Resources
There are a host of individuals and offices available to assist you during your undergraduate years at MIT. Below is a quick list of some of these resources as well as some helpful links to important academic websites.
Basic Sources of Academic Information
Some of these links refer to sites that you'll use often during your time at MIT, to plan your subject schedule, find out when you have exams, work toward requirements, and check your progress. You are expected to pay attention to your Status of Registration, the Academic Calendar, the Quiz Schedule, and the Final Exam Schedule: bookmark these pages and visit them often; they are also linked from WebSIS.
- WebSIS: Your official academic record. Check here often to make sure you are officially enrolled in the subjects you're attending. This is where you pre-register for each term. You can also see your grades and check your progress toward Institute requirements.
- Academic Calendar: The source fo deadlines: registration, Add Date, Drop Date, holidays and vacations.
- Subject Listing and Schedule: Titles, descriptions, instructors, meeting times, and locations for each subject offered at MIT. Symbols mark subjects that meet various Institute requirements. Use the handy scheduling tool for pre-registration.
- Quiz Schedule: Shows date, time, and location for quizzes in each Science Core subject; view by month or subject.
- Final Exam Schedule: Shows date, time, and location for final exams in all subjects; view by subject or date.
- MIT Bulletin: The official annual catalogue, outlining degree programs and listing faculty and subjects. Other issues of the Bulletin include: Freshman Advising Seminars; IAP (Independent Activities Period); and the Summer Session catalogue.
- Subject Evaluations: Numeric evaluations for all subjects that have participated in the subject evaluation process since spring term 1999. Evaluations for some larger-enrollment subjects also include summaries of students' written comments. Use these as one tool for choosing your subjects, especially electives.
Academic Resources
These sites provide useful information and access to resources to support you in your academic endeavors.
- The Center for Academic Excellence website: Designed to help you maximize your learning potential; including tips and advice, plus details on upcoming workshops, and tutoring resources.
- MIT Libraries: The MIT Libraries have a comprehensive online resource to help you delve into subjects in greater detail. Check out the Libraries site for all of your reference needs. Can't find what you want? Don't know where to look? Try the Libraries' Ask Us service. Friendly librarians are waiting to help you.
- The Writing & Communication Center: Online help for many writing difficulties, from questions about grammar to matters of style. Includes concise strategies for the process of writing or public speaking, guides to proper citation and avoiding plagiarism, and links to online dictionaries.
- The Mayfield Handbook: An MIT publication widely recognized as the best guide to technical and scientific writing. (Note that MIT Certificates are needed to access this tool.)
- The Language Learning & Resource Center: Offers free access to an excellent collection of materials for self-study of languages, including English for non-native speakers. Materials range from low-tech (textbooks, cassettes, videos) to interactive DVD's and computer programs. Check website for catalogue and schedule.
Requirements and Policies
The links below refer to sites that explain specific requirements or cover a broad range of policies and procedures.
- Communication Requirement: Detailed information on the Communication Requirement, how to fulfill it, and more, including course information.
- HASS Requirement: Provides information on HASS Requirement policies, links to course descriptions, and more.
- Academic Integrity: Academic integrity is a fundamental requirement for everyone working in the MIT community. You should familiarize yourself with the contents of this site and check back whenever you have a question.
- Academic Guide for Undergraduates and Their Advisors: This guide summarizes academic regulations and procedures, and offers overall general academic guidance to MIT undergraduates and their advisors. It contains information on advising, the undergraduate curriculum, grading and examinations, petitions, changes in status, special situations and programs, graduation rules, and other issues related to academic life.
- Policies & Procedures: This guide for faculty and staff members may be helpful background in certain situations.
Student Support Offices
Your undergraduate education at MIT can pose some challenges at times, so you may need someone to listen to your frustrations, assist you with a medical or financial issue, or help you understand your roommates and teachers.
- MIT Medical Department: Offers a single, centralized source for all student health care needs, including comprehensive health insurance, care and treatment at the on-campus medical center, referral to outside specialists and facilities, and an extensive roster of health promotion programs.
- Office of Minority Education: Offers programs that encourage the promotion of excellence among under-represented minority students, celebrate academic achievement, and provide opportunities for mentorship and academic enrichment. Sponsors the Tutorial Services Room, open to all students.
- International Students Office: The International Students Office (ISO) provides services which meet the special needs of MIT international students and support programs which help them to fulfill their personal and academic goals. These include advice on travel and other immigration issues, processing of required forms, and a host program.
- Student Disabilities Services: Seeks to ensure that students with disabilities receive equal access to all Institute programs and services. Some students may be reluctant to contact Student Disabilities Services, especially about "invisible" conditions like learning disabilities; Disabilities Services staff can help you work with such students.
- Student Financial Services: Information, forms, and publications for you and your parents about paying for your MIT education.
- Student Support Services: Support and advocacy for all issues, support for special groups, consultation for advisors.
- LGBT@MIT: MIT and its surrounding communities offer a broad spectrum of services, activities, and resources for LBGT, questioning, and supportive individuals. This site includes information on the Rainbow Lounge, the online Lavender Guide, an events calendar, a monthly newsletter, Trans@MIT, and a report form for homophobia and hate incidents.
- MIT Police: In an emergency dial 100 from any campus phone or call 617-253-1212. The Campus Police maintain the official Lost & Found and register laptops as well as patrolling the campus, helping with medical transport, and educating for safety.
MIT Together
MIT Together is the online portal to support resources for students. The site provides a clear path to help, advice, and support for students in need and offers insight into how various programs and services work. Everyone needs help at one point or another, so check out what MIT Together has to offer.
Beyond Academics
MIT has a whole division devoted to supporting and enriching the non-academic side of your life here. Check the sites listed here for help with housing, financial services, keeping in shape, planning your career, and more.
- Housing: Specifics on each of the residence halls; housing application procedures, forms and deadlines; details on the special housing programs; and answers to commonly asked questions.
- Athletics & Physical Education: Learn a new sport, blow off steam, earn PE points toward your degree: there are lots of reasons to get information from this site. Includes links to schedules and news about varsity, intramural, and club sports.
- MIT Global Education & Career Development: Resources for finding summer internships and planning for after graduation, including a downloadable Career Development Workbook, industry and interview guides, workshop schedules, and programs with alumni.
- Dean of Student Life: A handy online list of resources, from Alcohol to T Passes, with Dining, Fraternities/Sororities/ILGs, and Religious Life in between. Bookmark this page for future reference.
