<p>I know that they just switched to double majors instead of two degrees. But what does this really mean? I really would like to do a double major, but I don't know if it's all that realistic (too difficult? too many classes? I don't really know but it just seems hard). What does it really take to do a double major if you come in with little to no AP credit? I assume more than 4 classes per semester. What about major-minor?</p>
<p>MIT doesn't accept most AP credit anyways, so no one is going to come in with it.
And I think any major is going to be difficult, but I think it really depends on the two majors and how much they overlap.</p>
<p>The double major is going to be significantly easier to complete than the previous double degree requirement, as you will only have to complete the required classes for two majors rather than the required classes plus 90 extra units outside the GIRs. This translates to about 8 fewer classes -- 1 class per semester.</p>
<p>I came in with 27 units of AP credit (3 humanities AP exam 5s, no placement out of GIRs) and I managed to complete a double degree. I had to take more than 4 classes during four semesters, and it was pretty challenging. If I could have just completed the requirements for two majors, I'm not sure I would have needed to take more than four classes per semester ever, as my two majors (9/7A) were relatively requirement-light and had some degree of overlap.</p>
<p>It will depend on the majors, of course -- a 16/10 double will involve significantly more classes than a 7A/2A double. But a double major will only involve a few more classes than a major/minor for most majors.</p>
<p>I can go on somewhat more at length, if that's useful. Getting two degrees at MIT is something I actually know about from personal experience. :) Which two majors are you thinking of combining?</p>
<p>I have a quick question in regards to the Unrestricted Elective Requirement. I'm interested in double majoring in course 10 & 20 (10 being my primary), and I was wondering whether or not the courses that I take in course 20 would count as "Unrestricted Electives". If not, does that mean I have to take 48 units in addition to the required courses for my two majors? (I'm planning to test out and receive credit for all 6 Science GIRs)</p>
<p>Careful about planning to test out of all 6 GIRs. AP credit is no longer accepted for Biology, it is not accepted for chem, and physics C will only get you out of your first semester of physics with a 5 on the exam (I dont know what the deal is if you're on the IB system). Calc BC will get you out of your first semester of calculus.</p>
<p>Out of the 100 people who attempted to test out of chemistry this year, only 7 were successful. There was a 31% passing rate on the biology advanced standing exam, but usually it is around 15%. I don't know the statistics for the multivariable and physics E&M exams, but they weren't high. </p>
<p>Anyway, don't necessarily plan on passing out of all these requirements. I met a ton of people during orientation this year who were incredibly confident they could test out of physics, or chemistry, or whatever, and then MIT slapped them in the face. I do believe the courses in course 20 would give you unrestricted elective credit, so you'd automatically fulfill those 48 extra units required, but I'm not 100% on that. But you've got plenty of time to figure this stuff out and your freshman/major advisor will be happy to help you with that. So don't freak out about that stuff now.</p>
<p>Merci beaucoup for your response. Yeah, I was aware of everything in your first two paragraphs; thank you though. I should have said "hoping to" instead of planning to ;) The only one I'm worried about is Calc 2 GIR, but Bio, Chem, & Physics E&M should be easy for me. Chem especially, because I used the same textbook for my Chem Olympiad studies that the course and ASE uses, so I have a bit of an advantage. None of my plans are set in stone, I've just been doing some research into all of this because I'm very curious (plus I have time now that I'm on break ;) )</p>
<p>Unrestricted electives are indeed totally unrestricted. :)</p>
<p>Generally, when a major has unrestricted electives written into the course requirements, it's because the major doesn't require 180 units outside the GIRs given the program. So those unrestricted electives aren't really part of the major per se, they're part of the graduation requirements that aren't fulfilled by the major program alone.</p>
<p>Is a Physics and Math double major a good idea (please, I want a Straightfoward answer, thank you)</p>
<p>There is no straightforward answer to that question.</p>
<p>A physics and math double is definitely possible, and a lot of people do it. Double majors in general are often fun, but not terribly useful for future outcomes -- don't expect to get a better job just because you doubled. You should consider a double major, particularly at MIT, only if you really can't live without completing a degree in one of the subjects. If you have an interest in something, you can always take classes in that department without having to be an official major, and the knowledge that you obtain is the useful thing, not the degree itself.</p>
<p>Hi Mollie how about Chemical Engineering and Economics?</p>
<p>The advice I gave above applies to all doubles. Anything is possible, but whether it's a good idea or necessary is up to you.</p>
<p>I double-majored myself, but I don't think my double was particularly useful for getting into grad school. I'm glad I did it, but I'm glad because of the knowledge in my brain, which I would have gotten whether or not I was awarded two degrees at graduation.</p>
<p>does it cost more?</p>
<p>No, you can take as many classes as you want at MIT and it will cost the same amount of money.</p>
<p>Taking 24 units (2 classes) or less is a light-load, and it costs less, but taking more classes than 4/48 units doesn't cost more.</p>
<p>
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I met a ton of people during orientation this year who were incredibly confident they could test out of physics, or chemistry, or whatever, and then MIT slapped them in the face.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>First off, this is very true. It even applied to some Olympiad people, and so I was really surprised.</p>
<p>And also, forgive some cynicism that may be coming from me, but I've been thinking about the whole prospect of double majoring for a long time.</p>
<p>I'm premed, but I have significant interests in both bio (7) and econ (14) as well as a crapload of other things like languages (I've already taken Spanish II, III and Japanese III at MIT), for example. Being premed, also, means that you need to dedicate also time towards volunteering, research, community service...etc. </p>
<p>When I planned out my 4 year schedule, I realized that I can graduate with degrees in both 7 and 14 pretty handily, but it would mean that I would have to take nothing but courses in 7 and 14 and GIRs (unless I want to beat myself and take a LOT of classes - but I probably can't maintain the premed GPA), leaving very little space for exploration in other fields. </p>
<p>Now, even as I continue to contemplate whether I'm going to go forward and finish 7 and 14 or just do 7, I find myself asking these same questions - I think it'll be useful for you too.</p>
<p>-Why do I want to double major? For the glory? For future benefits? For love of learning?
-How many extra classes would I like to take outside of GIRs and my two majors? (I still want to take some classes at Harvard...but I'll still have to see how everything works out =p)
-How capable am I at consistently handling a big workload (something like 5-6 classes a semester might happen)? (but you probably won't know this until you enroll and experience MIT head-on. even I'm still trying to figure this out)
-Would you prefer pursuing additional activities like volunteering or UROPs in the time that you will use to take so many courses? (just single majoring will free up your junior and senior years to do significant amounts of research or projects - if I decide to do just 7, I pretty much will be done with the major by this time next year, leaving nearly 3 semesters to do whatever I want)</p>
<p>Yeah, so even after 3 semesters here, I'm still asking these questions, and I definitely think it'll be a decision that you make as you become more familiar with the school and your abilities (college is completely different from HS, and especially MIT).</p>
<p>Mollie thanks so much for your response. I want to combine 2A (product development) with management. Do you (or any other current students) have any idea how much overlap there would be and if this would be possible? Honestly I don't know if I can handle taking 5-6 classes per semester (and I don't know if I really want to even if I can), and I'd like to try to keep my life relatively enjoyable. I really really want to pursue this combination but I just don't know what to expect and if it's realistic. Do you know what it would be like to do this combination (2A and 15) specifically? </p>
<p>btw, the only GIR that I see myself potentially passing out of is calculus I. But I already have forgotten some calc stuff and it might be good for me just to take it so I'm on par with MIT standards from square 1. Would you recommend coming in to 18.01 or could this be something I'd regret later on when I have to take an extra class in a tough semester? </p>
<p>THANKS! :)</p>
<p>Oh I do have a 5 and a 4 on AP english language and literature... can this help me somehow?</p>
<p>The 5 on AP English Language will get you out of the FEE (Freshman Essay Evaluation) which is basically a weekend-long writing test that you take either in June, July, or Orientation that measures your writing skills. If you fail the FEE, then you'll have to take a more restricted writing class before you can proceed to taking any humanities class.</p>
<p>Honestly, I started off being a double major (8/16) and I dropped engineering. It was the best decision I've made for myself at MIT. If you do a double in subjects that are different enough from one another. You are almost guaranteed to start developing an interest in one of them that far exceeds the other. In my case it was physics, and in dropping 16 I was able to focus on taking 3-4 physics classes a semester (only 2 this semester, but w/ a UROP) and walk out of here really feeling like I've learned something and learned it well. So be careful about the double major. It worked out for me (didn't set me back in physics) because I was taking Unified and 8.03/8.033 8.04/8.044 sequence, but because of my initial intentions to double, I did miss out on the opportunity to take some useful math courses (linear algebra, group theory, fourier analysis, etc).</p>
<p>If your capacity is 8 classes a semester, then by all means, it seems like your only option is to double major (you'll simply run out of classes to take at that rate), but if your capacity is 5, then I might think twice. (The most classes I've taken a semester was 6)</p>
<p>If you get a 4 or a 5 on the AP BC calc exam, you are adequately prepared to take 18.02 your first semester, otherwise MIT would not offer credit for the exam. However, if you took the course a long time ago and forgot a lot of it, you might elect to take 18.01A, which is an accelerated version of 18.01 that requires a 4/5 on the AB exam or the AB subscore of the BC exam. This is something you should consider if you need refreshing with calculus. However, even coming in with absolutely no AP credit, the GIRs are designed to allow any student to get a degree in fours years without needing to take an excessive number of classes any semester (maybe this isnt quite true with course 16, I'm not sure).</p>
<p>^I think with 16 and 10, you end up having to take 54 units one semester or something. It's not anything insane.</p>
<p>My advice for anyone who wants to double major is to come thinking you're going to double, but be aware that you have to be flexible in your planning. Sophomore year, sit down and plot out the classes you'll need to finish both majors. If it's still feasible at that point, go with it, but every semester you'll need to reevaluate whether it's what you want and whether it's reasonable to do.</p>
<p>Many, many people come in thinking they're going to double. Most of them don't actually do it because of perfectly valid reasons like oasis' and pebbles'. I think a lot of people would be able to double, but most realize it's not worth it for them personally.</p>