SaiUlluri

The only humanities/social science/language I've learnt in the past two years is Economics, which I self taught. So, I don't know of any relevant teacher for Evaluation B who knows me well enough to complete the form. Is it essential to have this evaluation? And can I get another science/math teacher to fill it out instead?

I'm an international student applying from the UK, if that makes any difference.

Thanks in advance,

CalAlum

MIT will accept a recommendation from any of the disciplines it considers as fulfilling the Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (HASS) Requirement: MIT Course Catalog: Undergraduate General Institute Requirements

But to answer your question, yes, you must submit a letter of recommendation from a teacher in this area. It won't work to submit two letters from the math/science area.

It's fairly common for students to feel that they're in the position of asking for letters from teachers who may not know them all that well. Especially if you're in a huge public school where you are just one of 40 students in the classroom. Part of your task is to prepare written materials (resume; c-v; "brag sheet") to educate the prospective letter-writer about your skills and talents and to arrange a face-to-face meeting to discuss why you think you're a good fit for MIT.

The ideal letter-writer is not necessarily the person who knows you the best; sometimes it's the person who is most experienced at writing really strong letters. Your task is to find that individual, provide that person evidence of your strengths and commitment, and convince him or her to write a supportive letter on your behalf.

SaiUlluri

Thanks very much for your reply. I understand that I need to find a Humanities teacher for Eval B and have an idea of someone I can ask, provided I fill him in with my details. Thanks again

crazymomster

I am curious if, since you haven't had a humanities instructor for the last 2 years, you meet the course load recommendations for MIT admissions. I think that may be your bigger concern.

SaiUlluri

Well, as an international applicant from the UK, we're only given 4 choices of subject in our penultimate year at high school and just 3 in our final year. There's hardly a lot of room to accommodate a range of subjects to study. I've studied humanities for enough years beforehand though, so I'm not too worried.

AstroBlue

@CrazyMonster, where does it list the course load requriements for MIT?

crazymomster

@Sai - I am sure that MIT admissions is familiar with how things work in UK (whereas I am not)... so you can't be penalized for an option you don't have.

@Astro:

•One year of high school physics
•One year of high school chemistry
•One year of high school biology
•Math, through calculus
•Two years of a foreign language
•Four years of English
•Two years of history and/or social sciences

What To Do In High School | MIT Admissions

Mikalye

I lived in the UK for some years, and was an EC there. Yes, MIT is familiar with international systems that use A-levels (of which the UK is only one of many). I interviewed many students who were doing maths, further maths, physics and chemistry and that's it. Presumably you had a humanities teacher for your GCSE year you can ask, even if you changed schools for sixth form. Don't worry about it. Really, MIT is used to it. Do not stress over the recommended curriculum, you will be fine.

That being said, I should note that MIT's programme will require at least 8 subjects (papers) in the Humanities Arts and Social Sciences (basically one per semester). If the thought of that stresses you out, think very carefully.