The Perception of Easiest and Hardest Majors at MIT: An Insider’s Guide
When considering which major to choose at MIT, the question of what is the easiest and hardest can vary greatly among students based on their personal strengths, interests, and experiences. This article aims to provide an insider's perspective on the commonly perceived easiest and hardest majors at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Easiest Majors at MIT
Course 18: Mathematics
While similar to other engineering majors in rigor, many students find the Mathematics major to be more theoretical and less intensive in terms of workload. Math classes at MIT often delve deeply into abstract concepts, which can be easier for students who enjoy theoretical work and less likely to engage in extensive problem-solving or lab work.
Course 21E: Experimental Humanities
This interdisciplinary program combines elements of the humanistic and scientific methods, often providing a more flexible curriculum. Unlike strict technical fields, the Experimental Humanities major may offer a more customizable academic path, allowing students to balance their workload with creativity and less pressure from lab-based projects.
Hardest Majors at MIT
Course 16: Aerospace Engineering
Aerospace Engineering is renowned for its demanding coursework and projects. This major typically requires advanced proficiency in both mathematics and physics, which can create a challenging academic environment. The integration of theoretical knowledge and practical applications makes this major particularly rigorous.
Course 10: Chemical Engineering
Chemical Engineering combines complex concepts from chemistry, physics, and engineering principles, making it one of the more challenging majors. This interdisciplinary nature means students must master a wide range of scientific disciplines, which can be overwhelming.
Course 6: Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS)
The combination of theoretical concepts and practical applications required in EECS can make this major particularly demanding. Students must not only understand complex mathematical and physical principles but also apply them in real-world scenarios, requiring significant effort and dedication.
Factors Influencing Difficulty
Interest and Passion
Students often find subjects they are passionate about easier to handle. For example, some may struggle with inorganic chemistry (Chemistry Course 3) in the introductory class, while others find it intuitive and relatively easy. Passion and interest can significantly influence a student’s perception of a major's difficulty.
Workload and Projects
Certain majors require extensive lab work and problem sets, which can significantly increase the workload. For instance, chemical engineering and aerospace engineering are known for their demanding lab projects and coursework, making them challenging to handle.
Peer Comparisons
The competitive atmosphere at MIT means that any major can feel more challenging due to the constant comparison with peers. This competitive environment can exacerbate the difficulty of any major, as students are driven to excel and often hold themselves to higher standards.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the perception of the easiest and hardest majors at MIT is highly individualized. What may be a breeze for one student might be a challenge for another. Students should consider their interests, aptitudes, and personal goals when making their decision.
As an insider, I can share that inorganic chemistry (Chemistry Course 3) was intuitive and fairly easy for me to handle, while others struggled mightily in the introductory class. By reputation, Chemical Engineering and Architecture 4 were seen as particularly taxing due to their intense workloads and projects. Aerospace Engineering was notorious for its unified course but had a reputation for being less feared after the initial semester.
From personal experience, humanities courses tended to be less demanding in terms of workload, offering more time and flexibility. For those who are interested in combining theoretical work with real-world applications, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (Course 6) and Chemical Engineering (Course 10) remain the most demanding majors.