Parent and Family Orientation 2025

In order to make finding accommodations easier for you, we have worked with the Hyatt Regency Boston/Cambridge located at 575 Memorial Drive, Cambridge MA 02139. The Hyatt has discounted room rates available from August 15 – September 1 for those who want to spend more time in Cambridge; however, Parent and Family Orientation Events will be from August 23 – August 25.

If you are interested in the block booking, please book via this website. Please note: there are a limited number of rooms available each night.

Welcome to the first day of Parent and Family Orientation! Today, parents and family members have the opportunity to check in and meet with our friendly Orientation Leaders and Office of the First Year staff. They are here to answer any initial questions you may have. This day is intentionally light on programming to accommodate the busy schedule of First Year Student Move-In Day.

Check in For Parent Orientation
9:00AM – 5:00PM in The DEN (Building 3-108)
Come check in with the Office of the First Year staff and Orientation Leaders, get your nametag, have your questions answered, and pick up any tickets for events you purchased!

Campus Tour
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM and 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Leaving from the Kresge Oval Tent
Get to know the MIT campus, interesting facts and history about the Institute, and get a first-hand look at the amazing place your student is going to call home for the next four years!

View Boston at the Prudential
5:00 PM – 10:00 PM at The Prudential, Boston
Advanced ticket purchase required. Last admission time is 9:00PM. Tickets will be available on May 1, 2025.

Major Parent and Family Orientation events will begin this day. Check in will be open all day to assist with questions, wayfinding, and you will be able to speak with Orientation Leaders and Office of the First Year staff.

Parent and Family Breakfast
8:00 AM – 10:00 AM at Hyatt Regency, Cambridge
Advanced ticket purchase required.

Check in for Parent and Family Orientation
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM at The DEN (Building 3-108)
Come check in with the Office of the First Year staff and Orientation Leaders, get your nametag, have your questions answered, and pick up any tickets for events you purchased!!

Campus Tour
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Leaving from the Kresge Oval Tent
Get to know the MIT campus, interesting facts and history about the Institute, and get a first-hand look at the amazing place your student is going to call home for the next four years!

President Sally Kornbluth’s Convocation
3:30 PM – 4:00 PM
You are invited to join President Sally Kornbluth and other Institute leaders as they welcome you into the MIT community. The program includes first-person advice from faculty members who attended MIT and a chance to sing the School Song along with the famed Chorallaries of MIT. It’s a great way to celebrate the start of this exciting new adventure for your student!

Vice Chancellor Ice Cream Family Social
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Students, parents, and families are invited to attend an ice cream social hosted by Vice Chancellor and Dean for Student Life, Suzy Nelson. This event will provide an opportunity for informal interactions with staff from across the Division of Student Life. Attendees will be able to connect personally with these resources, ask questions, learn about student life opportunities and services, and obtain information to keep in touch with student life resources at the Institute.

Dinner on your Own!
5:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Take advantage of all the restaurants there are in the area and have dinner on your own! Please note your student will be attending Mandatory Orientation Events starting at 6:00 PM.

Jazz Night
7:30 PM – 10:00 PM at Hyatt Regency, Cambridge
Enjoy an evening relaxing to smooth jazz melodies while meeting parents of incoming students, as well as current MIT students. There will be light refreshments and a cash bar. This event is sponsored by the MIT Parent Leadership Circle. Advanced ticket purchase required.

Monday is the last day of Parent and Family Orientation with some more large scale events and sessions. The programming will conclude by 12:00 PM.

Residence Hall Open Houses
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM in Respective Residence Halls
Want to meet the people who will be helping your student navigate MIT? Get acquainted with your student’s House Team for an informal meet and greet located in the lobby of all residential facilities. This is an opportunity to ask about support within the houses and resources offered to students. *Drop-in event*

Ticket sales will open on Monday, June 2, 2025.

On Saturday, August 23, we have partnered with View Boston in the Prudential Center for a fun evening with fellow parent and family members, staff from MIT, and some current upper-level students. Enjoy all the sights the City of Boston has to offer! Ticket prices to be released later.

On Sunday, August 24, join us for our annual Parent and Family Orientation Breakfast at the Hyatt Regency Boston/Cambridge, conveniently located next to campus at 575 Memorial Drive. This event offers a wonderful opportunity to mingle with MIT staff, current upper-level students, and fellow parents and family members, while also hearing from distinguished MIT faculty and staff. Please note that this event is intended for parents and family members, not students. Ticket prices to be released later.

On Sunday August 24, we will be hosting our biggest event of Parent and Family Orientation: Jazz Night! Enjoy the company of MIT Staff, fellow parent and family members, light fare, a cash bar, and an evening of excellent Jazz Music! We look forward to celebrating your students’ accomplishments with you all here. Ticket prices to be released later.

Each year, the First Year students take their class photo on the last day of Orientation. This is a great photo to hold on to for years to come. The link for purchasing the photo will be available in June.

Please note: Photos will be delivered to our office for your student to pick up in the late fall. Photos will not be shipped to your home address.