MIT FAQ for application year 2009-2010 - Page 5

college1992bound · 07-21-2009, 02:28 PM

Looking through this thread, I noticed that MIT actually states what type of teacher they would like for college recommendations. I asked my AP Calc teacher before school ended already so would MIT not accept a math recommendation? What about language? Would that be considered humanities?

Star* · 07-21-2009, 03:12 PM

Yes, the math teacher would be fine. MIT asks for one math or science teacher, and one humanities teacher. And I'd count the language teacher as a humanities, so that's fine as well.

112358 · 07-21-2009, 09:24 PM

Quote:

an extra one from a humanities teacher would definitely be fine.

Should this only be done in special circumstances, or is it not uncommon to have three recs? I'm not sure how good my math/science rec will be, but I know two humanities teachers from whom I would expect great recs (from different perspectives -- they wouldn't be saying the same thing). Would it be a good idea to get recs from all three?

molliebatmit · 07-21-2009, 11:26 PM

From Matt's blog, here:

Quote:

If you feel an extra recommendation would show an important additional side of you not already covered, you may send in an additional letter of recommendation. This in general would not need to be on an MIT recommendation form from the application; a separate sheet of paper is most common. In general, third recommendations from a teachers do not provide much additional insight; the most helpful supplemental recommendations come from people who know you well outside the classroom. Some helpful extra recommendations I've seen have come from research mentors, youth group leaders, coaches, and bosses. If you decide a third recommendation is necessary, have your recommender send this via US Mail to MIT Admissions, and be sure your full name and date of birth are included.

So, it's up to you -- you're free to send an additional recommendation, but it's really only going to be useful if it shows something different about you than the other two recommendations. If you feel your extra recommendation will show something about you that isn't well-explained elsewhere in the application, then, by all means, send one.

Anarch · 07-30-2009, 09:06 AM

With regard to letters of recommendation, I'm uncertain as to what exactly is considered part of the "humanities". More specifically, is foreign language considered a humanity?

molliebatmit · 07-30-2009, 10:15 AM

My general rule of thumb is that a teacher teaching a subject that would be contained within MIT's School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Science, were it held at MIT, is acceptable. Foreign Languages and Literatures is within the SHASS, so by my rule, it would be fine.

MIT School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences

112358 · 07-30-2009, 10:37 AM

If you submit an additional recommendation and in the adcom's eyes it doesn't add anything significant to your application, can it hurt you at all?

molliebatmit · 07-30-2009, 10:51 AM

It doesn't hurt you, at least in the sense that the admissions officers won't get angry with you and decide not to admit you because they feel annoyed. But I think it does hurt in the sense that you've lost an opportunity to present the best, most directed, most informative application that you could.

megmno · 08-02-2009, 04:52 PM

Hi Molly,
I'm an alumna (class of '87) and mom of a would-be student. As I understand your advice re: recommendations from a humanities teacher, my son should pick a teacher who teaches in a field that is taught by the School of Humanities. My son has had particularly good experiences with teachers in AP Economics and AP Psychology. Should he ask the AP Econ teacher for a recc instead of the Psych teacher (since economics is in the School of Humanities and psych is not)?
Thanks.

molliebatmit · 08-02-2009, 05:00 PM

I just sent Matt an email asking for clarification, so I'll post here when he responds.

PiperXP · 08-02-2009, 06:40 PM

Psychology classes do count as HASS classes even though they are under Course 9. Personally, I would choose the psych rec.

adamonkey2 · 08-03-2009, 10:29 AM

If I have a research mentor who's submitting a recommendation that's not written in English, who should translate the recommendation?

fontaine · 08-03-2009, 06:43 PM

You should, but include the untranslated original as well.

molliebatmit · 08-03-2009, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by me

My general rule of thumb is that a teacher teaching a subject that would be contained within MIT's School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Science, were it held at MIT, is acceptable. Foreign Languages and Literatures is within the SHASS, so by my rule, it would be fine.

http://shass.mit.edu

I emailed Matt, and he confirmed that this is just right. (Yay me!)

megmno, I also specifically asked if econ or psych would be okay, and he said either would be fine. As Piper mentions, although psychology classes are taught within Brain and Cognitive Sciences, they count for HASS credit, so they count under my rule.

Anarch · 08-04-2009, 05:02 AM

Quote:

My general rule of thumb is that a teacher teaching a subject that would be contained within MIT's School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Science, were it held at MIT, is acceptable. Foreign Languages and Literatures is within the SHASS, so by my rule, it would be fine.

MIT School of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences

I emailed Matt, and he confirmed that this is just right. (Yay me!)

That's good to know. Thank you very much.