I recently visited the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Here are a few takeaways from my experience:
MIT extends about a mile along the Cambridge side of the Charles River in Boston, across the river from Boston University. Admired around the world for its science and technology education, MIT also boasts strong programs in economics, political science, and architecture. Interesting note: at MIT, majors are called “courses”, and they are numbered rather than named. For example, studying Mathematics and Computer Science is “18C”.
In all honesty, this was not my best campus visit experience. Because I had plans requiring a car afterwards, I drove to campus and was quickly reminded of why my tour confirmation strongly encouraged visitors to take public transportation (the “T”) or ride share. Parking in the Cambridge area was in very short supply, and my difficulties navigating to an open lot caused me to miss my tour. Boo! It was a timely reminder that visiting colleges can often be stressful and unpredictable, so best to take things in stride and try to stay positive.
Instead of a tour, I explored campus, walking through the student center and other campus buildings. My wanderings took me through campus to the river, and I came across the boat house where the famous Head of the Charles Regatta rowing race begins every fall. It was a beautiful spring day in Cambridge, subtly suggesting that a missed tour can often lead to uncovering other campus gems.
Important note for interested students: MIT does not use the Common Application. Instead, it has its own application portal called MyMIT. Students applying to MIT should plan additional time for this application process. MIT is also one of the colleges that has returned to requiring SAT/ACT testing for all applicants post-pandemic.
Go Beavers!
