Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Reviews

Dining

There are lots of wonderful dining places near campus, both in Boston and in Cambridge.

First Time Ever Being in the Minority...

As a white student! MIT is fantastic at making everyone feel equal (and equally unintelligent :-D) so that race, sexual orientation and everything else don't really matter. We have a fantastic LGBT support group and a thousand different ethnic organizations.

MIT Yo.

MIT is MIT... unless you're a student here, you won't really get us from outside. It's a nerdy place yes, but the stereotypes of a bunch of kids who only study is bogus. Yeah, we do a lot of work, but here, the unofficial motto is "work hard play hard". Why else would the BU and Wellesey people always crash the MIT parties. Dorm culture is super unique to MIT. And it makes dorm life awesome. There is no real dining hall and most of campus is OK with this. Social atmosphere is literally what any kid who actually gets into MIT will want. We are all dedicated to our work, but we have SO much more than that to do in college, and it makes for a great place.

Good Living on Campus

Each dorm has its own personality. It is very unique and most of the people live in the dorm they fit at.

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.

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.

Mechanical Engineering

Classes are very interesting and useful to real world applications.

Awesome and Totally Dependent on Culture

It's great. Each dorm has its own culture and that really helps freshmen determine where they belong.

It's MIT

It's unlike most top tier schools. Less stuck-up people and more fun and chill ones to hang out with. We work hard, but party just as hard. At first, it may be hard to find that balance, but you will quickly enough.

Be Aware, but Don't Be Paranoid

I have always felt safe. Some people lock their doors, others don't feel the need; it depends on your dorm. There are occasional reports of robbery, etc. but that is not unexpected.

Whatever you want

If you know where to look you can find anything. No really there isn't a drug that I haven't heard of running through this campus somewhere. There is ample access to pot and other hallucinogens.

Yum

boston and cambridge have so many options for every price level and variety

Academics Are Awesome

Obviously, MIT has a reputation for a solid science, math, and engineering curriculum. One thing that you don't hear is how easy it is to get help with the difficult coursework if you are struggling. There are tutors and TAs that are always willing to give up time to help you out. And in addition to being renowned scientists, researchers, and physicists, our professors are extremely approachable and are willing to not only talk with you about the class but also about their research or other things that interest them.

Greek Life Is Huge

At MIT, more than half of boys and a good percentage of girls are a part of a frat or sorority. It's a big part of the school because frat parties dominate the socializing scene.

Pretty Diverse, Mostly Asian

you can find lots of different races and religions at MIT, although the majority of the school seems to be asian.

Advisors Have Your Best Interest at Heart

While I have not officially started classes in my major (Mechanical Engineering), I have already met with my academic advisor and spoken with other various professors in the MechE field regarding my classes. They were all extremely attentive and helped me work out my class schedule for this semester and the semesters to come

Urops

MIT gives all of its student the chance to get a UROP (Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program) where the students will get hands on experience in a lab for either credit or pay. It is a great resource that many take advantage of to learn what they like and what they don't like.

Research Opportunities

You can get any kind of research position you want as an undergrad. 80% of students have a research job at some point in their 4 years here; you can try a new field completely or go for something in a field you are majoring in. Professors are very approachable about research opportunities.

Academics... Fml

There is a wide range of classes offered. The workload will keep you very busy, and students often have extra-curricular activities that keep them even busier. There is a lot of help offered, though office hours and tutoring services. There is even a Reading Room, which is a quite room of tables and desks to study.

Parking Permits Are Obscenely Expensive.

There are almost no parking spaces, and to get those that do exist, you need to obtain a very expensive yearly parking permit. In fact, MIT subsidizing people NOT getting parking permits by offering discounted monthly T-passes for example.

I Personally Haven't Encountered Much.

I haven't encountered much personally, but I hear at certain dorms (East Campus, Senior House), there is a lot more going on.

Don't eat the food on campus if...

Don't eat the food on campus if you can avoid it. The dining halls are generally horrible.

Bring warm clothes—you will never...

Bring warm clothes—you will never have enough.

I live in a fraternity, so I...

I live in a fraternity, so I haven't needed to search for an apartment. I hear they are crazy expensive, though.

It's very relaxed. The school...

It's very relaxed. The school really wants to keep us safe. They know that people will do some stupid things, and they just want to be there to help us. I sincerely appreciate that about this school. Most schools are not so lenient.