Frequently Asked Questions

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• FAQ / Life and culture

  How hard are courses at MIT?

  Learning at MIT is not about memorizing formulas, but understanding how to use them. Professors aren’t as concerned about if an experiment didn’t work, but rather if you understand why…
• FAQ / Life and culture

  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…
• FAQ / Academics and research

  Can I join the IDEAS Social Innovation Challenge?

  One of the highlights of MIT’s yearly academic challenges and competitions, the IDEAS Social Innovation Challenge, connects students with the passion and talent to improve the world with the experience…
• FAQ / Academics and research

  Is there really a Game Lab?

  Can you believe we have a GAME LAB? The MIT Game Lab brings together scholars, creators, and technologists to teach, conduct research, and develop new approaches for applied game design…
• FAQ / Life and culture

  What are the housing/dining options?

  Housing is a huge part of undergraduate life at MIT. You choose where you live, and each living group is a community with its own distinct culture and traditions. MIT…
• FAQ / Life and culture

  Who is the Class of 2028?

  Check out our First-year class profile page to find out more about the members of the Class of 2028.  
• FAQ / Life and culture

  Why is it called the Brass Rat?

  It’s the goal of every incoming student at MIT to get their own Brass Rat—MIT’s version of a class ring. The phrase “Brass Rat” is derived from the alleged resemblance…
• FAQ / Life and culture

  What is MIT’s mascot/school colors?

  Our mascot is a beaver—nature’s original engineer. Perfect, right? Tim the Beaver has been a member of the MIT community for 100 years. MIT’s school colors are cardinal red and…
• FAQ / Life and culture

  How many students play sports at MIT?

  With 33 varsity sports teams, MIT is the largest DIII athletics program in the nation. About one in four MIT students join a team during their time at MIT. For…
• FAQ / First-year application

  Does MIT recruit athletes?

  MIT is one of the top Division III athletic programs in the country. MIT is always looking for students-athletes. Almost 20 percent of undergraduates play at least one varsity sport.…
• FAQ / First-year application

  Is it ok to go over the essay word count?

  We require applicants to follow the word limits provided on the application. Your information will not be saved if the responses are too long. You may have to “play” with…
• FAQ / Academics and research

  When was MIT founded?

  Ok, this is probably more info than anyone wants regarding the founding of MIT, but you asked!
• FAQ / First-year application

  Can I get a copy of MIT Facts?

  MIT Facts is a pocket-sized compendium of essential facts about the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Unfortunately, we don’t mail the booklets, but you can find it online!
• FAQ / Life and culture

  What do you mean by “MIT Speak”?

  MIT uses numbers for everything. You could be in 10-250 taking 18.03, which is 5-0-7, for 6-2. At MIT, all of your friends would understand exactly what you’re saying. (You…
• FAQ / First-year application

  Do students apply to a specific major?

  Here’s one less thing to worry about when applying to MIT: Students apply to MIT for general admission and select a major at the end of the first year with…
• FAQ / Life and culture

  What support is available for LBGTQ students?

  MIT strives to create a safe and welcoming environment for LBGTQ students. MIT and its surrounding communities offer a broad array of services, activities, and resources for lesbian, bisexual, gay,…
• FAQ / Prepare for MIT

  What summer programs are available?

  MIT doesn’t offer a traditional open-enrollment summer school program where high school students can come to campus to take courses and live in the dorms. There are a number of…
• FAQ / Academics and research

  What is the Media Lab?

  The MIT Media Lab is known for its bold innovations that help invent the future, and fosters an “antidisciplinary research community” that mixes and matches seemingly disparate research disciplines to pioneer…
• FAQ / Prepare for MIT

  Where can I find parent info?

  We understand that helping your child find the right college is a daunting task and that many things have to be considered. We have information and advice that we hope…
• FAQ / Life and culture

  Did MIT invent hacking?

  MIT hacking is legendary among college pranks. MIT culture distinguishes itself not only for its seriousness of purpose but also for its unique sense of humor, as expressed in the arena…