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About this Guide UniversityParent has published this guide in contents Photograph by Christoper Brown partnership with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with the mission of helping you easily navigate your student’s university with the most timely and relevant information available.

Top cover photograph by Christoper Harting. MIT Guide Bottom cover photo by Tom Gearty. | Comprehensive advice and information for student success Discover more articles, tips, and local business information by visiting the online guide at: 4 | Welcome to MIT www.universityparent.com/mit 6 | Mission and Origins The presence of university/college logos and 7 | Traditions and Hacks marks in this guide does not mean the school 11 | Navigating MIT endorses the products or services offered by advertisers in this guide. 13 | What to Do on Campus 16 | Academics 2995 Wilderness Place, Suite 205 Boulder, CO 80301 19 | 2014–2015 Enrollment www.universityparent.com 22 | Faculty and Staff Advertising Inquiries: 24 | Students after Graduation (866) 721-1357 Learning Communities [email protected] 26 | 28 | Department of Athletics, Physical Education, and Recreation 29 | Housing 31 | MIT Dining 32 | Health Care Sarah Schupp Publisher 34 | MIT Police and Campus Safety mark hager DESIGN 35 | MIT Parents Association 38 | Campus Map Connect: 40 | Boston Transit Map facebook.com/UniversityParent 42 | Subway Map 44 | Academic Calendar twitter.com/4collegeparents 46 | Contact Information Photograph by Nick Schietromo © 2015 UniversityParent 48 | MIT Area Resources

2 Massachusetts Institute of Technology 3 www.universityparent.com/mit 3 MIT is coeducational and privately endowed. Its faculty of more than 1,000 is dedicated to helping more than 4,000 undergraduate and 6,000 graduate students pursue their degrees in one of five schools: to • Architecture and Planning • Engineering • Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences • Management • Science

An MIT education combines rigorous academic study and the excitement of discovery with the support and intellectual stimulation of a diverse campus community. Students come from all 50 states and more than 100 foreign countries; our diversity is reflected in our long roster of ethnically- and culturally- oriented clubs and organizations. Underrepresented minority students will find a lively community here, as well as a range of support services. Likewise, MIT’s unmistakably international atmosphere is welcoming to students from around the globe.

Overall, MIT is a community open to new approaches and ideas, deeply committed to collaboration and unimpressed with social credentials—a place where people take great pleasure in tackling hard problems together. The MIT community exudes a crackling energy—the passion, curiosity, playfulness, creativity, and drive of thousands of bright minds working MIT stands among the world’s preeminent MIT believes in the power of learning- Home to a vibrant together on the great problems of the research universities. Our formal mission by-doing, the value of working community of students, world. As your visit concludes, you may is to advance knowledge and educate collaboratively, and the importance of find that you, too, have been infused with faculty, staff, and alumni. students in science, technology, and continually reassessing the effectiveness the energy and inquisitiveness present in other areas of scholarship that will best of our own teaching strategies. Whenever our Institute. We hope you’ll enjoy your time, exploring serve the nation and the world in the possible, our courses include hands- the campus, learning about our new 21st century. We seek to develop in each on engagement with the subject, and We hope you enjoy your visit. initiatives (global, MITx, and otherwise), member of the MIT community the ability students tackle new material in teams. The and touring facilities known as much and passion to work wisely, creatively, latest and most effective techniques and Sincerely, for their architectural design as for their and effectively for the betterment of learning technologies are transforming cutting-edge laboratories inside. humankind. the way many subjects are taught at the The MIT Parents Association Institute.

4 Massachusetts Institute of Technology www.universityparent.com/mit 5 Photograph by Christoper Harting Mission and Origins

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of MIT is to advance knowledge and educate students in science, technology, and other areas of scholarship that will best serve the nation and the world in the 21st century.

The Institute is committed to generating, relevant to an increasingly industrialized Traditions and Hacks disseminating, and preserving knowledge, America. Rogers stressed the pragmatic and to working with others to bring and practicable. He believed that this knowledge to bear on the world’s professional competence is best fostered great challenges. MIT is dedicated to by coupling teaching with research and by Mascot: The Beaver But neither of these were American providing its students with an education focusing attention on real-world problems. In 1913, a group of MIT alumni came animals. We turned to Mr. Hornaday’s that combines rigorous academic study Toward this end, he pioneered the together to brainstorm ideas for a book on the Animals of North America and the excitement of discovery with the development of the teaching laboratory. sentimental mascot for the Institute. and instantly chose the beaver. As you will support and intellectual stimulation of On January 14, 1914, the group formally see the beaver not only typifies the Tech a diverse campus community. We seek Today MIT is a world-class educational presented the beaver mascot to MIT’s man but his habits are peculiarly our own. to develop in each member of the MIT institution. Teaching and research—with President, Richard Maclaurin. This is what Mr. Hornaday states, “Of all the animals community the ability and passion to work relevance to the practical world as a Lester Gardner 1897, chairman of the of the world, the beaver is noted for his wisely, creatively, and effectively for the guiding principle—continue to be its group, reported: engineering and mechanical skill and betterment of humankind. primary purpose. MIT’s five schools habits of industry. His habits are nocturnal; and one college encompass numerous We first thought of the kangaroo, he does his best work in the dark.” The Institute admitted its first students in academic departments, divisions, and which, like Tech, goes forward by leaps 1865, four years after the approval of its degree-granting programs, as well as and bounds and like you, comes from The beaver has since been named TIM. founding charter. The opening marked interdisciplinary centers, laboratories, Australia. Then we considered the TIM frequently will appear at important the culmination of an extended effort by and programs whose work cuts across elephant. He is wise, patient, strong, hard MIT events, posing for pictures and William Barton Rogers, a distinguished traditional departmental boundaries. working and like all men who graduate generally providing joy and mirth to all natural scientist, to establish a new kind from Tech [MIT], has a good tough hide. those who see him. of independent educational institution

6 Massachusetts Institute of Technology www.universityparent.com/mit 7 The Brass Rat The Brass Rat is also a part of MIT MIT’s famous class ring is known as the graduation tradition. At Commencement, Brass Rat. It was so named because it is MIT students wait not to move their made of gold and features a beaver on its tassels from one side to the other, but bezel. rather for the moment when they flip the ring around. While still an undergraduate, The students in each class year at MIT students wear the Brass Rat such that the formally gather three times. They gather MIT seal and motto and the Boston skyline at the start of their undergraduate careers is viewed, reminding you that you’re still for the freshman picture, at the end for a student. Upon graduation, the ring is graduation, and halfway through for the flipped around so that the graduating unveiling of the class ring. year along with the MIT skyline is seen, showing that you have entered the real Photograph by Emily Muldoon Kathan Every Brass Rat includes elements world and have the perspective to look standard to every ring: a beaver on the back at your time at MIT. bezel, the MIT seal on one shank, and the class year of graduation on the other Hacks In actuality, the police car was the shell shank. However, each class’s Brass Rat MIT has a long tradition of “hacks,” clever of a Chevrolet Cavalier attached to a is unique in its design. A student design and elegant pranks showcasing the playful multi-piece wooden frame, all carefully committee incorporates secret icons and and inventive spirit of MIT. Hacks are assembled on the roof over the course codes special to their class year. performed by hackers, MIT students who of one night. Perhaps as a nod to the MIT legend says safely and stealthily execute the pranks very limited parking around campus, the Since 1929, the Brass Rat has been according to an informal code of ethics. car had been issued a parking violation designed by a student committee. The that the ring is These ethics, loosely stated, assert that reading “no permit for this location.” design process begins in freshman year hacks must do no damage to property with the highly competitive process or any person, must be safe, and must The police car hack received television of choosing the ring committee, or one of the most provide joy or amusement to those who and newspaper coverage around the “RingComm,” of 12 class members. To experience the hack. world, as far away as Korea and Israel. be appointed to the Ring Committee is a The Great Droid highly sought-after honor. The committee recognized rings Some of the most famous hacks include: is chosen by the Class President and On the first day of final exam week in 1999 class government following a selective in the world, Police Car on the Dome (two days before the much anticipated application and interview process. On the final day of classes in May 1994, release of Star Wars: Episode I – The the city of Boston awoke to see an MIT Phantom Menace), the Great Dome was In the spring term, the sophomores, facilitating alumni Campus Police cruiser on top of the transformed into R2-D2. brimming with curiosity, come together Great Dome. The car came complete with for a grand event: the Ring Premiere. The flashing lights and a cruiser number, π. unveiling of the ring design is one of the connections most exciting moments of an MIT student’s college years. everywhere from Following the premiere, sophomores happily line up in MIT’s Lobby 10 to view job interviews to and purchase their very own Brass Rat. In a typical year, 90 percent of all students will purchase the ring. The year ends with the supermarket. a delivery event, where every sophomore finally receives the Brass Rat.

8 Massachusetts Institute of Technology www.universityparent.com/mit 9 Photograph by Christoper Harting Using colored fabric panels decorated The Caltech Cannon

with paint and burlap, the hackers In the spring of 2006, a 130-year-old, 1.7- carefully recreated Artoo’s equipment. For ton cannon was moved from the California the hologram projector, hackers used a Institute of Technology by the MIT hacker tent protruding from the side of the dome, “moving company,” Howe and Ser Moving painted in metallic colors. Co. The cannon reappeared on MIT’s The hackers left detailed schematics campus on the morning of the first day of and disassembly instructions for the MIT’s annual Campus Preview Weekend Hack Removal Team assigned to inspect (CPW), adorned with a 24-karat gold the hackers’ work on the dome. The plated brass rat. instructions were addressed to the “Imperial Drones,” and signed “Rebel In the early morning of March 28, Howe Scum.” and Ser arrived at Caltech to remove the cannon. They were confronted by Caltech The Harvard-Yale Game security, but after presenting a fabricated work order, the movers were allowed to The annual football game between Yale proceed. The cannon was then carefully and Harvard Universities has been a shipped 3,000 miles across the country, frequent target of MIT hackers. The most appearing just in time for 900 prospective memorable of these hacks took place at MIT students to see it at CPW. the 1982 meeting of the two Ivy League universities. At the end of the weekend, Caltech Navigating MIT students arrived on campus to attempt During a timeout after a touchdown in to secretly reclaim the cannon. However, the first quarter, an enormous weather • Course 1: Civil and Environmental their attempt at a stealthy recovery failed. Numbers, Numbers, Numbers balloon emerged from underneath the turf Engineering (founded as Civil and MIT students, who had detected the at the 46-yard line. The balloon had MIT Sometimes it seems like MIT people only Topographical Engineering); Caltech students’ mission, greeted them printed on it in large letters, and eventually speak in numbers. You’ll hear sentences with a barbecue party in honor of their • Course 2: Mechanical Engineering; exploded in a burst of powder. like, “I have 6.001 in 10-250 at 2:30, then retaking of the cannon. my Course 9 UROP in Building 46.” This is • Course 3: Materials Science and An ingenious deployment mechanism had part of MIT-speak. Here’s a primer. Engineering (founded as Geology been designed by the MIT hackers and The hack attracted international press and Mining; Geology is now a part attention. buried beneath the field prior to the game. Each of MIT’s majors—known as Courses, of Course 12, Earth, Atmospheric A remote trigger allowed the deployment with a capital C—is known by a number, and Planetary Sciences); of the hack to occur during a break in play. sometimes given in Roman numerals. • Course 4: Architecture (founded as These numbers are in approximate order While some Harvard-Yale hacks have Building and Architecture); and of the founding of MIT’s course in that been foiled before deployment, such as in MIT has a long area. For example, Courses 1 through 5 • Course 5: Chemistry (founded as 1948 and 1978, other attempts have met represent MIT’s original five majors: Practical Chemistry). with great success, such as in 1990. tradition of “hacks,” In the second half of the game that year, a rocket erupted from the sod at the goal clever and elegant line, shooting over the goal post an 8 1/2 by 3 1/2 foot banner with the letters pranks showcasing “MIT” on both sides. The mechanism was activated by about 480 feet of wire that ran underneath the field and connected to the playful and two metal bleachers of the stadium. The rocket was set off just as Yale prepared to inventive spirit kick a field goal.

The next day the Boston Herald ran the of MIT. headline “MIT 1-Harvard-Yale 0; Tech Pranksters Steal the Show.”

10 Massachusetts Institute of Technology www.universityparent.com/mit 11 Each class—or course, with a lowercase MIT’s Mobile App c—in each department also is designated From an interactive live campus map to by a number. Hence, the introductory an up-to-the-minute shuttle schedule, calculus class in Mathematics (Course 18) MIT offers a helpful mobile app you can is known as 18.01. Similarly, an advanced download on your phone or mobile device astrophysics course in the Physics for free. Go to m.mit.edu. department (Course 8) is called 8.971.

In addition, every building on campus Photograph by Christoper Brown is designated by a number. MIT’s Great Dome sits atop Building 10. The I.M. Pei-designed Chemistry laboratory is Building 18. Certainly, the buildings also have names—Building 10 is the Maclaurin Building, and Building 18 is the Dreyfus Building—but usually the number is enough. Some buildings, including the dorms, are more frequently referred to by their proper names.

All of the campus rooms have numbers, as well, and these follow a straightforward naming scheme: 26-100 is in Building 26, on the first floor, room 100.

Wireless Coverage Many spots on the MIT Campus have been What to Do on Campus set up for wireless coverage. You should Organized Tours be able to connect to the MIT GUEST The MIT Information Center wireless network easily and quickly. Enter the doors at 77 Massachusetts Campus tours depart from the lobby of Your device should be able to “see” the Avenue, and immediately on your right Building 7, located at 77 Massachusetts network as one of the open wireless (room 7-121) is your source for maps, Avenue. The student-led tours last 75-90 options and connect instantly. directions, and answers to everything MIT. minutes and cover some of the most The Information Center also organizes the popular areas of the campus, including MIT IS&T Help Desk: (617) 253-1101 campus tours. the Stratton Student Center, the Zesiger Athletic Center, Kresge Auditorium, the MIT Chapel, the Infinite Corridor, and the Campus Tours Stata Center. There is no charge and no MIT’s campus vision is to create reservation needed for parties of seven infrastructure that fosters the cross- or fewer. fertilization of ideas, with architecture that reinforces the vital, forward-thinking spirit Holidays and Institute events affect the of the community it serves. Such modern tour schedule periodically throughout masters as Alvar Aalto (Baker House), Eero the year. Please check the MIT Events Saarinen (MIT Chapel, Kresge Auditorium), Calendar (events.mit.edu) for summer I.M. Pei (Wiesner Building, Green Building, tour departure locations and holidays Dreyfus Building, Landau Building), Steven when tours may not be offered. Contact Holl (Simmons Hall), and Frank Gehry the Information Center for questions (The Ray & Maria Stata Center) have all about campus tours Monday–Friday, designed buildings for MIT. 9 a.m.–5 p.m. by calling (617) 253-4795.

12 Massachusetts Institute of Technology www.universityparent.com/mit 13 Photograph by Christoper Harting

Self-guided Tours The galleries and Bartos Theatre not required to submit information to the (20 Ames Street, lower level) are MIT Events Calendar Tour the campus on your own using the On the MIT Events Calendar calendar; if you are looking for the location wheelchair accessible. Other assistive self-guided walking tour on the MIT Mobile (events.mit.edu), you can find lectures, of an event that is not listed, please call accommodations (listening devices, App, or stop by the Information Center, performances, and other events the department directly. ASL interpretation) may be arranged room 7-121, for a campus map. throughout the year. Departments are two weeks in advance by calling (617) 253-4400. The Massachusetts Relay Service number (for calls Campus Art originating within Massachusetts) is Public Art Collection (800) 439-2370 (TTY).

We invite you to take a walk around MIT’s MIT Museum public art collection, which includes works from Alexander Calder, Pablo Picasso, The MIT Museum is located at 265 Henry Moore, Louise Nevelson, Jacques Massachusetts Avenue, Building N52. In Lipchitz, Matthew Ritchie, and Frank addition to the world’s largest collection Stella. View the public art collection map of holography, the museum features at listart.mit.edu/public-art-map, or make Kismet and other MIT robots, the arrangements for a group tour by calling interactive sculpture of Arthur Ganson, Mark Linga at (617) 452-3586. and “Doc” Edgerton’s famous stop-motion photography, as well as programs and List Visual Arts Center activities for all ages. Hours and visitors’

tips are available at the museum’s website, The List Visual Arts Center is at 20 Ames web.mit.edu/museum, as are the hours Street (Building E15), atrium level. It of the Compton Gallery in Bldg. 10 and houses a collection of contemporary art the Hart Nautical Gallery in Bldg. 5. All in all media, in addition to managing the facilities at the Museum and its galleries Artists-in-Residence and Percent-for-Art are wheelchair accessible, and sign programs. Hours and directions language interpretation and disability are available on the List website: assistance are available through Visitors’ listart.mit.edu. Admission to all exhibitions Services by calling (617) 253-5927. is free and open to the general public during regular gallery hours. These tours are led by curatorial and education staff. To make arrangements for a tour, contact Mark Linga at (617) 452-3586.

14 Massachusetts Institute of Technology www.universityparent.com/mit 15 SCHOOLS, DEPARTMENTS, DIVISIONS, SECTIONS, AND PROGRAMS

School of Architecture and Planning Sloan School of Management Architecture (Course 4) Management (Course 15) Media Arts and Sciences (MAS) School of Science Urban Studies and Planning (Course 11) Biology (Course 7) Brain and Cognitive Sciences School of Engineering (Course 9) Aeronautics and Astronautics Chemistry (Course 5) (Course 16) Earth, Atmospheric, and Biological Engineering (Course 20) Planetary Sciences (Course 12) Chemical Engineering (Course 10) Mathematics (Course 18) Civil and Environmental Physics (Course 8) Engineering (Course 1) Electrical Engineering and Whitaker College of Health Computer Science (Course 6) Sciences and Technology Engineering Systems Division (ESD) Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology (HST) Materials Science and Engineering (Course 3) MIT-WHOI Joint Program in Mechanical Engineering (Course 2) Oceanography and Applied Ocean Nuclear Science and Engineering Science and Engineering (Course 22) Degrees Offered at MIT School of Humanities, Arts, and Bachelor of Science (SB) Photograph by Christoper Harting Social Sciences Master of Architecture (MArch) Anthropology (Course 21A) Master of Business Comparative Media Studies/Writing Administration (MBA) (CMS/Course 21W) Master in City Planning (MCP) Academics Economics (Course 14) Master of Engineering (MEng) Foreign Languages and Literatures Majors & Minors which major will best suit them. At the Master of Finance (MFin) MIT is organized into academic conclusion of the first year, students are (Course 21F) Master of Science (SM) departments, or Courses, which are free to choose from any of MIT’s majors, History (Course 21H) Engineer (each degree often referred to by their Course without any additional requirements or Humanities (Course 21) numbers or acronyms. These academic admissions procedures. designates the field in which Linguistics and Philosophy it is awarded) departments offer various undergraduate (Course 24) degrees and minors. Students must declare their majors prior Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Literature (Course 21L) to their junior year, though most students Doctor of Science (ScD) When students apply to MIT, they apply do so by the end of freshman year. Data Music and Theater Arts (Course to the entire university, not to a specific on how many students choose each major 21M) major or school. All first year students is available from the Registrar’s Office. Political Science (Course 17) begin MIT with undeclared majors. During Approximately 15 percent of our students Science, Technology, and Society freshman year, MIT provides academic choose to double-major; they may also (STS) fairs, lectures, seminars, and other choose up to two minors. programs to help students determine

16 Massachusetts Institute of Technology www.universityparent.com/mit 17 Photograph by Christoper Harting

Resources for Academic Success with their advisor first. The OME offers If students are having trouble in class, the TSR Tutorial Services Room as well: they can check out MIT’s Center for ome.mit.edu/programs-services/ome- Academic Excellence website: tutorial-services-room. All students find mit.edu/uaap/learning. This helps out their advisor’s name in July each year. students with general academic and time management questions. Each For more information or questions, contact department offers tutoring that is unique The Office of Undergraduate Advising and to the department. If the students are Academic Programing call (617) 253-6771, struggling academically they should talk or email [email protected]. 2014–2015 Enrollment

UNDERGRADUATE ENROLLMENT 4,512

First-year* 1,050 Undeclared second-year 5 Special undergraduate students 36

MAJOR 2ND MAJOR Architecture and Planning 36 5 Engineering 2,447 70 Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences 101 37 Management 53 26 Science 784 118

* MIT students do not enroll in an academic department until the start of their sophomore year, and may defer decision on a course of study until the end of that year.

18 Massachusetts Institute of Technology www.universityparent.com/mit 19 In 2014–2015, MIT students came from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, three territories, and 116 foreign countries.

There are 3,220 international students enrolled in degree programs at MIT—436 undergraduates and 2,784 graduate students—for the current academic year. Additionally, there are 405 exchange, visiting, and special students on campus.

During academic year 2013–2014, MIT hosted 2,305 international scholars from 90 countries, who engaged in teaching and research in 70 different departments, laboratories, and centers.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AND SCHOLARS BY REGION

STUDENTS* SCHOLARS* Asia 49% 42%

Creative Commons: burnto | http://bit.ly/2oQJN Europe 24% 37% Canada 7% 6% Latin America and the Caribbean 10% 5% GRADUATE ENROLLMENT 6,807 Middle East 6% 7% MASTER’S DOCTORAL SPECIAL Africa 3% 2% Architecture and Planning 410 176 0 Oceania 1% 1% Engineering 1,028 2,115* 151 * Percentages are rounded. Humanities, Arts, and 28 297 3 Social Sciences Management 1,274 154 6 Science 10 1,147 8

* This number includes 174 students working on Harvard degrees only through the Health Sciences and Technology program.

Women have attended MIT since 1871. In fall 2014, 2,055 women were enrolled as undergraduates (46 percent) and 2,171 as graduate students (32 percent).

US minority groups were represented by 2,317 undergraduates (51 percent) and 1,379 graduate students (20 percent).

US MINORITY ENROLLMENT

UNDERGRADUATE GRADUATE African American 369 141 American Indian or Alaska Native 71 62 Asian American 1,217 840 Hispanic 650 329 Native Hawaiian or 10 7 other Pacific Islander

20 Massachusetts Institute of Technology www.universityparent.com/mit 21 MIT is a small world; the potential for There are 1,021 faculty members connections between a student and (professors of all ranks), including faculty members is limited only by his 224 women. or her willingness to approach them. The faculty at MIT consists of many of Minority group representation the most respected researchers in the among faculty includes American world. Luckily for MIT undergraduates, Indian or Alaskan Native, Black, they are also committed to educating Hispanic, and Asian. and mentoring the next generation of superstars.

The student-faculty ratio is 8:1. As of October 2013, the Institute’s total teaching staff includes:

Professors 662 Associate professors 190 Assistant professors 169 Senior lecturers, lecturers, and professors emeriti 617 Instructors (including technical instructors) 155 Professors of the practice and adjunct faculty 37

Photograph by Christoper Brown Faculty and Staff MIT employs about 11,000 home front, each dormitory has a live-in individuals on campus. In Housemaster, usually a senior tenured faculty member, who is available as a addition to faculty, there source of advice and free food for his or are research, library, and her residential community. Students also administrative staff, as well sit on Institute committees and decide MIT educational and social policies with faculty as many others who—directly members. or indirectly—support the teaching and research With rare exceptions, every class at MIT goals of the Institute. is taught by a professor—and in most departments the majority of professors teach undergraduates every year. MIT students are given the ability to work Professors schedule office hours when closely with MIT’s outstanding faculty they will be regularly available to discuss at every turn. Students do research in class matters with students. Professors the labs of their faculty mentors. All are happy to meet with students outside upperclassmen choose a faculty advisor scheduled office hours, and a quick email who assists them with course selection is usually all that is required to schedule a each semester as well as with graduate meeting. school applications, job searches, and even non-academic topics. On the

22 Massachusetts Institute of Technology www.universityparent.com/mit 23 Photograph by Christoper Harting

TOP EMPLOYMENT SECTORS FOR MIT GRADUATES

UNDERGRADS MASTERS Aerospace/defense 6% 6% Computer technologies 28% 13% Consulting 12% 20% Education 1% 1% Energy/utilities 6% 3% Engineering 20% 21% Finance/banking 10% 13% Health/medicine 6% 2%

Students After Graduation The top employers for bachelor’s degree Consulting Group, Google, Deloitte, recipients were Google, Oracle, McKinsey, MIT, Microsoft, US Air Force, Goldman During 2013–2014, 247 jobs through various networking venues, Morgan Stanley, Accenture, Amazon, Sachs, and US Navy. The top employers employers recruited in MIT including MIT faculty and administrators, AthenaHealth, ExxonMobil, Microsoft, for doctoral degree recipients were MIT, GECD contacts, and professional Boston Consulting Group, Goldman Sachs, Harvard, Google, Stanford, McKinsey, UC Global Education and Career conferences; Fifteen percent had Palantir, and Shell. The top employers Berkeley, Exponent, Apple, Exxon, Boston Development (GECD). Computer internships that led to a full-time job offer; for master’s degree recipients were Consulting Group, Harvard Medical technology companies, Sixteen percent found jobs through a McKinsey, Amazon, Apple, Bain, Boston School, and Princeton. career fair; Seventy-nine percent of all consulting, financial services, graduating seniors completed internships AVERAGE SALARIES EARNED BY MIT GRADUATES ENTERING INDUSTRY POSITIONS engineering, and energy while at MIT. were the top five industries Bachelor’s degree $74,980 participating in on-campus Fifty-seven percent of MIT undergraduates took jobs after graduation; 32 percent Master of science $84,580 recruiting and accounted for went on to graduate school. The top Master of engineering $90,505 graduate school destinations were MIT, 63 percent of total recruiters. Master of business administration $128,807 Harvard, Stanford, University of California Twenty-one percent of 2014 bachelor’s at Berkeley, New York University, PhD entering postdoctoral positions $65,343 degree graduates found jobs through Northwestern, Boston University, Cornell, PhD entering other positions $110,296 on-campus recruiting and MIT sponsored Princeton, Carnegie Mellon, and University job listings; Twenty-one percent found of Chicago. Find more information from MIT Global Education and Career Development online: gecd.mit.edu.

24 Massachusetts Institute of Technology www.universityparent.com/mit 25 Experimental Study Group problems with global implications. Past ESG offers instruction to first-year topics have included water scarcity, health students in the GIRs (biology, of our oceans, disappearing species, chemistry, math, physics, and writing) world hunger, and what to do about rising through small, interactive classes and levels of atmospheric carbon. Those seminars. Instruction takes place in a who enroll take all their GIRs but add community setting that includes a kitchen, an additional Terrascope subject in fall lounge and classrooms. Ten MIT staff and and can opt for one or two subjects in faculty members serve as the program’s spring. An optional field trip to a location instructors, assisted by 25 student of relevance to the year’s study is offered teaching assistants. Academics annually during spring break. are supplemented by a variety of community activities, including weekly luncheons, evening study sessions, and weekend trips. Each Learning

Media Arts and Sciences Community The MAS program emphasizes research and the intersection of technology with offers unique communication and expression. Freshmen attend lectures in the GIRs and also attend programs that MAS-led recitation or tutorial sections in chemistry and physics. Students are encouraged to participate in the MAS allow freshmen Freshman Advising Seminars and must take two MAS subjects. During spring the opportunity to semester students participate in an Undergraduate Research Opportunities Project (UROP) at the Media Lab. study and socialize Learning Communities as part of a smaller Terrascope Concourse At MIT there are four Learning Terrascope students take charge of their Concourse is a challenging academic community. Communities that offer learning as they work together to develop community with an intellectually rich answers to compelling—and challenging— alternative pathways through curriculum in which the General Institute the freshman year (Concourse, Requirements (GIRs) including physics, Experimental Study Group math, and humanities are taught in a small learning environment with an emphasis (ESG), Media Arts and Sciences on integration of the curriculum across (MAS), and Terrascope). disciplines. Concourse accepts 60 freshmen each year, which allows for a Each Learning Community offers unique high level of personal contact and faculty programs that allow freshmen the support. Concourse students have use of opportunity to study and socialize as part our private commons room where ideas of a smaller community while still taking and people come together for study, advantage of the intellectual and cultural informal discussions, class tutorials, and diversity of the Institute as a whole. To weekly Friday lunches. find out more visit wiki.mitadmissions.org/ Freshman_Learning_Communities.

26 Massachusetts Institute of Technology www.universityparent.com/mit 27 Department of Athletics, Physical Education, and Recreation

Photograph by Ben Bocko

MIT’s Department of Athletics, Physical Education Physical Education, and Physical Education provides students with the instruction and skills necessary Recreation, also known as to lead healthy, active lifestyles and is DAPER, offers opportunities a critical component of the educational for sports instruction and mission at MIT. Courses are designed for undergraduate students, regardless participation at all levels. of skill and experience, and range from traditional programs such as introduction Athletics to tennis and beginning golf, to At MIT, exceptional students apply to outdoor experiences like backpacking, athletics the same passion, drive, and snowboarding, and other innovative Photograph by Christoper Harting work ethic as they do in academics to academic and sport partnerships. reach their complete potential. Intensity and commitment to excellence fill the rosters of MIT’s 33 intercollegiate sports, the largest NCAA Division III program in Recreation Housing the nation. MIT finished a program record MIT Recreational Sports offers a variety eighth in the Division III Learfield Sports of programs to balance the intense Eligibility Students who move off campus, or to Directors’ Cup standings for 2014–15, academic curriculum by providing fitness, MIT students are eligible for eight an FSILG (fraternities, sororities, and which rank the nation’s best overall wellness, and stress relief opportunities. consecutive semesters of on-campus independent living groups), can request athletics programs. MIT student-athletes The Zesiger and Alumni Pool/Wang housing. Students have the option to to move back on campus, but their return have earned at least 20 All-America Fitness Centers offer three fitness floors, a remain on campus for all eight semesters, to campus can only be satisfied through honors every season since 2001 and 50-meter lap pool, two instructional pools, living in their initial building or choosing a waitlist. Students who travel abroad as set a school record with 95 All-America two group exercise studios, and a cycling another. If they wish, students can part of an approved program away, and accolades in 2013–14. MIT also features studio. The main complex also contains experience a new living group each year. were in enrolled in on-campus housing one of the nation’s most expansive an ice arena, an indoor track, six sports At the end of each year, students will be when they left, are guaranteed housing club sports programs with over 900 courts, squash courts, a massage suite, given information about confirming or upon their return. participants and more than 30 teams. saunas, and an indoor golf range. canceling their on-campus housing.

28 Massachusetts Institute of Technology www.universityparent.com/mit 29 Switching Students may sign up for summer housing There are two ways students may switch at an additional cost. Summer housing residence halls once the academic begins on the Saturday after final exams. MIT Dining year has begun: (1) openings in the undergraduate housing waitlist, or (2) a For more information about switch lottery. In the first option, students undergraduate housing at MIT, fill out a Building-to-Building Switch Form please visit housing.mit.edu. and indicate their preferred building(s). During the term, moves are offered as space becomes available. The second option is the Spring and Fall Housing Switch Lotteries. These are binding MIT students lotteries held for on-campus students only that allow them to obtain a housing switch for the upcoming academic semester. are eligible for MIT has one of the most unique House, and Simmons Hall. These halls dining programs in the nation. provide a comfortable dining atmosphere for students and the MIT community to Room-to-room switches within buildings eight consecutive Designed to meet the needs are handled within the residence halls. enjoy meals that are made to order using Students should consult House Managers, of a growing and diverse only the highest quality and freshest Housemasters, and Room Assignment semesters of on- campus, this program offers ingredients available. All MIT community members are invited to dine in these halls, Chairs to proceed with a room switch in members of the MIT community the same building. campus housing. even without a meal plan, as each hall also their choice of retail venues, accepts cash and TechCASH. Students have the convenience stores, food trucks, pubs, and house dining halls. For more information about MIT Dining, Housing During Institute Breaks visit dining.mit.edu. Students at MIT are permitted to stay on option to remain on campus for both winter break (known as Retail Dining the Independent Activities Period or IAP) MIT has over 20 local and independent and summer break. campus for all eight retail dining offerings across campus, serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, and IAP housing is simply an extension of a semesters, living in everything in between. Options include student’s fall assignment. Students who Mexican, Italian, American, Middle will be graduating or leaving housing Eastern, Indian, and Asian cuisines. after the fall semester must vacate by their initial building December 20, unless they are taking a MIT Dining partners with Aramark and class during IAP. Students remaining in or choosing another. Chartwells. These companies offer on-campus housing during the spring valuable diversity to campus dining at MIT, semester do not need to leave and are not along with their culinary expertise and billed for housing during IAP. experience. MIT Dining is also committed to supporting local businesses, and has partnered with many local eateries to provide a variety of choices to meet the needs of MIT’s diverse community.

House Dining Meal Plan Program and House Dining Halls In partnership with Bon Appétit, MIT Dining offers an all-you-care-to-eat House Dining Meal Plan program in its five house dining rooms, located in Baker House, Maseeh Hall, McCormick Hall, Next

30 Massachusetts Institute of Technology www.universityparent.com/mit 31 services, prescription drugs, and is specifically designed to coordinate with more. To meet state requirements for the care provided on campus through the comprehensive health coverage, all basic student plan. students are automatically enrolled in (and billed for) the extended plan unless they actively waive it (medweb.mit.edu/waive) I still have questions or and can prove they have other qualifying health insurance. concerns; who can I call? More information is available on the MIT Medical website at medweb.mit.edu. To discuss specific health concerns, My student is covered by my health contact Howard Heller, M.D., M.P.H., plan. Why should I get the MIT Chief of Medicine, at (617) 253-1615 Student Extended Insurance Plan? or [email protected]. Alan Siegel, Coverage by a parent’s plan does not Ed.D., chief of MIT’s Mental Health and always guarantee reliable care for Counseling, is happy to answer questions students outside the plan’s local area. at (617) 253-4374 or [email protected]. Often, out-of-state insurers will not For questions about insurance coverage, approve coverage for students to receive contact the MIT Health Plans Office at recommended care from Cambridge- (617) 253-4371 or [email protected]. Photograph by Christoper Brown area providers. To avoid these gaps in care, about 70 percent of MIT students purchase the extended coverage, which Health Care

What kind of medical care is treatment (psychotherapy and available to students on campus? psychopharmacology), referrals, urgent MIT’s health care facility, MIT Medical, is care, and consultations. We can help with one of the most comprehensive campus everything from anxiety and depression health centers in the country. In addition to typical college-life adjustment issues to primary and urgent care, MIT Medical like homesickness or stress. Students may offers care in many specialty areas and be seen by appointment or during walk-in has on-site pharmacy, laboratory, and hours every afternoon. Clinicians are on radiology services. call and available 24/7.

MIT Medical’s walk-in Urgent Care Service is open 7 a.m.–11 p.m. seven What health insurance plans are days a week, and students can call available to MIT students? (617) 253-4481 24 hours a day to reach a MIT offers two student health plans: the clinician who can help assess the situation basic MIT Student Medical Plan and the and give suggestions about what to do MIT Student Extended Insurance Plan. The next. In emergencies, MIT’s ambulance basic plan covers most services provided service can transport students to a local at MIT Medical, including primary care, emergency room. urgent care, mental health, and many medical specialties. The cost is included in tuition. The extended plan, available for What kind of mental health services an additional fee, provides coverage for does MIT provide to students? inpatient hospitalization, inpatient mental MIT Medical’s Mental Health and health and substance abuse treatment, Counseling Service provides evaluations, surgical procedures, emergency room

32 Massachusetts Institute of Technology www.universityparent.com/mit 33 MIT Police and Campus Safety Photograph by Christoper Brown

The MIT Police provide safety The MIT Police know that good and emergency medical services policing is as much about education as it is enforcement. Therefore, we work to the MIT community 24 closely with our community to increase hours a day, 365 days a year. awareness about the risk of campus crime and to generate a sense of responsibility Photograph by Ben Bocko Laptop and Bicycle Theft within every individual to take reasonable As an urban campus, theft is the most steps to reduce that risk. In addition we frequent campus crime. Backpacks, provide information on how to prevent laptops/tablets, and other small electronic identity theft. items are the most frequently stolen items MIT Parents Association on the MIT campus. We encourage your Please call the MIT Police at student to not leave items unattended, (617) 253-1212 with any questions. Communications and Information regardless of how safe an area looks. We In case of an emergency on campus, The Parents Association is a Parents receive many communications need students’ help to reduce crimes of students can utilize one of the many volunteer-driven organization throughout the academic year, including opportunity. blue light emergency telephones located that connects the parents of Parents e-newsletters and invitations across the campus. Sadly, bicycle theft is another frequent current students to campus to events held on campus and in their regions. Parents who need information campus crime. We encourage all cyclists Visit the MIT Police website for news, events, and each other. that only another MIT parent can provide to safeguard their bicycle by using a more information on campus safety: Parents are encouraged to are encouraged to contact a volunteer heavy-duty locking device and securing police.mit.edu. their bicycle through both wheels and explore the many opportunities near them—called a Parent Connector— around the frame to an immovable object. provided by the association by using the Parent Directory on the that will allow them to deepen Parents Association website. MIT Police offers laptop and bicycle MIT Alert registration. MIT Alert, the Institute’s emergency their connections to MIT. notification program, provides information Activities and Events and advisories to the MIT community via All parents of current MIT undergraduates Events and activities for the MIT a number of communication methods are a part of the association but should Campus Safety community are held regionally and on including email, text messaging, and provide their contact information to fully We encourage our students to take campus. Events include Summer Send-Off voicemails. MIT parents can sign up for benefit from their membership. To do this, advantage of the many crime prevention activities for incoming students, Parent MIT Alert using the Extended Community use the form on the Parents Association seminars offered by the MIT Police Crime Orientation, and Family Weekend. Parents option at emergency.mit.net/mitalert. website: parents.mit.edu. Prevention Unit. Many seminars deal with are invited to return to campus each fall the topic of being “Streetwise and Safe.” for MIT Family Weekend. It’s a great time An investment of one hour will help reduce to experience MIT when classes and the chances of criminal victimization. activities are in full swing.

34 Massachusetts Institute of Technology www.universityparent.com/mit 35 PlanetMIT individuals contribute significantly to the Parents are also invited to participate in MIT community, welcoming freshmen Photograph by Melody Ko local MIT alumni club programs. Learn parents, participating in campus events, about the alumni club closest to home and and attending regional events hosted by other MIT local connections by visiting MIT and MIT clubs. Parent Connectors PlanetMIT, a global community atlas: help connect parents to the Institute and alum.mit.edu/maps/planetmit.dyn. This one another. interactive map shows how students, parents, alumni, and volunteers are distributed around the world. Red pins Parents Leadership Circle indicate areas where there is an official The Parents Leadership Circle (PLC) MIT presence, such as an alumni club or plays a valuable role in MIT’s success by Enterprise Forum chapter. providing leadership-level annual support, and through gifts of time and talent. PLC members serve as a conduit between Volunteer Opportunities the Institute and the parent community to Parents who wish to volunteer can support institutional priorities and increase become a Parent Connector. Parent parent engagement and visibility. The Connectors across the globe act as PLC is comprised of parent leaders who ambassadors on behalf of MIT and are committed to the mission of MIT. They TOP FIVE REASONS TO JOIN THE MIT PARENTS ASSOCIATION the Parents Association, sharing their represent diverse geographic locations knowledge and enthusiasm with and student class years. current and prospective parents. These PARENT NEWS! – By registering to join the online community, not only will you be included on important communications for the MIT Administration and Alumni Association, but also you will receive the monthly Parent e-Newsletters! This is a great opportunity to stay in-the-know while your student is at MIT.

REGISTER FOR EVENTS – In order to register for events with the MIT Parents Association, especially Family Weekend, you will need to log in!

P2P DIRECTORY – The Parent-to-Parent Directory is a special behind-log-in feature offered to parents that allows you to search for other parents in your area, and contact Parent Connectors with questions that require advice from someone with first-hand experience.

RESOURCES PAGE – The MIT Parents Association’s online community provides an entire page of resources you may need as a parent at MIT.

VIRTUAL ORIENTATIONS – Each August prior to Orientation, virtual orientations are hosted in the MIT Parents Association’s online community.

Did we mention it’s free? Visit parents.mit.edu to get connected.

36 Massachusetts Institute of Technology www.universityparent.com/mit 37 Campus Map

38 Massachusetts Institute of Technology www.universityparent.com/mit 39 Boston Transit Map

40 Massachusetts Institute of Technology www.universityparent.com/mit 41 Subway Map

42 Massachusetts Institute of Technology www.universityparent.com/mit 43 Academic Calendar Photograph by N. Schietromo MIT runs on a “4-1-4” calendar: Classes are held on weekdays only, there are two four-month terms generally between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., though some classes are held per academic year, separated between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Students can by the month-long Independent expect to spend about 12–20 hours per Activities Period (IAP) in January. week in class, though they are free to take as many classes as they like (with their The fall term runs from September through advisor’s approval) without incurring extra December, the spring term from February tuition costs. through May. During term-time, each month includes at least one three-day weekend—a chance to relax, travel, or catch up on work.

ACADEMIC YEAR 2015–2016 ACADEMIC YEAR 2016–2017 September 7 Labor Day September 5 Labor Day September 8 Registration Day–Fall Term September 6 Registration Day–Fall Term September 9 First day of classes September 7 First day of classes October 12 Columbus Day–Holiday October 10, 11 Columbus Day–Holiday October 23–24 Family Weekend November 11 Veterans Day–Holiday November 11 Veterans Day–Holiday November 24, 25 Thanksgiving Vacation November 26, 27 Thanksgiving Vacation December 14 Last day of classes December 14–18 Final Exams December 16, 19–22 Final Exams December 19 Winter Vacation begins January 9 IAP begins January 4 IAP begins January 16 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day–Holiday January 18 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day–Holiday February 3 IAP ends February 1 Registration Day–Spring Term February 6 Registration Day–Spring Term February 2 First day of classes February 7 First day of classes February 15 Presidents Day–Holiday February 20 Presidents Day–Holiday February 16 Monday schedule of classes March 27–31 Spring Vacation March 21–25 Spring Vacation April 17, 18 Patriots Day–Vacation April 18, 19 Patriots Day–Vacation May 18 Last day of classes May 16–20 Final Exams May 22–26 Final Exams June 3 Commencement June 9 Commencement June 6 Summer Session begins June 12–August 22 Summer Session (incl. Exam Period)

44 Massachusetts Institute of Technology www.universityparent.com/mit 45 Contact Information

Important Phone Numbers and Websites

Parents Association MIT Medical (617) 253-8183 (617) 253-4481 [email protected] medweb.mit.edu parents.mit.edu MIT Mental Health & Counseling Accounts Payable (617) 253-2916 (617) 253-2750 (Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–7 p.m.) vpf.mit.edu/ap (617) 253-4481 (Nights/Weekends) medweb.mit.edu/mentalhealth Admissions (617) 253-3400 MIT Together mitadmissions.org together.mit.edu

Alumni Association Registrar’s Office (617) 253-8200 (617) 253-4784 alum.mit.edu web.mit.edu/registrar/records/index.html

Campus Police Residential Life (617) 253-1212 (617) 253-4280 [email protected] studentlife.mit.edu/reslifeanddining police.mit.edu Student Resources Website Card Services resources.mit.edu (617) 253-3475 web.mit.edu/semo/card Student Support Services (617) 253-4861 Dining web.mit.edu/uaap/s3 (617) 253-2706 dining.mit.edu TechCASH (617) 253-0364 Housing techcash.mit.edu (617) 253-2404 housing.mit.edu

46 Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT Area Resources For more area resources visit www.universityparent.com/mit

Places to Stay

463 Beacon Street Hotel Tria The Midtown Hotel Guest House 220 Alewife Brook Pkwy. 220 Huntington Ave. 463 Beacon St. Cambridge, MA 02138 Boston, MA 02115 Boston, MA 02115 (617) 491-8000 (617) 262-1000 (617) 536-1302 www.hoteltria.com www.midtownhotel.com 463Beacon.com Please see ad on p. 30. Please see ad on p. 31. Please see ad on p. 11. Hyatt Regency Cambridge XV Beacon Hotel Boston Marriott Cambridge 575 Memorial Dr. 15 Beacon St. 50 Broadway Cambridge, MA 02139 Boston, MA 02108 Cambridge, MA 02142 (617) 492-1234 (617) 670-1500 (617) 494-6600 www.cambridge.hyatt.com www.xvbeacon.com www.MarriottCambridge.com Please see ad on p. 9. Please see ad on p. 27. Please see ad on p. 23. Royal Sonesta Hotel 40 Edwin Land Blvd. Cambridge, MA w02142 (617) 806-4200 sonesta.com/boston Please see ad on p. 15.

Additional Services

Metropolitan Moving & Storage MIT Federal Credit Union UniversityParent E-News 134 Massachusetts Ave. MIT Student Center, Bldg. W20 www.UniversityParent.com Cambridge, MA 02139 84 Mass Ave. Please see ad on p. 18. (617) 547-8180 Cambridge, MA 02139 www.metstorage.com (617) 253-2845 UniversityParent’s Guide to Please see ad on p. 38 and 39. www.mitfcu.org Supporting your Student’s Please see ad on inside back cover. Freshman Year www.amazon.com/Guide- Supporting-Your-Students- Freshman/dp/0692027440

Where to Shop What to See & Do Places to Live

MIT Press Bookstore Cambridge Office 100 Memorial Drive 292 Main St. for Tourism Apartments Cambridge, MA 02142 4 Brattle St., Suite 208 100 Memorial Dr. (617) 253-5249 Cambridge, MA 02138 Cambridge, MA 02142 web.mit.edu/bookstore/www (800) 862-5678 (866) 708-7649 Please see ad on p. 12. www.cambridgeusa.org www.100memorial.com Please see ad on p. 33. Please see ad on p. 36. UniversityParent College Laundry Bag University Park www.amazon.com/gp/product/ 23 Sidney St. b00k0ustye Cambridge, MA 02139 (866) 799-3171 www.universityparkliving.com Please see ad on p. 43.

For advertising inquiries, please contact UniversityParent at (866) 721-1357 or email: [email protected]

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