Massachusetts Institute of Technology Top Questions

I am very involved in the religious groups on campus. There are over 13 Christian groups alone, and well as many Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, and other groups. I haven't felt discrimination or anything like that, just great respectful discussions between people of different ideas. I don't think there is any person that would feel out of place at MIT. We have so many different kinds, and dorms geared toward each one. There are plenty of people from every background, people from outside the US, people from small town Midwest, and those from Manhattan that think Boston is a small city and everything in between. The financial backgrounds are just as diverse. The number of languages spoken in a sample of MIT students is staggering. Don't worry about finding your group, there will be someone like you in our diverse mix.

A student who dresses in designer clothes, carefully styles their hair each morning, and always has a manicure, tends to look a little out of place, but is always just as welcome in study groups, conversations or parties as any other student. For the most part, we are socially liberal, public school-educated intellectuals who judge each other on academic merit or social compatibility, not politics, religion, race or financial background. Discussion of future earnings is not uncommon, but it's almost always good-natured, self-deprecating, and entirely in a joking manner. The cliques which you might see in a high-school cafeteria or college dining hall don't exist here; we make friends where we choose, and usually on a one-to-one basis or as a living group, not as an exclusive social cluster.

Um I love all the different groups on campus. I'm white, yet I'm a part of AAA and ATS and SAAS (Asian American Association, Association of Taiwanese Students, and South Asian Association of Students). While I am a little more on the outgoing side, all people are really accepting of different cultures and people. Some people won't make other people of different races their best friends, but no one has any prejudices against anyone else. There are a lot of religious groups on campus if you want to get into that. For the most part no one really talks about religion because some people are very very against it. We've had some spam wars that really ragged on people who believe in God. But I'm Catholic, I have no problem expressing my faith. If you are part of the LGBT community, there is definitely a place for you here as well. Most people who live on west campus aren't really so open about it, but there are the "you are welcome here" signs EVERYWHERE. East campus and senior house are a lot more open with the LGBT community. Umm I think the only student who would feel out of place is someone who is very set in their ways and not willing at all to change or try anything new. Most students wear jeans. I've gone in sweats before and have been fine. Most people don't dress up unless they have an interview or something. All types of students interact. Most people will be willing to meet anyone. I guess tables at the dining hall would be separated between like a sorority/frat, a sports team, east campus people, and the working people who eat and work at the same time. But the only reason for these separations if they even exist is that they've just gotten together to eat, there is tons of overlap and you'd be welcomed anywhere. Most students are from Massachusetts, California, or Florida. I feel most people are a little well-off, not crazy rich, but most are not struggling. Most people are somewhat informed about politics but I say somewhat in a sort of generous term. People for the most part are really really liberal here. No one talks about salary later in life.

MIT students are very accepting. Financial backgrounds, personal beliefs, life styles, and student politics are all very diverse. Compared to the general population, the average MIT student is smarter, slightly more introverted, and not as well dressed, but there is a wide range. Pink, spiked hair is slightly more common at MIT than other colleges, though some students wear suits and ties. Some students are incredibly extroverted, and many students are artistic and creative, but there is a large preponderance of standard-issue nerds.

Huge diversity.

I don't sense any racial, social, or LGBT tensions. Maybe a Harvard student would feel out of place at MIT. Most people wear T-shirts to class. Students unfortunately are not very politically active, but most are somewhat aware. They don't have any leanings, but disagree with the current administration. People don't talk about how much they'll earn someday, but it's pretty obvious what level everyone is aiming for (hint: course 15's will be loaded.)

there is a place for everybody, i'm not joking, everybody at MIT. (from different races, sexual preference, extracurricular activities--hell, there are often people practicing for the circus, or to be knights, around campus at all hours of the day) we dress pretty comfortably for the most part. layers in the winter, shorts in the summer, lots of sweat pants/sweat shirts, and uggs!! YES! well, in my world i interact with everybody i meet. I love the diversity at MIT, and the fact that you can find people with such different backgrounds and lifestyles i find soo cool. I always love to meet new/different people! most people from MIT are from Earth. that's about the only honest generalization i could make. every financial background. and you hardly ever know who is from what sort of background, there is no reason to know if somebody is rich or poor outside of MIT, and you usually never know. most people are stuck within the MIT bubble and don't know what is going on outside. but, unfortunately, there is a very predominant liberal tendancy at MIT. haha, we always love to talk about the rumors that everyone from MIT will one day be a millionaire. we wish that it is true, but we find it saddening that it is never the MIT grads telling us that MIT grads will make $1 million!!

MIT is one of the most diverse atmospheres I've ever been a part of. Not just ethnic diversity, but socio-economically, geographically, religiously, academically, etc. Everyone at MIT has some trait or interest that sets them apart from everyone else, whether it's their extracurricular interests, musical taste, sexual orientation, or if they just like to walk to class barefooted. Everyone is a minority in some way which makes for a very non-judgemental atmosphere, because you'll never make friends there if you discriminate against those different from you. Everyone is different from you at MIT!

ha ha ha - dining halls. There are no proper dining halls at MIT. Students come from all over the world, but I suppose they are predominantly from the US. There is a wide range of socio-economic backgrounds (MIT has a need-blind admission policy).

An underrepresented minority could feel out of place at MIT. Different types do interact. Students are politically aware. I'd say predominately left.