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Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Academics - Academics - College ProwlerCollege Prowler5.00

Academics

A+
Where does this grade come from?View all Academics rankingsReview this school to add your opinion

Comparable Schools' Academics Grades:

Quick Stats

Student-Faculty Ratio 8:1
Full-Time Student Population 10,223
Part-Time Student Population 161
Full-Time Instructional Faculty 1,201
Part-Time Instructional Faculty 222
Total FT Faculty 4,932
Faculty with Terminal Degree 88%
Average Faculty Salary $130,094
Full-Time Retention Rate 97%
Graduation Rate 93%
Programs/Majors Offered 49
Average Course Load 48–60 Units (4–5 courses)
Academic/Career Counseling? Yes
Remedial Services? No
Class Sizes
  • Fewer than 20 Students: 65%
  • 20 to 49 Students: 22%
  • 50 or More Students: 13%

Student Author OverviewWhat's This?

The academics at MIT are top notch. Classes are designed so you learn as much as possible, but learning at MIT doesn’t mean just memorizing a formula and plugging in numbers. Exams at MIT are designed to test your knowledge and understanding of the formulas, how to derive them, and how to apply them in all sorts of ways. Classes teach you how to think. However, not all classes are taught well. Some professors are more interested in their research than teaching, and and some TAs aren’t good at teaching. Most introductory classes are taught as a combination of lectures by professors and recitations by TAs. In large classes, however, students are allowed to change their recitations. Take advantage of this! Some TAs explain things better, some are easier graders, some are more available outside of class, and some are regular, normal people. Try to go to as many different recitations as you can at the beginning of the term to find out which TA suits you best. The extra time you spend looking for a good recitation will save you hours of struggling later in the semester.

Classes are rigorous, but academic opportunities outside the classroom are endless. One of the best academic programs at MIT is the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP). As an undergraduate, you have the chance to work for professors who are legendary in their fields. Get involved with a UROP by letting professors know you’re interested. Given the studious culture of MIT, expect to do a lot of work. Not all your time, however, will be devoted to classes. You will want to get involved in extracurricular activities and research opportunities. Despite the heavy workload, the things you can accomplish within and beyond the classroom at MIT are miles above anything you could do anywhere else. This is what sets MIT apart as one of the best academic institutions in the country.

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MIT Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Academics at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Priyanka

Mechanical Engineering '15

5.0
A+

Engineering and Beyond

Even though MIT is most know for being the #1 Engineering University in the world, its breadth of classes range from phenomenal classes in Linguistics to majors in the pure sciences. Registration is easy and the amount of General Institute Requirements are manageable. The professors are extremely nice and freshman are even allowed, and actually encouraged, to take classes with Nobel Laureates since they too try to reach out to all ages at the Institute. The curriculum and workload are rigorous but it all indeed pays off when you finally get to turn over your "brass rat" and walk out into the world, a confident and qualified individual.

Aug 15, 2011

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Academics at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

mhouston12

Mathematics '12

4.2
A-

Mathematics Major

The professors are amazing and really involved with their students. They really want to see the students succeed.

Aug 04, 2011

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Academics at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

coolnerd1117

Biological Engineering '14

5.0
A+

Challenge Accepted!

Classes at MIT are definitely not easy. Even if you think you've seen material in the class before, it's worth relearning it because of all the extra insight that is given in lectures. The professors are exceptional; they're available for help,but at the same time encourage students to find their own solutions and really learn how to learn rather than representing the material. It's an intense workload, but if you can take the heat, you'll come out having learned more than you ever thought you could.

Jul 25, 2011

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Page 1 of 6
User rating for Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Academics is 4.6 out of 5 based on 18 user reviews.

Student Survey Poll ResultsWhat's This?

Rate your school’s professors on the following topics

Rate your school’s academic environment on the following topics

Facts

Instructional Programs Occupational: No
Academic: Yes
Continuing Professional: No
Recreational/Avocational: No
Adult Basic Remedial: No
Secondary (High School): No
Special Credit Opportunities Advanced Placement (AP) Credits: Yes
Dual Credit: No
Life Experience Credits: No
AP Test Score Requirements Possible credit for scores of 4 or 5
IB Test Score Requirements Possible credit for scores of 6 or 7
Undergraduate Schools/Divisions
  • School of Architecture and Planning
  • School of Engineering
  • School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences
  • School of Science
  • Sloan School of Management
  • Whitaker College of Health Sciences and Technology
Degrees Awarded
  • Bachelor's degree
  • Doctorate - Research/scholarship
  • Master's degree
Most Popular Majors
  • Business/Commerce, General: 9%
  • Computer Science: 5%
  • Electrical and Electronics Engineering: 3%
  • Mechanical Engineering: 5%
Special Study Options
  • Distance learning opportunities
  • Study abroad
  • Teacher certification (below the postsecondary level)
Best Places to Study
  • Barker Engineering Library
  • Floor lounges in dormitories
  • Hayden Humanities and Science Library
  • Lewis Music Library
  • Reading Room on fifth floor of the Stratton Student Center
Did You Know?
  • Eleven current faculty members have been awarded the Nobel Prize in subjects such as physics, physiology of medicine, economics, and chemistry.
  • Every January, MIT holds its Independent Activities Period (IAP) when students can stay on campus for four weeks to take part in activities that are not offered during the regular school year. IAP features workshops, independent research projects, field trips, and lecture series based on subjects ranging from figure skating and vegetarian cooking, to neuroanatomy and robot design.
  • Adjusting to MIT is a shock. Because of this, MIT gives you a cushion by not assigning first-semester freshmen grades on their transcripts. They simply get a "pass," or the transcript never shows that they took the class. Freshmen used to be on the Pass/No Record system both semesters, but MIT recently changed the system. Pass/No Record only applies to the first term of freshman year now. During this time, it's important that you realize right away that a C- in a class is going to look the same on your transcript as an A+. What's more, a percentage of first-semester students fail at least one class. It's not something to stress about. In other words, don't sweat your work too much first semester. Try to enjoy the city and its people because you wont' have much time to when you actually start getting graded.

Become a Contributing Author Learn more »

Most Recent Student Author View all

Name
Sun Kim
Hometown
Duluth, GA
Major
Mechanical Engineering

College Prowler is seeking talented student authors to assist with writing and updating the College Prowler guides to their schools. This is a great opportunity for a student to gain experience and tremendous exposure, utilize new media techniques, and share advice with high school students about what life is really like at your college.

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How do we get our information? Find out here or report an error here. The statistics on our site are from the National Center for Education Statistics IPEDS database.
We update this information twice annually, most recently in May 2012, but it may not be the most recent information available for a particular school.
For additional information we encourage you to visit school websites or contact the schools directly.