In 1873, shortly after MIT’s opening in 1865, Ellen Swallow Richards became MIT’s first woman graduate (and later its first woman instructor). Richards’ work testing drinking water supplies and water contaminants made her a pre-eminent water scientist before her graduation.
Who was the first woman graduate?
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FAQ / Life and culture
Are the Arts active on campus?
More than 50 percent of incoming first-years have prior training in the arts, and more than half of all MIT undergrads enroll in arts courses each year—with nearly half of… -
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Are volunteer opportunities available?
At the Priscilla King Gray Public Service Center (PKG Center), you can connect with a variety of public service projects in local, national, and global communities. The PKG Center can also… -
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Can I join a fraternity/sorority?
MIT’s Fraternity, Sorority, and Independent Living Groups (FSILGs) include 26 fraternities, 10 sororities, and five living groups. With core principles of leadership, scholarship, and citizenship, the FSILG Office encourages and… -
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Can I join the Design/Build/Fly Team?
The MIT Design/Build/Fly team is composed mostly of undergraduate students, but is also open to graduate students, who compete in the annual AIAA Design/Build/Fly competition. The competition involves designing, manufacturing,… -
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Can I play football at MIT?
The 2014 Engineers were the winningest (real word!) MIT football team ever! In front of an enthusiastic home crowd on Senior Night, the MIT football team completed its historic regular…