Frequently Asked Questions about the Professional Institute (PI)
Academic Planning | Application, Enrollment | Costs | Housing, Travel |
PI Community | Scholarships, Discounts | Tourist Information
Academic Planning
How do I know if a course is right for me?
PI courses vary in their content, teaching methods, level, and approach. Carefully review the course information page, which includes a description of course content, objectives, format (lecture, laboratory work, group work), and level of difficulty. If you are still unsure about whether a course is right for you, please contact the Professional Institute.
More FAQs about academic planning. »
Application, Enrollment
When will I know if I’ve been accepted into the course?
We will notify you via email whether or not your application has been accepted. In most cases, this will occur within a few days of receipt of the application. If you do not receive an email notifying you of your status within five business days, please contact the Professional Institute.
More FAQs about applying. »
Costs
How much is tuition?
Tuition varies by course but you can expect to pay $500 - $900 per day or $1,200 to $4,200 per course. In general, tuition does not include meals or housing. See the course descriptions for the specific tuition. See Enrolling for details on how to pay.
Housing, Travel
How can I find housing during my PI course?
Most participants prefer local hotels; however, dormitory housing is also available. See the hotels & dormitory housing page for housing options and the travel page for additional travel and arrival information.
PI Community
Who attends Professional Institute courses?
More than 600 professionals of all ages from the U.S. and many other countries attend each year. They include scientists, engineers, technicians, managers, consultants, and others, and they come from industry, government, military, and academia.
Scholarships, Discounts
Are there any scholarships or discounts available?
A few courses offer a limited number of partial-tuition scholarships. These partial scholarships will NOT cover travel or living expenses. Please refer to the course description regarding availability. Scholarship requests are submitted by email to the Professional Institute and should include your qualifications, objectives for taking the course, and reasons for requesting a scholarship. Please note that a course application must be submitted before a scholarship request will be considered.
Tourist Information
What can my family do while we are in Cambridge?
There are many interesting things to do in the Boston/Cambridge area. For information on what’s happening around town during your stay, visit Cambridge Office of Tourism, Cambridge Arts Council, Boston.com, City of Boston, Time Out Boston, and, for activities on campus, events.mit.edu.
