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Massachusetts Institute of Technology Reviews

Average Rating Details

Academic Rigor

Dorm Life

Food and Dining

See Massachusetts Institute of Technology reviews submitted by students. Find out what students have to say about various aspects of attending Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Read about academic experiences and campus life in these free Massachusetts Institute of Technology reviews, or contribute your own Massachusetts Institute of Technology review if you're a current student there.

  • 40 out of 40 people found this review useful.

    Aaron from Farmington Hills, MI

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Am learning a lot

    MIT is the #1 Engineering school in the nation and perhaps the world. However, even those studying other subjects have come to a University that pushes the limits of time management and, quite plainly, one's genius. This University requires its students pass Calculus I and II, Physics I and II, Biology, and Chemistry to graduate, which says a lot about the emphasis on learning.
    Am enjoying being here

    From day one MIT will feel like home. Orientation acquaints Freshman with MIT and eases qualms. For the majority of September, Freshmen are exalted to celebrity status. After follows hundreds of hours of work yet because the student body is overrun with brilliance, the standard is perfection. Despite cryptic Math problems and accursed Physics tests, MIT draws one in like light to a fly. Making it through the fire on Graduation, you will have inevitably made lasting memories and friendships.
    Bang for the buck

    Everyone in the academic world knows MIT and with good reason. MIT is one of the top Universities in the world. The benefits from having MIT on your resume cannot be expressed in terms of money. In the job market the allure of an MIT graduate is reliability. Proving yourself in an MIT classroom assures excellence, and employers know this.
    Tips for prospective students

    If you dream of MIT then apply early action! It is not binding, but it shows commitment to MIT on your part. Additionally, if you don't get in early, don't be discouraged. Most recruited athletes are accepted early and spots are limited- that's just how it is.

    Are you unsure if MIT is for you? Many doubt that MIT can provide a normal college life for students. Please don't believe such speculative talk and take a visit for yourself. You will be surprised how normal and friendly the people are.
    Great for these types of students

    Intelligent, hard-working students looking for the challenge of a lifetime.

  • 44 out of 50 people found this review useful.

    Naomi from Jonesboro, GA

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Tips for prospective students

    Focus on being a well-rounded student, along with good standardized test scores and a decent GPA. MIT does not focus solely on SAT/ACT scores; being involved in extra-curricular activities and volunteering in your community also play a large part in the application process. Also, remember to take your SAT Subject Tests early in Math and Science in order to apply to MIT. SAT Subject Tests are required to apply to MIT.
    Great for these types of students

    Competitive, Focused, Technology-driven.

  • 24 out of 24 people found this review useful.

    Hannah from CT

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Am learning a lot

    Not only is there an extensive amount of material covered, but you also have professors who are the top of their fields, right from the beginning of freshman year!
    Am enjoying being here

    Because MIT is such a diverse school in the middle of Boston and Cambridge, which are great cities, you have tons of opportunities to experience different clubs, activities, and even kinds of food. The people are incredibly interesting, and the professors and graduate students are very helpful to undergraduates.
    Bang for the buck

    The opportunities available are amazing. Starting from freshman year you can participate in research with professors in any field. Classes are open to all students in all departments, so even if you are not majoring in something you can still take classes in it.
    Tips for prospective students

    Be yourself on your application. Don't try to be who you think MIT wants you to be. The admissions staff know how much effort goes into each application, so they really take the time to read each one and get to know the student who submitted it. Make sure you have something (outside of your schoolwork) that you are very passionate about....whether it is a sport, a musical instrument, or a hobby you've had since childhood. MIT wants students who are interesting, the kind of people who will make a difference in the school rather than just existing for four years.
    Great for these types of students

    Students who like a challenge and are very self-motivated will do well at MIT. You also have to be willing to work with other students; cooperation and collaboration are a big part of life at MIT. If you are very competitive with your classmates, this is not the school for you. Students never receive rankings, and the goal is to have students work together as much as possible.

  • 16 out of 17 people found this review useful.

    Rebecca from Louisville, CO

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Am learning a lot

    Freshman year nearly everybody takes a version of the same classes: physics, chemistry, biology and calculus. Most of these classes are good, but you may have learned some of the material before in high school. I found this especially true of physics. There are multiple levels, however, of each class, and this allows students to choose one appropriate to their skills.

    I found my HASS (humanities) classes to be great. They are generally small (<20 students) and very interactive. I have learned a lot so far at MIT. I would even say that more of what I have learned has come from outside of the classroom. Homework and social activities offer an opportunity to learn how to stay organized. Extracurriculars have given me a chance to learn how to be a leader, and work with other people.
    Am enjoying being here

    I love MIT. It is a place where anyone can find their niche. There is a stereotype of MIT being just for nerds, and well, it is. But nerds come in all genders, colors and personalities. Everyone here loves learning, but there is more to them than that. I have finally found a place with people like me, and I know people here who are completely different than myself and they would say the same thing.
    Bang for the buck

    MIT is expensive, but for the most part, they have good financial aid, and even if you have to pay out of pocket, I would say that MIT is one of the few schools that are worth it.

    Not only do you get the experience of being at MIT, surrounded by the Institvte, but you also get name recognition, which actually is incredibly helpful.
    Tips for prospective students

    Don't stress over getting perfect scores and perfect grades. MIT is looking for interesting students, who have a life outside of school (but who are also smart...). They are looking for passion, whether it be in Math Olympiads, or knitting, or anything in between. If you have good grades and scores, make sure that you let them know who you are in your application. Being yourself is most important.
    Great for these types of students

    Anybody, as long as you are willing to work hard. You don't have to work all the time, and anyone can find a place where they fit in.

  • 12 out of 12 people found this review useful.

    Peter from Cambridge, MA

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Am learning a lot

    The material taught in the lecture hall of MIT is...difficult. There's no way around it. But don't fear, you won't be alone in thinking it is. However, the professors are always available during office hours as well as the TAs so receiving help on those weekday nights doing problem sets isn't an issue. The classes here have a lot of material, sometimes it seems like too much, but as long as you do what you are expected to (doing the readings, doing the problem sets, going to lecture, etc), you will learn more in depth and in scope here than anywhere else in the world.
    Am enjoying being here

    Though many people see MIT as simply a nerdy place for those who feel pleasure from solving a triple integral problem in multivariable calculus (ok ok, we do have some of those types here too), the party scene here is vastly underrated. Students from around the area including Boston University, Boston College, Wellesley College, Tufts University, Harvard University (them and their oxford clothing of course), and many others primarily come to MIT on the weekends due to the active fraternity scene here. The students are also usually welcoming and due to the extremely high diversity you will find on campus, you can always find a group of friends.
    Bang for the buck

    The money you pay to go to MIT isn't primarily for the academics. As with many top schools, it is for the sheer number of activities you can be involved in, the prospective internship and professional activities you can be exposed to and last but not least, the connections you can build amongst not only fellow students, but the faculty who have already achieved monumental breakthroughs and continue doing so today. Though it may be expensive, coming to MIT will pay off; the catch is that you must be able to push yourself, work hard, and ACTIVELY search for the opportunities lying around for you. Also, financial aid here is pretty good; over 58% of the student body takes on financial aid that does not need to be repaid (grants, scholarships, etc).
    Tips for prospective students

    Don't try and just get by. It's possible - in fact, many students do it every year and there are several super seniors that I know personally. But it's not worth it. At all. To lose out on the opportunities presented is a complete waste of the financial strain you might have to put on yourself and your family. Be ready to have a lot of fun and have the time of your life...but also be ready to work hard.
    Great for these types of students

    Anyone with a drive to excel and succeed.

  • 8 out of 8 people found this review useful.

    Christopher from Elmhurst, IL

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Am learning a lot

    The pace is really fast, but everyone works hard and with each other on problem sets so everything is definitely manageable. This is a difficult school but you are always learning and constantly improving both yourself and your academics.
    Am enjoying being here

    There are so many types of people here that constantly disproves the stereotypical MIT geek. That being said, most of us love to work and are passionate about we do. However this does not just mean homework, but also being involved in other activities as well. Having a balanced life here is very important and with so many clubs, activities and opportunities it is pretty easy.
    Bang for the buck

    Sure you end up paying a lot, but for the education it is definitely worth it. People respect not only the MIT name, but the students who graduate from the institute as well and are impressed by our level of work and standards.
    Tips for prospective students

    It is important to take difficult classes in high school, especially in math, biology and chemistry. Moreover it is important to make sure that you are having fun and that you like what you are doing. It is so much easier to work harder when you are motivated and passionate about what you are doing.
    Great for these types of students

    MIT is great for students who like to be challenged and have fun.

  • 4 out of 4 people found this review useful.

    Michael from Waynesville, OH

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Am learning a lot

    Despite preconceived notions of MIT, students here are not cut throat; rather, more like the cliché “we’re all in it together”. Although, as much as they say it’s not competitive, it really is. The attitude/atmosphere doesn’t feel competitive like everyone is at your throat, but it’s still there. Most technical classes are curved, and you ARE competing with everyone else in that class for your grade.
    MIT requires all its graduates to have a significant breadth across math, science, and humanities; however, any undergraduate degree will leave you inches deep and miles wide in terms of specialization Most freshman attending MIT already have a sense of direction, and now that the masters is the ‘new bachelors’, specialization is even more important. That being said, yes, an MIT education is very demanding and you will learn a lot, but everyone nowadays will agree that a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering hardly makes you an engineer, let alone a master’s. Regardless, MIT has an excellent program in Course 6 (EE) called M.Eng, which allows MIT undergrads to enroll in a special one year masters program in engineering. In lieu of academics, a primary source of motivation to get good grades as an undergrad is that acceptance into this program is dependent only your undergrad performance; in particular, an A/B average will almost guarantee acceptance. After one year at MIT, my focus narrowed greatly as I now know my interest and exactly what role MIT will play in my specialization, just as it will for you.

    Am enjoying being here

    The collaborative nature of the student body is fantastic, being the best resource for undergrads. Then there are office hours, which in many cases are one on one with the professor, and personal tutoring services available to help students manage MIT. Many classes are video-taped, and can be (re)viewed (hopefully) on ocw.mit.edu. OCW has been an invaluable resource that has the most exhaustive, public collection of all lectures for most MIT courses that you won't find anywhere else (note a distinction at MIT is Course refers to a specific department like EE or Physics, whereas course refers to classes within each Course, like Physics I or Single Variable Calculus). In addition, MIT has an exceptional gym (it’s huge and new) and sits on the Charles River. So if you fancy swimming, lifting, basketball, fencing, sailing, crew, etc., MIT has it.
    Bang for the buck

    What you get from MIT is what you make of your education. There are resources available, but it is up to you to take advantage of them. Otherwise, MIT is not worth $55k unless you have masochistic tendencies. The UROPs alone (see Tips below) validate the cost of attendance. Generally speaking, the opportunity to publish as an undergrad is dismal and often times difficult. MIT is designed to be collaborative (the problem sets are so difficult they’re nearly impossible to complete individually), and professors love help in their research, especially from whom better than an MIT student? Making it through your first year already shows competence and reliability, so remember to be assertive and outgoing because you’ve earned it.
    Tips for prospective students

    I came to MIT expecting instruction by professors to be excellent, very much similar to most of my high school teachers. The sad truth is MIT is a research institution and the quality of instruction depends solely on the professors doing the research, which often is less than adequate. However, make good to take advantage of this fact by doing undergrad research opportunity projects (UROP), which far too few undergrads actually do. The job of MIT professors is to do research, not to teach. While they are required to teach and some professors put their heart into lecturing, in general, this is not the case. Having 6k grads and only 4k undergrads, these numbers alone show what kind of institution MIT is. Regardless, expect to make very good friends who will help you get through MIT together. Prove to yourself that MIT is best for you, not the other way around. The most important thing to exhume on your application is to demonstrate perseverance if you think MIT is a great match for you.
    Great for these types of students

    The reason I am attending MIT is that I want to do research, so I feel most if not all students should have some sort of desire to do research (because MIT is primarily a graduate, research school). But then again, I feel all MIT students have unique learning-styles with a touch of masochism. Whatever your calling, remember MIT is difficult because the students (who, as a given, were all top of their class) are driven to succeed, which should motivate your own ambition. You don’t have to be valedictorian to get accepted into MIT. You just need to show you’re motivated and capable of competing with students from across the world that were, otherwise MIT will be very, very difficult. Even if you were the best at your high school, MIT still won’t be smooth sailing, but it’s up to you to make the most out of it.

  • 2 out of 2 people found this review useful.

    Jedidiah from Acton, ME

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    The students here are all brilliant, motivated, inspired people. Everywhere you go there is amazing science happening, and every individual has terrific opportunities through the UROP program and the many research connections that MIT has to gain experience and participate in the lab. The work is difficult, but the opportunities are worth it.
    Tips for prospective students

    Be prepared to be challenged. The classes are going to push your limits and you may find it nearly impossible to do the homework at times, but remember that in the end, all the work you do will get you closer to the field of science that interests you the most.
    Academic Rigor

    The work here will challenge you. It's very difficult, and you will often be completely stumped on a problem. MIT allows for cooperation on homework, but it does not tolerate cheating of any kind. Do your work the best you can and you are sure to do fine in the end though.
    Dorm Life

    MIT allows students to choose the dorm that they want to stay in. It's a terrific setup that allows students to explore different dorm cultures and decided which one fits best.
    Food and Dining

    The meal plan is absolutely terrific. It is a little on the expensive side, but you definitely don't have to worry about going hungry. Also, there are many restaurants on campus and a few places nearby where you can pick up groceries.
    What to do for fun

    There is always something going on! Usually there is some student created event going on, or a special lecture by a famous scientist. Weekends in the winter offer free Ice Skating, and all of the dorms have game rooms of some kind. Also, there is the entire city of Boston to explore.
    Bang for the buck

    When you get an education at MIT, businesses look for you. When you graduate, you will have no trouble paying off the bills that you acquired while attending.
    Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

    The entire campus has a very diverse set of architecture which is always fun to explore. The Stata center and the Kresge Auditorium are just a couple examples. Some examples of strange traditions include MIT henge where the sun shines down the third floor infinite corridor.
    Great for these types of students

    Students who are inspired, motivated, and scientifically inclined would fit in here very well. Also, it helps to be quirky in some regards and unique. MIT is always looking for those individuals that demonstrate a new skill to bring to the very diverse culture of the student body.
    Clubs and Activities

    Anything you can think of probably has a club associated with it. If you can't seem to find a club that you are interested in, then you have the power to create one. It's a terrific system that allows the student body to control the student culture.
    Greek Life

    There are many fraternities on campus and nearby in Boston that take people. During RUSH, they offer tons of things to do and offer free food everywhere. Most offer cheaper housing alternatives than the dorms and some are even closer to main campus.
    Campus Safety

    There is not a lot of crime that occurs on the campus. The students are all very friendly and there is virtually no hazing of any kind.

  • 1 out of 1 people found this review useful.

    Alex from New York

    Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon. Reviewer has been to campus.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    MIT is one of the best, if not THE best, engineering school in the country, but don't overlook other programs like business or economics, which are also great at MIT. MIT has a strong sense of collaboration that it promotes from your first visit on campus through its extensive alumni networks, which can be rare in such high-caliber colleges. It's a great place to be all around, as long as you're up for the challenge and the workload.
    Tips for prospective students

    Just be yourself on the application. The admissions officers really want to get to know YOU as a person and what makes YOU tick, not some other being that someone has concocted on the type of an online application. They want to get to know you - to hear your voice in your writing, to see life through your eyes. It's important that they can see what's really important to you. Their admissions blogs on mitadmissions.org often give great perspective about the admissions process - read them!

    As for extracurriculars, it certainly does help if you do something related to science or mathematics - but it also helps to do things outside of that. Whatever you choose to do, make sure it's something you like and that it's important to you. And don't think that you need to have received some national science or math award to have a chance at getting in (though those will help!) - I have never participated in such national competitions, and I was still adMITted :)
    Academic Rigor

    If you're looking for a rigorous education, MIT's the place for you. MIT is filled with so many highly intelligent people - you will be amazed at how much your peers have accomplished, as they may be in awe of your successes. The coursework is indeed rigorous - many times one can find students having P-set parties at 2 a.m. If you're like many of the people who come here, you will have to learn new study skills quickly and efficiently. Since most people who come to MIT have not had to study much for tests before, learning how to study can become extremely important to figure out since MIT's level of coursework is much higher than anything you've ever experienced (or are likely to ever experience). Luckily, MIT has a strong culture of collaboration so as to make a learning environment compatible with group work and learning, which is wonderfully set up.
    Dorm Life

    Dorms have different cultures at MIT, and you [generally] get to pick which one you get to live in, so you're likely to have a good fit. Many students join FSILGs, but these are not the only opportunity for a social life.
    Food and Dining

    Most dorms have some sort of kitchen (shared between different people/ floors, etc.) where students can cook. Only some of the dorms have dining in the dorm itself, but it seems that there are plenty of places to find something to eat. I have not heard of many complaints about the food or the dining system.
    What to do for fun

    MIT students work hard and play harder :)
    Bang for the buck

    The Wall Street Journal places MIT as number one in the rankings for best return on investment in 2010: http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2010/06/30/top-20-colleges-that-offer-best-return-on-investment/
    MIT has a pretty good financial aid system; however, I have heard of some not being able to afford to attend MIT and that they were offered better packages at other schools. However, the MIT degree is well worth the price. MIT students can be found with jobs from top companies with a good starting salary right out of graduation, and generally have high placement rates for graduate or medical schools.
    Great for these types of students

    Hardworking, self-motivated students who are prepared for the some of the hardest but most fulfilling years of education. Particularly great for those interested in math and science, but MIT also has a growing (and top-rated) business and economics programs. Good for students who might enjoy a collaborative environment, and for those wishing to participate in research.

  • 1 out of 1 people found this review useful.

    Guillermo from Buford, GA

    Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon. Reviewer has been to campus.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    mit is a school that takes 1000 of the best students of the world and combines them in a place that glows with creativity. this is easily the number one or at least one of the best universities when it comes to a career in engineering or science. the staff and students are both a tremendous intellectual, cooperative community that has an extreme passion for whatever they choose to study here.
    Tips for prospective students

    test scores on sat and act are almost nothing when it comes to mit. what matters most if you're looking to get in, is to find a few extracurricular activities that you feel represent you best, and stick to them for several years, it'll really show how passionate you are about your interests, and that's what matters most. find your passion, and challenge yourself to outperform not just your classmates, but more importantly yourself.
    Academic Rigor

    if you go to mit, expect to be challenged beyond anything you could imagine. i've done summer programs at mit that mimic what a freshman semester was like, and it was the hardest challenge of my life. the point of this is not to fail you out of mit (it has above a 95 percent graduation rate), but rather to encourage you to think creatively and push yourself to limits you didn't know existed.
    Dorm Life

    i've only gone over the summer to visit mit, so i didn't get to see much of the dorm life that goes on regularly. you can expect however, to see a lot of p-set parties that happen throughout the year (basically all-nighters to finish homework assignments. in addition there's a lot of interesting places you can room at while you're at mit. i stayed in simmons, which if you've never heard of it, is basically a building that looks like giant sponge on the outside. i'm not joking, either, you can google it.
    Food and Dining

    although mit cafeteria food may not be to your liking, there's always a ton of other places to eat at just by walking maybe a block or two away from campus. you can take the subway into boston and find a lot of great places to eat at, and even on campus there's even a small food court with pretty great food, although it is more expensive than what's offered at the cafeteria.
    What to do for fun

    mit is practically always buzzing with activity, both during the day and at night, and there's almost every single extracurricular activity you can imagine. seriously, i once looked up and found that there's a club that gets together and plays nerf gun wars on a regular basis. that's how diverse it can get, but if you don't want to spend that much time on campus, there's always martha's vineyard in the area, and boston is practically walking distance from the main campus.
    Bang for the buck

    the price tag on mit might seem a lot, but i've been told several times by multiple students and graduates that there's nowhere else in the world that you can get an education like the one at mit. not only that, many graduates have told me that you are guaranteed to get an incredible job offer or career opportunity as soon as you graduate.
    Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

    mit is famous for its student tradition of performing what are known as hacks, pranks that are pulled on mit buildings or other universities sometimes. the most common of these is usually the redecorating of the great dome at mit. it has been covered up sometimes to represent the head of r2-d2, and in the past various objects like a cow or a police car have been mysteriously found at the top of the dome.

  • 1 out of 1 people found this review useful.

    Sylvia from Richland, WA

    Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has not been to campus.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Will learn a lot

    I have a friend who goes here as a freshman and she tells me how much she learns, which is a lot.
    Will enjoy being here

    Definitely want to go here!
    Bang for the buck

    A bit pricey, but it is a great school.
    Tips for prospective students

    Get ready for awesomeness!
    Great for these types of students

    Any type of interests, not only technology and science.

  • 1 out of 1 people found this review useful.

    Austin from Hamilton, MI

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Tips for prospective students

    Be interesting! everyone has a 4.0 (here at least), so you got to make yourself be different from the rest of the crowd!

  • 1 out of 1 people found this review useful.

    MIT Hopeful

    Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has been to campus.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Will learn a lot

    Everyone I spoke to on campus repeatedly reiterated who challenging, and rewarding their experience was.
    Will enjoy being here

    The campus felt intense, but everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.
    Bang for the buck

    The tuition seems like so much, but if I was accepted, I'd gladly pay the full sticker price.

  • 2 out of 5 people found this review useful. 2 people found it offensive.

    Anish from Chantilly, VA

    Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has been to campus.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Will learn a lot

    Yes. Nothing more to be said...
    Will enjoy being here

    LAN parties and geek culture.
    Bang for the buck

    MIT is expensive, but you'll (metaphorically) get paid in gold bars if you flash yours.
    Tips for prospective students

    MIT seems to love competitions and extracurriculars. Doing well in an international Olympiad will help you chances a lot.
    Great for these types of students

    The type that do a pset while coding in assembly at the same time.

  • 2 out of 5 people found this review useful. 2 people found this inaccurate.

    Taryn from Lakeland, FL

    Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has been to campus.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Will learn a lot

    duh! but then again, that depends what you study there and what they have to offer...
    Will enjoy being here

    i hear good and bad all around, but i have yet to hear it straight up for people at MIT or from the students. i hear pockets of the truth in subtle form... but if you want to be there, you'll enjoy being there
    Bang for the buck

    a top notch education is worth it, but i still suggest trying to get any outside scholarship or grant help because competition for scholarships within the school will be tough
    Tips for prospective students

    - make sure that you are a well-rounded student
    - if your test scores are iffy, keep on testing
    - make yourself spectacular for what you are planning to go into
    Great for these types of students

    dedicated, quick-learners

  • 0 out of 4 people found this review useful. 1 person found it offensive.

    Melissa from Birmingham, AL

    Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has not been to campus.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Will learn a lot

    If you go this school you will neither enter nor leave dumb
    Bang for the buck

    It expesive but putting I went to MIT on your resume is worth it.
    Tips for prospective students

    Get into the sciences
    Great for these types of students

    Engineers

  • 4 out of 26 people found this review useful.

    Blesson from Yonkers, NY

    Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has not been to campus.

    Categories Rating Comments

  • Anonymous

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    MIT is an amazing, unique place where being smart means nothing. Everyone is very excited about exploring, discovering, and just basically doing awesome things. MIT is a fantastic challenge for creative, innovative, and driven students.
    Tips for prospective students

    If you're looking to apply to MIT, know that there really isn't a magic formula. Take the classes that interest you, if only for the reason that they sound cool. Do stuff that makes you happy. And then when you go to apply, talk about it. Make yourself a real person. Sure, there are some super geniuses here, but the rest of us are here because we get really excited about rockets or Play Doh circuits or Doctor Who or making model ships. It doesn't matter really what you're passionate about, but just do it!
    Academic Rigor

    MIT is really tough. You can do it, but you can't do it alone. Get used to asking friends, professors, teammates and TA's for help. Everything really is collaborative, so there's no stigma against asking friends for help. MIT is a great challenge, and you'll never be bored.
    Dorm Life

    The dorms at MIT all have their own really different cultures. I mean REALLY different. Your dorm becomes a big part of your social life, so it is important to pick one that you really like and connect with. Within the dorms, often the floors have their own cultures as well. Your floormates really do become your family.
    Food and Dining

    So at MIT if you live in a dorm with a dining hall, you are required to follow the meal plan. However, if you don't, then you can choose whether you want to stay on the meal plan or cook for yourself. Dorms without dining have kitchens, often in every suite. Dining is what you make it, and can also be based on how good of a cook you are.
    What to do for fun

    Well, Boston is right across the river, so there's always exploring, museums, and performances right there. Also, frat life is pretty big, so if you're into that, it is definitely here. Hacking is also an option. Movie marathons, TV shows, and general hanging out are pretty popular too.
    Bang for the buck

    An MIT degree is worth a lot, and it is really a great experience. It is very difficult, but I think that it is probably worth it.
    Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

    Well, there's hacking, which exposes some of the more unusual locations on campus. If you're interested in hacking culture, give it a Google.
    Great for these types of students

    Creative, individual, driven, studious, fun, spontaneous, confidently nerdy, good humored. No slacking here.
    Clubs and Activities

    MIT has a ton of clubs and activities- way too many to join and also get your psets done.
    Greek Life

    Greek life is a pretty big deal here on campus. There are 6 large sororities, and about 23 different fraternities. Many guys pledge, and less girls do. Recruitment begins the week after you get on campus your freshman year.
    Campus Safety

    MIT is a pretty safe campus. The police are usually within sight on the streets, but they aren't malicious or anything. Dorms are of varying security, but if you are smart about it, security isn't a big deal.

  • T from MA

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Greek Life

    amazing!

  • Alias from MA

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    mit is what it says: like drinking from a fire hose.
    opportunities surround you.
    the students are driven and diverse but bond over common interests and sense of humor.
    Tips for prospective students

    don't come here if you get stressed by hard work.
    come here if you thrive on challenge, especially in math and science.
    come to accepted students' preview weekend; that's what convinced me to come to mit.
    Academic Rigor

    can't imagine classes being much harder, and some ta's are not as good as others. seek out the best sections and best professors as much as your schedule will allow.
    Dorm Life

    the dorms can be kind of quiet since much of the action is in the frat houses. this, of course, has a plus and a minus. however, i like my dorm and plan to stay here for all 4 years.
    Food and Dining

    the old system of buying our own food was definitely cheaper, but mit's new dining plans are more like most other schools. i am poorer, but my mom is happy because i am eating better. the food is fantastic!
    What to do for fun

    join some of a myriad of music, sports, or social groups; attend concerts, lectures, and plays. go into boston to a restaurant or fenway park. no one has enough time to do all that could be done.
    Bang for the buck

    mit is worth every penny. (mit also has great financial aid, which is the only way i could afford to come here.)
    Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

    hacks are the best! these are random appearances of...well, whatever! my freshman year a model of the tardis from dr. who appeared on the top of the dome. upside-down dorm room furniture has been suspended from the arches and much, much more.
    Great for these types of students

    mit is great for motivated, positive, intensely science/math oriented kids. that's not to say many kids here are not also talented in all forms of the arts. you just need to be attuned to the math/science thing. you need to be independent and brave, able to track down your own answers and opportunities. it's all here, but this is not a place which holds your hand and tells you what to do next. you basically need to be an adult from day one.
    Clubs and Activities

    social, arts, and sports teams and clubs abound. if you're looking for it, you can find it or start it at mit.
    Greek Life

    i'm not one for frat parties. i have friends in the dorm and in frats. joining a frat takes a lot of time freshman year, so it's tough to decide so quickly, but rush week is an awesome way to get free steak and lobster and even jet ski trips.
    Campus Safety

    i have never felt personally unsafe, but i am not a terribly cautious person. i have had 4 bikes stolen so far, some of them locked. mit is in the city, after all.