MIT runs on a “4-1-4” calendar: there are two four-month terms per academic year, separated by the month-long Independent Activities Period (IAP) in January. The fall term runs from September through December, the spring term from February through May. During term-time, each month includes at least one three-day weekend—a chance to relax, travel, or catch up on work.
Classes are held on weekdays only, generally between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., though some classes are held between 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Students can expect to spend about 12–20 hours per week in class, though they are free to take as many classes as they like (with their advisor’s approval) without incurring extra tuition costs.
Academic Year 2011-2012
| Date | Event |
| March 26–30 |
Spring Vacation |
| April 16, 17 |
Patriots Day - Vacation |
| May 17 |
Last day of classes |
| May 21–25 |
Final Exams |
| June 8 |
Commencement |
| June 11 |
Summer Session begins |
| August 21 |
Summer Session ends |
Academic Year 2012–2013
| Date | Event |
| September 3 |
Labor Day |
| September 4 |
Registration Day–Fall Term |
| September 5 |
First day of classes |
| September 21 |
Student Holiday |
| October 8, 9 |
Columbus Day–Vacation |
| October 12–14 |
Family Weekend (projected) |
| November 12 |
Veterans Day–Holiday |
| November 22, 23 |
Thanksgiving Vacation |
| December 12 |
Last day of classes |
| December 17–21 |
Final Exams |
| December 22 |
Winter Vacation begins |
| January 6 |
Winter Vacation ends |
| January 7 |
IAP begins |
| January 21 |
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day–Holiday |
| February 1 |
IAP ends |
| February 4 |
Registration Day–Spring Term |
| February 5 |
First day of classes |
| February 18 |
Presidents Day–Holiday |
| February 19 |
Monday schedule of classes |
| March 25–29 |
Spring Vacation |
| April 15, 16 |
Patriots Day–Vacation |
| May 16 |
Last day of classes |
| May 20–24 |
Final Exams |
| June 7 |
Commencement |
| June 10 |
Summer Session begins |
| August 20 |
Summer Session ends |
Academic Year 2013–2014
| Date | Event |
| September 2 |
Labor Day |
| September 3 |
Registration Day–Fall Term |
| September 4 |
First day of classes |
| September 23 |
Student Holiday |
| October 14, 15 |
Columbus Day–Vacation |
| October 18–20 |
Family Weekend |
| November 11 |
Veterans Day–Holiday |
| November 28, 29 |
Thanksgiving Vacation |
| December 11 |
Last day of classes |
| December 16-20 |
Final Exams |
| December 21 |
Winter Vacation begins |
| January 5 |
Winter Vacation ends |
| January 6 |
IAP begins |
| January 20 |
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day–Holiday |
| January 31 |
IAP ends |
| February 3 |
Registration Day–Spring Term |
| February 4 |
First day of classes |
| February 17 |
Presidents Day–Holiday |
| February 18 |
Monday schedule of classes |
| March 24–28 |
Spring Vacation |
| April 21, 22 |
Patriots Day–Vacation |
| May 15 |
Last day of classes |
| May 19–23 |
Final Exams |
| June 6 |
Commencement |
| June 9 |
Summer Session begins |
| August 19 |
Summer Session ends |
