MIT undergraduate students, graduate students, and post-docs affiliated with BE are welcome to make an appointment with the Communication Lab. We’ll support your communication work by having conversations with you about high-level principles like audience, structure, and message, rather than focusing on line-editing or grammar. We are particularly strong at brainstorming and outlining, and encourage you to include the lab in your process as early as you can so that you get the most out of the experience.
Option 1: Use our online scheduling system
The first time you use the system linked above, you will need to register. You will then be able to see all of the Fellows’ available times and pick one that will work best for you.
Appointments must be made 24 hours in advance.
Option 2: Contact the BE Communication Lab Manager
If none of the Fellows’ times work for you, or you want guidance figuring out which Fellow would be a good match, contact us. Let us know what you’re working on and when it’s due. We’ll help you get the coaching you need to meet your deadline.
Option 3: Contact a Fellow directly
Check out Fellow bios to see if there is a particular Fellow whose background may be a good match for you.
Communication Lab Policies
Who can use the Biological Engineering Communication Lab?
- The Biological Engineering Communication Lab’s services are free and available to anyone who is in the Biological Engineering Department, affiliated with a Department lab, or taking a Department class. If you are not sure whether you are eligible, please contact the Communication Lab Manager to inquire.
- If you are not in Biological Engineering, check whether your Course has a Communication Lab available here.
How do Communication Lab sessions work?
- When a client uses the Comm Lab, neither the content discussed nor the fact that the appointment took place is shared beyond the Comm Lab (except as required to give credit within a class).
- Sessions can be no longer than 60 minutes.
- All coaching sessions must take place in public locations such as the Communication Lab, a café, or the library.
- Cancellations must be made at least 3 hours in advance (preferably 24 hours in advance, to respect Fellows’ time). Otherwise, they will be counted as missed appointments.
- If a client misses three appointments, they will not be able to take advantage of the Communication Lab during the following four months.
What can and can’t I expect Communication Fellows to do?
- Fellows will have conversations with clients about their work. Fellows may use video chat, phone, or other media options to have such conversations.
- Fellows do not provide written feedback.
- Fellows are not obligated to read client documents or otherwise prepare before sessions. If you plan to work on a longer document in one session, think in advance about which specific sections or elements would be most helpful for you to focus on during your session.
- Fellows are not available for private hiring or contract work, and will not accept gifts from clients.
- Fellows do not replace TAs, course instructors, or S3 counselors.
Accessibility
- If you would like to discuss any disability accommodations prior to making a Communication Lab appointment, please contact the Communication Lab manager.
Additional communication consultation resources at MIT
The MIT Writing and Communication Center also offers one-on-one communication consultation on written and oral communication, provided by MIT lecturers who are published writers and experienced teachers. Their services include specialized support for English Language Learners.