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 2026:
June 25, 2026 - 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 8, 2026 - 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 (9/3 Required):
Wednesday, September 2 - Various offices on campus offer multiple sessions between 10am - 4pm for your edification.
Thursday, September 3 - Required Kresge Auditorium. 9am - 1pm, lunch included.
Tuesday, Sept. 8 - 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 during the required session.
MIT Home Department Sessions
Some home departments require your attendance, others do not. It will depend on the MIT department with which you're affiliated.
Details about each (date, location, requirements related) will be shared on this website and via email as they become available.
MIT Department Specific:
MechE:
TBD, usually the Tuesday before classes begin (Sept. 8, 2026) - Required for MIT-WHOI JPs affiliated with MechE. The JP Orientation accounts for your required particiation in MechE sessions
Time and location TBD
Email Saana McDaniel (saana@mit.edu) with questions
Biology
Date and location TBD
Optional for MIT-WHOI JP students affiliated with Biology
Email Janice Chang and Betsey Walsh (jdchang@mit.edu & betz@mit.edu) with questions
EAPS
Date and location TBD.
Optional; open to all JP students
Email eaps-ed-office@mit.edu with questions
AeroAstro
Date and location TBD - Optional for MIT-WHOI JPs affiliated with AeroAstro
Email Rachael Aitchison (rdraper@mit.edu) with questions
EECS
Date and location TBD
Required attendance being determined.
Email Meredith Bittrich (bittrich@mit.edu) and Liza Ruano (lmruano@mit.edu) with questions
More details will be shared via email (by me and the administrator of the relevant department) as these events approach.