Architecture Grad Student at MIT - I'd love to show you around!
Hey there! I'm an MIT grad student, designer, urban researcher, and futurist with a special interest in regenerative urban design through the lens of systems ecology. Coming to MIT was a lifelong dream of mine, and I'm still beyond excited to be able to walk the corridors of campus every day and immerse myself in the MIT culture. I'd love to be able to share some of that excitement with you! (Degree program: SMArchS Urbanism)
About me
- GenderMale
- Current academic yearGraduate student
- Age27
- Admission typeAdmitted as a freshman
- Academic focusArchitecture/Design
- Personality typeSomewhat extroverted
- College experience ratingAmazing
Tour type
- Campus tour
- Video chat
Hometown
Phoenix, AZ, USA
Major(s)
Master of Science in Architecture Studies (Urbanism concentration)
Extracurriculars activities
- Greek life
- Club/Organization
- Job/Internship
- ROTC
- NCAA varsity sport
- Recreational sport
- Student government
- Community service
- Religious/Cultural group
- Art/Music/Performance
- Study abroad
- Other
Housing experience
- Dorm
- Off-campus house or apartment
- Fraternity or sorority house
- Home (Commuter)
- Other
Describe your college experience
MIT is an institution unlike any other - every person you meet is brimming with ambition, working on unbelievable projects, and excited to . From my time at MIT, I've made amazing friends and my future co-founders. I've also had the chance to break out of my architectural background and collaborate with faculty and peers across a range of backgrounds, such as ecologists, design engineers, environmental psychologists, and UNDP leaders.
Tip for future students
MIT is famous for the phrase "drinking from the firehose," and it's no exaggeration! Attending MIT has been the most intense and demanding experience of my life, and I wish I had been more mentally prepared at the beginning. Once you get used to the demand, though, the experience is incredible!
Favorite class
Contemporary Urbanism Proseminar - this class is a combination of an intensive research seminar with 100s of pages of readings per week, and all the while, you're tasked with producing a series of drawings about an urban condition you deeply care about, which can serve as the foundation of future research work. The work from that class served as the foundation for my current work on my thesis!
Career goals
I'm currently in the process of co-founding a climate tech startup, which I hope will be able to become my full-time job after graduating!
Ideal way to spend a free night
It's easy to get caught in the work demands of your classes, but on a free night, MIT has plenty of fun free on-campus events. It's also a short (and beautiful) walk across the Charles River to Boston proper, which offers great nightlife options.
High school or secondary school
High School - Ironwood High School, Glendale, AZ Bachelor's - University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Previous college
N/A
Meeting point
Alchemist by Jaume Plensa Statue on the Massachusetts Institute of Technology campus
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Sam Owen is a designer, urban researcher, and time traveler with a special interest in regenerative urban design through the lens of systems ecology. As a candidate in…
Sam Owen is a designer, urban researcher, and time traveler with a special interest in regenerative urban design through the lens of systems ecology. As a candidate in…