<p>Hi,</p>
<p>I'm a homeschooled student applying to MIT this autumn. MIT requires a "science" and a "humanities" recommendation. There are some things which obviously fall into either category, such as Biology or History - but some subjects, like Economics, Psychology or Geography, fall into a rather grey area. </p>
<p>Which subjects exactly does MIT define as "sciences," and which as "humanities?"</p>
<p>Thanks. :)</p>
<p>
I don’t know. I have always been fairly solidly in the “Biology is a science” camp. Perhaps, MollieB might care to disagree. Obviously for some folks, its an art form…</p>
<p>More seriously, MIT is looking for two recommendations that show you in the classroom in different ways. What is usually needed to excel in a Humanities subject is often different from what is needed to excel in a science subject. Obviously for a homeschooled applicant, it may be harder to show two different educators’ perceptions of your various strengths. In this case, if there is a good choice for a supplemental recommendation from someone who knows you very well (a sports coach, an employer, etc.) it may be worth pursuing.</p>
<p>As a Course 7 major: biology is a science. Period.</p>
<p>I actually don’t think the OP was at all intending to say that biology is not a science.</p>
<p>If this tidbit of info helps: economics in the humanities school here.</p>
<p>MIT groups humanities, arts, and social sciences into one component you need to get a diploma. Both economics and psychology give you credit towards that. Don’t know about geography.</p>
<p>[Humanities</a>, Arts, and Social Sciences](<a href=“http://web.mit.edu/shass/dspc/]Humanities”>http://web.mit.edu/shass/dspc/)
[url=<a href=“http://web.mit.edu/science/deptslabscenters/index.html]Science[/url”>http://web.mit.edu/science/deptslabscenters/index.html]Science[/url</a>]</p>
<p>My rule of thumb is to go with what MIT defines as humanities and science.</p>
<p>Lol biology as a humanity. That just made my day :)</p>
<p>I think he meant that Biology is clearly a science and history is clearly a humanity.</p>
<p>@molliebatmit: Thanks, that pretty much cleared everything up. I suppose I can’t go far wrong with what MIT defines as a humanity or a science :).</p>
<p>When I said, “There are some things which obviously fall into either category, such as Biology or History” what I meant was that Biology is obviously a science and History is obviously one of the humanities, - that’s why I contrasted them to things like Economics and Psychology. Maybe I should have been more clear, lol - but @Arch3r25: I’m glad it made your day. :)</p>
<p>Thanks to all of you for the advice :).</p>