First of all, a big thank you to everyone who replied to my request for feedback in the last entry. :-) I will be creating some in-depth entries about projects as I decide what exactly to write about!

In this second post of a three-part series, I will showcase some vacant rooms in the MIT East Campus dormitory, all from the same floor. My objective is to show the typical setup, furniture, and layout of a mix of rooms -- in the third post, I will show presently occupied and "lived-in" quarters to give some contrast between the way you'll find a room when you move in, and the way things could look a month or a year later. I was able to find empty rooms to photograph because during the summer months, many students choose to go home or pursue summer internships and other opportunities off campus. However, very often a student will leave at the end of the spring semester and choose to come back to the same room in the fall. House management requires the rooms to be vacated unless a student is keeping his or her room for the summer (with applicable rent payment, currently between $1500 and $1800 total). You would have difficulty finding empty rooms during the school year, as EC is a pretty popular place to live.

With this post, I will take the time to clarify something from my last entry: when I said I try to get off campus as much as possible, I didn't mean that I don't like it here! It's just that MIT is located in a vibrant metropolitan area with much to see and do, in a region with many opportunities for travel and exploration. I value my many connections to campus and the activities in which I'm involved, and in my entry I simply wished to convey a picture of a lifestyle heavily influenced by factors both internal and external to the Institute. :-)

That said, let's see some photos... (all taken within the past couple of weeks -- and yes, it's common for freshmen to get single rooms, though not terribly large ones.)

Comments (Closed after 30 days to reduce spam)

Is that a multimeter in pics 12 and 13?

I was wondering whether I should bring along my multimeter and soldering iron... Are these things useful? (I am an international and have restrictions on baggage allowed. Are these items worth their weight?)

Posted by: MIT MMX on July 18, 2006

If it's required to vacate the room for the summer, where it's possible to store all those things I can't take with me to home (I'm an int'l student), but which I probably buy while at MIT (like fridge, iron, carpet, heavy winter clothers, etc.)?
And is it required to vacate the room for the winter break?

Posted by: Ann on July 18, 2006

After looking at fotos I think that it's very probable that I'll repaint the walls. Don't you know, where it's possible to buy the paint?

Posted by: Ann on July 18, 2006

I put EC as my first choice in the lottery but I'm afraid that since I put Senior second... I might not get in EC....

Can I do something about it? I really want to get in EC

Posted by: Omar '10 on July 18, 2006

Ann, good question -- you can stay for winter break and for IAP, no problem. Same goes for all other holidays that occur during the September-May period.

It depends on your dorm, but there is usually a storage area in the basement where you can put your stuff for the summer. Here at EC, or at least on my floor, there is a "fridge room" (aptly named) where people can put their appliances and whatever else will fit. It's just an empty, vacant room on hall that is designated for storage before everyone leaves for the summer.

Posted by: Anthony on July 18, 2006

Anthony, thank you, everything seems to be pretty convenient

Omar, may I answer your question? Here is an answer I get from one MIT student when also asked how to get into EC later.
----------------------
You'll have a much higher probability of transferring into it (EC) during
orientitation than later, because that's precisely the time that a lot
of people discover they like EC and a lot of people discover also that
they don't like EC.
...
EC is very competitive after orientation, and you'll have a long waiting list
(1-2 terms of waiting) to get in.
----------------------

Posted by: Ann on July 19, 2006

you just made me terribly homesick....

Posted by: Jo V on July 19, 2006

Thanks Ann for your reply... I just hope that there's space for me at EC, I was there a few weeks ago and that place is awesome.

Posted by: Omar on July 20, 2006

Yo, Anthony!

Say, is the yellow room in photos 2 through 6 Bemis 304? Gosh, it brings back memories. I lived there Freshman year, and when I moved in the walls were decorated, well, strangely. The guy who lived there before me was nearly blind, and invited anyone on the floor to paint whatever they wanted on his walls: he didn't care. So I got a real dark blue, thinking it would hide the 39 (40 if you counted the pregnant one twice) schmoo shaped paisley blobs. I wish I'd known they were done in watercolor, and so kept bleeding through my water-based latex paint!

Posted by: Lee Gearhart '76 on July 21, 2006

Wow, he's good -- it certainly is Bemis 304

Posted by: Anthony on July 21, 2006

How do I find out on which side of EC does my room lie?

Posted by: 0 on July 27, 2006

you'll be laughing, but it seems that it's me who who will live at B304 for these two weeks

Posted by: Ann on July 27, 2006

Anonymous, as i understood, rooms G, B, and W are in building 64. All the other -- in building 62.
Also you may check where the room is located, here https://floorplans.mit.edu/

Posted by: Ann on July 27, 2006

It turns out they repainted that last room! No more pistachio -- it's all plain white.

B304 -- well, you'll definitely move after temp.

Posted by: Anthony on July 27, 2006

I notice you are from Lake Havasu I am from Las Vegas Thoughts on difficulty getting into MIT.....

Posted by: Sean on July 28, 2006

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