My son has been accepted by MIT and will go to CPW this week to get a feel for how life might be like for a non-STEM focused student. He likes the fact that MIT has very strong Econ dept and students can pursue interests in humanities and business as well. He likes the fact he will be surrounded by very smart kids but is a little concerned that the student body might be too STEM focused and he may not be able to have a typical college experience where you interact, make connections, and grow with kids of all backgrounds with diverse interests and ambitions. If anyone can shed any light on how life can be like for a non-STEM kid at MIT, socially, academically, or even career development wise, that will help my son greatly in his decision making. Thanks a lot in Advance.
I graduated from MIT many moons ago but do visit campus and my fraternity once in a while. The overall “feel” of the school doesn’t seem to have changed much over the years. The focus is on different subjects: multimedia and the like a few years back and more biotech and entrepreneurship lately. But there is still so much going on within MIT that you can do just about anything, just that it will always be a bit more on the analytical side.
I was taking a basic economics class when someone looked at my problem set and thought it was a math class I was working on. I assume that since he was admitted to MIT that he will be able to do well with the analytical side of things. But do realize that to be able to put something into mathematical terms, you must first really understand the subject in quite good detail. So, that is where the STEM "feel’ will come in. Not bad thing, but a different feel compared to most colleges.
Also realize that MIT is in an area with many other colleges. The whole feel to the Cambridge/Boston area is quite energetic for a student.
Thanks a lot, HPuck35. My son is well rounded and should be able to handle the more math based non-STEM courses like Econ etc. I like the fact the MIT kids are high on the entrepreneurship side and believe my son will benefit from making friends with kids who are different from him. I do, however, worry a little about the possibility that he will be surrounded by kids who are only interested in their respective STEM fields and not be able to make connections with a lot of kids, which is an important aspect of the college experience in my mind. He will be visiting dorms and frats this weekend to get a feel for the culture. Hopefully it will clarify for him one way for another.
Have him check StartLabs events this weekend. Very interesting students run organization on campus.
Thanks so much, Ballerina016! Will let him know!
Your son might be interested in one of the freshman living groups offered through the Office of Experiential Learning, such as Concourse.
Thanks renaissancedad! Will check it out!
I should also mention that there is a lot going on at MIT beside the classes. I played varsity ice hockey (now a club team) and tried crew (until I broke my foot playing hockey). I still would take out a single scull quite often for exercise and enjoy the day. There have been ballroom dancing classes, glass blowing sessions, outing clubs, etc.
And what I thought best of all was IAP (Independent Activities Period) or the month of January. Look it up on the MIT web site. A huge list of things to do, mostly non-credit and just plain fun and interesting. The idea is that you can just explore without the pressure of grades. IAP is optional so you could just go skiing for the month, but IMHO IAP is more fun.
Thanks again, HPuck35
come to the SHASS lightning talks on thursday night too. i’ll be hosting them.
Thanks MITChris. Unfortunately he will arrive Friday evening and will miss the first half of the events.
Hi, this article might give you a better idea of what MIT is like for your son. The school is definitely focused on STEM but I’m sure this would only enrich his experience. http://www.collegemagazine.com/cms-guide-mit-boston/
This is a very helpful article. Thanks!
@New Parent MIT does require a “science and math core” for all students, including Humanities and economics majors All students must take a year of physics, a year of math, a semester of chemistry and a semester of biology, demonstrate the ability to swim, (or take a swim class) and take eight humanities and social science subjects to graduate. The major requirements are on top of that, but its all doable in four years. Some students will place out of one semester math and physics, based on AP or IB testing, but still take second semester physics, electricity and magnetism, as an Institute requirement for all majors at MIT. Economics and Sloan School of Business, are truly phenomenal programs with tremendous opportunities for the right student who wants to take the math/science core.
Thanks Coloradomama. I guess the general requirement has more science than he would like but all the kids studying the same core courses in the first year or so does give them more opportunities to bond.
Thanks a lot for the help everyone! MIT’s CPW was a blast! All the kids I know loved it. My son met and had fun with many kids who he considered cool and only has positive things to say about MIT now. Whatever decision he makes, it’s obvious MIT is a very unique place where kids study hard but also have a lot of fun.
Work hard, play hard does seem to be a common thread amongst MIT students.