At schools with acceptance rates below 10%, nearly every applicant has near-perfect grades and test scores. Admissions decisions are driven by essays, extracurriculars, recommendations, and institutional priorities — factors no stats-based model can predict. Our likelihood labels reflect academic competitiveness only.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is the world's leading research university for engineering, computer science, and scientific innovation. Founded in 1861 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, MIT fosters a hands-on maker culture where undergraduates engage directly in cutting-edge research alongside faculty.
Mascot: Engineer
Notable Alumni
Buzz Aldrin (Apollo 11 moonwalker)•Kofi Annan (UN Secretary-General)•Richard Feynman (Nobel Prize-winning physicist)
At a Glance
Cost
Published sticker prices for 2025-2026. Actual cost after aid varies.
Top Programs & National Ranking
Approximate national ranking based on departmental rankings, research output, and program reputation.
Highlights
Athletics
Campus Experience
The phrase 'drinking from a firehose' was popularized here, and the culture of collaborative suffering through problem sets is the real social glue. About 34% join FSILGs (MIT's version of Greek life), but bonding happens over late-night hack pranks, robotics competitions, and a shared identity as nerds who chose this on purpose. IHTFP ('I Hate This F***ing Place') is the unofficial motto — a joke that's only half a joke.
A mix of iconic Neoclassical buildings (the Great Dome, Killian Court) alongside brutalist and modern structures creates an eclectic, cerebral atmosphere that's impressive but not conventionally beautiful.
Based on Niche reviews, Princeton Review surveys, student forums, and institutional data.
Safety
MIT Police patrol a well-lit, integrated campus 24/7 with blue-light phones, escort services, and security cameras. Clery data shows very low per-capita violent crime.
Cambridge is a relatively safe urban area with low violent crime rates. The Kendall Square and Central Square areas near campus are well-trafficked and well-lit, though petty theft can occur.
Based on Clery Act data, student surveys, and local crime statistics.
Plan Your Visit
Schedule: Monday-Friday, multiple sessions daily
Duration: About 60 minutes (info session) + 60 minutes (tour)
Student-led tours depart from the MIT Welcome Center at 292 Main Street, Kendall Square. Info sessions led by admissions officers cover application process, followed by a student-led campus walk. Register online in advance; walk-ins not guaranteed.
Book a TourSelf-guided walking tour materials available from the MIT Welcome Center (open Mon-Fri, 9am-6pm). The mobile campus tour covers key landmarks including the Infinite Corridor, Killian Court, and the Great Dome.
Tour ResourcesSeptember through November or March through May when classes are in session. Avoid January (IAP term is quieter) and summer (fewer students). For MIThenge, visit mid-November or late January. Campus is lively during the MIT Fall Festival (October) and CPW (Campus Preview Weekend, April for admitted students).
Take the MBTA Red Line to Kendall/MIT station (right next to campus) -- strongly recommended over driving. If driving, visitor parking at 139 Massachusetts Ave costs around $34/day (pay-by-phone only, no cash). Albany Garage at 32 Albany St and Sloan Garage at 100 Main St also offer visitor parking at ~$34/day. From Logan Airport, take the Silver Line to South Station, then Red Line to Kendall/MIT (~30 min, ~$2.40).
Location
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