Freshman Essay Evaluation FAQs
If you do not see your question answered here, please either check the Communication Requirement page, the Freshman HASS-D Lottery page, the HASS Requirement Page, or send your question to fee-help@mit.edu, and we'll do our best to answer it quickly!
Q: What are the possible scores on the Freshman Essay Evaluation?
A: There are three scores:
- •CI-H /CI-HW Required. You may take any CI-H or CI-HW subject during your first year at MIT.
- •CI-HW Required. You must take a CI-HW subject as your first CI subject during your first year at MIT.
- •21F.222 Required. You must take 21F.222 as your first CI subject during your first year at MIT.
Q: I received a 5 on the AP Exam on Language and Composition and/or Literature and Composition. Do I need to take the FEE?
A: No. If you have taken either the AP Language and Composition Exam or the AP Literature and Composition Exam and have received a 5 (and are arranging to have your scores sent to MIT), you do not need to take the FEE. You will automatically be listed as "CI-H/CI-HW Required". If you have questions about your AP credit, please email ap@mit.edu.
Q: I am taking the AP Language and Composition Exam and/or the AP Literature and Composition Exam this May and will not have my score until July. Do I need to take the FEE?
A: We strongly suggest that you take the FEE over the summer if you do not yet have your AP scores as the FEE is a better measure of writing ability. The FEE is offered online in both June and July. If you take the FEE over the summer and end up getting a 5 on your AP exam, we take the better of the two scores, and you will automatically be listed as "CI-H/CI-HW Required" even if you do not receive that score on the summer FEE. If you do not end up receiving a score of 5 on your AP and do not take the summer FEE, you will need to take the pencil-and-paper make-up test during orientation. Therefore, it cannot hurt to take the online FEE over the summer.
Q: What happens if I get a score of 5 on the AP Test on Language and Composition (or a score of 5 on the AP Test on Literature and Composition) but I do not receive a score of "CI-H/CI-HW Required" on the FEE?
A: We take the best score. If you take the FEE and receive a score of "CI-HW Required" or "21F.222 Required", but receive a score of 5 on either of the AP exams listed above, your final score will be "CI-H/CI-HW Required".
Q: If I've taken the AP exam, but do not yet know my score, will it hurt me to take the online FEE?
A: NO. See above.
Q: I received a score of 5 on the appropriate AP exam. Do I need to send my score to your office to prove it?
A: No. If you arranged to have your AP scores sent to MIT, it will automatically count as a "CI-H/ CI-HW Required". If you have questions about your AP credit, please email ap@mit.edu.
Q: Will my chances in the HASS-D Lottery be affected if I choose to take the July FEE instead of the June FEE?
A: No. It is a random lottery. However, if you take the June exam, you will have your results in time to make an educated choice about whether or not to enter the HASS-D Lottery. The enrollment in some CI-H classes labeled is managed by the HASS-D lottery. As an entering freshman, if you would like to take a CI-H subject also labeled HASS-D, you will need to enter the HASS-D Lottery by the date specified in the HASS-D Lottery link above.
Q: What if I am unable to take the online FEE?
A: If you are unable to take the online FEE over the summer, you must take the pencil-and-paper make-up test during orientation.
Q: What if I want to take a CI-HW class?
A: Then you do not have to take the exam. Enjoy the weekend!
Q: How do I get my results?
A: For the June exam, log back in at 12:00 p.m. EST (noon) on July 12th to view your results and comments on the essay. For the July exam, log back in at 12:00 p.m. EST (noon) on August 17th to view your results and comments on the essays.
Q: Do you accept the IB (International Baccalaureate) Exam in lieu of the FEE?
A: No.
Q: Do you accept high scores on the SAT in lieu of the FEE?
A: No.
Q: I took a class for college credit during high school. Can that substitute for the FEE?
A: No. Although you may be able to arrange transfer credit through the admissions office at MIT, classes taken during high school will not substitute for the FEE.
Q: Can I use a computer at my local library/internet cafe to take the Online Essay Evaluation?
A: YES!
