Orientation Programs

"More than getting introduced to the campus, Orientation helped us get to know other freshmen. There were no classes or assignments, so it was a great time to meet other students." Vasudha Shivamoggi, Class of 2005

Orientation 2009

Orientation is an opportunity for the Class of 2013 to meet each other, upper-class students, faculty, and staff while discovering MIT's many opportunities. It is a mandatory program for all new students entering the Institute. All of the events aim to introduce you to MIT's resources, culture, academic programs, and more Information regarding arrival, special programs, and schedules will be mailed to all matriculating students beginning May 5.

The Orientation 2009 site will be available beginning May 1. Please do not purchase any plane tickets until you have confirmation of when you should arrive on campus. In the meantime, here are some dates to note:

• Freshmen Pre-Orientation Programs will be held Tuesday, August 25 – Saturday, August 29. Applications for these programs will be available May 1.
  
  
• International Orientation will be held Monday, August 24 and Tuesday, August 25.
  
  
• Transfer Orientation will be held Wednesday, August 26 through Friday, August 28.
  
  
• Athletes of fall sports will receive appropriate arrival information from their individual coaches.
  
  
• All other freshmen must be on campus by Noon on Saturday, August 29.
  
  
• Parent Orientation will be held Saturday, August 29–Monday, August 31.
  

Freshman Pre-Orientation Programs

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream." Mark Twain (1835-1910)

Build an underwater vehicle. Make friends. Work in the Cambridge community. Learn what it means to install public interactive art. Canoe on a secluded lake. Sail in the Atlantic Ocean. Play robotic soccer. Visit a nuclear reactor. Swing your way through a ropes course. Learn to paint. Roll your own sushi. Wear paper clothing. Travel to Colorado and Northern New Mexico. Spend a day feeding the homeless. Learn about yourself. Challenge yourself.

Eighteen Pre-Orientation Programs will be offered this August, each with a different focus. They are a great introduction to leadership, social, athletic, service and academic activities at MIT.

A list and application of the pre-orientation programs offered for 2009 will be available online May 1.

To get an idea of what to expect, take a look at some Video and Photo Highlights.

If you have any questions or concerns, please e-mail orientation-www@mit.edu for futher assistance.