Charles O. Thompson Scholar Outstanding Member of the Class

Charles O. Thompson Scholar, named in honor of WPI’s first president, recognizes outstanding performance by first year students (first year admitted and transfer students).  To be eligible for this award, students must receive all A’s and B’s with a minimum of six A’s, in their academic subjects during their first three terms at WPI. 

As a Charles O. Thompson Scholar, students are eligible to compete for a summer research, design, or creative activity fellowship support award as the Outstanding New Student.  Students write short essays telling us about themselves and why they should be selected as the outstanding member of their class.  They share their motivation for undertaking a project involving research, design, and creative activity; discuss how they anticipate this project will influence their career trajectory; and articulate the reasons they believe they are a deserving candidate for this award.