<p>While obviously one would need a huge inclination towards technology and sciences, with an emphasis on engineering to even consider MIT, I was wondering how the school is for people who are contemplating a major in something less technologically oriented, such as philosophy, mathematics, or economics.</p>
<p>I know there will likely be less emphasis on these subjects, but how do the 4% of humanity majors like MIT for these subjects?</p>
<p>I don't really know what you're question is asking, but MIT has arguably the strongest program in the country in both economics and mathematics. Neither is really considered a humanities major, and both are very popular at MIT.</p>
<p>Philosophy, english, anthropology, etc. are generally second majors for people. </p>
<p>Frankly, I don't see why you need to have an interest in engineering to go to MIT.</p>
<p>You might check out Mitra's</a> blog for a social science perspective -- she just graduated in June as an economics major.</p>
<p>One thing prospective humanities/arts/social sciences majors should realize is that they still have to complete the General Institute Requirements (GIRs) to graduate from MIT. These requirements currently include two semesters of calculus (single-variable and multivariable), two semesters of physics (mechanics and E&M), a semester of chemistry, a semester of biology, a lab class, and two restricted electives in science and engineering.</p>
<p>It's more common to double-major in a technical subject and a humanities/arts/social sciences subject than it is to single-major in the HASS subject. The school of humanities, arts, and social sciences awarded 79 degrees last year (numbers</a>), of which about 30 were to double-majors (numbers</a>).</p>
<p>This is approximate, because the second-major numbers in the fall don't track perfectly with the degrees awarded, but here are the percentages of students in HASS departments who were double-majors this year:</p>
<p>Department Double-majors Degrees awarded % double majors
Anthropology 0 1 0
Comparative Media Studies 2 4 50
Economics 13 42 31
History 0 1 0
Humanities 0 1 0
Humanities and Engineering 0 3 0
Humanities and Science 0 1 0
Linguistics and Philosophy 1 4 25
Literature 2 3 67
Music and Theater 6 8 75
Political Science 2 9 22
Science, Technology, and Society 0 0 0
Writing 1 2 50</p>
<p>Any reason why you would not count degrees from the school of architecture in your figures? If anyone is curious, last year's numbers for that school are:
Architecture (undesignated): 2
Art and Design: 15
Planning: 8
(for a total of 25 SB degrees awarded in the School of Architecture)</p>
<p>I know this isn't a huge number, but it might deserve to be added to the HASS numbers when talking about humanities/arts majors.</p>
<p>Just forgot to include them. :) No ulterior motives.</p>
<p>i am one of those people applying with an intention of an English major (:
but i also have a burning love for physics (gonna be my minor/2nd major)</p>
<p>um, math = humanities?! lolol</p>