<p>Obviously, MIT is one of the most outstanding institutes in all of the U.S., even the world, but I have heard that its campus is lacking both in size and splendor. Please, anyone, shed some light on this topic. Does it even matter? After all, it's still MIT...</p>
<p>I was there for a day in November visiting. I didn't think the campus was too small, nor too big but also about the same size as my current medium-sized university. The architecture is however, I think, absolutely interesting with an unusual mixture of both original 18th century stone buildings and contemporary multi-$100,000,000 artistic pieces (noting Simmons Hall and the Strata Center). I was in fact disappointed by the interior of student center with the layout and cleanness but much of that could be due to that particular day. Along the Charles River it was very calm and pleasant but the more I walked west towards and into Cambridge, the urban setting fell in with high traffic, few industrial buildings, and then some grimy shops and bars few blocks from campus. </p>
<p>The place is like a maze with all the buildings interconnected with overhead walkways at different levels with offices, classrooms, and labs spread all about in different inter-connected wings. Perhaps it felt that way because it was my first time on the campus but I think it all adds tremendously to the history and character of the university. </p>
<p>The open spaces seemed somewhat disproportionate in size from what I saw with only small courtyards and quads in East campus and overly large fields in West campus. The recreation center however, absolutely breathtaking! Clearly to me, the best student recreation center I have ever seen.</p>
<p>There is no other place I'd rather be than on the MIT campus.</p>
<p>Thanks. I have seen only a virtual tour of the campus, but your descriptions are amazing. If I am a freshman in high school now, when should I visit the campus in addition to others along the East Coast (Princeton, Harvard, etc.)?</p>
<p>like 2 years from now... just concentrate on academics... its great that you're ahead of the game in college searching, but just relax, have fun this year, because it will get progressively harder the next years of HS</p>
<p>Agreed with Westsidewolf- visit spring break of your junior year. Also, just enjoy high school, get good study habits, do things you love, and it will all work out in the end.</p>
<p>On CC as a freshman? I'm impressed/sorry for you. :P</p>
<p>I, personally, love MIT's campus. I could see how someone with different tastes could hate it, though. It's about as polarly opposite as one can get from Harvard's. :)</p>