Questions about CI-H Subjects and the Communication Requirement

What are CI-H subjects and the Communication requirement?
CI-H and CI-HW subjects provide students with a foundation in effective expository writing and oral communication. CI-H subjects are writing classes or classes in the HASS curriculum in which students plan, organize, draft, and revise a series of sequenced assignments based on course material. CI-HW subjects have a particular emphasis on writing. CI-H/HW subjects are a component of the Communication Requirement, which is administered by the Office of the Communication Requirement, not the HASS Academic Administrator. You can find everything you need to know about CI-H/HW classes through their site.

(For students who entered before Fall 2010)
What is the difference between HASS-D and CI-H subjects?
HASS-D classes count toward the "old" HASS Distribution Requirement, part of the 8-subject HASS Requirement, for students who entered MIT prior to Fall 2010. CI-H classes count toward the Communication Requirement. Though there is often overlap, these are two different requirements and subject designations. (A subject designated both HASS-D and CI-H counts toward both requirements.)

(For students entering in Fall 2010 and later)
What is the difference between HASS Distribution and CI-H subjects?
HASS Distribution subjects – Humanities (HASS-H), Arts (HASS-A), and Social Sciences (HASS-S) – count toward the revised HASS Distribution component of the HASS Requirement for students entering MIT in Fall 2010 and beyond. CI-H subjects count toward the Communication Requirement. Though there is often overlap, these are two different requirements and subject designations. (All CI-H subjects also count toward the HASS Requirement.)

If I am required to take a CI-HW subject but I’ve already registered for a HASS-D (and/or CI-H subject), do I have to drop the HASS-D (and/or CI-H) subject?
In regard to the Communication Requirement, if your Freshman Essay Evaluation (FEE) results require you to take a CI-HW, your first CI subject must be designated as CI-HW. You will not receive CI credit for a CI-H subject taken prior to a CI-HW, however, you can receive credit towards the HASS Requirement for this subject. Remember, under the revised distribution, most CI-HW subjects also count towards the HASS Distribution component.

I’m going to take the July FEE, and won’t know my results in time for the HASS-D Lottery deadline. What should I do?
Your FEE results have no direct effect on the HASS-D Lottery (or any other part of the HASS Requirement. Depending on your FEE results, you will need to take a CI-H or a CI-HW in your first year in order to fulfill your Communication Requirement. In terms of the HASS Requirement, however, you may start taking HASS classes (including HASS-D’s) as soon as you would like to. That being said, if you are required to take a CI-HW, it is highly recommended that you do so before taking any other HASS classes.
As an incoming freshman, you are not required to take a HASS-D; however, if one of the classes you are planning to take happens to be designated as “HASS-D,” you will need to enter the HASS-D Lottery (by the deadline). If you lottery into a HASS-D, but later decide that you don’t want to take it (based on your FEE results, or any other factors), you can always drop the HASS-D when you register for your other classes. Thus, if you would like to take a HASS-D, you should certainly enter the lottery.