<p>Hi, I was wondering if I should apply to MIT if I’m more of a humanities person and have strong extracurricular activities in writing (and I want to pursue journalism in the future). I know that I should be looking at schools like Northwestern, but I’m drawn to the environment at MIT. I don’t have a strong science background either, but I don’t dislike science and would be okay with the course curriculum they have there. The campus is beautiful, the classes seem interesting, and I’ve just felt at home there when I talked to the tour guide, information session volunteers, and alumni students.</p>
<p>Is that a good idea, or should I just focus on my strengths in writing?</p>
<p>Hi sarah - </p>
<p>You ask an interesting question. I think that the relative strengths of the school are somewhat less important than your match - and you articulate the “sense of home” that is what a match is all about. MIT doesn’t have a journalism major, but you can certainly get an excellent writing education, and truth be told I think you’ll find that a lot of successful journalists today move laterally from fields of expertise into writing about those fields. </p>
<p>That said, when you say “I don’t have a strong science background”, I’m not sure what you mean. Because of the MIT core curriculum, all students at MIT, no matter what their major, must take at least 8 classes in STEM fields, including required classes in physics, math, bio, and chem. If you do not want to take hard classes in those fields at the college level, MIT is probably not a good academic match for you. </p>
<p>I wouldn’t worry about “I should probably be looking at schools like X” (although my kid cousin goes to Northwestern and loves it). I’d worry about a) do I feel at home here and b) am I going to be allowed to pursue the academic course of action I desire.</p>
<p>While MIT does not have a journalism major, MIT does have a science writing option within the writing major that is pretty much a major in science journalism. Here are the required classes (copied from [MIT</a> Course Catalog: Course 21W](<a href=“Welcome! < MIT”>Welcome! < MIT)):</p>
<p>-The Science Essay<br>
-Science Journalism
-Science Writing Internship
-Writing and Humanistic Studies Pre-Thesis Tutorial and Thesis
-Restricted Electives
-Four subjects in writing, of which one is normally introductory; three are writing subjects approved for this major, one of which is in digital media<br>
-One approved Science, Technology, and Society subject</p>
<p>Note that these are in addition to the science and math classes that MITChris mentioned that everyone is required to take.</p>
<p>While most MIT students do not have their primary major in the humanities, many people have a second major in humanities in addition to their primary major in science, math, or engineering. I have a strong interest in writing, and am planning to double major in science writing (21W) and computer science and molecular biology (6-7). In summary, writing and journalism at MIT are more than possible, but math and science are guaranteed.</p>
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<p>I echo the sentiments of Chris. I am not sure you realize how intense the math/science requirements are for all majors, including any humanities majors. Despite your initial feelings about the MIT atmosphere, 4 years at MIT would probably be more like Chinese water torture. I read elsewhere that you had an SAT of 2070 which may indicate a math SAT below or at 700 which would be a very bad sign. Unlike you REALLY like math/science, don’t go to MIT. It would not be worth the frustration.</p>
<p>Thanks for all your replies-- it was really helpful in making my college decisions.</p>
<p>I guess I was definitely underestimating the extent of the difficulty of the math and science courses they will have there. And @cellardweller, I totally see what you’re saying with that. I know that MIT would be a high reach, especially with my SAT score (although I did improve the second time! xD), and I probably shouldn’t subject myself to the MIT curriculum if I really don’t love math and science. After taking chemistry, I probably should’ve come to that realization… :)</p>