I am interested in math and computer theory courses.
How do you go to Oberlin in Ohio from MIT?
Haha, whoops. Olin. @texaspg
Too late to edit the title now… :))
I think you meant Olin, not Oberlin. As a Wellesley student, you can take classes at both MIT and Olin. Keep in mind that MIT is a 45 minute bus ride away. I believe you are somewhat limited in which courses you can take, but I defer to a Wellesley student or alum to give you specifics. I have heard that very, very few people have done the Wellesley/MIT degree program.
You could post on the Wellesley board to get more details.
Moderator’s Note: Title changed.
@texaspg Could you move this into the Wellesley board?
My D was at Wellesley and took a graduate class at MIT. She actually found it easier than her Wellesley classes. It was in comparative media studies.
She took the free bus there, which takes between 45 minutes to an hour each way. Since she was on the MIT campus during a meal time and couldn’t make it back to Wellesley during dining hours, Wellesley gave her meal credit to use on campus at MIT for dinner.
It was a positive experience for her.
Media Studies at MIT ???
Olin abuts Babson which is about 2 miles from Wellesley. Much more convenient than MIT. About 10 minutes.
@Mastadon - MIT has a school of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (HASS). MIT degree requirements include courses in HASS - usually one class each semester (8 total). All undergraduates must complete a HASS concentration.
There are non-engineering majors at MIT. http://mitadmissions.org/discover/majors
Wellesley/Olin are close by so travel will not be a problem. As was stated, the bus ride to MIT can be close to an hour with traffic. You might want to consider that effect on your course selection. It might cause a problem with times. You might have to take only morning classes at Wellesley and then head over to MIT for the whole afternoon.
MIT Arts, Humanities and Social Science graduates by major:
English -3
Foreign Languages - 0
Linguistics - 5 (plus 1 masters grad and 5 phd grads)
History - 0
Liberal Arts -3
Philosophy - 0
Anthropology - 0
Music - 1
Total Arts or Humanities majors -12
Poly Sci - 3 (plus 4 masters grads and 7 Phd grads)
Economics - 28 (plus 12 Phd grads)
Total Social Sciences - 31
Total all majors -1,099
Roughly 1% of MIT graduates majored in the Arts or Humanities, another 3% in the Social Sciences (almost entirely Econ).
Computer Science graduates - 262 (plus 143 masters grads and 38 Phd graduates)
Engineering graduates - 489 (plus 576 masters grads and 314 Phd graduates)
Computational Math graduates 21
Math graduates - 75 (pus 1 masters grad and 21 Phd grads)
Physical Science graduates - 80 (plus 16 masters grads and 103 Phd grads)
Biological Sciences - 83 (plus 10 masters grads and 43 Phd grads)
Total CS/Engineering/Math/Science graduates - 1010
Roughly 92% of MIT graduates majored in STEM subjects (not counting grad students).
In the Boston area, MIT is known for STEM and Boston University is known for Journalism/Media.
Assuming the difficulty of a course in Math or Computer Theory at MIT is comparable in difficulty to a course in Comparative Media Studies is probably not a good idea.
http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?q=mass+institute+of+tech&s=all&id=166683#programs
It does take 45 minutes to get there, but the bus ride isn’t what stopped my daughter from taking MIT classes. Wellesley operates on a MTh or TF class schedule, with some classes (sciences, languages, and maths, usually) operating on MWTh, or TWF schedule. MIT operates on a MWF or TTh schedule. It was really hard to find a class that she wanted to take that wouldn’t conflict with her Wellesley classes.
I think it’s easier to take them at Olin or Babson because these campuses are only a few minutes away.
Nevertheless, MIT research opportunities are open to Wellesley students and are a fantastic opportunity. These are easier to fit into your schedule because you can do something like take Wellesley classes MWTh and then go into MIT for your research opportunity on T and F without worrying having to be back for something.
(Also, I’d like to add that Wellesley professors in general are fantastic. You might want to check out typical class sizes to see if it’s worth the bus trip.)
Also, I’d guess that grade deflation made the MIT class cited above seem easier. It might not have been easier, but easier to get an A. It’s wrong to compare graduate classes to undergraduate classes, though. In general, it’s easier to get an A in a graduate class than in an undergraduate class. If you were accepted into the graduate program, you’ve obviously passed a certain threshold for doing the work.
ALSO, MIT courses count exactly as a Wellesley course might–to your major, to your GPA. You have to get permission ahead of time to make sure it fulfills the Wellesley distribution or major requirements, though. MIT classes will be on your Wellesley transcript and will be computed into your GPA. You need to fully understand the rules before embarking. Sorry for the multiple posts, I kept think of something else. http://www.wellesley.edu/registrar/registration/cross_reg/mit#degree_major
@Mastadon - yes, I am aware most MIT undergraduates will major in something STEM related. But they ALL have to have a HASS concentration as well, thus the multiple non-STEM departments/programs available at MIT. My D would certainly have found most math or CS classes at EITHER institution to be extremely challenging.
@redpoodles that was incredibly helpful… thank you!