<p>Choices include Intro to EECS II, Artificial Intelligence, and Linear Algebra.<br>
Any suggestions where to have lunch on Campus? Places to 'soak up the vibe?'</p>
<p>Depends on what he is interested in. All of those classes seem to be higher level. There are many other classes offered too, but it looks like MIT Admissions is selecting those, so maybe someone else can clarify on the policies for attending other classes not listed on that document.</p>
<p>Eating: The Student Center is probably your best bet. There’s a Subway, Anna’s Taqueria, Dunkin Donuts, etc. There’s also a Chipotle next to the Marriott across from the Kendall T-stop. Or, you may even want to try the Howard Dining Hall in Maseeh, but I’m not sure if they let the public in. If you went in, I believe they do take cash though, and it’s about $15 for the buffet. If you explained you’re a prospective student, I don’t see why it would be an issue. Just go for a walk around campus before/after the tour.</p>
<p>Student Center, Lobby 10 (inside the dome), Killian Court (if it’s nice out) are probably nice places to “sock up the vibe”.</p>
<p>Don’t forget to pick up a nerdy shirt at the COOP (there’s one in the Student Center).</p>
<p>I just shot you an email as we’d communicated in the past. If your son would like to hook up with either of my boys during his time there, they’d be glad to take him to the dining halls, classes (I have a freshman so he could see the core classes), or even let him spend the night if your schedule permits. Let me know if you don’t get the email.</p>
<p>I was going to add to my original response: if your son would like, while he is on campus in the Student Center or something, students would definitely be happy to speak with him (provided they are not in the middle of something serious). If he sees a bunch of kids relaxing, they would typically be MORE than happy to talk to him and show him around. MIT students are awesome that way.</p>
<p>In terms of eating places, the Stratton Student Center has some restaurants, and there are plenty of restaurants/food trucks near Kendall Square (Chipotle, Au Bon Pain, Legal Seafoods etc). If you don’t mind the walk, there are some good places near Central Square as well.</p>
<p>I believe the dining halls charge $11 for lunch/$13.50 for dinner, which isn’t bad once in a while. However the meal plans are expensive IMO. They are open to the public.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for the ideas. We are signed up for an information session and tour also. I am hoping for nice weather. It will be our first tour and interesting to compare that to attending Splash all these years. I am getting excited.
Thanks
PS</p>
<p>I’d recommend trying to eat in one of the student dining halls instead of a Subway or some other public (or semi-public location) if possible … my two oldest found dining halls one of the better places to check out the students at a school … frankly, to me, eating in a dining hall is one of the must dos of a tour.</p>
<p>When I visited MIT, prior to application, I actually did not visit any of the science or engineering classes, because I presumed that they would be excellent. I wanted to visit the humanities classes because I was more concerned (I sat in on a film studies class, a literature class, and I think a philosophy class). When these were also excellent, and indeed superb, I decided to apply. Visit whatever you would most like to see.</p>
<p>If you’re ice cream fans, take the 10 minute walk up Mass. Ave to Toscanini’s for what NY Times called the “best ice cream in the world” (it’s at the intersection between Mass. Ave and Main Street). It’s not the best place to find a bunch of MIT students, but it’s pretty darn good ice cream.</p>
<p>@Mikalye - so far the HASS classes have been by far my boys’ favorites - I hear far more info about Rhetoric or Music Classes than I ever do about any of their STEM classes so I have to agree.</p>
<p>@WiseGuy - that’s definitey on our list for next time. On our last visit, we actually walked up there several times and saw Toscanini’s and I was like “Why have I heard of that?” Didn’t make the connection in time. :)</p>
<p>I also recommend Toscanini’s…very good ice cream. Cinderella’s right next door makes some pretty good pizza, if you want to go for that pizza/ice cream combo.</p>
<p>@ParentSparkle, are you coming to Splash this weekend? I’m actually co-teaching a Splash class. :)</p>
<p>I didn’t read the thread, sorry, so I’m probably repeating things. </p>
<p>EECS classes are always fun, but truthfully, you don’t have to limit yourself to those three. You can sit in wherever you like, no one will notice or care for any of the larger classes. Even in a tiny high level one, probably no one will bother you. If you can check out a lab, I’d definitely recommend it as well. </p>
<p>I’d recommend you actually go to an economics or other humanities lecture. Some of them are really a breath of fresh air. </p>
<p>As for eating, go across the river into Boston! It’s a bit chilly around this time, but it’s definitely worth checking out. If you venture into Somerville, get Wings Over… And Toscanini’s ice cream is always worth trying. If you have time, it’s fun to go to Harvard Square too. But be careful, it’s Harvard. Ew.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the info. S had a great time and really enjoyed the presentation and the tour. We were both delighted to learn that MIT has both upperclassmen and cats in the same dorms with the Freshmen student.</p>