First-Year Students

Greetings Class of 2028!

We are thrilled that you will be joining the WPI community for your collegiate career! 

The majority of first-year housing will be in double and triple occupancy rooms.

Students who choose not to find a roommate, forming a group of one, will not be guaranteed a single room. There are a finite number of single bedrooms in on campus housing, and groups of one often select into larger spaces with other groups of one.

Information about the first-year housing selection process will be detailed below.

Preview

Spring flowering trees on campus

Housing for First-Year Students

Accepted Students Day Video

At WPI, life on campus begins in our residence halls. It won't feel exactly like home, though in some ways it will be even better.

Research shows nation-wide that living on campus in the first year of college can positively impact a student's ability to make connections with other students, take advantage of academic resources, and become involved in campus life.  Additionally, students who live on campus in their first & second year graduate at a higher rate than those who do not.

Typical first-year residence halls include:

Note: Upper level students (sophomores, juniors, and seniors) and graduate students may not live in first year residence halls.

 

Timeline for First-Year Housing Selection for 2023-2024

How to Submit an Application
  • Application Opens – Wednesday, May 15
  • Application Deadline for Black Excellence/Lavender Lan Communities (if interested, please email housing@wpi.edu) - June 15
  • Accommodated Documentation Deadline to the Office of Accessibility Services – June 15
  • Application Closes – June 30 at 11:59pm
  • Selection Times Sent – Week of July 4 
  • Housing Selection Week – July 8-12
  • Select Meal Plans by July 19

Policies and Contracts

Before completing the Housing Application, please ensure that you have read the Housing & Dining Contract and the Residence Hall Policies.

   

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Group Leader?

The Group Leader is the person chosen by the group to select housing for the entire group. This should be someone the entire group trusts to make housing decisions for everyone.

Who can make groups?

Any full-time enrolled WPI student that is class of 2028 must make a group to participate in housing selection, even if it is a group of one.

How do I find a roommate?

There are a few different ways that first year students can find roommates, including:

  • Roommate Meet & Greets – The Housing & Residential Experience Center will be hosting virtual meet and greets to give first-year students the chance to get to know each other and hopefully find a roommate.
  • First-Year Welcome Experience – Offered both in person and virtually, these sessions are a great opportunity for first-year students to meet one another and learn about the different resources and opportunities WPI has to offer.
  • StarRez - Within the housing portal, students will be able to complete a brief lifestyle questionnaire. Your responses will be visible to other students and StarRez will provide a percentage of compatibility based on how similarly you answered your questions.
  • Discord - Using your WPI ID from your application, you now have access to the official class of 2028 discord server where you can meet and chat with other admitted students.
Do I have to have a meal plan?

A RESIDENTIAL meal plan is REQUIRED for all first year students.

What does it mean to sign a housing contract and when does my housing contract become binding?

In order to participate in the housing selection process, everyone must sign a housing contract.

The housing contract becomes binding when a group leader selects housing for the housing group or a student is assigned housing by a Housing & Residential Experience Center staff member at the student request.

What if my group leader doesn’t select housing during the assigned time window?

If your group leader does not select housing during the assigned time window, then the group members will be given an assignment by Housing & Residential Experience Center staff from the available rooms once the selection process is complete.

What if a group member decides not to attend WPI? (before or after selection)

If a member of your verified group decides not to attend WPI:

Before Selection - The student will be removed from the housing group and if times have already been assigned, the group will be assigned a new time with the new housing group size

After Selection - The student will be removed from the assignment and the vacated space will be filled by another student

How do I secure WPI housing if I am a transfer student?

If you are a transfer student, once you receive your WPI credentials, you can access the Housing Selection Portal and complete the waitlist application. 

Please email housing@wpi.edu if you have any questions.

Why should I have back up plans?

You should create a few different plans for your housing just in case the room or building you want is not available when your group leader logs in to select housing.

Please Note:

There is no incentive to completing the application earlier than others. It is only important that you complete an application and create or join a roommate group before the application closes on June 30. All roommate groups will be assigned random housing selection times after the application closes. Documentation for accommodated housing is due to the Office of Accessibility Services no later than June 14. 

Preview

Tips and Tricks

Before you move into campus housing, our the Housing & Residential Experience Center team recommends that first year students complete some of the following tasks, so they can acclimate to their new independence when they arrive at WPI. 

 

  • Order food for delivery or pickup on the phone. 

  • Schedule a haircut or other appointment on the phone. 

  • Speak to a cashier when checking out of a store and ask them how their day is going. 

  • Do your own laundry - sort laundry into manageable loads, wash and dry it. 

  • Manage your own personal hygiene routine. 

  • Find nourishing snacks that you enjoy and learn how to prepare them or purchase close to WPI. 

  • Make a list of activities you like to do that help you relax and refocus. 

  • Think about how you would introduce yourself and make friends with new people. 

  • Identify “must haves” and expectations you follow in your living space. 

  • Start to identify the physical and emotional ways you react to stressful situations. Talk with a family member or friend and ask them how they know when you are stressed and what they notice about you in these moments. 

  • Talk to a friend about a time you have a disagreement and how you worked together to resolve the situation. 

Resident Advisors

Resident Advisors, or RAs, are responsible for residents in a particular section or floor of a residence hall––and are a great resource for first-year students. They contribute a great deal to the residential living experience at WPI, assisting with social or personal concerns, answering questions about the campus, explaining and enforcing WPI policies, responding to emergency situations, submitting work order requests, and are available when help is needed for any reason.