<p>I was looking into the undergraduate program at Sloan school of Business, but from this board, it seems that MIT is only interested in math or science people. What if I'm generally good at math/science (A's/Sci Oly/Math Team) but not spectacular, and I want to apply as a business major? Any hope or waste of time?</p>
<p>Students who apply intending to major in management are treated the same as all other applicants. They aren't given any breaks because they don't intend to major in science or engineering.</p>
<p>Every student at MIT has to get through the General Institute Requirements, which are currently 2 semesters of physics, 2 semesters of calculus, a semester of chemistry, a semester of biology, a lab class, and two science/technology electives. MIT admissions has to be sure that prospective management majors can successfully complete these requirements just like everybody else.</p>
<p>I don't think they make a difference. After all... Sloan is #2 in the nation for business after UPenn's Wharton.</p>
<p>So it's not disadvantageous if I don't have the "super science" background but rather a more humanities + business and meet the science and math requirements?</p>
<p>One of my good friends came from a very liberal-arts oriented high school, and she was accepted early action. Remember, MIT Admissions doesn't use a strict set "requirements" or minimum scores or anything like. Like Mollie said, you won't get any "breaks" if you indicate you're interested in a business major. But if you are genuinely interested in going to MIT for business, don't be afraid to emphasize the business/humanities-oriented aspects of your goals, extracurriculars, background etc. on your application. MIT is looking for students who are passionate about what they want to study.</p>
<p>I've heard from a current MIT student that Sloan is actually really popular and therefore tougher for undergrads to take classes in. Apparently, the courses at Sloan are filled by a random lottery and there's a chance you may not get to take classes there.</p>
<p>Any truth to that or did I completely misinterpret him?</p>
<p>Actually, that's completely correct. If you're majoring in Course 15 (Management), you have preference in the lottery and shouldn't have problems...but a lot of MIT students are business-oriented* so there's always a great deal of demand for classes in Sloan.</p>
<ul>
<li>Many people don't realize that a vast number of MIT graduates go into consulting or finance, especially Course 6 (Electrical Engineering/Computer Science) majors.</li>
</ul>
<p>It's not a random lottery, exactly. Students get a certain number of points, which they can allocate in any way they choose -- the way I understand it, if you really, really want/need to take a certain class, you put more points to it, and your chances of getting that class are increased.</p>
<p>Friends of mine who were management majors didn't have problems setting up their course schedules, because as Paul says above, managment majors get first priority in the lottery. It's just non-majors who may not be able to take classes occasionally.</p>
<p>In her convocation speech to the class of 2011, MIT President Hockfield said that the class included scientists, entrepreneurs, artists, mathematicians, engineers, athletes, and others. The given, at MIT, is that all of these students have a strong math/science background. </p>
<p>Your strong math and science background will be evident in your test scores and transcripts, and they'll be supported by the letter of recommendation from a math/science teacher. You can use your essays to highlight your interests and experience in business and entrepreneurship, and a strong letter from an English teacher would help the Institute see that you have the excellent communiation skills to succeed in Sloan classes.</p>
<p>It should also be noted that the lab requirement can usually be satisfied within the Sloan school, as a management lab.</p>