Visit | MIT - Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2024)

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Whether you’re a prospective student or just visiting the Boston area, we invite you to explore our dynamic campus and experience firsthand how MIT is making a better world.

MIT is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, across the Charles River from Boston, in the vibrant innovation district of Kendall Square. Founded in 1865, MIT established a new kind of independent educational institution relevant to an increasingly industrialized America. Since then, the Institute has built a robust tradition of solving problems in the public interest at the intersection of technology and humanity.

Welcome Center

The MIT Welcome Center is open at 292 Main Street in Kendall Square, conveniently located next to the Kendall/MIT MBTA subway station. Stop by to get guidance about visiting MIT and pick up a campus map(and to use the restroom, fill your water bottle, or access free Wi-Fi and power outlets). The adjacent green space is also a great place to have lunch or take a break. Open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m., excluding MIT holidaysand Institute closures.

The MIT Welcome Center isa gift of Tina and Hamid (SB 1977, SM 1978) Moghadam.

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Campus Tours & Information Sessions

The Undergraduate Admissions office hosts virtual and in-person information sessions for prospective students. Visit mitadmissions.org/visit to register.Please note: We are unable to accommodate walk-in guests for information sessions, so please make sure to register in advance.

Prospective graduate students usually arrange visits through individualdepartments, though theMIT Sloan School of Managementand select departments within the School of Engineering offer tours.

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Getting Here & Getting Around

A great place to start your visit is at the MIT Welcome Center, located at 292 Main Street, Cambridge.Parking can be tough here!We recommendpublic transportation or a taxi/rideshare service (such as Uber or Lyft)to campus.

Via public transportation

Boston’s public transportation system is the MBTA, known as “the T.”

  • Subway: From any terminal at Logan Airport, take the Silver Line bus to South Station. At South Station, change to the Red Line subway to Kendall/MIT (inbound toward Alewife). The ride should take about 30 minutes and is free.

  • Bus: The 64, 68, and 85 lines stop near the MIT Welcome Center. The #1 busstops on Massachusetts Avenue, about a 15-minute walk from the Welcome Center.

  • Shuttle: The EZ Ride shuttle runs to and from Boston’s North Station, with stops at Kendall Square and around MIT’s campus (Note: EZRide is not operated by the MBTA; fare is $2 cash per trip).

From Logan Airport

  • Taxi or rideshare: Taxi fare from the airport is about $35–$40, and a rideshare service can range from about $20–$35. During non-rush hour, the ride will take about 15 minutes; during rush hour, it may take 30 minutes or more.

  • Subway: From any terminal at Logan Airport, take the Silver Line bus to South Station. At South Station, change to the Red Line subway to Kendall/MIT (inbound toward Alewife). The ride should take about 30 minutes.

Amtrak

  • South Station, Boston, is the closest train station. South Station is served by the MBTA Red Line, which connects to MIT at the MIT/Kendall stop.

Bluebikes

  • Bluebikes is the Boston area’s public bike share program. There are several stations around campus for renting or returning a bike. Visitors may purchase an Adventure Pass, which is valid for 24 hours.

Parking

  • Parking in Cambridge and Boston can be expensive and hard to find. Whenever possible, park where you’re stayingand use public transportation or a taxi/rideshare service. If you must drive to the campus, on- and off-street parking is available for a fee, but most public parking is not very close to the center of campus. More parking information is available from Parkopedia.

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While You’re Here

From art and architecture to history and culture, there is plenty to see and do, both on campus and in the greater Boston area. Explore the MIT Events Calendar to see what's happening on campus. Many events are open to the public.

Visitors are welcomein many campus buildings and our outdoor spaces. See the visitors policyfor details.

On the MIT campus

Around Cambridge and Boston

Other resources
  • Where to eat
  • Where to stay

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Visit | MIT - Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2024)

FAQs

How to answer why you want to go to MIT? ›

This question is another opportunity for you to demonstrate excitement and eagerness to attend MIT! You can talk about all kinds of aspects of college that interest or excite you: particular classes or professors, clubs, community life, etc. However, be sure to keep your answer appropriate.

What is the lowest GPA MIT has accepted? ›

When figuring out how to get into MIT, know that there are no minimum MIT GPA requirements. However, 97% of MIT Class of 2025 admitted students graduated in the top 10% of their classes, so your GPA must be high in order to compete.

Is MIT or Harvard harder? ›

According to the acceptance rate, it's harder to get into Harvard than at MIT. The acceptance rate at Harvard is 3.6%, whereas MIT's acceptance rate is 4.8%. These numbers reflect just how competitive it is to get into these schools. With such low acceptance rates, they admit only a tiny fraction of applicants.

How hard is it to get into Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT? ›

The acceptance rate at MIT is 4%.

For every 100 applicants, only 4 are admitted. This means the school is extremely selective. Meeting their GPA requirements and SAT/ACT requirements is very important to getting past their first round of filters and proving your academic preparation.

What's so special about MIT? ›

Founded to accelerate the nation's industrial revolution, MIT is profoundly American. With ingenuity and drive, our graduates have invented fundamental technologies, launched new industries, and created millions of American jobs.

What kind of person is MIT looking for? ›

Your grades and test scores are highly important, but they are not definitive as far as your ability to get accepted to MIT. You will still need to have top grades and test scores. However, MIT also searches for applicants who are innovative, creative, and who enjoy working with teams of others to solve problems.

Who has ever gotten a 5.0 GPA at MIT? ›

Farrell Wu in MIT. Photo courtesy of Wu. Filipino math genius Farrell Eldrian Wu once again earned high praise after graduating at the top university in the United States and receiving a perfect grade point average (GPA) of 5.0.

Can you get into MIT with a 2.5 GPA? ›

There's no minimum required GPA; however, competitive applicants typically have a 3.5 GPA or above, and mostly As in math and science courses. Ideal preparation includes—at the very least—one year each of college-level calculus and calculus-based physics.

Can a 3.7 GPA get you into MIT? ›

In conclusion, gaining admission to MIT with a 3.7 GPA is challenging but not impossible.

Is MIT or Caltech better? ›

Caltech is particularly strong in physics and astronomy as well as other science subjects, making it a good choice for students interested in pursuing those fields. MIT offers a broader range of academic programs, including architecture and more majors in the humanities, arts, and social sciences.

What is the hardest major in MIT? ›

Every major at MIT is academically rigorous and will push students to expand their academic horizons so they can graduate with new knowledge and a deepened understanding of their field of study. With that being said, engineering majors are often thought to be amongst the most challenging at MIT.

Is MIT as good as Ivy League? ›

In fact, MIT is globally recognized for its rigorous academic programs and research in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. While it doesn't fall under the Ivy League umbrella due to historical reasons, it's equally renowned and highly respected in many disciplines. Hope this clears things up!

How prestigious is Massachusetts Institute of Technology? ›

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is one of the top private universities in Cambridge, United States. It is ranked #1 in QS World University Rankings 2025.

Is Massachusetts Institute of Technology better than IIT? ›

Students prefer MIT over IIT for higher studies because of its higher global ranking and acceptance rate, as well as the variety of courses it offers. MIT is considered the best university in the world and provides a more hands-on approach to teaching.

Does MIT prefer SAT or ACT? ›

Testing requirement

We do not require the ACT writing section or the SAT optional essay. We accept both the paper and digital SAT. While MIT does not require the ACT writing section or SAT optional essay, MIT does value writing and communication highly.

Why do I want to study at MIT? ›

At MIT, we revel in a culture of learning by doing. In 30 departments across five schools and one college, our students combine analytical rigor with curiosity, playful imagination, and an appetite for solving the hardest problems in service to society.

How do you answer why do you want to go to a specific university? ›

Try to give detailed, thoughtful reasons, by mentioning the department's approach to your subject, or if it has particularly strong facilities for the course. Don't mention things like the nightlife or costs, and don't say anything that indicates you didn't really put much thought into your decision.

Why do you want to work with MIT? ›

"MIT is a place whose work matters deeply to the entire world — and so working at MIT has special meaning. It is a privilege to contribute to the Institute's efforts to address some of humanity's most challenging and intractable problems."

How do I stand out in MIT application? ›

Your extracurriculars are also a key part of your MIT application. The best way to stand out with your extracurriculars is to emphasize your passion and leadership skills. You can do this by pursuing extracurriculars in a field related to your future major, sticking with them, and achieving leadership roles in them.

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