Which classes to take as a freshman?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Massachusetts Institute of Technology
1

Hi! My son is going to be starting MIT in a few months and we’ve been thinking about course selection. Since MIT has the Pass/Fail grading for the first semester, I was thinking that it might make sense for him to take:
–Some of the distribution requirements in subjects that he doesn’t really like, to get them over with
–A tough class in his probable major to see just how hard it really is
–A class that sounds really interesting, but is outside his regular comfort zone

But I don’t really know, and he hasn’t received any kind of guidance so far on the subject. Does anybody in the forum who’s attended MIT have suggestions?

2

1st semester is Pass/No record, not exactly Pass/Fail.

Typically most people fill up their first year with GIR subjects (calculus, bio, chem, physics, HASS classes) if they haven’t already gotten credit. But I think it’s also a good idea to get a little headstart in his major, E.g. if he’s pursuing any sort of Course 6 or 18-C, I highly recommend taking 6.01 sometime in freshman year.

3

Thanks! The 6.01 syllabus looks pretty formidable so maybe he should take it right off, he is likely to test out of some of the GIR courses.

4

Might be a good idea - I took 6.01 freshman spring; they introduce some things pretty quickly.