIT the school, not a department.</p>
<p>It doesn’t matter in theory. It might in practice.</p>
<p>But if you’re not sure you want to be an engineer or in the sciences (econ, linguistics, neuroscience are fine) then I’d be hesitant to go here even if it’s the “best” school you get into. A lot of people feel peer pressured into majoring in something they don’t want to because they don’t want to feel looked down upon doing “only” business or political science.</p>
<p>Also, MIT isn’t going to give you a “solid background” in physics or math. You’re going to be required to take calculus I, II and III (here they are called 18.01 and 18.02) and physics I and II. There isn’t any evidence MIT students learn more in those classes that students at other schools. After that it’s up to you how much you study those subjects.</p>
<p>^ What are you calling a solid background? Single and multivariable calculus along with physics through E&M seems pretty solid to me.</p>
<p>I’m not sure what you mean by “There isn’t any evidence MIT students learn more in those classes that [sic] students at other schools.” What are you looking for? A study that compares curriculum across schools? (My personal experience at CSULA as well as the curriculum I’ve seen at friends’ schools like USC, UCLA, and some Claremont colleges certainly show that MIT moves faster and more in-depth over material than many other schools. Calculus I, II, and III, for example, were a year or a year and a half of what takes MIT a semester to cover - 18.01. I personally wouldn’t be surprised if a study on curriculum matched this, and I’m wondering why you feel otherwise.)</p>