Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Below is a list of frequently asked questions by parents/guardians of MIT student-athletes. Do's and Don'ts regarding NCAA rules compliance for parents/guardians, alumni, and boosters can be found here.

1.  I read somewhere that varsity athletes are required to have a current physical examination in order to compete. What is the best time of year to schedule an appointment for an updated physical?

• Varsity student-athletes are required to submit a physical completed within six months of the first day of sport participation. The Varsity Student Athlete Physical Examination form through MIT Medical must be submitted to MIT Medical via the 2025-26 Varsity Student Athlete Clearance Form by July 31.
• The Sport Health Care Team* advises that first-year participants submit the Varsity Student Athlete Physical Exam Form no later than July 15, so the Sports Medicine Physicians at MIT Health and the Sports Health Care Team can approve the form to avoid delay in participation clearance.
• Upperclassmen are not required to have a new physical in subsequent years, unless there was a lapse in participation.
* The Sports Health Care Team includes health care providers from MIT Health as well as the staff of Certified Athletic Trainers from the Department of Athletics, Physical Education, and Recreation (DAPER).
** For more information on the required forms from MIT Health, including the Varsity Student Athlete Physical Examination form and the Sickle Cell Trait Status form, please see: https://health.mit.edu/faqs/medical-report-form

2. What to do if your physical exam was performed more than 6 months before the start of your team's first practice.

• Option 1:
  • Contact your primary care provider to ask if they can do a Sports Physical Exam. This is not billed as an annual physical exam. Request that your provider use the Varsity Student Athlete Physical Examination form to complete the sports physical exam. 
  • Submit your completed Varsity Student Athlete Physical Exam to MIT Health via 2025-26 Varsity Student Athlete Clearance Form by July 31 
• Option 2:
  • Obtain an updated office visit note from your PCP stating you are in good health and there are no updated health concerns from your last physical.
  • Then obtain a sports physical exam at a local Urgent Care facility, bringing with you a copy of the note from your PCP and a copy of your most recent physical exam. 
  • Request that your provider use the Varsity Student Athlete Physical Examination form to complete the sports physical exam.  
  • Submit your completed Varsity Student Athlete Physical Exam with the note from your health care provider to MIT Health via 2025-26 Varsity Student Athlete Clearance Form by July 31.  

3. I've heard there are other forms that I need to complete. Where can I find these and when are they due?

• All student-athletes are required to complete beginning of the year Compliance and Medical forms annually. These forms are sent through our Compliance platform, ARMS.
• Students will receive an email from the MIT Compliance and Eligibility Team in mid-July when forms are available for completion.
• All forms assigned must be completed, reviewed, and approved prior to gaining clearance for varsity athletic participation.
• If a student-athlete is under the age of 18, their parent/guardian will need to sign the required forms. 

4. How do I log into ARMS? 

• The Compliance and Eligibility Team will create a student-athlete account on ARMS (my.armssoftware.com) for you the summer prior to initial enrollment.
• ARMS will send you a welcome email with an activation link to set up your password. Should that link expire, simply hit the "forgot password" button and a new link will be sent to you. 
• If you experience any difficulty logging in, please contact our team at eligibility@mit.edu.

5. What is the Sickle Cell Trait testing policy?

• As of the 2022-23 academic year, NCAA legislation has been updated to require all incoming student-athletes (first-years, transfers and new students to our Intercollegiate Varsity Athletics Programs) to provide documentation of Sickle Cell Trait status. There is no longer an option to sign a waiver. Documentation must include blood test results from either a new/recent test or from testing done at birth. 

    Option 1: Obtain Past results

• Newborn Screening Test Results: Contact your pediatrician's office or hospital of birth and request a copy of your sickle cell trait status from your birth. Most states required newborn SCT testing beginning in 1990.  
• Not all hospitals/pediatricians keep records of negative testing, but a hospital not having a record does not satisfy the requirement. In the event the hospital/pediatrician's office does not have records, a new blood test is required. 

    Option 2: Get tested for Sickle Cell Trait

• Provide a copy of a recent Sickle Cell Solubility Test indicating your Sickle Cell Trait status. This requires your primary care provider to order a simple blood test from their office or lab.  
• Once you receive your result from the blood test, they can be submitted along with the Varsity Student Athlete Physical Exam Form to the 2025-2026 Varsity Student Athlete Medical Clearance Form submission tool. 
• If results are received after your Varsity Student Athlete Physical Exam Form has been submitted, please submit them using the online submission tool linked above. 
• If you cannot obtain your past test results or obtain a new Sickle Cell Trait test before arriving on campus, please contact mitsportsmed@gmail.com. This may delay your ability to be cleared for the start of your season.  

4a. What are the expectations for health insurance coverage for varsity sports participants?

All MIT students must have insurance coverage before commencing and while participating in any strength & conditioning session, practice, competition, and/or team travel that is supervised by approved MIT coaching staff and approved by the Director of Athletics, according to NCAA regulations. Coverage must meet the requirements of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (956 CMR 8.00) and United States Department of State (22 CFR § 62.14) (International students only). For more information regarding the MIT Student Health Insurance Plan, which meets these guidelines visit: Admitted students | MIT Health 

The primary medical/health insurance coverage shall include a provision for sports injury/illness related medical care with a limit of at least $90,000. In addition, if the primary medical/health insurance coverage lapses, or if there is a material change into existing coverage, MIT Health Plan Office as well as DAPER's Sports Medicine Department should be notified. Participants should discontinue participation in Varsity Athletics until they receive an acceptable level of coverage (see above).

4b. What do I need to know about the NCAA's new post-eligibility injury insurance?

The NCAA recently opened an excess accident medical insurance for all student-athletes after their collegiate experience (upon separation from MIT or a voluntary withdrawal from athletics) for care of injuries that occurred during the student athlete's participation in NCAA-qualifying MIT intercollegiate sports programs. 

• For further details, see NCAA's Frequently Asked Questions
• For information related how MIT is integrating this, see NCAA post-eligibility insurance coverage
• For more information and to file a claim, see www.posteligibilityinsurance.com 

5.  How early can varsity athletes check in to their dorms on the morning of their approved check-in day?

Students will be able to check in starting at 9 a.m. on the morning of their approved check-in day. You may not arrive any earlier than your approved check-in day.

6.  When varsity athletes arrive early for pre-season training, will they move into their permanent residence hall or will they be expected to move at the end of pre-season training?

It depends on individual circumstances. Returning upperclassmen will not be asked to move. Freshmen may move depending upon their "confirmation of housing assignment." For further information, please click on the following link: https://studentlife.mit.edu/first-year

7.  Should early returning varsity athletes bring all of their belongings for a single move or should we plan on having two move-in dates?

It is recommended that early returning student-athletes pack lightly and are prepared for pre-season training. Additional items can be shipped to campus and/or dropped off by parents after September 1.

8.  Is there air conditioning in any of the residence halls?

New House and Senior House have air conditioning.

9.  Will the dining halls be open and offering service during the Fall preseason and Winter training periods?

Dining halls at MIT are open when classes are in session. In the Fall they are typically open from the first week of September through about the third week of December. In the Winter/Spring they are typically open from about the first week of February through the end of May.

10.  Will there be any fall preseason meals provided?

Early returning fall varsity student-athletes will have access to a predetermined dining hall for lunch and dinner only when they report to campus for pre-season training.

11.  Do undergraduate students have access to on campus parking?

Yes, please click on the following link for information related to parking: http://web.mit.edu/facilities/transportation/parking/student/index.html.

12.  Can any incoming student tryout for a varsity athletic team?

Generally, the answer is yes; however, tryout opportunities vary by team. We recommend prospective MIT student-athletes who have not had contact with the coach contact the head coach directly for team specific information. Head coach contact information is available at https://mitathletics.com/staff-directory.

13.  How can I find information about hotels in the Cambridge area?

There are many hotels and a variety of accommodations in the Cambridge/Boston area. Please click on the following link to access additional information: http://institute-events.mit.edu/visit/where-to-stay.

14.  Are varsity athletic team schedules available online?

Absolutely, please go to www.mitathletics.com to access sport specific MIT varsity team schedules. (August 1 for our fall sport program, winter and spring sports will follow as the academic year begins)

15.  How can I follow the teams if I do not live in the Boston area?

Most of our sports have webcasting and live stats available. Links for these services are posted on www.mitathletics.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

16.  Can I invite an MIT team to my house for a meal, or can I pay for a team meal on the road or after a home contest?

Yes, if you are interested in providing a meal for an MIT team, we recommend you contact the Head Coach directly to discuss opportunities and details.

17.   If I am interested in supporting a varsity team by making a financial donation, what should I do?

If you are interested in making a financial donation, go to https://giving.mit.edu/explore/campus-student-life/athletics for additional information. You will be able to scroll through the giving website and find a specific team or fund.

18.  Will I be contacted if my son or daughter is sick or injured?

In recognition of your role as parent/guardian; as well as recognition of the decision-making controls related to personal information sharing afforded to your adult-child under Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), please know that we will defer to and include your child in any exchange of information with you; particularly as it relates to personal health information.  

Consistent with MIT expectations, we support the practice of (1) Confidentially communicating with students about academic, personal, and team-related matters and (2) encouraging students to share relevant information with their parent/guardian. Whenever possible, we shall wait until your child speaks with you directly, or until the they give explicit consent for us to do so. In the instance where personal health information is involved, we shall work to arrange a three-way conversation that includes your child.  

In certain circumstances, and in a manner consistent with MIT expectations, DAPER's Department Head may decide that contacting you is in the best interest of your child and/or the MIT community.

19.   Does MIT provide varsity athletic gear and equipment to team members?

Yes, varsity student-athletes receive basic gear and equipment to support their participation during the competitive season. All varsity student-athletes engage in a highly-organized gear and equipment distribution and return process. Each team meets with the MIT Equipment Room Manager to review and discuss the policies, procedures and responsibilities associated with accepting gear and equipment provided by MIT. Each team member signs an individual contract that specifically outlines items and tracking numbers distributed to them. By signing the contract each individual student-athlete agrees to accept responsibility for the items assigned to them until those items are appropriately returned at the end of the competitive season. Failure to return distributed gear and equipment in accordance with the guidelines and timelines outlined on the contract may result in a financial penalty. 

Many varsity student-athletes are given the opportunity to purchase "player packages" at their own expense. Player packages are available to student-athletes who are interested in purchasing and owning gear that does not have to be returned. Varsity student-athletes are not required to purchase player packages in order to compete on MIT varsity athletic teams.

If you have any additional questions related to the Department of Physical Education and Recreation (DAPER) or MIT varsity athletics, please access our staff directory at https://mitathletics.com/staff-directory.