Hi there! This is just a hypothetical question but I’d love some insight.
My research on many different college websites/blogs such as Prep Scholar has indicated that MIT has a top creative writing program for undergraduates, despite its main focus on science and technology. If one were to have a generally strong application (great SAT, several AP’s, etc.) as well as demonstrate a passion for creative writing (classes, awards, published work, etc.,), do you think that it would be more likely for them to be accepted than someone planning to major in STEM fields? It seems like virtually no one applies to MIT in pursuit of a creative writing degree, and the school needs some applicants to fill that program, so it would be natural for them to be less selective in that field, no? I’m very curious about this!
Thanks!
“Far more likely”? That’s hard to say. But MIT does have a very strong creative writing program, and they have tons of students who are both strong in STEM and strong in an area of the humanities (music, writing, art). They’ve had many students who have won awards, including national awards, in the arts before coming to MIT. Most students do a STEM major, but many of these students do a second major or minor in a humanities (HASS) field. MIT has programs such as the Arts Scholars, Emerson Scholars/Fellows (music), Burchard Scholars, and the Ilona Karmel (and other) writing prizes to support and encourage students with humanities interests. My impression from the outside is that MIT admissions loves students with demonstrated talent and passion in STEM plus the humanities. Whether that gives them an advantage over a very strong STEM-only student is an exercise in futility.
Do you have no interest in science and technology? Then MIT may not be the best place for you. Do you have a genuine interest in both science and technology and the humanities, and possibly in an area that intersects between them? Then MIT could be a terrific place for you. If the latter is the case, why worry about whether your passion for creative writing gives you a big advantage or not? Just apply and give it your best shot.
^^^ more eloquent than what I had typed
One of my MIT friends, EECS major,
who was in the camera manufacturing industry and now runs a small business, said the
best classes he took at MIT were his Latin American Literature classes. Just to say that MIT does
offer really amazing humanities departments. One of my best MIT classes was in political science,
called Politics and Media. It got me to think about writing and to write longer papers, and helped me hone my writing skills. Its past the deadline for this season, but I thought I would add that. When I later became involved in patent
law, I think I appreciated these MIT classes more.
MIT classes in accounting are very fun. This is the most used class for my H educated daughters. Sorry they are not related with writing!
seems like they do have a strong writing presence. not sure if that would be a hook if a student isn’t equally or more interested in stem, though.