Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) was founded in 1865 in Worcester, Massachusetts, US. John Boynton, a self-made tinware producer, and Ichabod Washburn, the proprietor of the biggest wire mill in the world at the time, established WPI with the goal of developing and disseminating cutting-edge engineering and science education in ways that are most advantageous to society. WPI is the nation’s third-oldest private technological university.
The fundamental goal of WPI, to offer a balanced education that combines theory and practise, is still upheld today by engaging its students in application-oriented learning. According to the US News & World Report 2021, WPI was ranked 66th among national colleges for ‘Best Colleges’. Among national colleges, it was ranked 42nd for ‘Most Innovative’, 67th for ‘Best Value’, and 265th for ‘Top Performers in Social Mobility’, in the same report.
Some of WPI’s notable alumni include Robert Goddard, father of modern rocketry; J. Geils, American guitarist; Todd Akin, US Representative for Missouri; Im Tae-kyung, South Korean musician and actor; and David Gewirtz, American journalist, among others.
Academics
WPI’s student strength is nearly 6000. It offers a variety of engineering, scientific, business, liberal arts, and social science majors at the undergraduate and graduate levels. It is renowned for its engineering specialities and is considered one of the best universities in North America and the entire globe to study engineering.
Courses Offered
The following are major fields in which undergraduate and graduate courses are offered include:
- Aerospace Engineering
- Biology & Biotechnology
- Business Administration
- Business Analytics
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Humanities and Arts
- Physics
- Air Force Aerospace Studies
- Interactive Media & Game Development
Admissions for International Students
Students should apply via the common application for applying to more universities. ‘Common App’ is a central platform utilised by nearly 900 institutions in the US for admissions. It helps students to apply to any of the participating universities across the country. While filling out your common application, ensure that you have obtained the required transcripts and recommendation letters from your secondary school. The SAT and ACT results are not included in the WPI application since the university does not ask for any test scores. However, the university seeks the submission of:
- Official high school transcripts
- Transcripts from your college or university are required for transfer applicants.
- A letter of recommendation from a school counsellor or teacher
- Early Decision Agreements must be submitted by applicants for early decisions.
Proof of English Proficiency
Any exam score from the list below can be submitted by international applicants to demonstrate their English language proficiency:
- TOEFL- score above 90 with no sub-score below 20
- IELTS -score of 7.0 with no band below 6.5
- The required score for the Duolingo English Test is 115.
- PTE (Pearson’s Test of English): Required score 61
Financial Assistance Proof
If you enrol at WPI without requesting financial aid, you must fill out the WPI International Certification of Finances form. Also, before the admissions deadline, international students must submit the CSS PROFILE application. CSS (College Scholarship Service) application form is used by students to apply for student grants and college financial aid. Information from the CSS Profile is always used for making financial aid decisions. For additional information on fees and finances, please visit the university admission page.
International transfer applicants must demonstrate their ability to pay the full cost of tuition and living expenses as they are not eligible for financial aid.
Tuition Fees for International Students
Below mentioned tables provide fee details for undergraduate and graduate students.
Undergraduate Students
ANNUAL | PER SEMESTER | |
Tuition | $56,000 | $28,000 |
Student Life Fee | $316 | $158 |
Health & Wellness Fee | $580 | $290 |
New Student Fee | $200 | $200 |
Graduate Student Fees
Tuition | $28,980.00 |
Living Expenses | $11,152 |
Medical Insurance | $8,150 |
Books | $3,000 |
Total Budget | $58,393 |
For additional information on fees, students can visit the university’s official webpage.
We hope that the information regarding WPI’s admissions process, financial aid, academics, and courses, provided in this article helps you make an informed decision about enrolling at this university. We wish you all the best!