Physics Graduate Student Orientation
Frequently Asked Questions
Fall 2008

Arrival Logistics
> When do I have to arrive?
> What are my housing options?
> How do I get a VISA?
> How do I get an e-mail account?
> Where do I get an MIT ID card?

Financial Information
> When do I receive my first paycheck?
> I have been awarded an outside fellowship. Who should I contact?
> Why does my account say that I owe tuition and medical insurance?
> Will I have to pay taxes on my fellowship and/or RA/TA stipend?

General Exams
> When do I have to take the General Exams?
> How can I get copies of the General Exam?
> What happens if I fail Part I of the General Exam?

Course/Registration Information
> When do I register for classes?
> How do I receive an academic advisor?
> My research supervisor wants me to come early (i.e., June). What do I do?

Research Information
> How do I get into a research group?
> I was nominated by a specific division in the admissions process. Do I have to join a research group within that Division? What if I want to switch areas?
> How do I get an office?

When do I have to arrive?
The first activity for first year Physics graduate students is on Thursday, August 21. If your housing plans are not solidified, you might consider arriving at least two weeks prior to August 21 so that you are settled for Orientation Week. Part I of the General Exam is offered at 9:30 AM on Monday, August 25. This exam is required for all incoming students.

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What are my housing options?
Please reference the central Graduate Admissions site and/or Housing for information regarding on-campus and off-campus options. Please note that housing is tight in the Cambridge and Boston areas. The sooner you are able to obtain housing, the better your choices. If you are interested in finding a roommate who is a Physics Graduate Student, please e-mail the Academic Programs and we will advertise to all incoming students.

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How do I get a VISA?
Detailed information regarding VISA requirements can be found at the International Students Office. Occasionally, students will be requested to obtain a letter of support from the Department. In that case, students should contact the Academic Programs .

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How do I get an e-mail account?
To get an MIT email address you need to register for an Athena User Account. MIT Information Systems will issue personalized account registration vouchers for each new student. The voucher provides information and instructions to allow you to set up your account from any computer with internet access. The vouchers will be sent to the Academic Programs for distribution at Orientation. If you desire your account earlier, please contact the Academic Programs .

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Where do I get an MIT ID card?
Upon your arrival to MIT, you will be guided by the staff in Academic Programs (4-315) on where to obtain your MIT Identification Card.

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When do I receive my first paycheck?
All Fellowship, RA, and TA recipients will receive checks once a month throughout the term. Checks are distributed at the end of the month, so the first payment will be dispursed on September 26, 2008.

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I have been awarded an outside fellowship. Who do I contact ?
If you receive an outside fellowship from an organization such as NSERC, Samsung, or NSF, please contact Jacqueline Carota in the Fiscal Office as soon as possible at jcarota@mit.edu or 617-253-4802. She will coordinate your outside fellowship for you throughout the duration of the award.

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Why does my account say that I owe tuition and medical insurance?
Due to standardized billing at MIT, all MIT students receive MITPAY monthly account statements that indicate that they owe fees for tuition and medical insurance. As a graduate student in the Physics Department, you will not need to pay these fees yourself.

The Physics Fiscal Office works with research supervisors on the funding for all of the graduate students in the department. For the Fall term, you will receive an e-mail in August which will confirm your department fellowship, research assistantship, or teaching assistantship appointment. This e-mail will list your tuition and insurance credits, in addition to your stipend/salary for the term. MIT Student Financial Services will also receive notice of your appointment and your student account should be accordingly modified.

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Will I have to pay taxes on my fellowship and/or RA/TA stipend ?
In most cases, you will have to pay taxes on your fellowship stipend or RA/TA salary.  For further information, the Graduate Student Council website provides an online tax tutorial for US citizens, permanent residents, and international students with fellowships, research assistantships, and teaching assistantships. This information can be accessed at: http://web.mit.edu/gsc/www/programs/tax/index.shtml.

In addition, the International Students Office also provides information pertaining to tax assistance and preparation for all international students on their website at:  http://web.mit.edu/iso/index.html.

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When do I have to take the General Exams?
All incoming first year students must take Part I of the General Exams as they enter. This year, the exam is scheduled for Monday, August 25, 2008 from 9:30-2:30. A continental breakfast will be offered to first year students at 8:30 am in the Physics Graduate Lounge, 8-314 prior to the exam. Part II of the General Exams is offered on Friday, August 29th from 9:30 - 2:30. This part is optional for first year students.

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How can I get copies of the General Exam?
Copies of previous General Exams are available in PDF format online. If you are in the Cambridge area, additional exams are available in the Academic Programs, 4-315.

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What happens if I fail Part I of the General Exam?
Part of the rationale in requiring incoming students to take Part I of the General Exam is that it can be used as a diagnostic tool. Students who fail Part I during Orientation week will meet with the Associate Department Head for Education to receive guidance regarding appropriate preparation subjects for future exam attempts.

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When do I register for classes?
Registration for the Fall term is on Tuesday, September 2nd, 2008. Specific details about arranging appointments will be given to incoming students during Orientation Week.

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How do I receive an academic advisor?
Academic Advisors are assigned by the Division Heads prior to the start of the semester. Students will be notified of their advisor during Orientation Week.

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My research supervisor wants me to come early (i.e., June). What do I do?
If your supervisor arranges for you to begin research during the summer, you should visit Academic Programs, 4-315, upon your arrival. We will assist you with the necessary logistics such as obtaining an MIT ID, completing paperwork and registering for the summer. Please contact us prior to your arrival if you have any questions.

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How do I get into a research group?
All incoming students were nominated by at least one division. Those on Research Assistantships will begin research with those divisions immediately. Assignment to specific research groups varies between divisions.

Students with Fellowships and Teaching Assistantships have time to take courses without the obligation of conducting research within a specific group. Thus, students have time to consider many options and find a group which provides the best match.

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I was nominated by a specific division in the admissions process. Do I have to join a research group within that Division? What if I want to switch areas?
Students with Research Assistantships must begin research with the group/division who is providing funding. If students with RAs do not wish to conduct research, they can contact Prof. Tom Greytak about the possibility of a Teaching Assistantship. Initial contact should be made by June 2008.

Students with Fellowships and Teaching Assistantships are not bound by any particular division. They have time to search for funding opportunities throughout the department.

Students who are interested in switching to a different group/area should consult with Brian Canavan or Prof. Tom Greytak regarding the process and possibilities. Switching groups is supported by the department through one guaranteed semester of a Teaching Assistantship in each student's career. However, funding beyond that semester is contingent upon a match being found. Brian or Tom can provide additional information for those interested.

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How do I get an office?
Students with Research Assistantships will be assigned an office by the division and/or group that is providing the funding. Students with fellowships or Teaching Assistantships will be provided an office by the division which nominated them for their funding offer.

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