Orientation

As students begin in the MIT-WHOI Joint Program at different times, we provide not only this website to assist with your orientation, but also two hybrid sessions; one in June for those starting in the summer, and one in late August, for those beginning in the fall (and any summer-start students who wish to attend for a refresher or to meet the fall-start students).

It's important to attend the September orientation session, even if you attended the June session, as September's session will revisit some information you heard previously, as well as dive deeper into fall semester items that are time-sensitive. 

MIT-WHOI Joint Program Orientation Session Dates for 2025:

• June 25, 2025 - In-person orientation session at WHOI; fall-start students or any students starting at MIT in the summer  are welcome to attend either in-person or via Zoom.  A recording will also be sent along for anyone unable to attend in-person or remotely.  This session will include:

  • • • Informational orientation event (live & recorded)

        • Onboarding overview (MIT and WHOI requirements), introductions, brief look ahead to fall semester 

      • Social Event

      • Faculty Speed Talks

      • WHOI Campus Tour

• September 2, 2025 In-person orientation session at MIT; summer-start students or any students starting at WHOI in the fall are welcome to attend either in-person or via Zoom.  A recording will also be sent along for anyone unable to attend in-person or remotely.

  • • Informational orientation event (live & recorded)

      • • Registration and Fall semester information, in-depth academic and intercampus logistics, funding and communication structures

    • Lunch Meet and Greet with Faculty, Staff, and Students

    • Time to attend MIT-wide hosted Graduate Resource Fair

    • MIT Campus Tour

    • Social Event

MIT-Wide Orientation Sessions (8/28 Required):

• • • • Wednesday, August 27 - Various offices on campus offer multiple sessions for your edification.

      • Thursday, August 28 - Required Kresge Auditorium.  Exact time to follow.  

      • Tuesday, Sept. 2 - Graduate Resource Fair (1 -3pm); the MIT-WHOI JP Orientation schedule on this day accounts for this session so you may attend if you like.

      • Full list of events here: https://apply.mit.edu/portal/orientation-event-portal?tab=events

      • Email gradorientation@mit.edu with questions if you have a conflict 

MIT Home Department Sessions

• • • • Details about each (date, location, requirements related) will be shared on this website and via email as they become available.

      • Some home departments require your attendance, others do not.  It will depend on the MIT department with which you're affiliated.  Those details will be share when they become available.

MIT Department Specific:

• MechE:  

  • • Sept. 2  - Required for MIT-WHOI JPs affiliated with MechE.  

    • 9:30 - 10:30am.  Room 3-270

    • Email Saana McDaniel (saana@mit.edu) with questions

• Biology

  • August 28 & 29 in the Biology Grad Student Lounge

  • Optional for MIT-WHOI JP students affiliated with Biology

  • Email Janice Chang and Betsey Walsh (jdchang@mit.edu & betz@mit.edu) with questions

• EAPS

  • • Sept. 2 afternoon & Sept. 5 events optional; open to all JP students

    • Email eaps-ed-office@mit.edu with questions

• AeroAstro

  • •  August 27 - Optional for MIT-WHOI JPs affiliated with AeroAstro

    • RSVP here: https://apply.mit.edu/apply/form?id=0fc166db-60d7-4689-9c75-6f35ebdbb555 

    • Email Rachael Draper (rdraper@mit.edu) with questions

More details will be shared via email as these events approach.