Hundreds of MIT families attend Family Weekend 2025
Parents and family members get a glimpse of life at MIT
LEVY LE - THE TECH
LEVY LE - THE TECH
LEVY LE - THE TECH
From Oct. 24 to Oct. 25, hundreds of MIT families attended Family Weekend, a two-day program with over 50 events, including open classes, department receptions, student group events, athletic games, and musical performances.
On Friday, Oct. 24, families experienced academic life at MIT. Many sat in on lectures across various departments, from 7.012 (Introduction to Biology) to 6.6400 (Applied Quantum and Statistical Physics). In addition to open lectures, various departments — such as Mathematics and Mechanical Engineering — held receptions with opportunities to talk with faculty and learn more about relevant academic programs.
The day concluded with the Annual Family Weekend Concert, which featured the MIT Wind Ensemble and MIT Festival Jazz Ensemble. The repertoire primarily showcased pieces with a joyful tone, including Shostakovich’s Festive Overture and Dvořák’s Slavonic Dances No. 3.
The next day, families watched athletic games and participated in events hosted by student groups and FSILGs. Notable events included the Department of Chemistry magic show and the Glass Lab tour. Family Weekend concluded with an a capella concert featuring all ten MIT student a capella groups, from the Logarhythms to Asymptones.
The Tech spoke with a few parents about their Family Weekend experience.
Marina Rolbin from Colorado sat in on her son’s classes, which were 5.111 (Principles of Chemical Science) and 18.02 (Multivariable Calculus). Although she did not understand the material taught in the classes, Rolbin said that “[the] professors were great.”
John and Lily Frimprong from Virginia went to the Black Student Union (BSU) cookout, describing their experience as “awesome” and “amazing” because they met many families and students. Other affinity groups, such as the MIT South Asian Association of Students (SAAS) and Latino Cultural Center (LCC), also held events during Family Weekend, such as “Chai and Chaat” and “Cena a Las Seis,” respectively.
For Yu Zhou from New Jersey, this year marked her fourth Family Weekend. She was motivated to come back to visit her daughter and “enjoy the beautiful campus.” Zhou enjoyed touring the MIT Glass Lab and viewing the animations of MIT Borderline’s augmented reality-enabled murals in the tunnels below campus.
Michal and James Holmes from Montana had a positive experience at Family Weekend, as they got to visit their son and learn more about academic programs like Terrascope. “We met a few of his buddies that he has made here, so that was cool,” Michal Holmes said. “Just seeing him was great.”