Worcester Polytechnic Institute

United States of America

Worcester Polytechnic History

Worcester Polytechnic Institute is situated in Worcester, Massachusetts. The institute was founded in the year 1865. The Worcester Polytechnic Institute started with the aim of bringing in advancement in science and engineering that would be fruitful to the society and people at large. It is one of the oldest technical institutes and was founded during the American Industrial Revolution. The Worcester Polytechnic Institute history is more about the achievements and the discoveries. 

Worcester Polytechnic Institute Programs and Courses

Worcester Polytechnic Institute programs and courses are very popular and attract a huge number of applications every year. The unique structure of Worcester Polytechnic Institute Programs and Courses prepares the students to confront challenges and be innovative. 

Bachelor courses include:

• Actuarial Mathematics
• Aerospace engineering
• Applied physics
• Architectural engineering
• Biochemistry
• Bioinformatics and computational biology
• Biomedical engineering
• Business
• Chemistry
• Civil engineering
• Computer science
• Data science
• Economics
• Electrical and computer engineering
• Environmental and sustainable studies
• Environmental engineering
• Humanities and arts
• Industrial engineering
• International and global studies
• Liberal arts and engineering
• Management engineering
• Mechanical engineering
• Physics
• Psychology
• Robotics engineering
• Society, technology and policy

To know about the various Masters, PhD and online courses, click here: https://www.wpi.edu/academics/study 

Worcester Polytechnic Institute Achievements and Ranking

Worcester Polytechnic institute Rankings according to the U.S.News and World Report are as follows:

• 63 ranking in best colleges in the National University
• 57 ranking in most-innovative school
• 63 ranking in best undergraduate engineering program
• 86 ranking in best-value school
• Classified as R2 Research Institute for its extraordinary research activity.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute USP

Worcester Polytechnic Institute USP is known for its academic excellence in science and technology. The institute’s unique course structure has been beneficial to the students in shaping their career. The institute has its project-based curriculum that corroborates both theory and practice. It offers a variety of courses in science, engineering, management, liberals arts and humanities, and business.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute Notable Alumni

Worcester Polytechnic Institute Notable Alumni include many big names with outstanding achievements and bringing laurels to the institute:

• Elwood Haynes (renowned chemist and inventor)
• William Hobbs (geologist)
• Lawrence C. Jones (Veteran Attorney General)
• Robert H. Goddard ( Father of modern rocketry)
• Richard T. Witcomb ( aeronautical engineer)
• Dean Kamen (invented the first portable insulin pump and started DEKA)
• Gilbert Verman (inauguration of modern cryptography)
• Naveen Selvadurai (co-founder of Foursquare)

Worcester Polytechnic Institute Infrastructure and Services

Campuses

Worcester Polytechnic Institute Campus is situated in Worcester, Massachusetts. The campus is set up on Boynton Hill and is surrounded by various restaurants and stores on Highland Street. Worcester Polytechnic Institute campus is located in the second largest city of New England which is about 40 miles away from Boston city. 

Libraries

Worcester Polytechnic Institute library is named as the George C. Gordon Library. The library is known to have various historic works, research papers, journals and an amazing collection of books. Normal academic hours this Term for to work and study are from 8 am to 1 am Monday through Thursday, from 11 am to 9 pm on Saturday, and from 11 am to 1 am on Sunday. The Worcester Polytechnic Institute Library has high-end technology that makes accessing various books and materials easy. The library also organizes de-stress programs twice in a week. To know more about the library services, click here: https://libguides.wpi.edu/LibraryServices 

Housing services

The Residential Services Office of the Worcester Polytechnic Institute takes the responsibility of the housing services. The Worcester Polytechnic Institute Housing services work with an objective to provide the students with residence and also at the same time develop within them a feeling of community. There are residential halls, apartments, and campus houses. 

Residential halls include:

• Daniels Hall
• East Hall
• Faraday Hall
• Founders Hall
• Hampton Inn
• Institute Hall
• Messenger Hall
• Morgan Hall
• Sanford Riley Hall
• Stoddard Complex
• WPI Townhouses

Apartments include:

• Ellsworth Apartments
• Fuller Apartments

Campus houses include:

• Cedar House A
• Cedar House B
• Elbridge House
• Fruit House
• Hackfeld House
• Marston House A
• Marston House B
• Oak House
• Schussler House
• Sever House
• Trowbridge House
• Wachusett House
• West House
• William House

To know more about the services, click on the link: https://www.wpi.edu/offices/bursar/tuition

Medical services

The Worcester Polytechnic Institute Medical services provide multi-faceted services to the students and staff of the institute. The staff consists of medical practitioners, nurses, physicians. The services include:

• Diagnosis and treatment of illnesses
• Evaluation and treatment of injuries
• Immunization clinics
• Referral services
• Sports medicine

The Worcester Polytechnic Institute Medical services fee is paid by all full time undergraduate students and covers all services. A student can waive the student health insurance plan but will still pay the health fee and have access to Worcester Polytechnic Institute Student Health Services. To know more about the services: https://www.wpi.edu/student-experience/health-counseling/health-services

Students clubs

There are over 235 student organizations on the campus. To name a few:

• Actuarial math club
• Art and design club
• Astronomy club
• Biotechnology club
• Chess club
• Tennis club
• Soccer club
• Water polo club
• Data science club
• Dance club
• Esports club

Worcester Polytechnic Institute Location

Worcester Polytechnic Institute is situated in Worcester, Massachusetts. It is located in one of the second largest cities of New England. The nearest city is the Boston city that is 40 miles away from Worcester. There are various restaurants, stores and entertainment spots around the campus.

Top landmarks

Worcester Polytechnic Institute top landmarks include:

• Worcester Art Museum
• Escape Game Worcester
• Salisbury Mansion
• American Antiquarian society
• Tuckerman hall
• Institute park
• The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing arts
• Bancroft tower
• Worcester center for crafts
• Worcester historical museum

Nearest airport

Worcester polytechnic institute's nearest airport is Worcester airport. Other airports closed to the institute include:

• Boston
• Providence
• Manchester
• Hartford

International Students Information

The Worcester Institute of Polytechnic offers various services to the International students. The students can take a note of it before applying. Students applying for financial aid can apply here: https://cssprofile.collegeboard.org/ 

Visa and immigration support

As an International scholar one is a J1, F1 or H-18 scholar. There are different guidelines for different visa holders. 

For non-immigrant visa information: https://www.wpi.edu/offices/international-house/students/immigration/non-immigrant-visa

For F1 status: https://www.wpi.edu/offices/international-house/students/immigration/f1-status

For J1 status: https://www.wpi.edu/offices/international-house/students/immigration/j1-status

There is also the Student & Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)that is a tracking system for international students and exchange visitors in the United States on F or J visa. The program facilitates timely reporting and monitoring of international students and exchange visitors. 

Scholarship for International students

Worcester Polytechnic Institute Scholarship for International students is so much beneficial to the international applicants. There is merit-based scholarship and also International need-based scholarships. The merit-based scholarship is given to the first year applicants based on their academic performance in schools, the standardized tests, extra-curricular activities, also the TOEFL applicants. IB diploma graduates with a diploma score of 40 or greater admitted to WPI are guaranteed an academic merit-based scholarship worth a minimum of $20,000. To know about the merit-based scholarship, click here: https://www.wpi.edu/admissions/tuition-aid/types-of-aid/scholarships-grants/wpi-merit

The International need-based scholarship is where international students are awarded an international scholarship every year. The awards vary in amount but it ranges from $5,000 to $25,000. These awards are renewed each year provided the student maintains a good academic record. 

Following are various other financial aids like loan, scholarship and programs offered to International students:

• NAFSA 
• Canadian Student Loan Programs
• FinAid, sponsored by the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) is a comprehensive guide to financial aid
• National Science Foundation Grants
• The College Board's Financial Aid Services
• Educators for Fair Choice maintains listings of scholarships available to undergraduate non-citizens, including undocumented students
• Macarthur Foundation
• Fellowship Office of the National Research Council allows you to search for the fellowships that are open to international students
• The Rotary Foundation provides academic year, multi-year and Cultural Scholarships to study abroad.
• The Organization of American States, an international organization based in Washington, DC offers, through the Rowe Fund program, interest-free loans to competent students from Latin American and Caribbean countries to help them finance their final two years of undergraduate studies.

Admission process

How to apply?

Worcester Polytechnic Institute admission process includes three application forms: Early Decision, Early Action, and Regular Decision. The WPI application deadline is different for each option. First-year students apply through the Common Application form. 

 Worcester Polytechnic Institute admission process details can be found out here: https://www.wpi.edu/admissions/undergraduate/apply/how-to

After applying, one can check their status here: https://www.wpi.edu/admissions/undergraduate/apply/check-status

Student life

Worcester Polytechnic Institute student life is entertaining and quite engaging because of the various traditions that are being followed in the campus. Some of the major traditions include:

• Homecoming
• Tuesday dance social
• Saturday night gaming
• Weekend movies
• Penny wars
• Choral alumni weekend
• Winter carnival 
• Costume dance party
• Comedy festival

Media 

Worcester Polytechnic Institute has its own newspaper named Tech News run by the students. The institute has its own radio club known as the Worcester Polytechnic Institute Wireless Association. 

Sports and fitness

The Worcester polytechnic institute sports and fitness program for both men and women include sports like:

• Baseball
• Basketball
• Cross country
• Football 
• Rowing
• Soccer
• Swimming and diving
• Track and field 
• Wrestling

Food and drinks

Students have access to the dining halls in the campus. Click on the link to know about various dining options in the campus: https://dineoncampus.com/WPI

There are also various other restaurants, cafes and clubs outside the campus. To name a few:

• Rubin campus center food court
• The Boynton restaurant and spirits
• Boardroom kitchen and bar
• A taste of Worcester
• Dunkin

Job opportunities

Cooperative education program (co-op) for students, including non-citizens, is an amazing opportunity for the students. It provides students with experience and a career path. The program makes students more aware of the day-to-day operations of industry and exposes students to professional standards and methods used to accomplish objectives in a business environment. On an average, the students earn an average between $21,000 - $26,000, depending on the assignments they take.

The Summer Internship Program serves the students really well and through this they explore career options, gain work experience, earn income and contribute to society during the summer months. Students typically find positions in and around the Worcester/Boston area. Salaries can vary greatly.

To know more about the various career opportunities, one can visit the Career Development Center Website: https://www.wpi.edu/student-experience/career-development