In the world there are a huge number of higher education institutions. Some become popular thanks to films, others thanks to their graduates. Massachusetts University of Technology is familiar to many due to its position and reputation in the world. Every year, he accepts thousands of applications from students from all over the world. And only 10-15% of the total receive a ticket to the technological life of the institute.
Welcome
This US institution has several names. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is the university’s most popular name. It is not only a university, but also a research center where graduates and teachers work on government projects. Every year they receive the largest orders for the development of military technology. MIT is considered the largest research structure. The institute can be called a competitor to large companies Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Raytheon.
MIT was the first where they started dealing with robotics and artificial intelligence. Therefore, it is not surprising that all existing engineering programs are recognized as the best in the country. In addition to technical specialties, there are political sciences, philosophy, linguistics, management, etc.
Charter
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology was founded in 1861. William Burton Rogers fought for its formation. After submitting the charter, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts did not think long and founded a new institution. It was headed by MIT and the Boston Society of Natural Sciences.
The main desire of the founder of the university was to create a new form of education. At the end of the 19th century, science developed rapidly, which meant that an institution was needed that could control progress and become one step higher than classical education. The founding of MIT was so quickly approved by both scientists and people that Rogers urgently needed to find sponsors, work on the curriculum and find a suitable place for the university.
Despite the difficulties, William Burton had a plan according to which the development of the new institute was to accelerate. It consisted of three points (principles):
- Educational value of useful knowledge.
- Priority of practical exercises.
- Synthesis of technical and human sciences.
For Rogers, the main thing was not the study of details and manipulations, but the acquisition of knowledge and understanding of scientific principles.
Unfortunately, the first lectures at the Massachusetts University of Technology began only in 1865. This delay was due to the unstable situation in the country. Nevertheless, the first lesson took place in a rented building near Boston, in a small settlement.
Merge Attempts
The Massachusetts University of Technology received its first building only in 1866. It is located in the Back Bay area. For a long time, MIT was called "Boston Techno." But this "nickname" vanished by 1916. It was by this time that the university campus had expanded so much that he had to spill over the river to Cambridge.
For the first half century, everything went according to Rogers' plan. But over time, the concept changed and MIT began to have problems. Besides the fact that there was not enough money to support this kind of research center, there were also not enough professionals who would lead students. This was due to the narrow specialization of the institute.
Nearby was the famous Harvard University, which at that time began to encroach on the unity of MIT. The administration dreamed of a merger, but technology students were against it, so in 1900 this plan failed. Only 14 years later, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology merged with the Harvard Department, but only on paper. According to the court, the merger did not happen.
Lucky case
While Harvard University made plans for unification, MIT was no longer placed in its laboratories and lecture rooms. The new president, Richard Maclaurin, wanted to expand the institution. A happy case helped him in this. Funds from an anonymous rich man came to MIT's bank account. They could redeem a mile of industrial land, which is located near the Charles River. Later it became clear the name of the donor - it was George Eastman. After 6-7 years, the institute was able to move into new equipped buildings. They remain the "home" for all students to this day.
Changes
In 1930, Carl Taylor Compton became the head of the University of Massachusetts. He and his vice president, Vanivar Bush, worked on the curriculum. There is nothing left of Rogers' plans. They began to give preference to the real sciences (chemistry, physics). And the work in the workshops was noticeably reduced.
Events in the country strengthened confidence in MIT research. The university maintained its reputation and leadership in engineering. Before the Second World War, a huge number of projects were developed here, which subsequently made a huge contribution to military research programs.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology has changed markedly. This was due to the fact that the state involved him in research on military facilities during the Second World War. Thanks to those political events, the university was able to qualitatively increase staff and physics laboratories. Now graduate students have become the main driving force.
MIT made a huge contribution during the Cold War. Then the "space fever" swallowed the whole world. Many doubted the superiority of the United States over the USSR. It was the work of the research center that exalted and showed the strength and power of American scientists.
But there was a flip side to the coin. Similar studies angered students and some teachers. The campus has become a protest venue. Activists asked for guidance on new laboratories that later formed the Charles Stark Draper Laboratory and Lincoln Laboratory.
There were also problems of a political nature. MIT is perhaps the first university that can be called "the enemy of President Nixon." Due to the radical views of the head of the Wiesner Institute, Nixon significantly cut financial assistance to MIT.
Women and science
It is no coincidence that the Massachusetts University of Technology became embroiled in a problem such as feminism. Almost from the moment the institute was founded, both men and women were trained here together. But the girls here were rare. Only in 1964 was the first women's dormitory founded. By 2005, about 40% of female students and 30% of graduate students studied at MIT. The first was introduced into the teaching staff of Richards. She specialized in environmental protection. After such an event, the leadership of the institute realized that the quantitative advantage of male teachers was significant. This situation required immediate correction. In just a few years, MIT articles stated that the status of women in the scientific community has improved markedly. Proof of this was the appointment of Susan Hawfield as the first female president of the university.
Scientific Intrigues
Of course, he did not lose MIT and scientific disagreements. The first scandal was the case of Professor David Baltimore and Teresa Imanishi-Kari. Scientists were accused of falsifying the results of the study. Congress did not prove their involvement in the substitution, but forced the processor to abandon the candidacy for the post of head of Rockefeller University.
More than once the question was raised regarding the scientist’s voting rights. This was first discussed after the David Noble scandal. He was refused a renewal of the contract, after which he issued a number of books and documents that reflected criticism of MIT's cooperation with military departments and large corporations. A similar situation occurred in 2000, when charges against the institute were brought by Ted Postol. He announced the falsification of research by the university administration regarding the testing of ballistic missiles.
Russian cooperation
Leo Rafael Rife the current president of MIT in 2011 signed a document on the formation of the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology. Thanks to Viktor Vekselberg, who is the president of the Skolkovo Foundation, this document has entered into force. Today they teach here on the basis of project training.
The activities of Rafael Rife in Russia did not end there. 2 years after the foundation of SINT, he headed the International Council of MIPT (Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology).
Scientist's dream
Many who are interested in science at least once thought about how to enter the Massachusetts University of Technology. Students from all over the world are attracted here, because here is the best technology education in the world. Each applicant can immediately determine the topic and group for the study. Student accommodation is monitored. There is always room for applicants on campus.
The teaching staff includes a huge number of scientists, among them about 1000 professors. Despite the fact that the Massachusetts University of Technology has its own specialization, humanitarian students are also trained here. Some of those who studied creative disciplines became laureates of the Pulitzer Prize.
Since this is not only a university, but also a research structure, there are also outstanding personalities in this area. Among graduates and teachers, there are now more than 80 owners of the Nobel Prize.
What to choose?
If you decide to enter MIT, you need to think carefully about what specialty to study. Future bachelors can choose 46 major programs and 49 additional ones. In general, the institute is divided into five schools, which, in turn, have certain departments and directions. Here you can get the profession of an architect, astronomer, biologist, physicist or chemist, engineer, etc. As mentioned above, there is a faculty for humanities, where they teach philosophy, linguistics, history, etc.
What to do?
Everyone has the opportunity to enter the Massachusetts University of Technology. Graduate and undergraduate students are accepted from all over the world. To participate in the competition you need to have good TOEFL and SAT results. Write an essay and go through the text. Also have at least two recommendations from teachers. If necessary, go through an interview in person or on Skype.
If you do not have the opportunity to attend a university personally, everything can be done through the MIT website. After registration, you will see all the available information: dates of admission, deadlines, exam results and more.
Cost
If you are planning to go to Cambridge (Massachusetts, USA) you need to understand the financial issue. On average, about 45 thousand dollars must be paid per year, including accommodation. In general, the university offers a huge number of programs for those who find it difficult to pay for tuition. Therefore, 58% of applicants immediately receive a scholarship.
Its average size, in principle, can cover tuition and accommodation - about 40 thousand dollars. It is possible to receive grants and other financial assistance. The only condition is diligence and high scores.
Before entering, you need to study all the opportunities that Massachusetts University of Technology provides. The cost of training can be minimal. If the applicant’s family income is less than 60 thousand dollars a year, then MIT can take on not only full payment for education, but also personal expenses.
It is worth saying that the university administration is happy to take talented students or pupils. If you actively showed yourself at a university or school, participated in social projects, had a high rating in the class, then you have every chance to become a student at the Massachusetts University of Technology. You just need to have a high English test score, pass the standard American exam and show yourself at the interview.