leese11

Available but No Need

A lot of students live off campus in fraternities and/or sororities, but these houses are still owned and partially funded by MIT. MIT guarantees housing throughout your undergraduate education, so there's really no need to live off-camps, except during the summer. Also, the dorms are each unique, so you can live in one that feels more like an apartment (no dining hall and kitchens everywhere) or choose the typical dorm with a dining hall. Boston in general is expensive, so it's really not worth it.

Pretty Diverse

MIT is actually fairly international place and we have many people from different backgrounds. There's always someone in the halls speaking another language and you really get a good feel for others' cultures while you're here. There are also tons of student cultural groups where you can explore different things.

Mostly Helpful, but You Have Your Moments of Course

In regards to drug and alcohol abuse, MIT offers a safety net for students in that they will have them taken, free of charge, to a hospital if needed and the student will not suffer any consequences from the local police authority or from MIT (if an isolated incident). The bill is often also covered on MIT insurance, so parents may or may not see it. This policy is to encourage students to make the right decision and call for help when they need it.

The police are pretty visible and they give students rides when they need it. They are accessible and generally friendly.

There are many hacks at MIT, but there is a code that nothing should be permanently damaged. Because this is followed strictly, there are usually no problems with authority.

Some things are awful, like shortening REX, imposing a highly strict dining plan, and extending the length of the semesters, but you have to suck it up when you go to a school like MIT.