Dual Degree FAQs

Answers to some common questions about the MIT-Wellesley double-degree program are listed below. If you have a question that you would like to be included on this list, please email Class Dean Jennifer Stephan at jstephan@wellesley.edu.

Can I pursue a major at MIT besides engineering via this program?
What are my chances of getting into this program?
What kind of support does Wellesley provide to students in this program?
How will attending this program impact my financial aid?
How will attending this program impact my housing?
What are MIT's degree requirements?
What Wellesley courses may I be able to use to fulfill MIT's degree requirements?
 

Can I pursue a major at MIT besides engineering via this program?

No, with the exception of urban studies and architecture. A student should only consider the following MIT Courses (i.e. departments):

Architecture (Course 4)
Urban Studies and Planning (Course 11)
Aeronautics and Astronautics (Course 16)
Biological Engineering (Course 20)
Chemical Engineering (Course 10)
Civil and Environmental Engineering (Course 1)
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (Course 6)
Materials Science and Engineering (Course 3)
Mechanical Engineering (Course 2)
Nuclear Engineering (Course 22)

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What are my chances of getting into this program?

Admission to this program is highly competitive and is NOT guaranteed.

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What kind of support does Wellesley provide to students in this program?

Through the third year, students in the program have access to all the support services available for any Wellesley student. As they move through the fourth and fifth years, students officially become MIT students, but can still avail themselves of many of the support services on the Wellesley campus. The Class Deans office will continue to coordinate academic advising, as related to Wellesley matters, through the student’s entire time in this program. Online accounts, including email and access to library databases, will continue to be available to students throughout their time in the program. Many offices will continue to provide assistance and advice to students during their fourth and fifth years in the program, including the Center for Work and Service, the PLTC (as related to Wellesley courses), the Disability Services office, the cultural advisors, the Religious and Spiritual Life office, and health and counseling services. The educational and cultural programming of the Slater International Center is available for students in this program, although the support of international students in the program with regard to immigration matters will shift to MIT in the fourth and fifth years. Financial aid and housing also shift to MIT in the fourth and fifth years (see below for further details). Because of the highly individualized nature of this program, students may have specific needs for supports that they become aware of during their time in this program, and they are encouraged to remain in contact with the Class Deans’ office throughout their five years for assistance in achieving their goals as their needs develop through time.

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How will attending this program impact my financial aid?

During the fourth and fifth years of this program, double-degree candidates are governed by MIT’s financial aid policy, NOT Wellesley's. That is, dd candidates do not receive any financial aid from Wellesley for years 4 and 5 of the program. It is likely that students, if eligible for aid at Wellesley, will be eligible for aid at MIT, although there may be some differences, particularly during the fifth year. For financial aid purposes double-degree students in year 5 are considered graduate students. Although need based grants are not available to graduate students, students during their fifth year will be eligible for higher loans. Students should work with MIT's financial aid office regarding financial aid during the fourth and fifth years in the program to become aware of their specific options.

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How will attending this program impact my housing?

During the fourth and fifth years of this program, double-degree candidates are not eligible for housing on Wellesley's campus.

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What are MIT's degree requirements?

Double degree candidates must fulfill the requirements for a major at both institutions. Students interested in the double degree program should familiarize themselves with MIT's general institute requirements.

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What Wellesley courses may I be able to use to fulfill MIT's degree requirements?

It is likely, although not guaranteed, that the courses counting towards a student's Wellesley major will fulfill MIT's HASS concentration requirements. However, courses to fulfill MIT's HASS distribution (or HASS D) requirement, even though they are humanities, arts and social sciences courses, MUST BE TAKEN AT MIT. For the science portion of MIT's core requirements, the following are equivalent:

CHEM 105 and CHEM 205 = 5.111
BISC 110 = 7.012
PHYS 107 and PHYS 108 = 8.01 and 8.02
MATH 115 and 116 and 205 = 18.01 and 18.02

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