Admission to WPI

Introduction

At WPI, our goal is to attract and select students who will be successful in our academic program, will take full advantage of all the university has to offer, and will enhance the WPI community. The WPI admissions staff treats every application individually, and strives to make sure our evaluation process is thorough. Selection for admission is based upon such factors as candidates' secondary school record; recommendations by counselors and teachers; standardized test scores; out-of-class activities; work experience; and leadership endeavors. All candidates are invited to submit any supplementary material which they believe will aid the Admissions Committee in evaluating their application.

Visiting the Campus

Through research and reading, you can learn a lot about a college. But the best way to determine if WPI is a good match for you is by visiting the campus. We have lots of visit options for you and your family, designed specifically to give you a firsthand look at WPI residence halls, classes, facilities, faculty, and students.

Fall Open Houses

Our fall open houses (offered each year on Columbus Day and Veteran's Day) are a great opportunity to find out everything you need to know in one day.

Campus Tours

See the campus and hear about WPI from a student perspective. Conducted Monday through Friday at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. (no appointment needed).

Information Sessions

A one-hour introduction to WPI is offered Monday through Friday at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. (no appointment needed).

Personal Interviews

A great opportunity to meet one-on-one with a member of our admissions staff. Interviews are offered by appointment only.

Lunch

If you are on campus at noontime during the week, join other visitors and a current student for lunch in one of the dining halls (prospective students eat for free).

Saturday Visits

Join us on Saturdays in the fall (no appointment needed) in mid-September to mid-December (with the exception of the Saturday after Thanksgiving) and in the spring from the end of March to the end of April, for a campus tour (9 a.m., 11 a.m., and 2 p.m.) and information session (10 a.m. and 1 p.m.).

Admissions Office Hours

8:30–5:00, Monday–Friday (8:00–4:00, mid-May through the end of August)

Holiday Schedule

The university will be closed on Labor Day, the Thanksgiving holiday (Wed-Fri), Christmas Eve through New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, and Memorial Day

Whatever option you choose, you can learn more about a campus visit by calling the Office of Admissions at +1-508-831-5286. Our receptionist and Visit Coordinator will be happy to assist you. We encourage you to also check periodically check the WPI Undergraduate Admissions Office at admissions.wpi.edu as options may change.

Admissions Requirements

WPI requires a school transcript, four years of English, four years of math (including pre-calculus), two years of lab science, recommendations from a science or math teacher and a guidance counselor, SAT or ACT scores, or alternative materials through WPI's Flex Path*, and a personal statement. For students submitting the Common Application, a supplement is required. For international students whose first language is not English, the TOEFL or IELTS exam is also required. All candidates for admission must submit a $60 application fee.

* In lieu of standardized test scores, students may choose WPI's Flex Path by submitting alternative materials that they believe will better reflect their potential for academic success at WPI. Students who choose the Flex Path are encouraged to submit examples of academic work or extracurricular projects that reflect a high level of organization, motivation, creativity, and problem-solving ability. See below.

Applying to WPI

Applicants are welcome to submit either the Common Application or our customized WPI Application; both are available online: admissions.wpi.edu/application.html. We do not preference. Please note a WPI supplement form is required for all Common Application submissions.

Although the vast majority of entering freshmen matriculate in September, WPI does admit freshmen in January. Candidates for the September term should file their application by no later than February 1. Freshman candidates for admission to the January term should file their applications by November 15.

Standardized Tests

. Freshmen candidates who wish for their test scores to be considered for admission must register to take the SAT I OR the ACT prior to the application deadline chosen. Candidates may also submit alternative materials through WPI's Flex Path option in lieu of test scores. Those who choose WPI's Flex Path may submit alternative materials that they believe will better reflect their potential for success at WPI and are encouraged to submit examples of academic work or extracurricular projects that reflect a high level of organization, motivation, creativity and problem-solving ability.

Candidates who wish to have their test scores considered can arrange to have their scores submitted directly to WPI by either the College Board or ACT. The WPI code number is 3969 for the College Board tests and 1942 for the ACT test.

Financial Aid

Students applying for financial aid should check the appropriate box on the application for admission. Financial aid candidates should submit the College Scholarship Service (CSS) PROFILE Application and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which are available online at www.collegeboard.com and www.fafsa.gov. For regular admission applicants, these forms should reach the WPI Office of Financial Aid by February 1. It is recommended that students applying for Early Action should submit the completed PROFILE to the College Scholarship Service by early November. Financial Aid is available for U.S. citizens and/or permanent residents of the U.S. A limited amount of need-based financial aid is available for International Students which is administered through the WPI Admissions Office. In order to apply for need based assistance, international students need to complete the Foreign Student Financial Aid Application which may be obtained at the WPI Office of Admissions or online at Financial Aid website.

Application Fee

A $60 application fee is required for all applicants. WPI endorses the fee waiver policy of the College Entrance Examination Board.

Notification

All candidates for admission will receive an acknowledgment of the receipt of their application. Should applicants fail to receive this acknowledgment within four weeks, they are encouraged to check with their high school guidance office or the Office of Admissions at WPI. Admissions decisions will be mailed to all applicants no later than April 1.

Decision to Matriculate

Accepted candidates must inform the college by May 1, the candidates' common reply date, of their decision to matriculate by returning a $500 non-refundable tuition deposit along with the Enrollment Form.

Early Action

Students may apply to WPI early and receive early notification of their admissions decision under the Early Action plan. The plan is as follows:

1. Candidates should check an Early Action box on the application.
2. The completed application for admission must be submitted by November 10 for Round 1, or by January 1 for Round 2.
3. The Admissions Committee will review all early action applications and notify all candidates of their decisions by December 10 for Round 1 or by February 10 for Round 2. Early action is a non-binding admissions plan. Accepted students have until May 1 to submit a $500 non-refundable tuition deposit.
4. Admitted early action candidates who are applying for financial aid will receive notification regarding eligibility for aid soon after their financial aid forms are submitted and complete.

Advanced Placement

WPI awards credit to students who score a score a "4" or "5" on the Advanced Placement Examinations. The Director of Academic Advising will notify such students of their earned credit by mail to the home address during early August. You can visit the Academic Advising web site for a complete list of AP credits for exams taken or call +1-508-831-5381.

Humanities

The Humanities and Arts Department will accept a maximum of 1/3 unit of AP credit towards the Humanities and Arts requirement. Students who score a 4 or 5 on the AP test in German or Spanish automatically receive 1/3 unit of credit in the language, provided they do not begin German or Spanish study at WPI with Elementary German I (GN 1511) or Elementary Spanish II (SP 1523). Students who score a 4 or 5 on the AP test in studio art may be eligible for HUA credit, subject to a portfolio review by art faculty. Students who score a 4 or 5 on the AP test in other subject areas of the humanities and arts will receive credit in the relevant discipline. AP credit beyond one course (1/3 unit) in the Humanities and Arts may be counted toward other requirements such as free elective credit or particular majors and minors at WPI.

Computer Science

Advanced placement in computer science can be earned by scoring a "4" or "5" on the CS exam. Credit for CS 1000 is granted for the A computer science exam; credit for an additional 1000-level course is granted for a score of "4" or "5" on the AB exam.

Natural Sciences

Students who pass the advanced placement test in Biology or Physics B with a "4 or 5" will be awarded 1/3 unit of advanced placement credit. This credit will show on the transcript as "L". For students who score "4 or 5" in Physics C (Mechanics) will be awarded 1/3 credit in Physics 1110/ 1111. Students who score "4 or 5" in Physics C (Electricity and Magnetism) will be awarded 1/3 advanced placement credit for Physics 1120/1121. For those students who pass Physics B will be awarded 1/3 credit in Physics 1000. Students who score 4/5 on the Chemistry Advanced Placement Examination or 6/7 on the Chemistry International Baccalaureate Exam are automatically awarded 1/3 unit of credit for CH 1010. In addition, any student can earn credit for the general chemistry courses, CH 1010-1040, by achieving scores of 70 or better on course-specific examinations offered by the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. Exams must be taken in the order in which the courses are offered, and a student may not take any exam past the first failed exam. For example, a student who passes the CH 1010 exam but fails the CH 1020 exam is not eligible to take the CH 1030 exam. This student will receive credit for CH 1010 only. Students who receive AP or IB credit for CH 1010 are eligible to take the CH 1020 exam without having first passed the CH 1010 exam. Note this policy applies only to WPI students.

Mathematics

Students who pass the AB mathematics examination with a "4" or "5" will be awarded 2/3 unit of advanced placement credit for MA 1021 and MA 1022. Students with a "4" or "5" on the advanced placement BC exam will be awarded 1 unit advanced placement credit for MA 1021, MA 1022 and MA 1023.

In the four-course 1021-1024 mathematics sequence, students who arrive at WPI with a one-year high school calculus course, prepared to start with the second (or third) course in the WPI sequence, and who successfully pass that course and the one that follows it in sequence, will be considered to have established advanced placement credit for the first one (or two) courses. To qualify for the credit, the advanced WPI courses must be passed the first time in sequence in A- and B-term of the student's first year. The courses credited retroactively will be listed by number without an assigned grade and will count toward the distribution requirement in mathematics.

Transfer students are not eligible to obtain math credit under this policy.

Project Lead the Way (PLTW)

WPI awards credit to students who completed a PLTW course in a PLTW-certified high school, received a minimum of a "B" in the course, and scored 70% or higher on the PLTW college credit exam. WPI also honors PLTW transfer credits from other PLTW University Affiliates (RIT, NHTI, etc.). Please visit the WPI Project Lead The Way web site (wpi.edu/academics/k12/pltw.html) for more information and to apply for credit. The K-12 Outreach Program Manager will notify students of their earned credit.

New Student Orientation

During the week prior to classes, the Campus Center and Student Activities Department coordinates a comprehensive new student orientation program for all first-year and transfer students. New student orientation provides an introduction to the WPI experience, ranging from academic work and expectations and project-based education, to student life and campus activities. Led by upperclass student team leaders and faculty advisors, new students to WPI attend team meetings that are designed to familiarize them with the overall campus environment.

Readmission

Students who were formerly at WPI but left before completing undergraduate study, and now wish to apply for readmission, should contact the Registrar's Office for information and forms. Completed readmission forms must be received by WPI no later than the following due dates in order to be acted upon for entrance in the indicated term:

July 15 for Term A
November 15 for Term C

If possible, candidates should also plan on an interview with the Director of Academic Advising and with a departmental consultant in their intended major area of study prior to filing the readmission form.

Transfer Students

The WPI Plan provides some advantages that are particularly attractive for transfer students. Transfer applicants should furnish official transcript(s), an autobiographical statement and Math/Science teacher recommendations in addition to the application for admission. The priority deadline for receipt of applications for entrance in September is April 15. The deadline for admission for January entrance is November 15. Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications as early as possible.

A minimum of eight units must be completed satisfactorily in residence at WPI. (It is anticipated the normal residence at WPI will be 16 terms.)

Transfer Agreement

WPI currently holds formal articulation agreements with specified programs of study at Bristol Community College, Mass Bay Community College, and Quinsigamond Community College. However, WPI will grant appropriate transfer credit on a case-by-case basis from any properly-accredited two-year or four-year institution.

Humanities and Art Requirement for Transfer Students

All transfer students should review their humanities and arts record and plan with the Humanities and Arts Department's coordinator for transfer students (J. Hanlan - SL23), who will determine for students the transfer credit applicable towards the Humanities and Arts Requirement.

All transfer students entering WPI with fewer than two units of humanities and arts credit must complete thematically related work in humanities and arts at WPI, including an inquiry seminar or practicum to the extent that the overall humanities and arts credit totals two units. The Humanities and Arts Requirement is considered fulfilled for transfer students who have completed the equivalent of two units of humanities and arts work prior to their matriculation at WPI.

A Completion of Degree Requirement form must be submitted once the Humanities and Arts degree requirement has been satisfied.

Transfer students who have satisfied the Humanities and Arts degree requirement based on work completed at another school and who submit the Completion of Degree Requirement form as part of the transfer-credit posting process will have the Completion of Degree Requirement form and grade recorded without a fee. This process will normally take place prior to or during the first term of full-time enrollment at WPI.

International Students

The presence of international students serves as a means of strengthening the knowledge and understanding of foreign countries and cultures and is highly encouraged and supported at WPI. Programs and support services for international students and exchange programs are given high priority. As an institution of higher learning, WPI is dedicated to international education.

In addition to the standardized tests listed above, international applicants must provide proof of English language proficiency. English language proficiency may be demonstrated by the official results of:

• TOEFL (Test of English as a Second Language)-Minimum score: 550 (213 electronic form or 79 internet based)
• IELTS (International English Language Testing System) 6.5 or higher with no band below 6.0.

International students whose score results are less than those above may still be conditionally admitted, with required attendance at WPI's English as a Second Language Program during the summer prior to enrollment.

The English as a Second Language (ESL) Program

The ESL Summer Institute is an intensive five-week non-credit course of study in English for specific purposes for conditionally- admitted international students and others whose first language is not English. This ESL program is designed to help prepare these international students for regular courses in engineering, science and technology before the regular academic year begins. A second intake is available for international students who desire only a head-start in preparation for such courses before the academic year begins.

For students who need additional support during the regular academic year, the ESL Seminar, a tutorial course designed to help the student further strengthen linguistic skills, is offered.

During the regular academic year, ESL for Spouses is a noncredit course offered to interested partners accompanying WPI students and professors.