At the HMC information session I attended, we were told that 1/3 are required humanities classes, 1/3 are required core STEM classes, and 1/3 are STEM electives. Based on that info, 1/2 of the required classes at HMC are in the humanities, not 1/3. So, unless I’m mistaken, HMC students must take more humanities classes overall than students at MIT, CalTech, CMU, Berkeley, Stanford, etc. BTW, I’ve never encountered any grad from these schools that wasn’t able to speak and write effectively.
Good! I realize most kids at good STEM-centered schools are already good speakers and writers before stepping foot on a campus, but it helps to have Hum requirements to keep those skills sharp. (I was responding to the person who questioned the importance of Humanities classes for students who are after a STEM-centered education)
Again, I believe that at HMC (and LACs in general) there is more emphasis on the humanities than at non-LACs. Isn’t that the main reason for pursuing a liberal arts education? So, unless HMC requires more courses for graduation than do non-LACs, then by definition HMC graduates take fewer STEM classes overall than do graduates at non-LACs. The OP and his parents should consider whether that trade off is worthwhile. Maybe they’ll conclude that it is.
Sorry, I phrased my last post wrong. MIT students need 32 courses to graduate, of which 10 are non-STEM. HMC students are required to take 10 Humanities/Social Science/Arts classes plus a critical inquiry class = 11 non-STEM. Cal requires 9. Stanford’s GE-Rs have become a little convoluted with their new “WAYS” requirements, but basically it’s 3 writing classes (one specific to your major), a freshman “Think” course, the foreign language requirement (3 courses or testing out), and 11 of those “WAYS” courses (some of which can be from your major).
But, numbers aside, HMC is definitely an LAC and along with all of the resources and classes of the other 5Cs does offer a wide range of elective opportunities outside of a STEM major. So, yep, with all of the other great colleges mentioned in this thread as options, it’s up to prospective students to decide whether that is a trade-off or a benefit.
The trouble I have with figuring out if it’s a trade-off or a benefit is this:
How true is it that the information you learn in college is far less important than the experiences you gain? Because if that’s true it would seem like Mudd’s humanities focus is better than a strictly (or near strictly) STEM curriculum. And also, aren’t Silicon Valley companies looking for some more humanities-focused employees (causing Stanford to start their CS+X joint major program)? BUT logically it seems that CS majors would definitely need to remember their courses’ information, such as programming languages, probably more so than other majors. How much do CS majors retain and use on a daily basis from college, anyway?
@intparent Does your kid find the humanities emphasis to be helpful or distracting?
I will be honest, I think you are making FAR too much of the “humanities focus” idea. Believe me, especially for the first two years, Mudders are up to their a**es in alligators with 3 semesters of Physics, completing a serious of math courses through Diff Eq/Linear Algebra two at a torrid pace (most of the math courses in core are a quarter long, covering what most other colleges cover in a semester), and all the other core requirements. They can branch out more in the later years a bit if they want to, but don’t mistake Mudd for anything other than a hard-core tech school. Trust me that if you want to work at SpaceX or Facebook or Google or any other west coast tech company, Mudd is your best choice with the possible exceptions of MIT, Stanford, or CalTech. It isn’t a trade off.
My kid does happen to like the humanities, but honestly she barely whiffed them while pushing her way through the core sequence for the first 3 semesters. She likes that she has a huge variety of courses she can take across the 5Cs now that she has a little time, although some Hums need to be taken at Mudd, which she is also okay with. Her frustration is that she only gets four years at Mudd – my guess is I would never get her out of there if they didn’t kick her out at graduation. She was looking for brilliant students and professors, a chance to have a good selection of humanities classes when she was taking them, and a supportive environment (more cooperative than cutthroat in spite of the rigorous academics). And that is what she got.
It is also a darned difficult school to get into. So all this talking about comparing it with MIT, CalTech, etc. might be a waste of breath. Apply and see if you get in. If you do, go to accepted student days and see if it is a fit. You will likely know by the end of that 24 hour period for sure.
I don’t know much about Mudd yet, but wanted to comment on @itsmyusername’s concerns about CS majors and time spent on humanities.
CS is not so much about memorizing and retaining programming languages as it is about developing a broad set of skills that can be combined in various ways to solve difficult problems. After having learned several languages, a programmer can become proficient in a new language in a day to a week.
Okay thanks @intparent and @Ynotgo. I think I will be applying, but like you said it’s probable I won’t get in lol
And thanks to everyone else too; I learned a lot about Mudd!
The answer is 1) they have an incredible workload, so they get the rigorous STEM education while also getting the humanities education, and 2) most employers want employees who aren’t so siloed that they can only work in their narrow field. A STEM grad who can write, communicate, and relate to non-STEM employees is a better leader and more versatile employee. Or at least that is what all the recruiters have told my Mudder son – who is happily employed in the high tech industry. Prestigious grad schools accept the Mudd students. They certainly don’t seem to think that the Mudders have a lesser education. Grad school professors know Mudd and want them in their labs. One of the advantages the Mudd has it that there are no grad students to compete with and all who want it have the opportunity for challenging research work.
Your mom had better get informed, then. If she turns away HMC applicants because she’d never heard of Mudd, then she’s doing her employers a grave disservice.
Mudd is absolutely among the very, very best STEM undergraduate schools, and Mudd alumni go on to do great things.
I understand your feeling this way, but you’re wrong. Mudders have opportunities and facilities that almost no other undergrads in the US can match–because there is no grad school, ALL the funding and research is available to undergrads. Mudd grads are among the best prepared (for jobs or grad school) of any undergrad STEM majors.