To-Do Before You Arrive

Welcome to WPI. Though you won’t be arriving on campus until the fall, there’s plenty you can do now to start your WPI career off right. Use this site to customize a to-do list of tasks that will help you get ready to join us on campus. From this page you can:

Create your WPI computer account that will help you connect to all that WPI has to offer you
Submit your housing request form and familiarize yourself with the course registration process
Print or email your custom checklist to yourself or someone assisting you
And learn about much more

If you have questions or concerns as you work through your list, please contact the Office for the First Year at +1-508-831-6462 welcome@wpi.edu.

How to Get Started as a WPI Student

If you have questions or concerns as you work through your list, please contact the Office for the First Year at +1-508-831-6462 or welcome@wpi.edu.

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Office for the First Year
100 Institute Road
Worcester, MA 01609
Phone: +1-508-831-6462
welcome@wpi.edu
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Your computer and email account are critical to your connection to resources at WPI. Be sure to create yours as soon as possible (account creation begins in mid-May).

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If you haven't already set up your WPI computer accounts, you should create them as soon as possible. Account creation begins in mid-May at which time you will receive an email to the email address listed on your application to WPI containing your username and PIN. Important information is sent to your WPI email address during the summer, and your accounts are your connection to campus. Contact the WPI Helpdesk at helpdesk@wpi.edu if you have trouble creating or accessing your accounts. You'll see WPI's Web Information System referred to as BannerWeb or http://bannerweb.wpi.edu.

We have housing for you, so make sure to submit the housing request form by June 1. You will also make your meal plan selection on the housing form.

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In order to confirm housing for your first year, you must complete the housing request form which helps us find a roommate match for you. Don't worry, housing is guaranteed, but be sure to submit the form no later than June 1! As part of the housing form, you'll need to select your meal plan. Living on campus can be a rich and rewarding part of your first year experience at WPI, and we are excited to welcome you to the residence halls.

Which meal plan is right for you? Learn more about the dining options on campus.

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There are a variety of dining options and meal plans at WPI, so you should review the options to choose the one that best fits your preferences and lifestyle. You'll make the selection of your meal plan on the housing request form.

Even though you aren't living on campus, you'll likely want to eat here. Learn about and select a meal plan.

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Commuting students are not required to have a meal plan, but you may find it convenient to have the flexibility to dine on campus when and where you want with a meal plan. You should review the options to help decide if you’ll want a meal plan and which one.

In order to create your WPI ID card, we'll need a photo of you. It should be emailed to idphotos@wpi.edu from your WPI email.

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You need a WPI ID Card to access buildings, dine, get mail, and use the library. Please send a headshot (similar to a passport photo) to idphotos@wpi.edu from your WPI email. Photos should be well-lit and have a solid background, preferably white. Stores such as CVS and Walgreens provide this service.

You will need an I-20 form in order to obtain your visa for entry to the United States. Please review the necessary steps to obtain your I-20.

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In order to obtain an I-20 form, you must submit an original Certification of Finances form demonstrating your ability to finance your first year of study at WPI. You should also indicate how you will meet your expenses for subsequent years of study. After the Certification of Finances form has been received and reviewed by the Office of Admissions, your I-20 form will be issued. The I-20 will be sent by DHL (if you are living outside of the United States) to the address supplied on your application for admission.

To request any accomodations in or out of the classroom you will need complete our voluntary disclosure form.

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WPI offers services for students with disabilities who would like to be considered for reasonable accommodations. You must submit documentation verifying the disability as well as a voluntary disclosure form.

Find more information about forms for international students here.

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After the Certification of Finances form has been received and reviewed by the Office of Admissions, your I–20 form will be issued. The I–20 will be sent by DHL (if you are living outside the United States) to the address supplied on your application for admission.

Select your classes for A & B Terms. Registration opens June 3.

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Beginning June 3 you'll be able to begin course registration for A & B Terms at WPI. The Office of Academic Advising has created a special website, Designs to guide you through the course selection and registration process. Be sure to select your courses by July 1 in order for the Office of Academic Advising to be able to review and confirm your course schedule. With any questions, visit Designs or contact the Office of Academic Advising at academic-advising@wpi.edu or 508-831-5381.

To ensure you are enrolled in the appropriate math course, you should take the math placement exam.

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Studies show that students who take the exam and follow the placement recommendation do better than students who don't take the exam or students who don't follow the recommendation - even the ones who opt for an earlier course in the sequence. The link to the exam is on the Designs website.

!All students are required to submit several health forms through our secure online portal. Login to the portal through Student Health Services.

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Before enrolling you must complete and submit health forms that includes your medical history, immunization records, and physical examination record. These forms should be submitted no later than July 1.

In order to enter the United States, you must have a valid visa. We've prepared more information about the process for you to review.

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You must have a visa to enter the United States for full-time undergraduate study. Most students apply for an F-1 student visa in their home countries. Please inform the WPI Office of Admissions of your visa type. Before you apply for an F-1 student visa, you must obtain an I-20 form from Admissions. Please allow several weeks to complete this visa application process.

Tuition bills are due August 1. Learn more about billing and payments.

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WPI does not mail paper bills, and you will receive information at your WPI email address in early July with details regarding the WPI e-Bill system. Once you login to your account, you can provide your parents/guardians with account access.

Learn more about bill payment options and plans.

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You can also find details on tuition payment options through the e-Bill system. WPI works in conjunction with Tuition Management Systems to provide monthly payment option plans for families.

You must submit your final high school transcript to the Admissions Office before enrolling and beginning classes.

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Your offer of admission and enrollment is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of your senior year, so your final high school transcript must be sent to the Admissions Office directly from your high school following graduation. Contact the Admissions Office at admissions@wpi.edu or 508-831-5286 with any questions.

All students are required to have health insurance coverage. Learn more about this requirement and plan options.

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You must provide proof of adequate health insurance by completing a waiver and enrollment form. If you are no longer covered by a family plan, WPI makes an insurance plan available through Student Resources that provides coverage for major medical expenses. Massachusetts also provides information via the Massachusetts Qualifying Student Health Insurance Program (QSHIP).

Arrive on campus— and move in—on August 21. All international students should plan to attend the pre-orientation (August 22–24) and New Student Orientation (August 25-28).

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If the timing of your flights has you at WPI before August 21, please contact ih@wpi.edu.

The countdown is on! Move in day and the start of New Student Orientation (NSO) is August 25. We're preparing for your arrival and have all of the details for you to do the same.

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Mark your calendar: Sunday, August 25 is your arrival date at WPI! We will be ready and waiting for you at 9 a.m. (no earlier, please). Members of WPI fraternities and sororities will be here to assist with unloading and carrying your items. Please label your belongings clearly with your name/room number. After moving in and registering, we will direct you to the day's activities and events.

Everything leads up to your arrival on campus and New Student Orientation. We have details on orientation and more will be added throughout the summer.

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New Student Orientation is the kickoff of your college career at WPI! NSO combines fun activities to get to know your classmates and the campus and its history and traditions with important informational sessions about your academic, social, and extracurricular life at WPI. NSO will help you acclimate to campus and ease into college life. The schedule of events for NSO will be provided when you arrive, but an advance look will be available on the NSO website during the summer.

To receive mail or packages on campus, you'll need to know your WPI mailbox number.

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WPI Mail Services is located in the Campus Center, lower level. You will be assigned a mailbox to be used for all four years. Get yours by logging into the Web Information System (also known as BannerWeb). Any packages mailed prior to the start of New Student Orientation can be picked upon Sunday, August 19. You must show your student ID. Mail and packages should be sent to
YOUR NAME (as it appears on your WPI ID)
WPI Mailbox # (as assigned to you)
100 Institute Road
Worcester, MA 01609-2280

You'll need books for all of your courses—find out which ones on the bookstore website.

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The campus bookstore will have all of the books you need for your courses at WPI. You can purchase them online or wait until you arrive on campus. The bookstore is open weekdays during the summer.

As an incoming transfer student, we know you will have specific questions about your arrival and transition; portions of New Student Orientation will go over the details.

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In addition to fully participating in New Student Orientation, transfer students are invited to a special event just before classes begin. Attendance is not required, but many students take advantage of this additional chance for personalized attention as you meet with department representatives to review course selections and your overall academic program.

Check your email: http://exchange.wpi.edu.

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Once you have your WPI accounts, you also have your WPI email address. Important details about course registration, billing, and other information will be sent to this address over the summer. Login to check your email at http://exchange.wpi.edu

Receive credit for scores on AP or IB exams.

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Your hard work in AP and IB courses is about to be rewarded (again)! WPI awards credit for all scores of 4 or 5 on Advanced Placement exams and scores of 6 or 7 on higher level International Baccalaureate exams. Send your AP or IB test scores to the Academic Advising Office as soon as you receive them.

Receive transfer credit for prior college coursework.

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To ensure you receive transfer credit, you must have your college transcripts sent to the Admissions Office. You will receive a letter informing you of transfer credit awarded.

Your required health fee, a line item on your fall and spring tuition bills, covers all services from the Student Development and Counseling Center and the Health Center.

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The required Student Health Fee, a line item on your fall and spring tuition bills, covers all services directly available at the WPI Health Services and Student Development and Counseling Office.

If you have applied for or received Financial Aid and have questions, you should be in touch with the Financial Aid Office directly.

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If you are receiving need-based financial aid or private loans, you will want to stay in contact with the Office of Financial Aid (finaid@wpi.edu) to assure all documentation is complete and requirements are met. Meeting financial aid deadlines is essential so as not to delay the distribution of funds. The Financial Aid website also has detailed information.

Several local banks will have representatives at the New Student Orientation to learn more about your options.

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You may want to sign up for a banking account if you don't already have one. A TD Bank ATM is located on campus in the Campus Center. The ATM is available for withdrawals only. In addition, there are several banks and ATMs including Bank of America and Sovereign within walking distance of campus.

Nearly all students bring a computer to campus, but how do you know what is right for you? Read about our suggestions for computers.

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You don't have to bring a computer to campus, but nearly all students do. What computer you bring is up to you—desktop, laptop, PC or Mac—but we do have some suggested minimum specifications and guidelines. In addition to your own computer, our computer labs house hundreds of computers, and laptops are available for short term loan from the library or the Academic Technology Center.

As a commuter, you should submit a request to obtain a parking permit to park your car while on campus.

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Commuter students may register their vehicles with Campus Police and receive a decal for on-campus parking.

Residential first year students are not permitted to park cars on campus. Contact Campus Police with any questions.

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First year students residing on campus may not park on campus unless extenuating circumstances exist. For consideration, contact WPI Police in writing before arriving on campus: WPI Police Chief, 100 Institute Road, Worcester, MA 01609.

You may purchase a copy of the New Student Record to get to know your classmates. Whether or not you do, we suggest submitting a photo and information about yourself.

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The New Student Record is sponsored by WPI's Interfraternity and Panhellenic councils and contains information about the WPI Greek Community, in addition to photographs of your classmates in the Class of 2017. You will receive information from Herff-Jones, publisher of the New Student Record, on how to include your picture in the book and purchase a copy. Most students find this a great way to identify their fellow classmates, so we encourage you to send a photo, even if you do not wish to purchase a book.

While you are on campus, we stay in touch with your parents through the WPI Parents Page and the Parents and Friends Newsletter.

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We hope you will stay in touch with your parents regularly while at WPI, and we will too. One of the best resources for parents is the Parents website.

During orientation we'll have a welcome reception for Class of 2017 women on campus. More information about the reception will be available during the summer.

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All new women students are invited to a welcome reception during the beginning of the support you will receive while at WPI. Our programs touch on academic support, social issues, health maintenance or improvement, empowerment, safety, career advancement, mentoring, and more. For more information, please visit the Office of Multicultural Affairs.

Over the summer underrepresented students will receive an invitation to join the Connections program.

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Underrepresented minority students will receive an invitation to join Connections. Connections Orientation runs for a week prior to New Student Orientation.

Planning to play a varsity sport? You'll need to get in touch with the coach before arriving on campus.

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If you plan to play or try out for a varsity sports team, be sure to contact the coach directly in order to discuss timing and requirements. Any students interested in trying out for varsity sports need to be medically cleared prior to the tryout. Some students participating in fall athletics may need to arrive before the start of New Student Orientation.

Many students participate in club and intramural sports. Learn more about these athletic opportunities.

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Many club sports and intramural sports are offered at WPI, and little to no experience is necessary to participate. You can learn more about club sports or intramurals on the web and at the activities fair during New Student Orientation.

Musical groups are a large part of campus. Read about the details of becoming or staying involved with music.

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If you plan to be involved with music at WPI, you should bring your instrument with you. We have many musical and vocal groups in which you can participate.

For more information about the Pep Band and to join, email pepoff@wpi.edu.

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If you plan to be involved with music at WPI, you should bring your instrument with you. We have many musical and vocal groups in which you can participate. We also have a Pep Band—there is no experience necessary to join and perform at all football and basketball games. If you're interested, contact pepoff@wpi.edu before July 15. You will need to arrive a few days before New Student Orientation.

Before arriving as a transfer student, you will want to attend Transfer Advising Day.

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To answer all your questions and concerns about transferring to WPI, we offer Transfer Advising Day during the summer. You will get a chance to meet with a faculty advisor from your choice of major for feedback on course selections and to help plan your academic program. The schedule will also include a WPI academic overview, financial aid information sessions, and a campus tour. You will be contacted with a specific date during the summer.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

To-Do Before You Arrive

How to Get Started as a WPI Student

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Browse by topic:

Contact

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Arrival & Move-In

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