If I'm lucky enough to get into MIT, how flexible are they about changing majors? If I end up not loving my first choice, is it a complicated process to switch?
MIT is actually quite flexible when it comes to changing majors. They understand that students' interests may change and evolve over time. Here is how the process generally works:
At MIT, when you first enter as a freshman, you're not required to declare a major until the end of your first year. This allows you to take a variety of classes across different fields and explore your interests.
Once you do declare a major, if you decide to change it later, you're typically required to submit a "Change of Major" form to the Registrar's Office. The process is fairly straightforward though you will need to meet with and obtain a signature from your new department's undergraduate academic administrator.
That said, there are a few things to keep in mind. Changing majors might mean catching up on a few prerequisites specific to your new major. Depending on when you switch and how different the two majors are, this could potentially impact your graduation timeline.
Additionally, certain majors like the 6-7 (Computer Science and Molecular Biology) are more course-intensive and might require additional planning to ensure that you can complete all the requirements in a timely manner.
Overall, the key is to keep an open dialogue with your academic advisor throughout the process. They can give you professional advice based on your academic performance, interests, and career goals. Especially, MIT is known for its supportive academic culture, so there are resources available to help you navigate this change and keep you on track to graduation.
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