Cambridge-MIT Undergraduate Exchange

Checklist: Before You Go

Book Your Flight
Passport and Visa
Plan Your Studies
Choose Your Residence
Sign Up for Health Insurance
Attend Orientation
MIT Term Dates

Book Your Flight

Cambridge students studying at MIT for the 2009-2010 academic year should arrive in Boston on Sunday, 30 August, for orientation during that week. Brian Wahl, Jen Cook and Sarra Shubart will be at Logan Airport to meet flights arriving on Sunday afternoon and there will be a shuttle to take you to your living group or residence hall. Once you've booked your flight, please communicate your travel plans to Caroline Yates in the Cambridge International Education Office.

Information on travel insurance

Back to top

Get Your Passport and Visa

In general, unless you are carrying a US passport, you will need to apply for a visa to study at MIT. US visa requirements are changing with some regularity, so it’s best if you consult the US Embassy in London Visa Website for general information.

The MIT CME Office and the MIT International Students Office will provide the assistance you will need to generate the initial visa application. The first step in the process is to complete the CME Biographic Form and return it as soon as possible to the International Education Office.

Once you have submitted your form, you do not need to do anything else until MIT sends you your DS-2019 form along with information for completing the visa process. You will then need to make an appointment at the US Embassy, which can take up to a month. When you go to your appointment, you should be sure to bring all of the documents they require, including the special delivery envelope. You will have to answer a few questions regarding the reason for and length of your travel in the US before your visa application is approved. Once approved, you should receive your visa within a week by post.

Back to top

Plan Your Studies

See Academics at MIT for information on planning your courses and registering.

Back to top

Choose Your Residence

See Living at MIT for information on residence options.

Back to top

Sign Up for Health Insurance

As an exchange student at MIT, you are eligible for coverage under the MIT Health Plan and will be automatically enrolled in this service. You will receive free access to the MIT Health Center, which provides extensive GP service for both physical and psychological health needs. In addition, there is an “extended medical plan,” which provides additional coverage; at current rates, the cost of the extended plan is $1,570 for the academic year and you may be reimbursed for the three summer months that you are not at MIT. The current bursary provided by CME includes an element to cover these costs. Students who have adequate health care coverage and who choose to waive coverage under the extended plan are required to complete a waiver form from MIT Medical. Waiver forms are available at http://web.mit.edu/medical/p-waiver.html.

MIT will ask that you and your physician complete a medical report form (pdf) before you come to MIT. Prior to your arrival at MIT, you must visit your GP and begin your immunisation against Hepatitis B (this vaccination is usually administered over a six month period, so please see the special section below for further details).

Please note two changes to the MIT Medical Report this year:

* The Mantoux test (the test for tuberculosis), a requirement in past years, is now required only if you answer "yes" to any of the questions on the section on the Mantoux tuberculin requirement (please see the medical report for details on this requirement).

* On the section on Required immunizations, a requirement for the Meningococcal vaccination has been added as it is now required by the Massachusetts State College Immunization Law. Please note,however, that this immunization can be waived. The waiver form is attached to the medical report form when downloaded.  This is the only vaccine requirement that can be waived.

As part of your student visa application, you will be asked to file a “J-1” visa medical form to certify that you will have adequate medical coverage while a student in the United States.

More information on MIT medical and insurance

Back to top

Attend Orientation

During the first week at MIT, Cambridge students will participate in a special orientation program for CME students. This program will take place at the same time other new MIT students will be welcomed and oriented (freshmen, transfer students, and graduate students). During Orientation, you will meet with your academic advisor, register for classes, and explore options for activities and athletics. Classes begin Tuesday, 3 September.

MIT Term Dates

For the 2009-2010 academic year, the following are the dates of each term:

View the full MIT Academic Calendar for 2009-2010.

MIT Projected Key Dates for subsequent years can be found at http://web.mit.edu/registrar/www/wkeydate.html.

Back to top