Massachusetts Institute of Technology, known to most as MIT, is located along the Charles River on Memorial Drive in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The school was originally founded in 1861, but the first classes were never held until 1865 pending the end of the Civil War (as a result 1865 tends to be the official founding year). Currently over 10,000 students are attending the university, approximately 4,500 undergraduates and 5,500 in fulltime graduate school programs.
One of the original creators of RentHop completed his bachelors of science in mathematics, bachelors of science in computer science, and masters in electrical engineering all at MIT! The school is known for catering to nerdy math and science types, and in this case the stereotype fits Lee quite well.
Most of the classes are held just east of Massachusetts Avenue. Underground tunnels and indoor walkways connect almost all of the academic buildings one way or another, with a large majority dangling off of the infamous Infinite Corridor. Graduate dorms tend to be further north and west towards Central Square (Tang, Eastgate, and Westgate are notable exceptions along the river). The closest subway stops are Kendall/MIT and Central Square, both along the red line.
The MIT undergraduate dorms tend to line Memorial Drive on the west side of Massachusetts Avenue. MIT freshman are required to live on campus during the fall term, even those planning to rush fraternities. Freshmen residence hall assignments are assigned during orientation by computer lottery. Each House has their own unique personality and set of amenities. In fact, the features of the building often give vital clues to the culture within the dorm. For example, MacGregor House consists almost entirely of small, single rooms arranged in entry ways of 30-45 rooms, each section containing 8 rooms sharing one bathroom, kitchen, and small lounge. Baker House is more known for large triple and quad rooms and a large dining hall. Dorms and houses tend to compete in a wide variety of intramural sports spanning all skill levels. Ice Hockey, for example, has levels ranging from A-league, hardcore, all the way to D-league (no body checking allowed, people fall over on the ice randomly while skating).
While every university dormitory is on the Cambridge side of the river, MIT has a very active greek life with fraternities across the river in Boston. The SafeRide system is a free MIT operated shuttle bus that transports students to various housing and classroom areas within Boston and Cambridge. SafeRide operates until 2:30am daily (3:30am Thursday to Saturday).
Students who live off campus will generally still live close to campus in either Central Square, Inman Square, Back Bay, or near the Cambridgeside Galleria.
The MIT Saferide Schedule will give you access to real-time shuttle bus locations and routes.
For those interested in finding housing near MIT, check out our maps to find more information on average rental prices in each neighborhood.
For alums who continue staying in the city, most are spread throughout Boston. Popular neighborhoods for MIT alums can vary depending on their career but the most popular neighborhoods seem to Cambridge by Tech Square and Inman Square, Allston, Back Bay, and Central Square.
Looking to rent in Boston? Be sure to take a glance at the following resources. They may help you out with finding your dream apartment today!
Here are some other useful resources:
Transportation maps:
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