<p>I like to say that my interests are fairly well-rounded, and I guess I was wondering if someone could sort of say what the people at MIT are like? I'm really looking for an academic and intellectual environment, but is MIT basically a school of hackers/math-geeks, or is there a good mix of people? </p>
<p>For example, I've been reading about how everyone who gets into MIT writes about a math/science related challenge for the "significant challenge" prompt. Would I be at a disadvantage if I wrote about a more humanities-esque topic (debate)?</p>
<p>MIT’s mission is to apply science and technology for the betterment of mankind. The motto is Mind and Hands. A good essay would consider you juxtaposed in the context of your audience and their mission. If your story illuminates who you are as a person and how that relates to the mission of MIT, how you can be an integral part of the fabric of the community- what you can add and what will benefit you- you will have succeeded.</p>
<p>In addition to applying to MIT, you might consider Harvey Mudd if you are looking for a bit more of a mix between STEM and humanities.</p>
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Yes. To both of those things.</p>
<p>Almost everybody at MIT has a strong central focus on one or more science/engineering fields, but MIT students are people, so there’s a huge diversity of outside interests and passions represented in the student body. </p>
<p>It’s a bit of a different flavor from what you might find somewhere else – generally speaking, your roommate won’t be somebody who is a single major in music performance or English, the way your roommate might be if you went to Yale. But your roommate at MIT might be somebody doubling in music or English, or somebody who just plays in the orchestra or publishes short stories in his free time. Most people do have some outside interest, varying from casual to intense. </p>
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This definitely isn’t true, and you should feel free to write about whatever significant challenge you think you can write best.</p>
<p>MIT does not only have STEM departments. Students are free to major in other things and some do. I studied linguistics, majoring in nothing else. Many other students study Architecture, Philosophy, Econ, Urban Planning, or any one of the Humanities.</p>
<p>You significant challenge doesn’t have to be about math and science. I don’t even think it needs to be academic. I wrote about a death in my family. My roommates wrote about feeling left out in their high schools, for their age and race. Maybe the prompt’s changed in the last 5 years, but I had no inkling that I should write about school.</p>
<p>When I went to visit MIT as a high school senior, I did not sit in on any of the STEM classes, as I figured that they would be superb. Instead, I sat in on several HASS subjects, as that was really, really important to me. I found those classes to be superb as well, and as someone who is balanced between the two, MIT worked really well for me. I wrote my essay much more humanities based, than STEM. I then majored in a STEM field and worked as an actor after leaving MIT. I was well prepared for that at MIT. Your mileage may vary.</p>
<p>I am an ensemble alum, it was a fabulous experience. It is one of a half dozen or so theatrical groups on campus including Dramashop, The Musical Theatre Group, the MIT Community Players, the Gilbert and Sullivan Players, and the Dance Theater Ensemble (there are other dance groups as well). If performing is your thing, then you can be well supported at MIT.</p>
<p>@Mikalye It was fabulous with Murray! (It may still be)</p>