Technology and Policy Program Student Guide

for Incoming and

Prospective Students

Written for Students, by Students

With Contributions from: Mike Berlinski, ’04 David Broniatowski, ’04

Ned Calder, ‘04 Michel Cardin ’05 Salem Esber, ’04 Jenn Gustetic ’05 Nicole Jordan, ‘04 Lara Pierpoint ’05 Alisa Rhee, ’03 Lori Simpson, ’04 Meghan Sweeney, ‘04

Table of Contents

1. Academics

1.1. TPP Program and graduate school overview 1.2. Courses 1.3. IAP and summer activities 1.4. Miscellaneous

2. Research Assistantships (RA) 2.1. RA basics 2.2. How to get an RA 2.3. Miscellaneous

3. TPP Life 3.1. Social life in TPP 3.2. TPP demographics

4. Where to Live 4.1. Living on-campus 4.2. Living off-campus

5. Careers 5.1. What do TPPers do after graduation 5.2. Typical employers 5.3. Career management in TPP

6. Concluding Remarks

2

Academics TPP Program Overview Welcome to TPP! The current TPP students would like to offer this “insider’s” guide to prospective and incoming students to help them get a feel for what TPP is and will be like. Of course, if you’ve applied to TPP and been accepted, you must know a lot about the program by now. But there are many aspects of life as a TPPer that are important to consider when making the decision to choose a graduate program. As current students, we can offer a unique perspective on the ups and downs of TPP that you may not find on the program website. At the Open House and at Fall Orientation, you will get an opportunity to meet other incoming and current students and will get see who TPP students are. Usually, we are engineers and scientists by training who want to learn about technology policy. Our students come from many different backgrounds and fields, from many countries, and we generally have between 0 and 5 years of professional experience before joining TPP. The age range of TPP students varies from early-twenties to early thirties. Students join TPP to learn about the interaction between technology and policy in an interdisciplinary program at a well-endowed institution. We expect TPP to broaden our minds and to prepare us for leadership positions in technology policy fields. TPP is like two programs in one. It is a professional degree program, for those who want to take classes to prepare them for careers. It is also a research-based master’s program, where a thesis is the final product of a two year effort to explore real-world issues in an academic environment. In addition, TPP students have the opportunity to learn about technology and policy issues through not only class work and research, but also lectures and seminars, and from discussions with other students. The final product of TPP is the Master of Science. It normally takes two years to complete the degree requirements. There are many options to customize one’s program, including continuing on to the Doctoral program in Engineering Systems with emphasis in Technology, Management, and Policy, which will be discussed in later sections. TPP is housed within the Engineering Systems Division (ESD), which will be described at the Open House and Orientation, and is online at http://esd.mit.edu/. Graduate School Overview Before we dive into the details of TPP, let’s take a moment to talk about graduate school life in general.

3

The balance between course load, research, and social life varies greatly among students.

ltimately, it is up to the individual where to focus their time at MIT. During the first semester,

Camaraderie and Competition

Ustudents most often focus on course work and then figure out a balance between other obligations. Some students will admit that they never work on weekends, while others work everyday. The coursework will depend on the type of classes you are enrolled in. Some classes are based primarily on problem sets and exams, others will require writing policy memos and final papers.

veness between students in TPP. Students often share sources, purchase books together, and very frequently form informal study groups. Because of

and staff, like Sydney Miller and Frank Field, are extremely accessible nd very helpful and friendly! There are many social activities organized by TPP administrators

ominal Course Sequence and Descriptions

Fortunately, there is almost no competitirethe students’ diverse background, there is an appreciation for others’ experiences and different areas of expertise when studying together. More will be said about student social life in later sections of this guide. Program administratorsaand students to get to know TPP staff. N

t in recent years, and is continually proved to meet the evolving needs of students. While the TPP website has the latest program

ring 2007

The TPP curriculum has undergone extensive redevelopmenimrequirements, here is a simple look at the nominal course sequence of required courses for students entering TPP in academic year 2005-2006: Fall 2006 SpIntroduction to Technology/Policy

nomics

licy Concentration (1)

Law, Technology and Public Policy nd Policy Concentration (2) Micro-eco

Leadership Development Technology and Po

Technology a

Fall 2007 Spring 2008 Science, Technology and Public Policy

y and Policy Concentration (3) TPP Research Seminar

Technolog

Thesis

Here’s a brief description of what you might encounter in each of these classes. For full escriptions, go to http://web.mit.edu/education/d and click on “Online subject listings and

schedule” in the lower left.

4

- ESD.10 Introduction to Technology & Policy – provides overview and history of the field

15.011 Economic Analysis for Business Decisions – basic microeconomics course

ESD.801 Leadership Development – practical experience and reading-inspired look at

ESD.132 Law, Technology & Public Policy – a unique feature of TPP, this course looks

ESD.103 Science, Technology & Public Policy –addresses the political science

tions.

ESD.80 Seminar in Technology Policy Research – seminar where students discuss their

Technology and Policy Concentrations – a collection of classes in (almost) any

of focus

Thesis –students are expected to engage in in-depth research for two years, which r)

esis

ustomizing Your TPP Degree

of engineering systems, and addresses public policy issues and how to write policy papers

- covering supply and demand, market power, game theory, etc

- leadership

- at the intersection of law and technology policy

- perspectives on technology policy issues, introduces political economy considera

- ongoing (thesis-related) research

- engineering and policy field, which should all fit together and tie into your area

- culminates in a written Master’s thesis at the end of two years (or the final semesteMost students pursue one research area for two years and use that material for their thwhile others pursue a few research projects before settling on a final topic.

C

many respects, each TPP degree is unique, and students tailor their studies by carefully ives.

the

ach TPP student must complete at least 3 graduate courses providing in-depth coursework to

o the

ain,

addition to selecting courses from MIT’s course catalog, TPP students may cross-register at e

Inselecting the courses in their technology and policy concentration areas and by taking electMost students start their studies by taking core classes in their first semester and take approximately one required core course per semester thereafter. This approach leavesremaining course choices open for their customized concentration areas and any additionalelective classes they may take. Esupport his/her research area and thesis topic. This selection must have approval from the student’s research supervisor and TPP Education Director Frank Field, but it is not limited tsample ‘tracks’ on the TPP website. In the past, students have specialized in sustainable development, energy and the environment, transportation, aerospace, materials, supply chorganizational behavior, and many other areas. InHarvard, most typically at the Kennedy School of Government. In addition, it is possible to tak

5

courses at Tufts, Boston University, Wellesley, and the Massachusetts College of Art, if these are approved by TPP and the MIT Graduate Dean. Many TPP students also pursue a second Master’s degree concurrently in another department. MIT facilitates dual degrees by allowing many courses to meet requirements in both departments and by accepting a single thesis to meet both degree requirements. Students may apply to the second department only after successful completion of at least one semester of study at TPP. Dual degree students are usually able to earn both degrees with only one or two extra semesters of study, depending on when they begin the second Master’s program. The biggest challenge is taking extra courses to meet the requirements of both programs. Current students and Sydney Miller are great resources you can contact to begin your consideration of pursuing a dual degree. MIT OpenCourseWare is a free and open educational resource for people all over the world. It allows students to explore material from a large number of MIT courses. You can teach yourself the material, if you’re so inclined, or use this resource to help decide which classes to take. It is online at http://ocw.mit.edu/index.html. IAP There is a four-week session in January called the Independent Activities Period (IAP). It is a great opportunity to accomplish in-depth research, and to maintain a balance in social life or experience other opportunities at MIT. If you have a Research Assistantship (RA), your research advisor will probably expect you to work on campus during IAP, but you will also have the opportunity to explore IAP classes and the wonders of Boston in wintertime. Most academic and student groups offer various IAP activities, from short lectures on individual topics, to tap dancing, photography, chocolate making, wine tasting and Charm school. TPP offers an IAP lecture series that highlights current technology policy issues as well as a trip to Washington DC to learn about how technology and policy issues are addressed at U.S. government branches and agencies, NGOs, consulting companies, think tanks and advocacy groups. Some students may also do an externship (short internship), if they do not have research obligations on campus. IAP is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the resources of MIT or to get away from campus for a while. Summer Most research advisors expect students to work over summer, but some do not, as it depends on the terms of the RA contract. Close to half TPP students take this opportunity to participate in an internship. TPP students go all over the world and work in all types of fields. In the past, students have interned in the U.S. and overseas in cities like Washington DC, New York, London, Cambridge (England), Geneva, Paris, and Athens, as well as locally in Boston. They have worked at government and private organizations like the Federal Communications Commission, Federal Aviation Association, Department of Transportation, Department of

6

Justice, NASA, Air Liquide, and the World Bank. Internships are often arranged after students make contact with alumni employed by these organizations through the TPP alumni network or January trip. The summer internship is a great opportunity to dabble in other areas, or pursue research interests and TPP is able to provide some funding to defray the costs of taking unfunded internships in certain areas. Foreign nationals who take internships in the U.S. must arrange for ‘Curricular Practical Training’ through MIT’s International Students’ Office. Graduating in < 2 years or > 2 years Although it is possible to graduate from TPP in less than two years, it is difficult to do and not typically recommended. Students with Research Assistantships (RAs) are limited in the number of courses they can take in a semester (both officially by MIT and in terms of time management). It is possible to finish TPP in 1.5 years, but it involves taking a heavy course load and planning your program very well. Many dual degree students finish in 2 to 3 years, in order to satisfy requirements for both master’s degrees. Every year there are students who stay an extra summer or semester to finish a thesis or required coursework. Ph.D. Options The Engineering Systems Division (ESD), of which TPP is a part, includes a doctoral program. TPP can naturally lead to continued work toward an ESD doctorate. Students interested in pursuing a doctorate typically submit a PhD thesis proposal outline that specifies concentration in Technology, Management, and Policy within ESD. There is a January deadline for fall doctoral admissions in the same year. For current graduate students at MIT, you must have a 4.7 GPA at MIT, a letter of support from a prospective ESD advisor, an outline of proposed research and curriculum, and a list of possible committee members. Ph.D. students take general exams 3 to 4 semesters into their doctoral program. The generals involve four, full-day written questions, and an oral examination/research presentation. If you fail part of the exam, you may be allowed to retake it. You may not take the exams more than twice. There are currently over 60 ESD doctoral students and the program has been growing. There are many former TPP students now pursuing their doctorates (close to half the ESD PhD students) who would be willing to address questions about the program, and they can be contacted through Sydney Miller.

7

What is all this talk about an RA? Congratulations on getting into TPP! The hard part is over, now let the good times roll. Well, not quite. This section of the student guide is all about the research assistantship (RA), or what other cultures call indentured servitude (just kidding, it’s really not that bad!). Research is a significant portion of the learning experience in the TPP degree. Every student is expected to write a masters thesis and many of these theses are produced through work as a research assistant. The good news is that a research assistantship (RA) can fully fund your time at MIT! TPP’s in-depth research requirement is what sets us apart from many other programs and the availability of RAs offers a unique opportunity for funding. Ultimately, finding an RA in your interest area is your responsibility; but it doesn’t have to be as hard or as intimidating as you would think! This section covers the questions that new students might have when confronted with the RA search process. Read through the list and all your RA questions will be answered! Who gets an RA? The vast majority of TPP students are RAs. Again, every TPP student is required to engage in research in order to satisfy the TPP thesis requirement while at MIT. This research may be conducted independent of funding or with the supervision and direction of a research supervisor on a sponsored MIT project. If you come to MIT without any outside funding, then an RA should be especially attractive to you because it can pay your full tuition and a monthly stipend. You also get the added benefit of supervised and sponsored research that can lead to your thesis. Regardless of funding sources, all TPP students need a thesis supervisor. But keep in mind that an RA is a job, and with the perks of compensation and sponsored supervision, you will also be expected to produce real research for your research supervisor.

8

What are my chances of getting an RA? The simple answer is 100% for anyone who really wants one. MIT is a research institution with many different funded projects throughout the University. MIT faculty members bring in significant research funds to MIT, and in turn make RA offers to the highly qualified MIT graduate students (you!) to work with them to carry out their research enterprise. MIT offers research opportunities in many major interest areas: energy and the environment, IT/telecom, transportation and logistics to name a few. We all enter MIT with some idea of what we want to research, but it is also important to realize that you may not get an RA to answer the exact research question you are contemplating. While most students obtain RAs that are well aligned with their original research interests, some students will find other interesting research to fund and stimulate them while at MIT. How much time does an RA require? You should think about 30 hours per week nominally. Typical workweeks will range anywhere from 20 to 30 hours per week depending on the terms of your full or partial RA. Remember that this is a weekly average. Most advisors realize that you will have certain weeks that are academically loaded (think midterms, exams, just feeling lazy, etc.) and will work with you under the assumption that you will make it up in other weeks. Also, keeping in mind your research supervisors perspective, you should also realize that there are research milestones and deadlines and your supervisors will expect that you put in all the necessary effort to reach them. Ok, so how much do I get paid for all this? An RA usually covers full tuition and a monthly stipend of over $1,939 before taxes. Basically, it’s a full ride to MIT. If you think about it, given what tuition is ($33,400), all and all, it is a pretty good deal. There are also partial RAs that cover partial tuition and stipends. Keep in mind that funding packages may vary slightly depending on the school and specific department awarding the funding. Do I have to write my thesis on the research I do for my RA? There are no absolutes, but with regards to time, it is useful if this is the case. If you cannot find an RA that perfectly aligns with your personal research interest, you may decide to do independent research for your thesis. Keep in mind that research for a thesis is intense, however, and though some TPP students have been successful with this option, this will take significantly more time. Also, some research sponsors may require that you write a thesis in their area as part of the terms of your funding, so make sure to check with your research supervisor about mutual expectations.

9

Does the area of research for my RA mean that I am stuck doing that kind of research after I graduate? No. But again, it is very useful if you can do research for your RA and/or your thesis that is as closely related to your professional interests as possible. This not only helps you accumulate a lot of experience in a given field, but usually your supervisor is a great resource for getting a job. When should I start looking for an RA? Now. Seriously, start talking to students and professors as soon as possible. Remember, people are much harder to get hold of over the summer, so try to make some contacts before June. Some professors may not commit to anything until September (due to funding cycles) but it always helps to get a foot in the door. The timing of funding commitments also varies slightly for different departments; engineering departments are more likely to be able to offer RAs in the spring. So, most people get an RA in September? Many students will have financial offers before September. But it is not uncommon to have the process extend out into October. Ultimately each person’s timeline will look different depending on what departments they are interested in and their own funding constraints. Don’t get discouraged if your timeline looks different from your classmates; we guarantee you are not alone! How do I find potential openings? Unfortunately, there is no help wanted section for grad students and RA openings. The best route is to get in touch with faculty and students who have similar research interests. Often, students are the best resource to learn about research areas within laboratories and faculty are the best resource to actually make you an RA offer (since it’s their research funding). Graduate students are very knowledgeable, are typically responsive, more available than faculty, and usually have an ear to the MIT ‘street’ as to where openings might be, who’s leaving, etc. And even if you’re not 100% sure that you want to work in a particular area, don’t be afraid to just send a ‘feeler’ phone call or e-mail saying that you’re interested in professor X’s work and would like to learn more Remember, people in academia LOVE to tell you what they are doing, because they can assure you that it IS the most important thing going on at MIT! How do I make ‘first contact’ with a professor? A telephone call or e-mail is usually easiest and effective. If you can meet them in person, this is the best way to gain name/face recognition. I guarantee you that every professor had to get an RA once and knows the drill. Just say that you are a graduate student looking for an RA and would like to talk with them about their research. Make sure to prepare for your first serious conversations with potential research supervisors: it’s good advice to read some of the faculty

10

and students’ recent publications, so that you are well prepared for research discussions in their area. Finding RAs is a mutual selection process: you have to like their research and they have to like you! If I don’t get a response, does that mean they don’t have an opening? No, many professors cannot answer the overwhelming amount of e-mail requests they receive. Be persistent. Really. It shows that you’re serious if you are well prepared and take the initiative to communicate with the faculty member. Phone messages or a phone appointment are recommended to break the e-mail trap. Keep leaving messages or sending e-mails until you get a response. Sometimes you have to leave multiple messages before you get a response. Be persistent. Really. Almost all professors see this as a positive sign. Ok, now I know the basics of an RA, I have found a professor whose research I am interested in, and they have offered me a position, should I take it? Easy there tiger. Not so fast, as there are a few things to be clear on before signing away your life.

-First, Make sure you know the expected length of the RA (1 semester, 1 year, 2 years, life), and be sure that you’re ok with it. Most people take on an RA with the expectation of working for the full 2 years and this usually works best, but other arrangements are possible. For example, some RAs may last only one semester because that is the length of the project. This can work out fine; it just means you have to go looking again in 6 months. Just remember, any surprises between you and your advisor in this regard can make for serious problems. -Second, talk about summers and vacations. Most professors want you around during the summer, others don’t. Make sure there is a clear agreement. Same for vacations. Most professors will give you time off when you want it, but will expect you to make it up. Just be clear. Your advisor will appreciate this as much as you will. -Third, make sure you understand your advisor’s weekly expectations. Some advisors want you at your desk at a given time everyday. Others couldn’t care less when you come in as long as you are keeping up. Again, just be clear from the beginning what the expectations are. - Fourth, Ensure upfront that both you and your potential advisor have common expectations, and that you will be able to take the courses you want while satisfying their demands. Some advisors expect students to take certain courses, while others do not. It is best to get this straight at the outset. For additional information from the research supervisor’s perspective, please see the TPP ‘Rules of the Road’ document that outlines RA and research advising expectations.

11

What happens if I hate my RA? Well, it is possible to get out of an RA - and no, you will not be the first person to do this. However, there are a couple of reasons to really try to find a good fit initially. First, it is difficult to find RA’s in middle of the year. Second, it really helps your thesis the sooner you get started. And third, there may be potential political ramifications of dropping out early. All things to consider in deciding whether or not to drop an RA. Also, if you DO decide to look for another research area, your advisor will appreciate your willingness to find a mutually convenient time to make the switch. What if I am getting a dual degree? No problem. You still only need one RA, just make sure the research will satisfy the thesis requirements for both programs. Do I have to pay my MIT bills if I haven’t secured an RA by September? Absolutely not. If you plan to get an RA, do not pay your bill regardless of MIT’s scare tactics or threats regarding late fees -- all will be forgiven once you get an RA. Of course, keep in mind if for some reason you end up not getting an RA, you will have to pay all those fees. What if I have a fellowship or independent funding? Since you will need to write a thesis, you will need to do research. Therefore, it is best if you follow the same process as above, but with more flexibility because you don’t have to worry about money. A lot of MIT professors would be happy to advise a student without having to fund them, but just make sure everything is agreed upon upfront even though the relationship is not as formal. In this case you would be finding a ‘research advisor’ to supervise your thesis instead of a ‘research supervisor’ who is working on a sponsored project. Even if you have independent funding and know exactly what research you want to do, we HIGHLY encourage you to seek out a research advisor as soon as possible, because he or she can help you through the thesis writing process.

12

TPP Social Life The TPP Lifestyle Welcome to TPP! You’re probably wondering what your life will be like for the next two years. Don’t worry; if your stereotype of an MIT student involves all classes and research with no time for anything else, then you are in for a pleasant surprise. We manage to have a lot of fun too. In fact, TPP is often referred to at MIT as the “social” program because we have a reputation on campus for getting out and taking advantage of MIT and the surrounding area. TPP has a unique mixture of research and courses that allows us more opportunities to get involved in other activities or to basically have a life at all. While a lot of science and engineering disciplines require students to put in face time at research labs and produce quantitative results, TPP research is often more flexible and can be done from any computer location, with results more empirical and analysis-based. Our classes are similar in that they rarely include long problem sets, but involve reading and discussions that can vary depending on how much time you decide to spend on them each week. Why is TPP known for being more social than other MIT departments? An important part of TPP is the kind of applicant the program attracts each year. TPP students are usually entering the program because they understand the “larger picture” in their field and want to broaden their skill set. We therefore tend to have many peers with leadership experience and great social networking skills, which helps create a more community atmosphere for the program. In many ways, TPP students are similar to Sloan school students, except our program is smaller and therefore closer, and the engineering/science background produces more down-to-earth kind of students. The Technology and Policy Student Society TPSS is the student group made up of all current TPP students. Run by an elected executive board, the group plans social and academic events for the TPP Community throughout the year

13

with funds received by the Graduate Student Council at MIT (your student activities fee at work) and from the TPP administration. Every Thursday evening at 6pm TPSS holds social events or meetings in the lounge in E40. It’s a great opportunity to meet students in other years, and to reconnect with your classmates. Plus everything is free. Past social events have included: Welcome back dinners, Wine tastings, Election watching party, Super Bowl party, Holiday parties, Socials with the TPP Director and Administrators, Volunteer projects, Bowling, and Croquet on the quad. Academic programs include: Career panels with alumni, Discussions about ESD, Women of TPP events, and working with the TPSS Curriculum Committee to make changes to the course requirements. Many Tuesdays during the semester, TPSS hosts “Tuesday Lunch Talks.” During the noon-1pm hour, students are encouraged to bring their lunch to the lounge and hear classmates give presentations. Presentations could range from anything from vacation photos, to how to play poker, to detailed descriptions about research. The presentations are another way to get to know one another and also a great opportunity to practice presenting for a class or for your research. TPSS also works on coordinating Open House, Orientation, and the Graduating Students Banquet. The group is a major influence in life at MIT and because of them you know there’s always something going on each week where you can hang out with fellow TPPers. Intramural Sports TPP is known for its great participation in IM sports at MIT. We typically form teams for almost every available sport. And remember that this is MIT, and most of us aren’t particularly good at a variety of sports, so it’s definitely okay to play anything as a beginner. Significant others and friends of TPP are allowed to play on our teams too, so it’s a great way to extend your TPP circle of friends. The current available intramurals for 2005 are: Badminton, Bowling, Dodgeball, Football, Soccer, Tennis, Basketball, Hockey, Pistol, Billiards, Octathon, Roller Hockey, Rugby, Softball, Squash, Table Tennis, Tennis, Track, Ultimate Frisbee, Unihoc, Volleyball, and Water Polo. And if you’re more interested in other athletics, such as working out and group classes, check out the Z-Center (gym and athletics center) at MIT at www.mit.edu/zcenter. They have a range of excellent facilities and offer unique P.E. classes during the semester, which are highly recommended. Other TPP social events How much time you spend with your TPP classmates is definitely up to you. Some TPPers are rarely seen, while others seem to live in E40 and attend everything. Most students see each other

14

about 3-4 times a week outside of class. There are often group dinners and lunches that form. And there is usually at least one unofficial TPP party to choose from every weekend. Most of us spend either Friday or Saturday at such parties or hanging out together in Boston/Cambridge. The bottom line is: Never worry about moving to Boston and not knowing anyone. You’ve got an instant built-in social network of 50 people. Traditionally first-year students hold “Weekly Wednesday” Happy Hours at the Muddy Charles Pub (an MIT-run, on-campus establishment). Weekly Wednesdays start at 4pm immediately after the required first-year course ESD.10 and usually go for an hour or two to relieve that mid-week stress. Opportunities Outside TPP and MIT During your undergraduate years, you probably joined numerous student clubs and held leadership roles in many of them. MIT has a great range of clubs and activities to join, but think wisely before you make any major commitments. Life as a graduate student is much more demanding than undergrad and your schedule is often more variable, as your advisor might call last-minute meetings or ask you to travel for your research. A few TPP students participate in MIT clubs, but most find they don’t have the time. Another thing to consider is that almost all MIT clubs are open to both undergraduate and graduate populations, so you could find yourself among a group of MIT freshmen. One of the nice things about MIT is the proximity to other Universities. TPP students have a broad range of academic interests that are sometimes not met just by staying on campus. The Kennedy School of Government (among other great Boston schools) has frequent speakers on global events. TPP students are great about e-mailing the entire list when they plan on attending an interesting lecture or conference at another school, so you’re usually aware of all the opportunities off campus. Who are my classmates? Depending on applications and admissions, the incoming class can vary greatly in terms of demographics. But here are some averages for the current TPP’05 (means we entered in fall 2005) class that you’ll be soon joining in the program:

• 40 total students • 40% international students • 40% female students • Several students are directly from undergraduate programs, including MIT and everyone

else has some professional experience, ranging from 1-10 years. How much time do TPP students have to socialize, or do anything else for that matter?

15

Before you enter the program, it’s difficult to visualize how your days will be structured and how much time you’ll have to spend on various activities. Research is often the indicator of how busy you’ll feel and how much free time you’ll have, so it varies greatly from person to person. During the Open House and throughout the next few months, you’ll hear a lot of people (TPP administrators, students, professors, your advisor) tell you how much time you will and should spend on research. Here’s the unofficial student-to-student time estimate….. You will probably never spend the required/recommended 30 hours a week on research, especially your first semester. 20 hours is a good time goal to aim for, and many weeks you’ll spend under that amount. Courses themselves will take about 10-12 hours of class time, accompanied with 20 to 30 hours of homework time. The only estimate of time that MIT doesn’t exaggerate is how much time you’ll be spending on homework. If a class is 12 units, expect to spend at least that much time devoted to it each week. However, when you add up research and courses, it only equals about 60-70 hours…. Meaning that it is very possible to take a few nights off a week and have a free day on the weekends. To help visualize it better, here’s a sample first-year schedule for the average Thursday:

8:30am - 10:00am: Economics class 10:30am - 12:00pm: Elective class 12:00pm - 1:00pm: Lunch in TPP lounge 1:00pm - 6:00pm: Research and homework at your office 6:00pm - 8:00pm: TPSS events

Where you’ll be spending your time If you’re lucky, your advisor will give you a nice cubicle for you to store your research and to work from every day. And if you’re really lucky, this office will be in E40 and close to most of your friends and classes. But if not, don’t worry, you’ll still see plenty of TPPers during the day and feel connected to the program. The 3rd floor TPP lounge, computer lab and study room are the heart of TPP. With most classes just one building over, almost everyone in TPP walks through the TPP hallway at least once a day. The lounge is great for eating lunch or doing group homework. And if you don’t have an office, the student study room always has available desks and provides a quiet and central place to work on research or homework. There are also lockers available in the TPP Computer Lab for students who do not have designated workspaces on campus. Outside of class, TPP students tend to congregate in Central Square in Cambridge. Almost all on-campus MIT sponsored and off-campus apartments are located near Central, so it’s a convenient place to hang out. Plus the diversity of restaurants and bars gives it a great Boston urban feel, especially when you’re too tired to head into the actual city.

16

Where to Live Living On-Campus MIT has some great options for living on-campus. For the most updated prices, floor plans, and information about selecting an on-campus apartment, visit the Graduate Housing website at: http://web.mit.edu/housing/grad/index.html. Our intention is to provide you some of our opinions about MIT grad housing that the official website won’t tell you and to give you our recommendations. Single Graduate Student Dorms – The Northwest Campus / Central Square Area Along Albany and Pacific Streets in the Northwest section of campus are three newly built graduate housing buildings, each a very popular living option. The area is a 5-10 minute walk to the shops, restaurants, and bars of Central Square, as well as the Central Sq. T station. Also nearby (about 3 blocks) is the Star Market grocery store. An MIT shuttle services all of the buildings with door-to-door service from the dorms to the Kendall Square area (T-station, E51 classroom building, and TPP offices in E40).

Edgerton: Edgerton is unique because it is the only MIT apartment that requires that you bring your own furniture. The apartments are very large and in great condition, which makes the building feel more like an actual apartment building than a dorm. Apartments contain large living rooms, bathrooms, and kitchens, with a varying number of bedrooms. The only potential downside is that the building houses more continuing students than first-year students, so it tends to be less social than other near-by options. The choice to live in Edgerton really comes down to whether you want to invest in furniture here or move things from home. Keep in mind that you’ll likely be forced to move after just one year and all that furniture you brought will need to move with you. Sidney Pacific: Sid-Pac or S&P as it’s usually called is another relatively new apartment complex at MIT. Sidney Pacific has multiple options for single, double, and quad apartments. While the bedrooms are the largest of all dorms, there is no living room—making it hard for holding parties or dinners. The building is very large, meaning you can meet many people and there are extensive amenities. If you end up in Sidney Pacific, keep in mind that the dorm contains students from various years, so you won’t necessarily be paired with another first-year student. Option for living in Sidney Pacific include a few studio apartments, two bedroom apartments, four bedroom apartments, and

17

“quad” apartments. The definition of “quad” apartment is somewhat unclear on the MIT housing website; it means a two bedroom apartment with two residents per room. Warehouse: The Warehouse is a 3-year old remodeled warehouse now housing 128 studio apartments. Besides a handful of studios spread out in other buildings, the Warehouse is your only option if you want to live alone. The apartments contain a kitchenette and full bath and have plenty of space for one person. It’s also the only living option at MIT that provides a double bed (with the exception of family housing). The Warehouse is all first-year graduate students, which provides a nice social atmosphere. But that doesn’t necessarily make it a young crowd. As the most expensive MIT housing option, the Warehouse attracts mostly Sloan and ESD students, many of whom are mid-career professionals. In fact, the building is about 50% Sloan students and the average age of residents closer to 30. Noise can be a problem with the super thin walls, especially with so many A-type neighbors that may complain. But the newness and opportunity to live alone is worth the cost and noise if those criteria important to you.

Single Graduate Student Dorms – Other (less popular) locations

Ashdown House: The only positive feature of Ashdown House is its “central” location in the middle of the MIT campus, directly across the Mass Ave. bridge to Boston. Although, as TPP students, this means you’re still not particularly close to E40 and you’re even farther from the Central Square restaurants, shops, and nightlife. Most of the Ashdown rooms are shared, meaning two beds to a room with common bathrooms down the hallway. It’s extremely cheap, but for the extra $200 a month, we think it’s definitely worth having your own bedroom and bathroom in another dorm, unless you really want to relive that freshmen year of college experience.

Tang: Tang is an interesting housing choice, as some residents love it and some residents hate it. Tang is located on the opposite side of campus as E40 and also very far from any social activities or stores. It’s even about a 15 minute walk to the closest grocery store and T-stop. Tang bedrooms are small, but common rooms are large and some have great views of Boston. When living in Tang, you have an option for 2, 3, and 4 bedroom apartments. The 2 bedroom apartments are smaller and do not have a living room. However, the 3 and 4 bedroom rooms have a large living room with large windows, and are definitely a better choice. They are well suited to having parties, especially because it is not so important if you spill on the older furniture. It is also good for meeting people because the building is large and entirely first-year students. Tang apartments are much cheaper than other MIT options, not so much because of the remote location, but because of their older and run-down condition.

Green Hall: None of us have actually gone into this building, let alone lived there. So we really can’t comment…. But the MIT website provides more information.

Family Housing:

18

Not necessarily only for “families.” MIT is EXTREMLY liberal about allowing students to qualify for this option. Many couples living in married housing haven’t lived together before, but were able to qualify just by opening a joint bank account. But you probably shouldn’t take married housing lightly if you’re not in a committed relationship, because your choice to live there implies that you’re on the marriage track (and you’ll get lots of questions about it) and you’ll be living among married couples and lots of babies. If you can’t handle coming home to strollers in the lobby, you’re probably better off looking off-campus. Otherwise, married housing is a great option because it’s the only MIT housing option that allows you to stay in your same apartment for two consecutive years.

Eastgate: Directly across the street from E40, so you’re never more than 5 minutes away from class. And you get to park in a covered parking garage, which is nice in the winter. About half the apartments have river and Boston skyline views, which make up for the building being fairly old and run down.

Westgate: You couldn’t live much further away than Westgate. Not only is it far from E40 and the rest of campus, there are literally no stores or restaurants nearby. A shuttle does run to from E40 to Westgate, but it makes for a very cold winter when you need to walk. The apartments are also older and run-down. But, like Eastgate, MIT will let you live there for 2 years and children are allowed, so it’s a very inexpensive and practical option if you will be bringing your family.

**Things to keep in mind when looking on-campus**

• Distance to class- how far are you willing to walk? • Whether you want to live alone or try your luck with roommates • Your budget – Its entirely possible to live in all MIT grad housing options living only on

the graduate RA stipend (but your money saved or available for spending each month will be greatly changed by your rent)

Living Off-Campus In the event that living in a dorm isn't your style, there are plenty of off-campus housing options. In addition to several MIT Independent Living Groups that house both graduate and undergraduate students (often with communal dining plans and cheap housing rates), there are a multitude of off-campus apartments available to the savvy consumer. Depending on the location and amenities provided in a particular apartment, prices can be expected to range from $400-$1200 per person (with most students paying around $700 in rent for a room in a shared apartment or $1000 for a one-bedroom apartment). The average price of utilities in Boston varies greatly depending on the size of the apartment to be heated, your electricity usage, etc, and are usually not included in the off-campus rent (except for water prices). A good estimate for utilities costs is about $100 to $150 per person a month. In estimating your housing budget, include a number of possible housing fees. Many Boston area apartments require first and last months’ rent, as well as a security deposit, at move-in. This could add up to three-months’ rent due the day you move-in. Also, since apartments in Boston are in high demand, many landlords work through a broker. Even if you don’t hire an agent to

19

help you in your search and you stick to calling numbers from ads in local papers and websites, you might be required to pay a broker fee to the company showing the apartment. The average broker’s fee is one month’s rent, also due when you move-in. Several options exist for finding off-campus housing. MIT maintains a listing of apartments for rent in the area at the off-campus housing website, http://web.mit.edu/housing/och. Other popular methods for finding apartments and roommates include websites such as Craig's List, http://boston.craigslist.com . If you are looking for an apartment that is located on campus (and just across from the Muckley Building (E40), the center of TPP), it is worth investigating the apartments located at 100 Memorial Dr. http://www.dolben.com/100mem_ma.htm. Although these tend to be on the expensive side (about $1000/person) some find the close location to be worth it, particularly in the cold winter months. Here are some additional areas in which MIT-TPP students live and recommend: Boston: Living in the city is ideal, if you can afford it. The Back Bay area is especially close because you can walk across the bridge in 5 minutes and be on campus. Otherwise, anywhere near Charles Street or the Red Line makes a quick ride to Kendall Square. The only downside to living in Boston is the high price ($1000 per room in a shared apartment) and the lack of available apartments (and parking) in general. Brighton/Allston: Located across the river and closer to Boston, this is a very trendy neighborhood to live in and you’ll be neighbors with many Boston University and Northeastern students. The area is filled with bars and restaurants, but pretty far from the MIT campus. MBTA buses and the Green Line service the area, but it can be up to a 40 minute commute to school each day, and chances are not many of your peers will come visit. Central Square: This is where the majority of off-campus TPP students live. The area has a large amount of available housing close to bars, restaurants, and shops. You’ll also be close to most of your on-campus friends since many of MIT’s graduate housing dorms are located near Central Sq. The area is about a 5-minute walk to campus or 20 minutes to E40, and also one stop away on the T Red Line. Davis Square: Four stops up from Kendall (MIT) on the Red Line is Davis Square. Known for being a little quieter and also cleaner than Central Sq, this area provides a nice neighborhood feel with several small shops and restaurants nearby. Davis also has a much larger selection of apartments (almost all in three family houses) and for much lower monthly rents. The one thing to remember about Davis is that you won’t be able to walk home from MIT, so you’re either looking at a 30 minute commute by T or an expensive cab ride, if you don’t own a car.

20

Harvard Square: Just as trendy, busy, and desirable as Central Square, Harvard Square is also a great choice. It’s a ten-minute walk from Central Sq or one more stop up on the Red Line. Several buses also go from MIT to Harvard Sq. The problem with Harvard is the lack of available housing, mostly due to competition from all those Harvard students. Inman Square: Inman is just past Central and a little further from campus in the town of Somerville. The walk to E40 from Inman could take 30 minutes and no T stops are close by, so you need to take a bus to avoid the walk. Inman has a few restaurants and bars, but not to the extent of Central Sq. It’s more of a neighborhood feel with quieter streets and available parking. **Things to keep in mind when looking for off-campus housing**

• The T closes at 12:30am, so if you can’t walk home, you’ll be spending a lot of money in cab fare on weekend

• Anywhere on the Red Line is going to be a short ride to campus (Kendall Sq), but locations on the green, blue, and orange lines will drastically increase your commute time

• Almost all on-street parking requires a city parking permit, which means you’ll need to register your car in Massachusetts and get Massachusetts insurance

• Just because you have an on-street parking permit, doesn’t mean you’ll be able to find parking near your apartment (try visiting at 6pm and see how available parking spots on your prospective street look)

Since numerous colleges are located in Boston, try looking for apartments through their various off-campus housing websites: MIT: http://web.mit.edu/housing/och/ Harvard: http://www.gsas.harvard.edu/student/housing/resources.html Tufts: http://ase.tufts.edu/och/ Suffolk: http://www.suffolk.edu/ocho/neighborhoods.html BC: http://www.bc.edu/offices/reslife/offcampus/ Northeastern: http://www.offcampus.neu.edu/

21

TPP Careers

What Will I Do When I Grow Up (and Get My TPP Degree)? The beauty of TPP is that there is so much you can do with the degree. The flexibility and the breadth of the curriculum allow you to position yourself for a number of different career paths. A good deal of TPP students will go straight into an industry job, usually in engineering, management, or consulting. Many continue in academia, or get into the policy sphere, either in government, non-governmental policy organizations, or public service organizations. The chart below gives a good general breakdown of where students end up working after they complete the program.

Consulting22%

Other4%

NGO3%

Financial Services6%

Government12%

Academia17%

Public Services2%

Law2%

Industry31%

Self-Employed1%

22

Who Are Some Common Employers, and Where Are They Located? There are literally hundreds of organizations where TPP graduates can be found. Some of the most common employers of TPP graduates are MIT, McKinsey & Co., Booz Allen Hamilton, ICF Consulting, Charles River Associates, Harvard University, US EPA, OMB, and government agencies, but the list goes on. Employers are located literally all over the world, including nearly all of the U.S. states and Washington D.C., and in over 45 countries worldwide. So, you can basically take this degree anywhere you want. There is a comprehensive alumni directory that lists contact information for all alumni who have kept in touch with the program, and includes their listing by employer and their geographic distribution. This is a useful tool for getting an idea where TPP alumni end up, and you can contact Yoko Urano at yokou@mit.edu to get a copy. How Else Can I Get Involved In My Career While in TPP? It is a good idea to get involved in your field of interest early in your stay at MIT. You really want to get as much exposure to your interests as possible, so you can focus your ideas enough to clearly define a thesis topic, and so you know what you want when it is time to find a job. It’s never too early to get started thinking about what you want to be a part of when you get to MIT, and beyond. A great way to get involved and to meet people who share your interests is to join a campus club. There are a whole host of MIT-wide clubs that cater to a broad range of interests. These are available through the following organizations, or you can start your own group! The Association of Student Activities (ASA) has over 300 student life and career oriented clubs listed at http://web.mit.edu/asa/www/. These include groups devoted to aspects of Academics, Activism, Arts, Athletics, Campus Media, Cultural, International, Living Groups, Student Government, Interest, Recreational, Religious, Service, Social, and Technology. If you are planning to do a dual degree, there is a good chance that the other department you are interested in will have a student group in which you could get involved. These will be listed either on the ASA site above or on the departmental website. The Graduate Student Council (GSC) represents graduate students at MIT and includes representatives from different academic departments as well as officers on subcommittees focusing on Academic/ Research / Careers, Activities, ASA (see above), Funding, Housing / Community Affairs, Orientation, Publications / Publicity, GSC Government / Nominations, and the Muddy Charles Pub. More information is available at http://gsc.mit.edu/. The Technology and Policy Student Society (TPSS) is made up of TPP students who are formally and informally interested in TPP Student Government (the TPSS Executive Board), Alumni Relations, Mentoring, Recruitment, Lunch Talks, Curriculum Development, Social Activities, Intramural Sports, GSC Representation, and the TPSS Web Site, which can be found at http://web.mit.edu/tpss/.

23

The Sloan School of Management has a number of quite active professional clubs, listed at http://mitsloan.mit.edu/corporate/r-clubs.php. Below is a list of Sloan clubs that were active during the 2004-2005 academic year.

Sloan School of Management Clubs Asian Business Club Automotive Club BioPharma Business Club Brazilian Club Canadian Club Club Latino Energy and Environmental Club Entertainment, Media and Sports European Club Finance Club India Business Club Innovation Club Investment Management Club Israeli Business Club Japan Club Korean Society Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Club Management Consulting Club Marketing Club

MediaTech Club Middle East Club Minority Business Club MIT $50K Entrepreneurship Competition MIT Sloan Retail Club MIT TechLink Operations Management Club Real Estate Club Sloan Entrepreneurs Sloan Leadership Club Socially Responsible Business Club South Asian Club Supply Chain Management Club SWIM (Sloan Women In Management) Tasting Club Texas Club Tiny Tech Transportation Club Ventures & Private Equity Veterans' Association

There are also plenty of interesting speakers that come to MIT and Harvard, and you would be surprised how much you can learn about a topic from a one hour talk (not to mention the free food!). You will no doubt get a great deal of e-mail announcing these talks, so you can just pick the ones you like. While entrenched in an intense graduate program, it can be easy to forget that MIT is located right in the middle of a world-class city with many opportunities of its own. TPP students have been known to work with local agencies and companies part-time and during breaks, so it would certainly be worth your time to see what else Boston has to offer prior to coming.

24

Concluding Remarks

Again, congratulations for being admitted to TPP. You are now a member of a very select group of highly qualified and successful young men and women. Now begins the next great step in your life. One of the most important things to remember as you enter TPP, or as you are faced with the decision to enter or not, is that you should ask questions whenever you are unsure of what to do. There are great people who are more than willing to help you find the answers you need, because after all, we want to see you succeed. You should contact the following people if you need help: Sydney Miller (Program Administrator)

• Office: E40-379 • Telephone: (617) 452-3187 • E-Mail: sydney@mit.edu

Yoko Urano (Administrative Assistant)

• Office: E40-369 • Telephone: (617) 258-7295 • E-Mail: yokou@mit.edu

Ask Sydney or Yoko to put you in touch with some students if you would like some more “insider” information, such as info about potential RA openings, or if you would simply like to hear about something from a student perspective.

So relax, it’s going to be fun. There is a lot to do here, and a lot of great people with diverse backgrounds to spend time with, learn from, and form friendships with. We hope that you will choose to attend TPP, and we look forward to your arrival here in the fall.

25