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Aaron from Farmington Hills, MI
08/19/2009Reviewer is A current student here.
84 out of 84 people found this review useful. 1 of 67
Categories Comments Great for these types of students Intelligent, hard-working students looking for the challenge of a lifetime.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Naomi from Jonesboro, GA
07/11/2009Reviewer is A current student here.
74 out of 84 people found this review useful. 2 of 67
Categories Comments Great for these types of students Competitive, Focused, Technology-driven.
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.
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Hannah from CT
08/24/2009Reviewer is A current student here.
42 out of 42 people found this review useful. 3 of 67
Categories Comments 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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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Rebecca from Louisville, CO
10/03/2009Reviewer is A current student here.
30 out of 31 people found this review useful. 4 of 67
Categories Comments 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Peter from Cambridge, MA
01/19/2010Reviewer is A current student here.
22 out of 23 people found this review useful. 5 of 67
Categories Comments Great for these types of students Anyone with a drive to excel and succeed.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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Jedidiah from Acton, ME
01/10/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
14 out of 14 people found this review useful. 6 of 67
Categories Comments 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Christopher from Elmhurst, IL
12/29/2010Reviewer is A current student here.
13 out of 13 people found this review useful. 7 of 67
Categories Comments Great for these types of students MIT is great for students who like to be challenged and have fun.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Michael from Waynesville, OH
07/01/2011Reviewer is A current student here.
12 out of 12 people found this review useful. 8 of 67
Categories Comments 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Alex from New York
04/03/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
11 out of 11 people found this review useful. 9 of 67
Categories Comments Campus Safety MIT is in a city - bikes are can be tampered with or stolen if not locked properly and securely (U-locks work great!). Occasionally there are a few other major thefts. Yet for the most part this campus is pretty safe. MIT police are always on campus out and about, and MIT also has a blue-light system in place. Additionally, the MIT police have set up a system where you can register your bike and your laptop with them to help them from being stolen or to find them if they are. MIT also has SafeRide that runs between MIT and different FSILGs until usually 2 am and a campus shuttle - so you really don't have to worry about getting back to campus late at night. You can even call MIT police to escort you back to your dorm (on campus) if it's late and you feel the slightest bit uncomfortable.
Greek Life There are over 25 fraternities and 6 sororities on campus; about half of the guys and 1/3 of the girls participate in Greek life at MIT. It's pretty different here than most other colleges - while some fraternities and sororities may be seen as the more stereotypical frat or sorority than others, MIT Greek life is definitely NOT what you might see on that show Greek or in Animal House. Definitely not. It's more than just a social group - it's a support system and a second home away from home. http://www.bestcollegesonline.com/blog/2012/09/04/10-colleges-that-get-greek-life-right/
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.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus Hacking (practical jokes - they're usually pretty awesome). Pumpkin drop near Halloweeen every year. Getting lots of free things at Career Fair and the Expos held. The Infinite (hallway) (look up MIT Henge on youtube.)
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/ In addition, MIT has recently been ranked #1 worldwide in terms of an overall university by QS: http://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2012 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. IMO, 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.
What to do for fun MIT students work hard and play harder :). There is always something going on - from frat parties to hacking to gaming, you can choose from so many things to do - you'll never be bored. A lot of students participate in varsity athletics (DI for rowing, DIII for everything else), or in intramural sports. There's so many different extracurriculars - from dance teams and a cappella and music groups to solar car teams and the anime club.
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 there are plenty of places to find something to eat. The dining plans are somewhat expensive - and all freshmen who live in a dining-hall dorm are required to have a meal plan. However, if you live in a non-dining dorm, it is possible to be on the meal plan (if you wish) or even to cook for yourself. The dining hall food isn't bad (some days it's actually pretty good), and there are a few grocery stores that are nearby (like Shaw's and Trader Joe's) for those who choose to cook for themselves.
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.
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.
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 :)
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.
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Guillermo from Buford, GA
02/04/2012Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon. Reviewer has been to campus.
8 out of 9 people found this review useful. 10 of 67
Categories Comments 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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03/29/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
8 out of 8 people found this review useful. 11 of 67
Categories Comments 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.
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.
Clubs and Activities MIT has a ton of clubs and activities- way too many to join and also get your psets done.
Great for these types of students Creative, individual, driven, studious, fun, spontaneous, confidently nerdy, good humored. No slacking here.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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Laith from Fountain Valley, CA
06/20/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
6 out of 6 people found this review useful. 1 person found this inaccurate. 12 of 67
Categories Comments Campus Safety It is an open campus right next to Boston and their are lots of tourists, but you will probably be fine. If you are worried there are clubs for ju-jitsu, kung fu, and akido which shall teach you to defeat all enemies. But seriously, don't run around at night alone and you'll be fine. And everyone will tell you not to get into a death match with muggers... except for me.
Greek Life More than half of MIT undergrads are involved in Greek life, which means yeah, I'm in a frat. You can still look forward to weekend hang outs and parties, but more than that you'll gain a great circle of support and friends for life. After the Greek Griller at school's start, Rush early and Rush hard.
Clubs and Activities If it has been imagined, there is likely a group for it. If not, you can make one. Build it and they will come... Well you really just have to put up a poster.
Great for these types of students If you like science and learning and ridiculous homework and ragging on Harvard for being a safety school, you belong at MIT.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus Dropping pianos and bouncy balls off roofs is good entertainment. so is liquid nitrogen, which abounds at MIT. Go talk to some secret organizations and they shall introduce you to the hacking culture, which includes finding cool places behind the scenes and occasionally putting interesting things on top of buildings.
Bang for the buck It's there. They will teach you to find it. MIT degrees say a lot to companies looking to hire.
What to do for fun Aside from study, sleep, and study, there are 33 varsity sports and a ton of club sports for every mildly athletic person. Then there are plenty of other clubs and opportunities to meet people on campus, and if that's too dull, just walk across the river to get a taste of the Boston scene.
Food and Dining Bon Appetite meal plans in the dorm dining halls are a bit pricey, but they are healthy and all-you-can-eat, at least as far as you can put those two terms in the same sentence. There are kitchens for those of you who cook on your own, some fraternities and sororities have their own meal plans, and there is always the little food court at the student center with a few decent choices. Midnight sandwiches at LaVerde's will probably find you at least once in your MIT career.
Dorm Life MIT has guaranteed on-campus housing for undergrads and when you get in they send you a packet with a video and information on all the different dorms, their specifications, and their unique culture. There is a place for everybody to fit in, and if you want to isolate yourself completely, MacGregor has plenty of single rooms open to freshman. If you want to triple or quad, the x06 and x11 rooms in Baker are pretty nice. You can usually find people up for a study break at any time of night.
Academic Rigor Whether or not you came out top of your class in high school, when you get to MIT you realize everybody is in the same boat and you are probably no longer one of those super geniuses of your school. You may hear stories of the monsters who passed out all of the general classes and went on to finish two majors in a year, but that is not a recommended strategy and you should discuss it with a guidance counselor first.
Tips for prospective students The best criterion for checking if you are a good fit for MIT is hooking yourself up to a polygraph, sticking your face in an advanced scientific textbook of your choice and declaring I love this stuff!. Maybe your not going to get positive result at every page but the point is that though it might not be a constant, unwavering desire that leads your heart and soul, you have a passion for learning. If you have just scorned the ideas of passion or emotions, thought up several ideas for a better polygraph, or are currently considering how you have never read a textbook because the information was so obvious, there is also a place for you.
In three sentences MIT is a top technical institute and one of the best schools there is for anyone looking for a career in science, engineering, or business. The school has a great on campus community full of intelligent and driven people with a culture built on teamwork and achievement. MIT has more Nobel Prize winning faculty than any other school, and some of them might be teaching your introductory classes.
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Anish from Chantilly, VA
08/14/2011Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has been to campus.
4 out of 7 people found this review useful. 2 people found it offensive. 13 of 67
Categories Comments Great for these types of students The type that do a pset while coding in assembly at the same time.
Tips for prospective students MIT seems to love competitions and extracurriculars. Doing well in an international Olympiad will help you chances a lot.
Bang for the buck MIT is expensive, but you'll (metaphorically) get paid in gold bars if you flash yours.
Will enjoy being here LAN parties and geek culture.
Will learn a lot Yes. Nothing more to be said...
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Alias from MA
01/26/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
4 out of 4 people found this review useful. 14 of 67
Categories Comments 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.)
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Sophie from Cambridge, MA
05/30/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
4 out of 4 people found this review useful. 15 of 67
Categories Comments What to do for fun Newbury street and the Prudential Center (shopping mall) are only a 15 minute walk away (a nice walk across Harvard Bridge, too!). The Cambridge Galleria (another large shopping mall) is a 10 minute free shuttle ride away.
Food and Dining The dining plan is very convenient, the food is pretty good, and offers vegetarian/vegan options as well. The only downside is its price, its inflexibility, and that it is required to students living in dorms equipped with dining halls.
Dorm Life Each dorm has its unique culture, as admitted students will see in the i3 dorm videos. It is important to choose the dorm that fits you - where you feel most at home.
Academic Rigor Yes, the academics are extremely hard. Even those who were straight-A students back in HS come here and may suffer their first C. However, the academic support here is amazing. TA's are very approachable and helpful, MIT offers a plethora of tutorial services, and professors are available as well. The immense academic rigor of MIT serves to teach that challenges are opportunities for growth.
Tips for prospective students Find a passion. Something that drive you. Something that makes you unique. GPA and SAT scores are important, but what will really make you stand out in a pile of stellar college applications is a talent/passion that no one else has.
In three sentences The students here are amazing, as everyone has a unique talent/passion, everyone is hardworking, and people are (mostly) down-to-earth. The academics are extremely hard, but the academic challenges are what bring students together and enable you to make friends for life. If you want a challenge, and are prepared to stretch yourself to your limits, you'll thrive here.
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Taryn from Lakeland, FL
06/29/2011Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has been to campus.
3 out of 9 people found this review useful. 3 people found this inaccurate. 16 of 67
Categories Comments Great for these types of students dedicated, quick-learners
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
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
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
Will learn a lot duh! but then again, that depends what you study there and what they have to offer...
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Lindsay from Scottsdale, AZ
06/12/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
3 out of 4 people found this review useful. 17 of 67
Categories Comments Great for these types of students Great for people who like to study hard but party harder. MIT is not for the feint at heart.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus Pumpkin drop, piano drop, bad taste... There are plenty of weird activities to fill up your weekends here.
What to do for fun Boston is a great place with many things to do. Popular activities include going to the Prudential Center, visiting the Boston Commons, going to Harvard Square, and Restaurant Week.
Academic Rigor MIT is hard but rewarding. The academics are some of the best in the world, and the workload certainly reflects that. I know so much more than I ever thought I would know a year ago, and even though my confidence is shot during most of the school year, when I go out into the real world, I feel more confident in my knowledge than I ever have.
Tips for prospective students Learn as much as you can about the school before applying and choosing to attend. The only way to know if you really like a place is to learn about it. If possible, visit MIT and many other schools to figure out if you're a good fit. If you show how much you know about MIT in your application, it will probably help you in the admissions process too.
In three sentences MIT is an amazing place. The students are very diverse in interests, activities, cultures, and backgrounds, and the diversity allows for an unparalleled learning environment. With its unique housing and dining system, fantastic professors, hacking culture, weird traditions, and nerdy atmosphere, there is truly no place quite like MIT anywhere else in the world.
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Shanasia from San Antonio, TX
06/14/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
3 out of 3 people found this review useful. 18 of 67
Categories Comments Campus Safety I admit we had a few instances around campus and a few on campus but I think the campus police do an excellent job at keeping the students safe since the campus is in the city and is open to the public. You always see them driving around. The dorms are actually getting their security revamped once again so MIT really wants to make sure it's little prodigies are safe.
Greek Life VERY PROMINENT ON CAMPUS. Hopefully you get my drift. Don't let it deter you though. No one is going to force you to pledge or go through recruitment. All anyone ever ask is that you give it a try. If it's not your thing, it's not your thing. Plenty of people have a great undergraduate experience and are not in a sorority or fraternity.
Clubs and Activities There's so much to do on campus. Just look at the never ending list of clubs on the website. Enough said. If what you want isn't there, make it happen.
Great for these types of students MIT is great for students who are resilient and are excellent time managers. Some students refine these qualities while they are at MIT but many students already have this down to a science. They know what they can handle and they know how to push themselves.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus I could share some unusual traditions but unless you are already aware of a few, you should just wait until you get on campus to experience them yourself... *cough*piano drop*cough*...
Bang for the buck Like I said before, it's worth every penny. You're getting a high quality education from the best of the best.
What to do for fun I liked to go out and party, which makes MIT the perfect place to be. All the frats have frat houses so they are the epicenter of the party scene. Dorms have great parties as well and certain organizations carry out popular social events. If that isn't your thing, don't forget campus is just right outside of Boston! The city is full of beautiful parks, restaurants, etc. There are plenty of movie theaters and shopping districts to visit. Plenty of sport venues. Art museums, music festivals, you name it, you can find it there.
Food and Dining There are mixed feeling about MIT dining. First off, it is wildly over priced but it is all-you-can-eat so it's tolerable. The food is decent (I've had way worst). Each dining hall is known for it's specialty and ambience so you can pick which ones you like and frequent them accordingly. The times that the dining hall is open can be inconvenient for students. However, being able to pick up a cooked meal in under five minutes is very convenient so you can pick what works for you. Some kids love to cook and that's what they do. Some kids, like me, would rather not starve so they have a dining plan ( 'Cause I can't cook at all). The dining staff are the nicest people in the world!
Dorm Life There is an abundance of life on campus that is bottled up within each dorm. Each of the twelve dorms has it's own personality, so whatever it is you are looking for you can find it right on campus. Rooms can get a little price but compared to the cost of apartments outside of campus, they are wildly convenient (Unless you get involved in greek life). My dorm itself was boring but the people who lived on my hall were always ready to have fun.
Academic Rigor MIT will challenge you, hands down. Sure you may be a Physics genius but you will be lost in 7.012 (an intro Biology class). Everyone has there achilles heel and MIT knows how to find it fast. Even if you really love challenges, you'll still get frustrated but the students they're looking for truck right through it. Until another obstacle is thrown their way, but nothing they throw at you is ever impossible.
Tips for prospective students You really should be well-rounded. It's great that you were the greatest science olympiad there ever was but if you can't talk to people or work in a group or write well, you aren't what they are looking for. There's more to life than math and science and MIT realizes this as well.
In three sentences It will put you in your place but it is worth every penny. Everyone is more than happy to be there and will do anything to make themselves a better person academically. If you really want to be here, it is a dream come true.
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Sarine from Northridge, CA
06/30/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
3 out of 3 people found this review useful. 19 of 67
Categories Comments What to do for fun Go off campus! Venture into Boston, go sailing on the Charles River, join one of hundreds of student groups and learn a new skill!
Food and Dining Not of the finest quality. Venture a few blocks into the neighboring city centers, however, and you will find high-quality food. For cafeteria-level dining, stay on campus. More options in nearby Central Square and Harvard Square.
Dorm Life I love my dorm! I can paint on my walls, I share my kitchen & bathroom with two other students, and I am close to campus! You cannot say this for most dorms here, but each has its advantages & disadvantages. Overall, MIT is a pleasant place to live!
Academic Rigor If you don't like to work, don't come to MIT. It has been acknowledged as one of the toughest schools to graduate from, simply because of its challenging academic environment. The professors like to challenge their students, and they do not take pity on anyone! If you like a challenge, and want to sharpen your analytical skills to the finest degree, MIT is the place for you!
Tips for prospective students Explore science and/or engineering as an interest before committing to MIT. If you truly enjoy these subjects and see yourself becoming a scientist and/or engineer in the future, then MIT is right for you. If you have any hesitation, visit campus, stay with a student, and ask a lot of questions.
In three sentences MIT is a great investment of four years. Your income will be a world-class education, one that is unparalleled at any other institution. MIT graduates are prepared by MIT to tackle any challenge they encounter in the rest of their lives.
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Kirstyn from Pinckney, MI
07/05/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
3 out of 3 people found this review useful. 20 of 67
Categories Comments Campus Safety MIT Police has the reputation of being *over* involved, but that's not a bad thing. I consider it safe because you'll never be alone. There are people out, literally, at any hour - at 2am, 4am, 5:30am, and 6 at night. It's across the river from Boston and the subway shuts down at 2am anyway, so there's no need to be out late at night, but I wouldn't feel unsafe anyway.
Greek Life Fraternities are phenomenal. Over 50% (I think) of the male population is involved in Greek life, and they're the funnest things ever (even for girls), because they're not your stereotypical fraternities. There's Jewish Greek life, geeky Greek life, community-service-centered Greek life, and a dozen normal-person fraternities in addition to those who like to party. As for sororities - give it a shot, they're not your typical sorority either, but there's a much lower participation rate (30%). I'm a perfectly happy non-sorority girl :-)
Clubs and Activities See Unusual traditions
Great for these types of students Overachievers who are confident enough in themselves to realize they don't know everything (in fact, they know nothing) and can ask for help. People who want to know how the world works, who will never stop asking questions, and who aren't afraid to fail a test, get a B in a class, or fall in love with something.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus Hahaha. See What to do for fun
Bang for the buck MIT is pricey. But they have phenomenal financial aid and opportunities for student jobs (and fun jobs - for-pay UROP!), and you'll make enough money when you're done to pay it back quickly.
What to do for fun Oh, my gosh. Where to begin? Find out for yourself - just come to CPW.
Food and Dining Meal plan is expensive!! But good food. Don't be afraid to cook for yourself either :-)
Dorm Life Fabulous. Most undergrads stay in a dorm all 4 years - very very few live off-campus at all, because many students move into Greek housing. Because students are from all over the world, no one goes home very often. Your dorm is your family. You cook together, paint together, study and studybreak and hack together, and there's a dorm for every single type of personality that you could ever imagine.
Academic Rigor Without a doubt. But if you work hard and put in hours and hours and hours and hours (and make friends that are brilliant), you'll get through it. Everyone helps everybody, so ask for help (to those brilliant friends you make!) - psetting (homework is a pset, so psetting is doing homework) is often the most human interaction you'll have any given week, so make the most of it.
Tips for prospective students Have a passion - and sell it. MIT looks for what you've done with the situations life has given you. Do you love math or robots or something ridiculously geeky? Excel. Do you love rappelling or inventing color-changing nail polish or playing rugby? Show that passion off, and go for it :)
In three sentences There is always something happening at MIT. Someone is hacking (pulling a prank), punting, tooling, inventing, psetting, creating, winning, losing, succeeding, and creating lifelong friendships and memories, every second of the week. It's by far the most incredibly difficult thing I've ever done, but after 4 years here, I'll face any challenge head-on with confidence and the history of far more allnighters than any human being should ever have to face :-)
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Caterina from San Juan, PR
07/18/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
3 out of 3 people found this review useful. 21 of 67
Categories Comments Campus Safety We have campus police that patrol the campus but it is overall pretty safe. Also, we have shuttles running up to 3:30 am around campus so that students don't have to walk around in he dark.
Greek Life MIT's Greek life is pretty busy and almost everyone is affiliated to it.
Clubs and Activities Anything you like... We're not the best at sports but we have great teams of any sport you like!
Great for these types of students Every type of person can do great here and have loads of fun!
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus There's Baker's piano drop, Halloween's pumpkin drop, liquid nitrogen ice cream on special occasions, Senior Haus's Steer Roast, hacking, and more.
Bang for the buck MIT is definitely worth it.
What to do for fun Whether you're sporty, nerdy, quiet, loud, shy, or social you'll always find something to do around campus. You could biking around Boston and enjoy the scenery of the Charles. You could go chairing in MIT's tunnels, you could join one of the many, many clubs and organizations MIT has to offer, such as a club for chocolate lover, the Quidditch team, etc.
Food and Dining You're right next to Boston! You'll find excellent cuisine. If you don't want to cross the bridge there's also Kendall Square and Central Square in Cambridge. Around campus, the food is pretty decent and you can grab a yummy lunch almost anywhere. Also, if ice cream is your calling Toscanini's is the best gelatto place in New England- and it's only a 10 minute walk away! There's also a dining plan for undergraduate students that wish to enroll. Bon apettit runs the dining halls and there's a total of 7, each one has different food everyday and you can go to whichever one you like. The food here is also excellent.
Dorm Life Every dorm has a different personality! You might find the eccentricity of East Campus fits you best, as opposed to the partying mood in Baker. Dorm government is excellent and everyone has a say in everyday dorm life.
Academic Rigor It'll keep you on your toes. Promise.
Tips for prospective students Be ready to adapt to the challenge. Plan your time wisely. Try to get as much sleep as possible!
In three sentences It is a fire hose. The best place on earth. And the worst.
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Brooke from Boston, MA
04/17/2013Reviewer is A current student here.
3 out of 3 people found this review useful. 22 of 67
Categories Comments In three sentences MIT is the most amazing place in the world. It is a breeding ground for innovation, collaboration, and success. Everyone you meet will inspire you to improve.
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Melissa from Birmingham, AL
07/22/2011Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has not been to campus.
2 out of 12 people found this review useful. 1 person found it offensive. 23 of 67
Categories Comments Great for these types of students Engineers
Tips for prospective students Get into the sciences
Bang for the buck It expesive but putting I went to MIT on your resume is worth it.
Will learn a lot If you go this school you will neither enter nor leave dumb
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Austin from Hamilton, MI
09/09/2011Reviewer is A current student here.
2 out of 3 people found this review useful. 24 of 67
Categories 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!
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Student from CO
06/15/2012Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon. Reviewer has been to campus.
2 out of 3 people found this review useful. 25 of 67
Categories Comments What to do for fun Boston!
Food and Dining MIT is unique in that it has a widespread cook for yourself culture. While many students have a meal plan, the majority do not.
Dorm Life Every dorm at MIT has its own culture and identity. From the party dorm to the dorm for introverts to the dorm for hardcore engineer types, MIT has it all.
Academic Rigor MIT is arguably the hardest school academically in the country. Fortunately, for this reason, the first semester is taken on Pass/No record.
Tips for prospective students Work as hard as you can at academics in high school, but also have fun: you can't write compelling essays without having experiences worth writing about.
In three sentences MIT is not only an amazing school for academics, it is also an amazing community. MIT is the place to go if you want to change the world. MIT has it all: strong academics, a strong community, an excellent city, amazing professors and resources, a helpful reputation, and a beautiful campus.
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Anisha from Chesterfield, MO
08/15/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
2 out of 2 people found this review useful. 26 of 67
Categories Comments Tips for prospective students Don't be afraid of MIT's reputation and be confident in your ability to succeed here. Take advantage of all of the opportunities you are offered; make sure you won't regret not doing something. Feel free to ask anyone and everyone about what they think of MIT, good and bad, because there's definitely both.
In three sentences MIT is a fascinating, incredible journey for which I will forever be grateful. Yes, it is one of the most difficult and rigorous schools in the country, but it has pushed me to achieve in unexpected ways. The opportunities I have received here have let me do everything including lead an a cappella group, organize an international energy conference, study Costa Rica's biodiversity, and research in Singapore!
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William from Pullman, WA
08/25/2012Reviewer is A past student here.
2 out of 2 people found this review useful. 27 of 67
Categories Comments Campus Safety You study from home, so it depends if you feel safe in your own home or not. I felt perfectly safe studying out of Pullman, WA.
Greek Life I honestly couldn't speculate on this either.
Clubs and Activities I honestly couldn't speculate on this either.
Great for these types of students Anyone who is up for a challenge and wants to be a part of a new frontier of online education. We, with MIT, set the bar.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus I'm afraid I can't speculate about MIT's physical campus, all I had was the online forum.
Bang for the buck MIT is offering this course for free and is repeating this course again this September.
What to do for fun The rest of your life. I lived in the WSU campus so I played pool with the WSU students while I worked at the university as crowd management at football and basketball games and an occasional bonus concert.
Food and Dining Like I said, you live at home. I happen to be a good cook.
Dorm Life You live at home and study over the internet.
Academic Rigor Like I said, if you want to pass you have to be the best. This is a new frontier for online learning, and MIT is not about to let anyone second-guess it's quality. Expect to push yourself to your limit and stay there for fourteen weeks.
Tips for prospective students Professor Agarwal teaches a tough course, it is not for the faint-hearted. I was one of the approx. 8.33% of people who passed and received a certificate. Take the pre-requisites seriously and spend time on the extra material. This isn't a no-name online university, this is MIT, if you want to pass you have to be the best.
In three sentences I studied 6.002x taught by Professor Agarwal in the Spring of 2012. This pilot course, exclusively online, opened up a world of challenging and rewarding coursework for me through MIT's OpenCourseware and other online platforms for higher education, namely Coursera.org and Udacity offering many courses from Physics to Finance from a dozen reputable intitutions across the country. My study with MIT was the most difficult and rewarding of my academic achievmenets.
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Senior at MIT
12/19/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
2 out of 2 people found this review useful. 28 of 67
Categories Comments What to do for fun Whatever you like to do--stay in watch movies, go out in Boston (America's Collegetown) and meet other students, find in-the-hole places to eat in Cambridge, go chairing, go to a concert, go to a dance performance, sleep, party....there's everything to do at MIT and around it. You'll never be bored.
Food and Dining There are a couple places to eat in the Student Center, and there are dining halls in about half of the dorms, but for college students the prices aren't too friendly. Regardless, there are lots of places to eat in Cambridge and Boston, and there's usually free food somewhere on campus, so you can find lots to eat.
Dorm Life MIT is a place of choice. We don't have freshmen housing because you pick where you live from the beginning. Each dorm has it's own culture to it, and there's a place for everyone.
Academic Rigor As they say, going to MIT is like drinking from a fire-hose. The work will challenge you, but will teach you to great extents, even if you don't realize it.
Tips for prospective students Be passionate in your essays about whatever you like to do. Don't try to predict what MIT is looking for...because they look for everything.
In three sentences This places is absolutely incredible. The networks you build within and out of MIT is an opportunity you won't find in many other places. It will become one of the most challenging, but most rewarding experiences of your life.
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MIT Hopeful
08/03/2011Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has been to campus.
1 out of 2 people found this review useful. 29 of 67
Categories Comments Bang for the buck The tuition seems like so much, but if I was accepted, I'd gladly pay the full sticker price.
Will enjoy being here The campus felt intense, but everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.
Will learn a lot Everyone I spoke to on campus repeatedly reiterated who challenging, and rewarding their experience was.
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Sylvia from Richland, WA
09/28/2011Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has not been to campus.
1 out of 3 people found this review useful. 30 of 67
Categories Comments Great for these types of students Any type of interests, not only technology and science.
Tips for prospective students Get ready for awesomeness!
Bang for the buck A bit pricey, but it is a great school.
Will enjoy being here Definitely want to go here!
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.
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Hannah from Fairhope, AL
09/28/2012Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has not been to campus.
1 out of 2 people found this review useful. 31 of 67
Categories Comments In three sentences I would love to go to this school for the chance to be in its prestigious and focused environment. I has everything that I could ever hope to find in a university; most namely, the top quantum physics program in the nation. I would be honored to be a part of the excellence which is MIT.
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09/30/2012Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has not been to campus.
1 out of 2 people found this review useful. 1 person found it offensive. 32 of 67
Categories Comments In three sentences I want to go here.
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Yasmina from Revere, MA
10/31/2012Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has been to campus.
1 out of 2 people found this review useful. 33 of 67
Categories Comments In three sentences It is very well-organized, and the students are EXTREMELY kind and helpful. I am actually taking an SAT prep class there through the MSA, and I love it; all the mentors are MIT students. I would love to go there, but I am planning on double-majoring in English Education and East Asian Studies, and Minoring in Art; I don't think MIT has those courses, do they??
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Olivia from Greenbackville, VA
01/13/2013Reviewer is A current student here.
1 out of 1 people found this review useful. 34 of 67
Categories Comments Greek Life Greek life is awesome and should definitely be considered because it is very unlike the greek life at most other schools.
Clubs and Activities There are tons of things from sports to research to get involved in and it is very easy to find something you're interested in!
Great for these types of students From quirky (nerdy) to typical lax bro jocs (who are intelligent), there is a place for everyone at MIT.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus Flour is delicious!
Bang for the buck The tuition is expensive but there is great financial aid and you are making a guaranteed life investment by investing into your education at MIT.
What to do for fun Boston is awesome to exlpore, shop, eat, go running or pretty much anything you want to do. Greek life is very popular and also very fun to become involved in as well.
Food and Dining The in the dining halls is good. However, it is a bit expensive and meal plans can be kind of limiting.
Dorm Life I live in Baker house and it is one of the most social dorms on campus. Each dorm has its own personality and people generally have the freedom to move into whatever dorm they think they best belong in. Also, the rooms are huge compared to all of my friends' dorm rooms from high school who went to other colleges.
Academic Rigor The classes are challenging but doable. Also freshman first semester is pass no record so that is a great way to get used to the rigor of MIT!
Tips for prospective students Visit the campus to make sure you like the city feel. Speak to people in the departments you think you might be interested in. If you are accepted, definitely attend cpw! Neither my roommate nor myself thought we would ever go to MIT before the campus preview weekend (CPW).
In three sentences We take our schoolwork and learning very seriously but can always manage to have fun on the weekends. Also the professors will blow your mind. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8-UfLQ7jXc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXIbPrc2NO4 Both links will give a lot of great insight and they're fun!
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Jessica from Forsyth, GA
01/19/2013Reviewer is A current student here.
1 out of 1 people found this review useful. 35 of 67
Categories Comments Campus Safety You're in the middle of a city. As long as you're not stupid, you'll be fine.
Greek Life Better than on any college campus. We're actually focused on academics, and success. That's why a ton of Greek organizations are regarded by their nationals as the best chapter in the nation.
Clubs and Activities Every type you can think of.
Great for these types of students All conventional and unconventional nerds, and those who love problem solving no matter how normal you are. We're not all nerds.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus Lol, too many, that's what makes us AWESOME.
Bang for the buck You should be getting a scholarship, if not, I'm sorry. It's still worth the money. So much comes with the name, it's incredibable.
What to do for fun hahahhahaha... study with friends.
Food and Dining SUCKS. Cook for yourself.
Dorm Life SO UNIQUE. Don't live in Masseh...
Academic Rigor It's MIT... it's 20x harder than you're imaging, but you'll learn how to make it.
Tips for prospective students Visit us, we have a great hosting program- and don't bring your parents- get the real experience. Ask upperclassmen any and all questions- people are super friendly. Get ready for the most stressful time of your life, but also an amazing time.
In three sentences It's an amazing school. The student culture is entirely unique to MIT, but in the best way possible- if you get in, there's a place for you here. Academics are extremely challenging, but if you get in, you can make it- admissions knows what they're doing.
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Adam from Montgomery, AL
11/01/2013Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has not been to campus.
1 out of 1 people found this review useful. 36 of 67
Categories Comments Tips for prospective students Make sure you take AP classes and have around a 4.0 GPA. It is also very important to have a above average ACT or SAT score.
In three sentences Looks like a great school. It has a lot of degrees for what I'm looking for. Waiting to apply.
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11/13/2013Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has been to campus.
1 out of 1 people found this review useful. 37 of 67
Categories Comments In three sentences Seriously, this seems like an AWESOME school.
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11/29/2013Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has been to campus.
1 out of 1 people found this review useful. 38 of 67
Categories Comments Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus MIT students like to do things called hacks where they will make modifications to various things which improves them or just makes them fun.
Food and Dining There are many food places on campus, and around. Boston is right across the river and offers many fantastic places to eat. MIT itself has multiple dining halls so one does not even need to leave campus to get good food.
Dorm Life There are various dorms on campus, each with their own set-up. The rooms vary from singles to suites and you pick eight other people that you will room with throughout your four years (I think that is what the tour guide said when I was there).
Academic Rigor MIT is renowned for its academics. The number one school for engineering, and is very numerically based in general. Getting high marks is very challenging, but can be done.
In three sentences There is lots of freedom given to the students. The campus is very nice and right next to the Charles river. One will definitely be challenged by the academics.
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Samantha from Sylmar, CA
02/10/2014Reviewer is A current student here.
1 out of 1 people found this review useful. 39 of 67
Categories Comments Campus Safety MIT Police are great.
Greek Life 50% of guys are in one of our 36 frats. 30% of girls are in a sorority. Greek life is a lot bigger than expected here. We are just nerdy greeks.
Clubs and Activities So many things to do!!!
Great for these types of students Ambitious. Passionate about their work. Science and engineering are a huge part of your life but not everything if you don't want them to be.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus Hacking is the best. Look it up at hacks.mit.edu. Barker is a good place to nap or enjoy the view of the ridiculously large dome above you. Go on an Orange Tour. Do it. Everything is a number here: We don't say major names. I am course 1. = I am studying Civil and/or Environmental Engineering. The buildings are numbered and we rarely use names for them. The courses are numbered so the general institute (gen ed at other schools) requirements are 7.01x, 5.11x, 18.02, etc.
Bang for the buck And if you don't have the buck, financial aid is need-based so the Institute has you covered.
What to do for fun I do theater and intramural soccer.
Food and Dining It's just okay.
Dorm Life The wing in my dorm is the best. I am friends with everyone. The dining is meh but everything else is great :)
Academic Rigor It's tough.
Tips for prospective students Be prepared to meet some of the most intelligent, most interesting people you will ever know. Know your limits. Know when to ask for help. Be passionate about something. I would say the thing that I have noticed about MIT is that everyone has something they truly love.
In three sentences I have truly found paradise or I hate this fracking place. Both are true all the time. This is the most stressful, most fun, and most challenging experience I have ever had, and I love it.
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Margaret from Cambridge, MA
03/02/2014Reviewer is A current student here.
1 out of 1 people found this review useful. 40 of 67
Categories Comments Campus Safety MIT is home to a Blue-light system and with our Campus police I never feel in danger, even in the middle of the night. Our dorm security is also top notch.
Greek Life There are 6 sororities and twenty something frat's associated with MIT, most of them have houses in Boston off campus.
Clubs and Activities There are clubs for everything here at MIT, and if you want to make your own it is pretty easy. There are athletic, musical, artistic, comedic, cultural, community-service centered, and interest based clubs all over campus. Along with those clubs we have several fraternities, sororities, and independent living groups.
Great for these types of students Motivated, hard working, and eager to learn
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus Hacking is a famous MIT tradition, its hard to explain but if you Wikipedia it you will learn everything you need to know. Every parent's weekend there is the famous tradition of dropping a grand piano from the roof of Baker House, and we are home to an arts show/festival which feature glass blown pumpkins near Halloween.
Bang for the buck MIT is definitely worth its steep tuition. The education is one of the best in the world and opportunities for both students and alumni are unending. The reputation that MIT has in science, mathematical, engineering and other fields is incredible, and the alumni network helps graduating students to find almost any job they want.
What to do for fun Here at MIT there is a lot to do for fun. We are a short T-ride or walk from Boston which has activities of all sort including professional sports games as well as concerts and anything else you can find in a major city. Here at MIT there is a student run group that shows upcoming movies, there are numerous performing based student groups, and a lot of the students participate in some type of intramural or club athletics. In my dorm we have a lot of Nerf gun wars, ping pong tournaments, movie marathons, and wing competitions including this years Wingter Olympics.
Food and Dining My dining hall is awesome, I have never gotten a bad meal. We have a stir fry station, a grill, a comfort food section, and other random stuff including an ice cream bar!
Dorm Life I live in Next House, one of the dorms on campus, and it is like coming home every day. I have great friends a close wing, so we spend a lot of time together and enjoy being around our home.
Academic Rigor MIT is no breeze. Everyone has to work hard and a lot to get through here, but it is definitely worth it. I know that I am learning a lot of stuff and I find all of it interesting. While the school work is hard, the fact that everyone here goes through the same difficulties is comforting and creates a strong community.
Tips for prospective students If you are enthusiastic about learning and want to make a difference in the world or discover something new, MIT is a great place to go. In high school I would recommend joining groups that you are sincerely interested in, and if there is no group for your interested start one of your own. Academics are important, so work hard in your classes, but more important is your drive to excel and learn. If you really want to be at MIT, do what you love to do as best as you can.
In three sentences An awesome place full of students and professors who are excited to learn and teach each other, who collaborate every day on projects that advance knowledge on topics ranging from aerospace technology to brain and cognitive sciences. Not only do you receive one of the best educations available, you are part of an amazingly talented and enthusiastic group of people who live and learn together as a community. There are opportunities for everything here at MIT, including athletics, study abroad, theater and arts, and numerous research and internship opportunities all over the world.
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Camille from Sammamish, WA
06/23/2014Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has been to campus.
1 out of 1 people found this review useful. 41 of 67
Categories Comments Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus Sometimes, anonymous pranks occur throughout the year on the campus. These pranks are known as Hacks to MIT faculty and students. Some hacks include a police car that was discovered on top of MIT's Great Dome one morning.
What to do for fun Boston is just a short car ride or walk away over the Harvard Bridge. Boston is great for college life and has many activities for young adults. For baseball fans, the Fenway Park, home to the famous Boston Red Sox is nearby for you to enjoy.
Dorm Life The dorms are close to campus and clean. MIT experiences cold and snowy weather in the winter but the campus has heated underground tunnels that allows students comfortable access to campus during the chilly season.
Academic Rigor This school challenges your mind in every way possible. Each professor is selectively chosen to teach rigorous classes but are there to help you in every way possible. They want you to succeed.
Tips for prospective students The race or competition is getting accepted to the school, after you get accepted - no matter what financial difficulties you have, the school will find a way for you to pay for school. The race is over once you get accepted! MIT looks for well-rounded students; students that experience a variety of activities and roles but also display a passion for something they love.
In three sentences MIT is the place where people of similar interests and personalities - from all backgrounds, come together to create wonderful new things and ideas. From the campus to the courses, the school is a magnet that attracts students that are interested in the sciences, mathematics, and engineering. You do not have to be a rocket scientist to know that this school is at the top for science-related academics.
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Linh from Fairfield, CA
10/07/2014Reviewer is A current student here.
1 out of 1 people found this review useful. 42 of 67
Categories Comments Food and Dining Avoid Maseeh dining.
Tips for prospective students Genuinely pursue your passions! It will shine through in your application and interview.
In three sentences So many opportunities everywhere. Anything can be done at MIT as long as you actively pursue it! Every student here is extremely passionate about the things they do, making for an unbelievably intellectually stimulating environment.
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T from MA
02/23/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
0 out of 2 people found this review useful. 43 of 67
Categories Comments Greek Life amazing!
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Jordan from California
07/16/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
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Categories Comments Campus Safety I have never felt unsafe here.
Greek Life Very, very popular, but also very different from stereotypes/other colleges.
Clubs and Activities Overall awesome, but sometimes get pushed aside for academics.
Great for these types of students Motivated, curious, driven, ambitious, tough, hardworking, and intense. Must be able to survive on limited amounts of sleep.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus Tangerine/Orange Tours: tours of secret locations on campus, given only to those accepted.
What to do for fun Boston! Hanging out in the city is great, especially since there are so many college students here.
Food and Dining The food is great, but the system is bad--they don't give you any guest passes and the meals are very expensive.
Dorm Life Rooming system is not awesome, but the dorms are all pretty nice.
Academic Rigor The best you can find.
Tips for prospective students Don't take on too much. It's easy to think you can still do everything, just like in high school, but it is a very different environment here and things pile up quickly. USE PASS NO RECORD (a common saying here is if you got all A's first semester, you did it wrong).
In three sentences MIT is the most challenging experience you will ever have, both academically and personally. You will discover exactly what you are capable of and realize how far you still have to go. The people here are unwaveringly intelligent, friendly, and unbelievably interesting.
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Alycia from Seattle, WA
07/22/2012Reviewer is A current student here.
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Categories Comments Food and Dining The dining halls serve tasty, if overpriced food. There are plenty of cheaper food options on campus, and if you live in a dorm with kitchens you can cook for yourself. However, if you live in a dorm with a dining hall you will be required to opt-in to the dining plan.
Dorm Life They types of dorm life vary greatly depending on the dorm that you live in. Some dorms are very 'typical dorms' and some are more like big families on each floor. The great thing is that MIT lets you choose which dorm you think will suit you and then allows for a period of time at the beginning of the year so that freshmen can experience all of the dorms in person and make an informed decision.
Academic Rigor MIT is extremely academically rigorous. However, there's a lot of support from professors, TAs, and other students to make sure that you can handle the work load and excel as much as possible.
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Matthew from Lynchburg, VA
11/06/2012Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has not been to campus.
0 out of 1 people found this review useful. 46 of 67
Categories Comments In three sentences It has one of the highest ranked and most prestigious engineering programs in the country. MIT is located in New England. It is a very interesting school that am I am looking at.
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Daniela from Key Biscayne, FL
11/27/2012Reviewer is A past student here.
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Categories Comments Greek Life Around 25 Frats and like 7 sororities a lot of people are involved in greek life, however it is not like any school you don't have to be part of greek life to participate in their events
Clubs and Activities A little bit of everything
Great for these types of students nerdy students, dedicated students, students with a passion for math and science
What to do for fun Study! just kidding, really good parties, many clubs and school activities.
Food and Dining Good food but not much variety
Dorm Life You will find a dorm for everyone
Academic Rigor Very hard School, you must love and have a passion for what you are studying in order to succeed
Tips for prospective students Be prepared to study, for hard exams but at the same time awesome professors and look forward to meeting very interesting people from all around the world
In three sentences Very Special School
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03/03/2013Reviewer is A current student here.
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Categories Comments What to do for fun Boston is just a hop across the river from MIT and if you want to get somewhere, there is probably an MIT shuttle that will take you there for free. Possible activities range from movies and restaurants to museum and the Boston Symphonic Orchestra
Food and Dining Bon Apetit serves the food at the dorms and each dorm has its own style. If you want to eat out there are also many nearby places in Kendall Square and on Mass. Ave. The food is generally affordable and great.
Dorm Life The many dorms on campus provide many different environments for you to choose between so you can find the right fit for you. I would highly recommend visiting the campus if you can to experience the dorm cultures before you make a choice.
Academic Rigor The academic workload is very heavy at MIT, but not impossible. Find classmates with whom you can do problem sets with and a system that works for you so you can stay on task while it's time for work. This will let you get your work done as efficiently as possible so you have more free time. Don't hesitate to go to office hours or email your TA's.
Tips for prospective students Explore all the classes MIT has to offer before you decide what your major will be. Also take advantage of all the HASS classes to add something to your engineering background. I would highly recommend looking into a UROP for your second semester here, just some research and email any professors you want to work with. They are usually friendly although they may take a while to respond.
In three sentences Being at MIT means having a very busy academic life but contrary to common thought, MIT also has a very lively social life. The various frats and sororities affiliated with MIT provide a great opportunity for students to join various communities as do the dorms and independent living groups. It is great to work with other people that will challenge you to do your best and to have the opportunity to meet and work with scientists and engineers at the top of their fields.
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Elizabeth from River Vale, NJ
04/04/2013Reviewer is A current student here.
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Categories Comments Great for these types of students People who like to work really hard all the time. People who do well in stressful situations.
What to do for fun There are tons of things to do in Boston and Cambridge! Movies, plays, ballet, restaurants, parks, clubs, bars, museums, etc.
Food and Dining The dining plan is expensive and not very good (from what I've heard). I am not on a meal plan since I live in one of the cook-for-yourself dorms.
Dorm Life All the dorms have extremely different cultures. There is a place for everybody!
Academic Rigor Very challenging
Tips for prospective students Have a few diverse extracurriculars that you've worked in depth with. Work hard in high school. Don't underestimate how hard the coursework will be once you get to MIT!
In three sentences MIT is an excellent school to attend if you want to be a scientist or engineer. MIT prepares you well for finding internships and research positions over the summer. However, it is a very stressful place to attend college.
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Kelvin from Frankfort, KY
04/10/2013Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has not been to campus.
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Categories Comments In three sentences To attend MIT would be a dream come true. If there any personnel from the University that monitor this, please email some information. Thank you for your consideration.
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Dishanand from Mauritius
05/30/2013Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has not been to campus.
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Categories Comments Campus Safety Tight security for each student's safety.
Clubs and Activities So blissful and we learn a lot through these games/activities.
Bang for the buck It is costly but the quality of education we will receive there is unique.
What to do for fun Outdoor activities at MIT left no words to add as it is so blissful and amusing. Lots of extracurricular activities to spend your time on.
Food and Dining Yummy! Tasty! Home-made like!
Dorm Life Simply too cool! You feel home. Fun
Academic Rigor Academic activities at MIT make us who we actually are and prepare us intellectually/professionally for any job we would like to undertake. We feel our self-confidence and we might discover some of our hidden talents.
Tips for prospective students Be highly passionate about what you will pursue at MIT as your thoughts/objectives are valued there. A personal written quote for MIT: Pity is useless if not followed by action, and this what MIT is doing, that is they believe in each student's hard work and ambition.
In three sentences The best from the best ever. Distinguished faculty members and research opportunities left nothing to be desired. If we want to try the impossible or challenge the physical world, MIT is the right place for us.
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Luisa from Bethel, CT
06/17/2013Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon. Reviewer has been to campus.
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Categories Comments Clubs and Activities A WIDE variety, all led by excellent leadership with lots of drive and passion!
Great for these types of students Intelligent, motivated, hardworking, and those who love a challenge!
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus Hacking is harmless pranking that showcases the ingenuity of MIT students.
Bang for the buck One of the best values you can get.
What to do for fun Join clubs and do research! There is a ton of stuff to do at MIT if you look for it: academic groups, interest groups, arts activities, sports and athleticsâ?¦whatever you enjoy, you'll find it.
Food and Dining The meal plan (mandatory for some dorms) is huge and expensive, but cooking is very common among students.
Dorm Life The people are friendly, varied, hardworking, and welcoming to students of all kinds, and the dorms are pretty big and clean.
Academic Rigor It'd be difficult to find a harder school.
Tips for prospective students Work hard in high school. Try different activities and find one you love, then pour yourself into it. Keep your grades and test scores up, but don't obsess over the details â?? that time is better spent on something you enjoy.
In three sentences MIT is probably the best undergraduate university in science, technology, and engineering. Here, you'll be surrounded by incredibly intelligent people and pushed to your limits. This is where the scientific leaders of tomorrow are created.
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Kyler from Boynton Beach, FL
07/11/2013Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has not been to campus.
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Categories Comments Tips for prospective students Try your best to be a very well rounded student, but it is a must to excel in science and or math being that these are the 2 subjects this university is built around.
In three sentences This school looks AWESOME!!
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07/15/2013Reviewer is A current student here.
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Categories Comments Clubs and Activities There are sooooo many clubs that you can join. There are cultural clubs, sports clubs, art clubs, music clubs, literature clubs, theater clubs, religious clubs, and tons more. You'll find something that interests you most likely, and even if you don't find anything, if 4 more people are interested in the same thing you can form a club.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus For Campus Preview Weekend in April, East Campus hosts an annual piano drop. They basically drop a grand piano from the roof of EC for no other reason than because it's cool. Also, see if you can find the hacker's lair. It's in the bowels of the MIT tunnels and rather difficult to find.
What to do for fun Since MIT is right in between Boston and Cambridge, you can go almost anywhere and find something to do. Everything is no farther than a few T stops or a 20 minute walk. There's the Boston Symphony Orchestra, many museums, parks, the Cambridge Side Galleria, and other attractions. MIT also has their own events on campus, and just hanging out with friends while watching a movie or having a game night is the best. There is always something going on. The only problem you'd have is finding the time to do everything.
Food and Dining I like the food at MIT, for I find a lot better than food from my high school. There is a lot of variety and you don't get bored with the options too quickly. Even if you're not on a meal plan, MIT is located in the city so there are also many restaurant and cafe options. They range from Toscanni's ice cream and tea, Indian food, Thai food, Subway, Veggie Galaxy (a wonderful vegan restaurant), and many others.
Dorm Life Each dorm has its own unique culture so you'll find a place that's right for you.
Academic Rigor It's a challenging place academically, I'm not going to lie. But MIT teaches you real world skills and how to solve real world problems. It takes a while to get used to but once you do and once you understand, it's a rewarding experience.
Tips for prospective students Of course, do well in high school and be a well-rounded individual. But don't be afraid to show a more personal side of you in your application. Make yourself stand out and show that there's another side to you besides your GPA and test scores.
In three sentences MIT is academically challenging and you can learn a lot while here. The people are fantastic and unique, different from any other college I've visited. To me, it feels like home.
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Max from US
08/06/2013Reviewer is A current student here.
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Categories Comments What to do for fun Plays, concerts, pset, build stuff, hack, frat parties, bars... there's just about everything you'd want.
Food and Dining Restaurants and off-campus food = AMAZING! Boston and Cambridge are awesome. Dining halls = so-so. SOmetimes they're great, other days they are just kinda blah. Good news is the food is always edible and the five dining halls usually all have different stuff you always have lots of choices. The worst part is dining hall hours aren't always super convenient.
Dorm Life No two dorms here are the same. Every dorm has its own culture and if you find the culture you fit in with best you are likely to love your living experience. There is some trouble with certain dorms having mandated meal plans (which a lot of people don't like). And a lot of the more eclectic/rowdy dorms are getting stricter rules by administration. BUt overall the dorm life is fun and no RAs which is nice.
Academic Rigor Professors expect a lot from you. Sometimes the level of difficulty of problem sets feels unfair but you just have to suck it up and find friends to work with. The sheer amount of work is the hardest part, so you have to stay on top of things.
Tips for prospective students Realize you aren't perfect. A lot of students here were the best at everything in highschool, don't stress yourself out if you realize that's not the case anymore.
In three sentences MIT is a very different place, there is a high expectation level to all your work but people still have a lot of fun. MIT prides itself on its diversity from a very quirky, eccentric culture, to a more typical Greek life you'd see on tv. Overall you will work your butt off and hate it sometimes, but to most people it's still worth it.
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Marlo from Altamonte Springs, FL
08/08/2013Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has been to campus.
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Categories Comments In three sentences Beautiful school with fun intelligent people. It is a place of rigorous academics but in a wonderful city with lots to do!
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Christian from Indianapolis, IN
09/04/2013Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has not been to campus.
0 out of 1 people found this review useful. 57 of 67
Categories Comments What to do for fun I have no idea.
Tips for prospective students Make sure you don't messup your freshmen year
In three sentences I know MIT is the best college in the country for engineering, but I'm just wondering is it worth paying so much for, than just going to Purdue in my home state.
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Rankin from Columbia, MD
09/13/2013Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has not been to campus.
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Categories Comments What to do for fun This is the place where you work hard but play harder!
In three sentences This is not only a school that will definitely get you a job in your career field but it is also still a school so you really have to work hard to get into it!
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Israel from El Paso, TX
10/29/2013Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has not been to campus.
0 out of 1 people found this review useful. 1 person found it offensive. 59 of 67
Categories Comments Campus Safety always
Greek Life Cook spanikopita or moosaka
Clubs and Activities Baseball catcher
Great for these types of students GO-GETTERS
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus NONE KNOWN YET
Bang for the buck beaver
What to do for fun Play sports and bird dog chick
Food and Dining i cook my own food
Dorm Life not intrested
Academic Rigor Mathamatics green horn a diamond in the rough
Tips for prospective students Study hard rank high on GPA and go for what you have passion for..
In three sentences How advance is IT Computer Science Program and will i have a chance for internship? Is this school right for me in the way of meeting my needs. Will this school help me with tudors and extra help if i seek it.
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01/01/2014Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has not been to campus.
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Categories Comments Great for these types of students Engineering
In three sentences MIT seems like the best school for engineering students. It seems expensive. MIT seems as academically accepted as any other school.
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MIT Student
02/26/2014Reviewer is A current student here.
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Categories Comments What to do for fun Watch movies. Explore Cambridge/Boston. Go hacking. Play a board game or a regular game. Do some sports. You name it, people here do it.
Tips for prospective students Be yourself. Show off everything about yourself (your diversity!), not just the areas that you think the school would think are important. Do meaningful activities that you care about. Breadth is not better.
In three sentences Hard. Fun. One of a kind.
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Student from Oklahoma
02/28/2014Reviewer is A current student here.
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Categories Comments What to do for fun Most choose to go into Boston or join clubs or just spend time with friends.
Food and Dining If you aren't on a meal plan, your options are very limited. There are a couple food trucks and a couple places in the student center, but otherwise, you're fairly limited unless you cook for yourself. The meal plan is expensive, but the food is decent.
Dorm Life It's a little hard to find the right place for some people, but once you do, you're surrounded by an excited community that is passionate about a variety of things. However, the facilities range from being fairly poor to hotel-quality.
Academic Rigor Certainly, there's a ton of work to do almost all the time, but that is likely to be expected. It's very manageable as long as you have great time management skills and start the work a few days before it's due.
Tips for prospective students Don't botch the essays or the interview. MIT cares more about you as a person than you as a set of numbers.
In three sentences MIT is the best college in the world according to several sources, and I am inclined to agree. There is a lot of work and of course stress, but the payoff is entirely worth it in my opinion. However, more than that, I've met people who I feel I belong with.
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Johnny from Boca Raton, FL
07/13/2014Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has been to campus.
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Categories Comments Bang for the buck It's expensive but the education is priceless.
What to do for fun There are a lot of resources that are fun for geeks but also regular fun can be found in the city.
Food and Dining They have a lot of food in MIT, but you can always go to Boston!
Dorm Life The dorms are relatively spacious and very beautiful. You can see both a natural side and an urban side and it's just great.
Academic Rigor It is very very rigorous, but going through the tough work really pays off in the end.
Tips for prospective students You should really be careful in how you present yourself. MIT not only looks for smart people, but they really look for nice people. Don't just sell your brains, but also show that you've got personality and quirkiness.
In three sentences The capital of brains in the U.S. So many great people gather there, and it is also so diverse. Even merely visiting there inspires.
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Jake from Port Barrington, IL
11/01/2014Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has not been to campus.
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Categories Comments In three sentences Really hoping to get accepted here. Just wondering if anyone knows if having both an ACT and SAT score help my chances? Or will just an ACT score be fine?
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Kaito from Murfreesboro, TN
11/16/2014Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has been to campus.
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Categories Comments What to do for fun Anything and everything
Food and Dining Food is expensive in the area.
Dorm Life Living in Cambridge from 12 chosable dorms. Even freshmen gets to chose which dorm
Academic Rigor The name is already known for this
In three sentences I am absolutely in love with the environment MIT provides. MIT is definitely my top school and would not pick any other college for money. You have to visit and attend the course 6 tour to really feel how amazing this place is.
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James from San Tan Valley, AZ
01/17/2015Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has not been to campus.
66 of 67
Categories Comments Food and Dining Sounds like food is a bit on the expensive side..
Dorm Life Dorm life seems very flexible.
Academic Rigor This school seems very rigorous, although it is one of the best out there.
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Prospective Student
01/19/2015Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has been to campus.
67 of 67
Categories Comments Clubs and Activities There are over 475 clubs at MIT, and more are always being made so there is definitely something for everyone here.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus There is a tall tower overlooking Boston which the students have programmed so that videogames may be played through lights in the windows for the whole city to see. There is no other college I know of that can do something like this.
What to do for fun This school is located right next to the incredible Boston downtown, where there is no end to what college kids can do. There are tons of schools in Boston and Cambridge, so meeting other students like you is no problem.
Dorm Life Students get their pick of 12 different dorms, 11 of which are coed, all of which put different ages together to collaborate all of the great minds.
In three sentences MIT is all about getting their students the experience they need to pursue whatever field they desire. There is an endless amount of opportunities for students to do hands-on work in labs with different professors. In addition to all of the great academic programs, the people who work there actually want their students to be passionate and to succeed, that creates the best college environment I have ever experienced.
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