Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Local Atmosphere

College Prowler Take

MIT is in Cambridge, about a 10-minute walk from Boston. In fact, a large percentage of students actually live in Boston in the various MIT-sponsored FSILGs (Fraternities, Sororities, and Independent Living Groups). Boston is the perfect college town, and sandwiched between Harvard and Boston University, MIT is in the hub of the ultimate college city. With so many high-quality schools in the area, Boston is a city that is driven by young, hip, and ambitious students. And because of the thousands of college students wandering the streets, many Boston businesses cater to this population. Concerts, clubs, restaurants, and malls are everywhere. One of the great things about Boston is that nearly all big music names will make a stop here while they’re on tour. Also, be sure to check out some of the local bands—they can be incredible.

In addition, public transportation is fairly reliable and convenient, but if you’re feeling cheap, you can walk wherever you want to go. Boston is small relative to places like New York City, and walking is an integral part of life here. And every now and then, you may see some famous people walking around or hanging out on Newbury Street and Boylston Street. Don’t forget to go see some of the landmarks, walk the Freedom Trail, and go to a Red Sox game in Fenway Park. Going to college in Boston is an experience unlike any other. Unfortunately, some students at MIT get so wrapped up in their schoolwork that the only problem with living in Boston is finding the time to enjoy it.

Free Profile Tools

Do I Stand A Chance?

Calculate YOUR chances of admission at every school CP covers!

__%

Personality Match

Calculate YOUR personality match with every school CP covers!

__%

What'll It Cost Me?

Estimate your out-of-pocket costs at every school CP covers!

$__,___

Students Speak Out

MITEW says: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 2016 Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Boston is a great place to go to... Boston is a great place to go to college since there are so many other colleges around here—you never stop meeting new people. There are lots of great sections of the city to explore, from Harvard Square to North End, where all the best Italian food is! 12345 Local Atmosphere: February 22, 2009 Report

rwj says: Massachusetts Institute of Technology 2014 Engineering

Boston is a great city. We are... Boston is a great city. We are right across the river, and the nightlife is exciting. Harvard, BU, Boston College, and Emerson are all nearby. Parties allow you to meet new people every week! 12345 Local Atmosphere: February 18, 2009 Report

Anonymous says:

We are in Cambridge. There’s... We are in Cambridge. There’s something like 60 schools in the Boston area. Harvard and MIT are in Cambridge. We’re both along the Charles River. Boston University, Tufts, and Boston College are some other nearby schools. Cape Cod is fun to visit. New York City is also great—it’s four hours away by Chinatown bus, and it costs $15. It’s nice and cheap, so we go to New York every now and then. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

MIT is a blend of work and play.... MIT is a blend of work and play. It is in the heart of Cambridge/Boston, where a ton of other colleges are present. Throughout the week, MIT students rarely experience the world outside our campus due to the workload. However, on most weekends, the fun begins. Students from surrounding colleges like to come to the frat parties. Things to see: the Museum of Science, ice-skating at the Frog Pond in the winter, Walden Pond in the fall (need a car), and Salem, famous for the Salem Witch Trials. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

Boston is probably the best city... Boston is probably the best city to be in as a college student. There is so much to do. The shopping is great, and there is no sales tax. There is a lot of history, yet at the same time, there are so many colleges nearby that the city doesn’t seem old and outdated. As an MIT student, you can get into the Museum of Science, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the MIT museum for free. You should also check out Boston Symphony Orchestra concerts, Blue Man Group, and the Boston Ballet. All of them have student-rush tickets. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Facts

Did You Know?

5 Fun Facts about Boston:
• There are “boat-cars” touring the city at all hours of the day called the Boston Duck Tours. If you make eye contact with the travelers atop this vehicle and shout, “Quack!” they will turn to you and simultaneously reply, “Quack, Quack!”
• Boston is home to the nation's first public park (Boston Common, 1640), the first public library (1653), and the first subway (1897).
• The Longfellow Bridge is the only place in the nation where a plane can fly over a car, traveling over a train, going over a boat (or submarine or hovercraft, etc.).
• Blue Man Group originated here. Student rush tickets cost only $25 and can be picked up an hour before the show.
• Kurt Vonnegut wrote the majority of his autobiography, Slapstick, set just outside of the Boston Public Gardens, where he grew up.

Famous Bostonians:
Aerosmith (all band members)
Ben Affleck
Matt Damon
Conan O’Brien
Mark Wahlberg (the artist formerly known as Marky Mark)

Local Slang:
Drop your R’s—they have no business in this city. For way more than you ever wanted to know about Boston slang, visit the Wicked Good Guide to Boston English at www.boston-online.com/glossary.html.

John Steinbeck’s famous novel, The Grapes of Wrath (1939) is makes a good point: “’Everybody says words different,’ said Ivy. ‘Arkansas folks says ‘em different, and Oklahomy folks says ‘em different. And we seen a lady from Massachusetts, an’ she said ‘em different of all. Couldn’t hardly make out what she was sayin’!’”

Most Recent Contributing Author

Name: Sun Kim
Hometown: Duluth, GA
Major: Mechanical Engineering

Sun didn't know how to ride a bicycle before college, but now she's a part of the cycling club.

Contributing Author Internship

College Prowler is actively seeking talented students to be "Contributing Authors," and assist with updating the College Prowler guide to their school. This is a great opportunity for a student to gain internship experience, be a part of a nationally recognized company, gain tremendous exposure, utilize new media techniques, and share advice with high school students about what life is really like at your college. Read more about the internship.