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Worcester Polytechnic Institute100 Institute RoadWorcester, MA 01609-2280 USA

Office of AdmissionsBartlett Center508-831-5286admissions@wpi.eduadmissions.wpi.edu

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INTERNATIONA

W P I W O R C E S T E R

P O L Y T E C H N I C

I N S T I T U T E

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WELCOMET O A U N I V E R S I T Y L I K E N O O T H E R

C O N T E N T SAcademics 2

Facilities & Faculty 4

The Campus 6

Student Life & Services 8

Special Programs 10

Academic Advising 12

Success After WPI 13

Admissions & Financial Aid 14

Welcome to WPI. As you will see in the following pages, there is somethingspecial about our university. From the very beginning, ours has been a commu-nity united in the pursuit of innovation and the quest to make a better world—and almost from the very beginning, the presence of many talented internationalstudents has helped us achieve these goals. Indeed, international students havebeen a vital and valued part of the WPI community for more than 120 years. In the 1880s, WPI’s second president, Homer T. Fuller, and his wife regularlyserved Sunday and holiday dinners for students from overseas. On one suchThanksgiving, students from 14 nations were seated around the table inPresident Fuller’s home. Today’s international students may not fit around a single dining table, but

we still believe in making them feel right at home at WPI. We currently enrollmore than 450 undergraduate and graduate students hailing from more than 70 nations, and whether they are making decisions about their course of study,getting to know our beautiful campus, or choosing which extracurricular activi-ties to pursue, they enjoy the full support of WPI’s faculty and staff, and, ofcourse, their friends. A close-knit community, WPI also has all the advantagesof a larger university—modern and collaborative research facilities, an innova-tive approach to teaching and learning, opportunities to partner with industry,a vibrant host city, and outstanding professors who are world leaders in theirfields.I believe you will find in WPI two things—a dynamic, project-enhanced

education like no other in the United States and a community of people whoare excited, every day, about what they are doing. You will also find that yourprofessors and classmates are eager to learn from you. As a student at WPI, youwill make an important contribution to the global character of our communityand to the experiences of your classmates and friends. We share your interest infinding the best ways to bring together, and solve the problems of, our increas-ingly interconnected world. I encourage you to visit our beautiful campus in person, or online through

our virtual tour. If you plan to visit universities in the United States, I hope youwill make WPI one of your stops. You’ll find that we’ve put out the welcomesign for you.

Dennis D. BerkeyPresident and CEO

As a student at WPI, you will make an important

contribution to the global character of our com-

munity and to the experiences of your class-

mates and friends.

AREAS OF STUDY AT W

PIARTS AND SCIENCESActuarial MathematicsBiochemistryBiology and BiotechnologyChemistryComputer ScienceComputers with ApplicationsEconomicsEngineering PhysicsEnvironmental Studies (BA)Humanities and Arts:> American Studies> Art History> Drama/Theatre> German Studies> Hispanic Studies> History> Humanities Studies of Scienceand Technology

> Literature> Music> Philosophy> Religion> Writing and Rhetoric

Interactive Media and Game DevelopmentInternational StudiesLiberal Arts and Engineering (BA)Mathematical SciencesPhysicsProfessional WritingPsychologySociety, Technology, and PolicySystem Dynamics

BUSINESS Industrial EngineeringManagementManagement EngineeringManagement Information Systems

ENGINEERING Aerospace EngineeringBiomedical EngineeringChemical EngineeringCivil EngineeringElectrical and Computer EngineeringEnvironmental EngineeringFire Protection EngineeringIndustrial EngineeringMechanical EngineeringRobotics Engineering

PRE-PROFESSIONAL STUDIESPre-DentalPre-LawPre-MedicalPre-Veterinary

OTHER OPTIONSIndividually Designed ProgramsInterdisciplinary StudiesSpecial 5-year BS/MS Programs for entering students :Fire Protection EngineeringFinancial MathematicsIndustrial Mathematics

STILL DECIDING?About 20% of our students enrollundecided.

T H E F A C T S

ENROLLMENT 3,391 undergraduate1,153 full- and part-time graduate students

ACADEMICS Four seven-week terms Three classes per term Average class size 15–25

FACULTY 365 full- and part-time92 percent hold the PhD14:1 student–faculty ratio

RANKING Forbes’ ranks WPI 9th in thenation in its “Top Colleges forGetting Rich” survey

BusinessWeek ranks WPI’s part-time MBA program No. 1 in the Northeast and No. 9 in the U.S.

BusinessWeek ranks Worcester No. 9 for “Best Cities for Gen Ys”

The Princeton Review ranks WPI one of the nation’s greenest colleges

ENDOWMENT $292 million, ranked 168th

among the nation’s 3,500 universities

CAMPUS 35 buildings on 35 hectares set in a residential section ofWorcester, Massachusetts,the second largest city in New England

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DISCOVERA C A D E M I C S

O U R A C A D E M I C S

> Through WPI’s curriculum, students put their classroom learning to work to solve important problems, gaining the skills and confidence to tackle any challenge.

HUMANIT IES AND ARTSIf science and technology are the soul of learning at WPI,the arts and humanities are the heart. Because of thatphilosophy, all WPI students take 5 courses of their choice,plus a final seminar or practicum. Students develop an in-depth understanding of a chosen area such as music,drama, literature or religion. Some students stay on cam-pus, while others follow their passions to Germany,London, Morocco, and other locations abroad. Beingimmersed in the humanities and arts allows WPI studentsto develop new ways of looking at problems and solvingthem.

THE GREAT PROBLEMS SEMINARSEvery aspect of a WPI education is designed to help stu-dents see and solve problems in new, creative ways. Thatis why WPI undergraduate students begin project workwithin their first year. WPI freshmen delve into the GreatProblems Seminar, a two-course introduction to researchand project work focusing on themes of current globalimportance, such as world hunger, the energy crisis,health issues, education, or sustainable development.

INTERACT IVE PROJECT Engineers, scientists, and managers often find that theirsuccess depends on being able to work in a partnershipwith professionals in nontechnical fields. Through theInteractive Project, students are able to experience thatdynamic. Working in interdisciplinary teams, studentstackle an issue that sits at the intersection of scientific and technical knowledge and social needs and concerns.In the process, students become better scientists, more astute engineers, and more savvy managers.

MA JOR PROJECT The Major Project is a design or research experience in thestudent’s major field. Working, typically, in teams, studentsdefine a problem, learn everything needed to understandit, develop a novel and creative solution, then summarizetheir experience in a written report and oral presentation.Students often choose projects that are sponsored by a com-pany, or that are part of a major research program at WPI.

WHERE WE’RE MAKING ADIFFERENCE

WPI’s extensive network of global project centers and exchange programs make it the leader in global technological education.

Bangkok, ThailandBoston, MassachusettsBudapest, HungaryBurlington, MassachusettsCape Town, South AfricaCopenhagen, Denmark Cranston, Rhode IslandDaegu, Republic of KoreaEdmonton, Alberta, CanadaHong Kong, PRC (China)Ifrane, MoroccoKonstanz, GermanyLimerick, IrelandLondon, EnglandMelbourne, AustraliaModesto, CaliforniaMonterrey, MexicoMontréal, Québec, CanadaMunich, Germany Nancy, FranceNantucket Island, MassachusettsNew York, New YorkOsaka, JapanPanama City, PanamaSan José, Costa RicaSan Juan, Puerto RicoSanta Fe, New MexicoShanghai, PRC (China)Silicon Valley, CaliforniaStockholm, SwedenVenice, ItalyWashington, D.C.Windhoek, NamibiaWorcester, MassachusettsWPI-MIT Lincoln Laboratory, Lexington, Massachusetts

Wuhan, PRC (China)

Projects/AcademicsWPI’s curriculum is made up of several unique elements.Some will be familiar to you, but a few may seem a littledifferent from anything you have encountered so far. Whenwe combine all these elements to produce a WPI educa-tion, we create something remarkable: a WPI graduate. No other college or university has an approach to

education like ours; no other graduates begin theircareers or head off to graduate school as well preparedfor the opportunities and challenges of the modernworld. That makes us distinctive. It also makes us better.In fact, WPI offers the best preparation for life and workin the 21st century. WPI’s project-enriched academic program offers

international students the unique opportunity to apply theireducation—professional and cultural—in the United Statesand in their home countries. In addition to classroomlearning experiences, the program consists of two keyprojects: the Interactive Project and the Major Project. During their junior and senior year, WPI students

complete two projects: one directly related to their majorand one working as a team with other students to solve aproblem at the intersection of society and technology—helping to bring electricity to remote villages in Thailand,or studying bioethics of cloning, for example.WPI encourages all students to complete at least one

of their projects off-campus. Many international studentsundertake projects in their home countries by participatingin one of the university’s many overseas project centers orby making special arrangements with a faculty advisor.Learn more at wpi.edu/Academics.

“WPI teaches you all the skills necessary for a successful career. Classestrain you to be a professional in your field, while you develop networkingskills through project work and organizations on campus.”

Belin Beyoglu [Nicosia, Cyprus]High School: Turk Maarif College • Major: Industrial Engineering; EconomicsActivities: Resident Advisor; Class Treasurer, Senator, Student Government Association

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GET TOKNOW

O U R F A C I L I T I E S & F A C U L T Y

FAC I L I T I E S & FACU LT Y

> 18 current WPI faculty members have won the CAREER Award, the NationalScience Foundation’s most prestigious honor for young faculty members.

WPI’s smaller classes encourage discussion and team-oriented learning. Our average class size is 15–25 students, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 14-to-1.Virtually all classes at WPI are taught by professors, ofwhich 92 percent hold the PhD. Though WPI offersmany graduate programs, undergraduate students are not taught by graduate students.WPI’s faculty members are leaders in their fields

and are recognized nationally and internationally. Theydon’t just keep up on what’s new in their fields, theymake news. They break new ground and then integratethat cutting-edge research into the classroom and intostudent projects. Learn more at wpi.edu/+research.

WPI professors really want students to succeed.They schedule study sessions to help with homeworkassignments and tests. Many set up Web pages and email lists as additional resources, and they all holdoffice hours so students may stop by with questions.Many faculty members also serve as advisors

for first-year students, working to develop a student’s potential and skills, inside and outside the classroom.Through WPI’s project-enriched curriculum,

students will get to know professors as guides, coaches,colleagues—even friends. This is one thing that makes us different from just about any other college or university you’ll look at. Most schools say you’ll get personal attention. WPI guarantees it.

FACULTY RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

Artificial IntelligenceBioinformatics Biomedical Sensors andInstrumentation

Cryptography and Data Security

Electrical SpacecraftPropulsion

EntrepreneurshipEnvironmental and Energy Policy

Hydrogen Technology and Fuel Cells

Lean Process DesignMathematical Modeling of Fires and Explosions

Medical ImagingMicroelectromechanicalSystems (MEMS)

Mouse Models forAlzheimer’s Disease

NanotechnologyPhotonicsRobot VisionSystem DynamicsTissue EngineeringVirtual Reality in TheatreVisualization of ComplexInformation

Wastewater Testing and Treatment

Wireless Communications

> 14 members of the current faculty are Fulbright Scholars.

> 18 current WPI faculty members have won the CAREER Award,the National ScienceFoundation’smost prestigious honor for youngfaculty members.

> More than 40 WPI professorsare fellows of top national and international societies.

“The various academic challenges I’ve encountered at WPI have definitely made me a stronger person, and I have more confidence in myself. The great thing is that people around you, like professors and peers, are always happy to help you.”

Towa Matsumura [Nagoya, Japan]High School: Nagoya International School • Major: Electrical and Computer Engineering; BiomedicalEngineering • Activities: International Student Council; Rugby; Club Soccer; Emergency Medical Services

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EXPLORE

O U R B E A U T I F U L C A M P U S L O C A T E D I N T H E H E A R T O F P I C T U R E S Q U E N E W E N G L A N D

> Worcester is the second largest city in New England and is home to 13 universities and 35,000 college students. Situated 65 km (40 miles) west of Boston, it’s also just 32 km (20 miles) to skiing, 72 km (45 miles) to beaches, and 290 km (180 miles) to New York City.

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T H E C A M P U S

Worcesterin the heart of New England

Boston65 km to the east

New York City290 km to the south

Outdoor Recreation30 km in any direction

• WPI’s 35-hectare campus is located in a residential areaof Worcester, Massachusetts.

• Worcester’s rail and bus connections are all within 10 minutes of campus.

Worcester ConsortiumWith 13 universities located in or near the city, andmore than 35,000 college students from around thenation and the world, Worcester is truly a college town.Most of the area’s colleges—including WPI—belong tothe Colleges of Worcester Consortium, which makes itpossible for students to cross-register for courses at anyother member college at no extra cost. Member collegesinclude WPI, Clark University, College of the HolyCross, and Assumption College, among others.

Our Campus We offer a variety of visit options for you andyour family. Options include open houses, group information sessions, campus tours, and personal interviews. Please contact the Office of Admissions (508-831-5286 or admissions@wpi.edu) to arrange your visit to WPI.If you are unable to visit in person, you

may explore our campus online through our virtual tour at wpi.edu/About/Tour/index.html.Learn more at admissions.wpi.edu/Visit.

ClimateThe weather in Worcester varies considerably throughout the year. Summer temperatures range from 20˚ to 30˚C (68˚ to 86˚F), winter temperatures from -5˚ to 10˚C (23˚ to 50˚F). The spring and fall seasons are quite beautiful, and temperatures are typically moderate.

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S T U D E N T L I F E & S E R V I C E S

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Office of InternationalStudents and ScholarsThe Office of International Studentsand Scholars provides informationand assistance in many areas relatedto international student life. It offershelp with immigration and govern-ment regulations, provides informa-tion on social and cultural programs,and is available for general counsel-ing. Other services include the safe-keeping of passports and tickets,summer storage facilities, information

I T U P

FEEL AT HOME

about travel in the United States, anotary public, meeting space, and a lounge area for students to relax.

International HouseThis facility functions as a center forinternational education by drawingon the resources on campus, such asinternational students and scholars,faculty and students returning fromoverseas experiences, and internationalfaculty members. International Houseserves as a venue for a variety of pro-grams throughout the year, such aslunch discussions with internationalscholars and faculty, coffee hours,exhibits, video showings, and othersocial and educational activities.

International Student CouncilDevoted to multiculturalism on campus, the International StudentCouncil (ISC) represents more than70 countries as an extension of WPI’scommitment to diversity. Throughevents and specific academic/co-cur-ricular issues, the ISC provides inter-national awareness, reinforcing globaleducation to all students. For moreinformation, visit wpi.edu/~isc.

Health ServicesThe Health Center offers multifac-eted professional medical care forstudents who are ill or injured. Healthinsurance, compatible with localhealth services, is available to all WPIstudents. Additional information isavailable at wpi.edu/+health.

English as a Second LanguageWPI offers several options for studentsdesiring to improve their English language ability. Previous study ofEnglish is required since the Englishas a Second Language (ESL) programsfocus upon English language at theintermediate and advanced levels.

• The ESL SummerInstitute offers intensive 5-week and 3-week options.

• The ESL Seminar provides ongoing academic supportthroughout the year.

• Other programs includeESL for InternationalTeaching Assistants and ESL for Spouses.

All programs arenon-credit and offeredthrough small classesand tutorials. Class-room instruction inte-grates reading, writing,speaking, and listeningskills and pays specialattention to the every-day use of spokenEnglish in technologicalacademic settings suchas WPI. Options include workshops on oral presentation skills, a technicalwriting tutorial program, and an insti-tutional TOEFL test. For additionalinformation, email esl@wpi.edu.

> There’s more to a well-rounded education than academics. The wide range of activities and organizations at WPI make for a rich and rewarding campus life.

“The numerous opportunities for research andto get involved on campus, combined with the project-based learning and acceleratedprograms, were exactly what I wanted in my college experience.”

Renee Walker [St. Catherine, Jamaica]High School: Campion CollegeMajor: Electrical and Computer Engineering; minor in Computer ScienceActivities: Health Supervisor/Resident Advisor for Office of Woman and Diversity Programs; Summer Outreach

> WPI knows that international students have their own unique needs and interests.That’s why we work so hard to make you feel at home on our campus.

(m) = men’s(w) = women’s

LIVING

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CLUB SPORTS (CONT.)

Ice Hockey (m)KarateLacrosse (m/w)Roller HockeyRugbySailingSkiing and SnowboardingSoccer (co-ed and outdoor)Social DanceSociety of Martial ArtsTable TennisTennisUltimate Frisbee (co-ed)Volleyball (m)Water Polo (co-ed)

SAMPLE STUDENTGROUPSBlack Student UnionChinese StudentAssociation

DeutschklubHillelIndian StudentOrganization

International StudentCouncil

Korean StudentAssociation

Latin American StudentAssociation

Muslim Students SocietyNational Society of Black Engineers

Society of HispanicProfessional Engineers

Turkish StudentAssociation

Vietnamese StudentAssociation

VARSITY SPORTSBaseballBasketball (m/w)Crew (m/w)Cross Country (m/w)Field HockeyFootballIndoor Track and Field (m/w)

Outdoor Track and Field (m/w)

Soccer (m/w)SoftballSwimming and Diving (m/w)

VolleyballWrestling

INTRAMURALACTIVITIESBasketballBowlingFlag FootballFloor HockeyRacquetballSoccerSoftballVolleyball (co-ed)

CLUB SPORTSBallroom DancingCheerleading (co-ed)CyclingFencing (co-ed)Freestyle WrestlingGolf

Sports at WPIWPI offers an extensive sports andathletics program. Students areencouraged to participate competi-tively through intercollegiate NCAADivision III varsity sports or clubsports, or recreationally throughintramural sports. Learn more atwpi.edu/+athletics.

Student ActivitiesStudent groups on campus numberalmost 200. They include 46 profes-sional and honor societies, 22 musi-cal ensembles and theatre groups, 21leadership activities, as well as manyothers, which may be of specialinterest to international students.Learn more at wpi.edu/Campus.

Residential LifeThe Office of Residential Servicesprovides students with a safe, healthy,and functional living environment. It promotes personal growth anddevelopment in a diverse residentialcommunity.WPI has seven residence halls,

two apartment complexes, and fourresidential houses; international stu-dents may also live off campus. On-campus housing is guaranteed to allfirst-year students. Housing assign-ments are determined by the dateWPI receives each student’s enroll-ment deposit. The office can alsoassist with locating off-campus hous-ing. Students considering off-campushousing should arrive during thesummer to make the necessaryarrangements prior to the beginningof classes. Learn more atwpi.edu/+RSO.

“WPI has an interactive and vibrant student body that is full of diversity. I have been truly blessed with great friends here whom I will treasure forever.”

Kristoffer Jensen[Denmark and Singapore]High School: International School of Bangkok • Major: Chemical Engineering • Activities: Student Government Association; ExecutiveCommittee of Amnesty International

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WPI also presents seminars and special programs that help studentsprepare for the Medical CollegeAdmissions Test (MCAT), which is needed for admission to any U.S.-based medical school. Learnmore at wpi.edu/+prehealth.

Double MajorMany international students cometo WPI with advanced standingacquired through secondary schooleducation in their native countries.These students may wish to considera double major—completing allrequirements for two separate anddistinct majors. While it is possibleto complete a double major in fouryears, some students may need oneor two additional terms of study.

Pre-Law ProgramThis special program at WPI is aimedat, but not limited to, students whoseek careers in areas such as environ-mental law, intellectual property law,high technology law, computers andthe law, and other areas requiring abusiness, technical, and legal back-ground. Pre-law at WPI gives stu-dents an edge over pre-law studentsat most liberal arts colleges. Thisunique program creates a solid foun-dation in business, government, andlaw, as well as in technology and science, to produce a well-roundededucation when facing legal issues in today’s society. For information,contact WPI’s Office of Admissionsor visit wpi.edu/+prelaw.

ENHANCEY O U R U N D E R G R A D U A T E E X P E R I E N C E

> WPI’s flexible curriculum lets students pursue their unique interests, while a variety of special programs help them prepare for specific professions and careers.

S P E C I A L P R O G R A M S

“I chose WPI because it offered me an education thatfocused on science and engineering while providing me with a technology-based campus and great student-professor relationships. The friendly and motivating environment is a great complement to the challenging andfast-paced learning. These attributes and the friends thatI’ve made have made my WPI education invaluable.”

Nathalia Arenas [Cali, Colombia]High School: Colegio Bolivar • Major: BiochemistryActivities: Vice President of National Honorary Chemical Society; Biology Honor Society; International Student Council; Resident Advisor

Cooperative EducationProgramWPI offers Co-op to all students ingood academic standing. Co-op pro-vides excellent work experience andcareer direction and makes studentsmore aware of the day-to-day opera-tions of industry and professionalstandards and methods. The profes-sional skills developed in a Co-opprogram often help lead to perma-nent employment after graduation.On average, WPI students earn $17 per hour while on a Co-opassignment, an average of $18,000per Co-op period.

Students have the option of completing one or two Co-opassignments between the end of thesophomore year and the beginningof the senior year. The work periodsare six to eight months. WPI cur-rently places about 95 percent ofinterested students. For details, visit wpi.edu/+CDC.

Summer Internship ProgramWPI students may explore careeroptions and gain world-of-workexperience, earn income, and con-tribute to society during the SummerInternship Program. They typicallyfind positions in and around theWorcester/Boston area. Salaries canvary greatly. For more information,about these programs, visitwpi.edu/+CDC.

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Combined BS/Master’sProgramWPI undergraduates who wish tocontinue their studies toward a mas-ter’s degree at WPI may enroll in acombined, continuous program thatcan speed the process. Students mayapply for this program after two yearsof study and, in many cases, are ableto complete both degrees in five years.The field of study for the mas-

ter’s degree is usually the same as that of the student’s bachelor’s degree.For the MBA combined program,the student should have completedan undergraduate minor in science,management, or engineering. Learnmore at grad.wpi.edu/Programs/Combined.

Accelerated BS/Master’sProgramsStudents seeking a focused programin mathematics may earn both abachelor’s and a master’s degree in

just five years at WPI—and the fifth year is tuition-free! Studentsgraduate with a bachelor’s and mas-ter’s in either financial mathematicsor industrial mathematics. This is anoption for students applying directlyfrom high school.

Fire Protection EngineeringWPI offers a special five year com-bined bachelor’s and master’s degreein fire protection engineering. Thisprogram is f lexible and can be tailoredto individual student career goals,whether they be oriented towardengineering practice or theory and research.

Pre-Health ProgramWPI has an impressive track recordof placing its graduates in the nation’stop medical, veterinary, and dentalschools. The Pre-Health Programintroduces students to a wide range of medical professions, and enablesthem to gain professional-level experi-ence in a hospital or medical schoolwhile they are still undergraduates.

“WPI is supportive and welcoming to international students, starting from when I met a member of the admissions staff at my high school and talked about music at WPI. WPI provides great academic freedom.You will have extensive options and the ability to take your education in many directions.”

Ashok Ilankovan [Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia]High School: International School of Kuala LumpurMajor: Biomedical Engineering; Electrical and Computer Engineering; minor in Philosophy • Activities: Student Government Association; Amnesty International; Habitat for Humanity

LebanonLithuaniaMacedoniaMalaysiaMali MauritiusMexicoMorocco MyanmarNamibiaNepal NetherlandsNicaraguaNigeriaNorwayPakistanPanamaPeruPhilippines Poland RomaniaRussian FederationSerbia-MontenegroSaudi ArabiaSenegal Singapore Spain Sri Lanka Sudan SwedenSwitzerlandSyria Taiwan (R.O.C.)Thailand Tunisia Turkey UgandaUkraine United Kingdom United StatesVenezuela Vietnam YugoslaviaZimbabwe

AlbaniaAlgeria Argentina AustraliaBahrainBangladeshBelarusBelgiumBrazilBulgariaCameroonCanadaChileChina, People’s Republic of ColombiaCosta RicaCyprusCzech RepublicDenmarkDominican RepublicEcuadorEgyptEthiopiaFinlandFranceGeorgiaGermanyGhana Greece Guatemala HaitiHong Kong IndiaIndonesiaIranIsraelItalyJapanJordanKazakhstanKenyaKorea, Republic ofKuwaitLiberia

COMMUNITY WITHIN A COMMUNITY

WPI’s international students, who come from more than 70 nations, form an active, close-knit community whose cultures and ideas enrich the greater WPI family.

ACADEMICADVISINGS U P P O R T I N G Y O U R O P T I O N S

SUCCESSP R E P A R I N G F O R

Advising and Academic SupportUpon arrival at WPI, each student is assigned an academic advisor, whoserves as the primary resource foracademic advising and counseling.WPI offers additional support for all students through the Office ofAcademic Advising and the AcademicResources Center. These offices provide academic support servicesdesigned to enrich and enhance theoverall learning experience. Any stu-dent who wishes to ensure academicsuccess can benefit from individualcounseling in such areas as learningstyles, effective study strategies,problem solving and critical thinkingskills, and time management. Its student-based collaborative learningenvironment offers individualizedassistance in a variety of subjects, aswell as a comprehensive peer tutoringprogram, seminars and workshops.

Exams and CertificatesCredit may be granted for nationalexaminations or certificates of educa-tion, depending on the type of examor certificate, the type of subject, andthe scores/marks achieved. Amongthose recognized and considered for credit:

• Advanced Placement (AP) Exam

• International Baccalaureate Higher Level Exam

• British General Certificate ofSecondary Education (GCSE)

• “A” Level Examinations

• German Abitur Exam

• French Baccalaureate II Exam

• Danish Studenter Eksamen

AP EXAM CREDIT PROCEDURESWPI gives credit for grades of 4 or 5only. Most Advanced Placement (AP)exams, with the appropriate grade,will result in 1⁄3 unit of credit (onecourse). However, some exams mayresult in additional credit. For details,visit wpi.edu/Admin/OAA.

> At WPI, you’ll plan your own academic path to your final goal, but you’ll have a lot of help along the way—from caring faculty to a host of support services.

A C A D EM I C A D V I S I N G & S U C C E S S

WHERE STUDENTS ARE GOING

Some of the world’s best companieslike to recruit WPI students becausethey know our graduates are ready tomake a difference from their first dayon the job. A WPI education is whyour students get really good jobs andexcel at them—and why they getaccepted by some of the nation’s verybest graduate and professional schools.WPI alumni are out there invent-

ing, researching, and creating in everyfield from biotech to business to thearts. They’re making measurable con-tributions to the world through edu-cational institutions, scientific organ-izations, and governmental agencies. At WPI, career development

begins almost from your first dayson campus. Members of the CareerDevelopment Center (CDC) staff usestate-of-the-art equipment to help youzero in on a major that meshes withyour career goals, assists you withbuilding your resume and strength-ening your interviewing skills, and

helps you find the perfect internship,cooperative education opportunity, orpart-time job. The CDC also sponsorstwo annual career fairs, a graduateschool fair, and takes part in otherfairs with members of the Colleges of Worcester Consortium. For moreinformation, visit wpi.edu/+CDC.

The CDC has the statistics to prove how well WPI’s careerdevelopment efforts pay off:

• Over 100 companies register to recruit on campus in a typical year.

• Over 90 percent placement rate in jobs or graduate programs for students who register with the CDC.

• For the class of 2010, the average starting salary was $55,000—$7,000-$20,000 higher than the averageaccording to NACE.

• Many students complete paid intern-ships starting after their sophomoreyear.

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IB D IPLOMA CREDITWPI recognizes the InternationalBaccalaureate diploma and offerscredit for higher level examinationswith a score of 6 or 7. In mathemat-ics, 2⁄3 unit of credit (two courses) is offered. Most other exams result in 1⁄3 unit of credit (one course).Students should be prepared to meet with individual departments to discuss the exam and appro-priate credits. For details, visit admissions.wpi.edu/International.

ALL OTHER EXAMS ANDCERT IF ICATES With the exception of the AP and IB exams, credit offered for interna-tional examinations and certificates is determined on a departmentalbasis. For more information, visitadmissions.wpi.edu/International.

“I appreciate all of the professors whoteach at WPI. They put so much effort into teaching their courses and are always ready to help students learn.”

Lydia Bakalova [Sofia, Bulgaria]High School: Sofia High School of MathematicsMajor: Biomedical EngineeringActivities: WPI Dance Team; Society of WomenEngineers; Biomedical Engineering Society

Employers

AccentureAnalog DevicesAppleBayer DiagnosticsBiogenBoseBoston ScientificCharles River LaboratoriesCisco SystemsCompaq Computer Corp.Dell ComputerDeutsche BankEMCEstee LauderExxon Mobil Fidelity InvestmentsFord Motor Company GE CapitalGeneral ElectricGeneral MotorsGenzymeGoogle, Inc.IBMIntelInternational Fuel Cells Johnson & JohnsonLucent TechnologiesMicrosoft MIT Lincoln Laboratories JPMorgan ChaseNorthrup GrummanPfizerPricewaterhouseCoopersProcter & GambleQuantumRaytheonSun MicrosystemsTeradyneTexas InstrumentsTravelers InsuranceUnited TechnologiesUMass Memorial Medical Center

Wyman-Gordon

Graduate SchoolsAttended

Boston CollegeBoston University Brown UniversityCarnegie MellonUniversity

Clark UniversityColumbia UniversityDuke University Franklin Pierce Law Center

Georgia Tech Research Institute

Johns HopkinsMassachusetts College of Pharmacy & Health Science

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

MGH Institute of HealthProfessions

New England College of Optometry

Northeastern UniversityNotre Dame Law SchoolRutgers University Stanford UniversityTufts University Tufts Veterinary School University of CaliforniaUniversity of Hanover,Germany

University of Massachusetts

University of Mass.Medical School

University of Minnesota University of NewHampshire

University of SouthernCalifornia

University of Technology,Australia

University of Vermont Law School

University of Washington Worcester PolytechnicInstitute

Yale University

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APPLYING TO WPIADM I S S I O N S & F I N A N C I A L A I D

A MESSAGE TO AL L OF OURINTERNATIONAL APPL ICANTS:

WPI receives thousands of applications

for admission each year. The members

of the Admissions Committee carefully

review each application and select students

who are a good match for our programs.

Students are offered admission based on

their academic achievements, test scores,

personal accomplishments, and recommen-

dations from teachers and counselors.

The application is your chance to present

yourself to the Admissions Committee.

Please read the standards and require-

ments carefully before completing your

application. If you have any questions,

the Office of Admissions is available to

help you through the process.

Please feel free to email your questions to

admissions@wpi.edu or if you would

like to post a question online at WPI’s

Admissions Café, visit wpi.edu/+cafe.

Application Options and Deadlines

ENTRANCE IN FALL

• Early Action (nonbinding) freshman admissionRound I Deadline: November 10Round I Notification: December 20Round II Deadline: January 1Round II Notification: February 10

•Regular freshman admissionDeadline: February 1Notification: April 1

• Transfer admissionDeadline: April 15Notification: Rolling

ENTRANCE IN SPR ING

• Freshman and transfer admission(There is no financial assistance for spring applicants.)

Deadline: November 15Notification: Rolling

5. Other standardized examinations.SAT or ACT scores or alternativematerials through WPI’s Flex Path.In lieu of standardized test scores,students may choose WPI’s Flex Pathby submitting alternative materialsthat they believe will better ref lecttheir potential for success at WPI.Students who choose the Flex Pathare encouraged to submit examplesof academic work or extracurricularprojects that ref lect a high level oforganization, motivation, creativityand problem-solving ability. Learnmore at wpi.edu/+f lexpath.

6. Two letters of recommendation,one from a math or science teacherattesting to the candidate’s academicabilities and personal character, andone from a guidance counselor, college counselor, or other admin-istrator at the school most recentlyattended by the candidate.

7. WPI declaration and certificationof finances document with appro-priate signatures and bank sponsor verification. Students applying forfinancial assistance should completethe Foreign Student Financial AidApplication in lieu of this form (see page 16 for details). Downloadthis form at admissions.wpi.edu/International.

*Please note: Applicants whose records include at least one year of post-secondary education completed at the time of application need onlysubmit the final-year record of secondary education and external examination results, along with records of all post-secondary education.

4. Proof of English language profi-ciency. Students must demonstrateadequate command of the Englishlanguage to enroll in a degree pro-gram. This determination is made by considering the following:

• Language of high school instruction

• TOEFL or IELTS result

• Rigor of high school course work

• SAT I results

TOEFL SCORING RANGES

Internet-based, 79 to 83Computer-based, 213 to 220Paper-based, 550 to 560

MINIMUM IELTS SCORE

6.5 or higher with no band <6.0

Applicants scoring above theTOEFL range typically enroll directlyinto a degree program. Applicantswithin the range may benefit fromEnglish language instruction in addition to their academic courses.Applicants below the range will only be considered for conditionaladmission to WPI.

Application Procedures andRequirements for AdmissionAll applicants must submit the following items to be considered for admission:

1. Completed application form,including a personal statement or essay.The Common Application is accept-ed. A supplement form is required forWPI.

2. Application fee of $60 U.S.

3. Transcripts (records) of all coursesand grades (marks) in secondary(post-elementary) and post-secondary(higher) education completed at thetime of application, and word-for-wordEnglish translations of all documentsand other materials. A minimum of three years of secondary schoolrecords/exam results is required.Photocopies of school records,

diplomas, external national examresults, and certificates of educationare acceptable during the applicationprocess. The records must be in theoriginal language and accompanied by official word-for-word Englishtranslations by the school or otherofficial agency.Applicants will be considered

for admission prior to completion of their final semester or half-year ofcurrent education and final exams,but must provide WPI with a finaltranscript within one month afterthe end of the school year.*

Admissions StandardsInternational (non-immigrant) studentsmust meet certain standards to ensurethat they are prepared to take fulladvantage of the opportunities offeredby WPI and contribute to academiclife on campus. Undergraduate applicants must show high scholasticachievement with above-average academic performance in their sec-ondary or high school studies and on national examinations (if suchexaminations are administered).Students transferring from a

university or other institution ofhigher education should have above-average grades in their post-secondarystudies. Transfer applicants must follow the same guidelines as thoseset for first-year students, althoughthe SAT or ACT is not required.Students who have achieved up

to 30 semester hours of transferablecredits may be admitted as freshmenwith advanced standing. Studentswith 30 or more hours of creditsshould apply as transfer students. All international students

must provide proof of financial ability and availability of funds fortheir total educational and livingexpenses before the I-20 (Certificateof Eligibility for NonimmigrantStudent Status) can be issued.

16

FINANCINGY O U R E D U C A T I O N

First-Year Student Budget,2010–2011

$38,200 Tuition and Fees6,750 Typical Room4,790 Typical Meal Plan1,000 Books and Supplies1,000 Personal Expenses

$52,240 TOTAL

Merit (Academic)Scholarships Each year the WPI Office ofAdmissions offers academic scholar-ships to applicants for freshmanadmission. Consideration for theseawards is highly competitive. Allaccepted students are automatically considered (there is no separateapplication) and financial need hasno bearing. Award amounts vary—up to full tuition—and are renew-able each year if the student remainsin good academic standing. Studentsare notified of scholarships whenthey are accepted to WPI, or shortlythereafter. Valedictorians and saluta-torians are guaranteed a merit schol-arship of $17,000.

International ScholarshipsWPI has limited funds available forinternational students; only a smallnumber of these scholarships aregiven each year. Most awards rangefrom $5,000 to $25,000; no inter-national scholarship covers fulltuition. These awards are renewedeach year, provided the studentremains in good academic standing.Families with the financial resources

to fund the entire cost of attendanceshould not apply for financial aid.International scholarships are

based on the student’s financial need,academic profile, and any special talents or experiences he or she willbring to WPI. Families should expectto contribute a minimum of $14,000,plus travel expenses, to the totalannual cost of attendance at WPI.Most family contributions are higherdue to limited financial assistance forinternational candidates.It is possible to receive both merit

and international scholarships; however,WPI offers very few combined awards.(Please note that combined awardsare limited to the cost of tuition.)To apply for an international

scholarship, students must completethe Foreign Students Financial AidApplication, available at admissions.wpi.edu/International/costs.html.The deadline for this application is March 1.

Working on CampusWPI allows international students towork part time on campus. Positionsare available in a variety of offices and services. The application processfor many positions is competitive, and new students are encouraged to apply directly upon arrival. Newpositions are listed on the WPIHuman Resources Web site through-out the year. While these positionscan help students with their expenses,international students are limited inthe hours per week they can work.Students typically earn $1,500 to$2,500 in an academic year.

Loan ProgramsThere are several loan options availableto international students through pri-vate education lenders. In most cases,the lender requires a U.S. citizen orpermanent resident as a co-applicantand a processed I-20 form from thestudent. WPI students often work withCitibank or SallieMae to pre-approvetheir loans prior to the student obtain-ing the I-20 form. The pre-approvalcan then be used to obtain the I-20.Not all lenders offer this service. Ifyou choose a different lender, it is bestto contact the lender first to deter-mine their process prior to applyingfor the loan. For more information,visit citiassist.com or salliemae.com/international.

Payment/Installment OptionsWPI offers an option for families topay the cost of attendance in install-ments. In conjunction with TuitionManagement Services, an interest-freeplan is offered. It allows families tomake 12 payments to cover the cost ofattendance. Visit afford.com.

Other OptionsWPI also offers Cooperative Educationand Summer Internship options. Fordetails on these programs, please referto page 11. For updated links and infor-mation on other educational financingfrom external sources, visit admissions.wpi.edu/International/costs.html.

Visiting Campus We offer a variety of visit options foryou and your family. Options includeopen houses, group information sessions, campus tours, and personalinterviews. Please contact the Officeof Admissions to arrange your visitto WPI.

AccreditationWPI is accredited as an institutionby the New England Association ofSchools and Colleges. In addition,six majors at WPI also carry the professional accreditation of theEngineering Accreditation Commis-sion of the Accreditation Board forEngineering and Technology (ABET):chemical engineering, civil engineer-ing, electrical engineering, industrialengineering, manufacturing engineer-ing, and mechanical engineering. TheChemistry and Biochemistry Depart-ment and its programs are approvedby the American Chemical Society.The computer science program isaccredited by the Computing SciencesAccreditation Commission of ABET.The bachelor’s and master’s degreeprograms in business offered by theDepartment of Management areaccredited by AACSB International(the Association to AdvanceCollegiate Schools of Business).

Admissions OfficeEdward J. ConnorDirector of Admissions

Karen GoudeyAssociate Director of Admissions

Michelle CarraraSenior Assistant Director ofAdmissions and Coordinator ofInternational Admissions

Tel 508-831-5286Fax 508-831-5875Email intl_admissions@wpi.edu

ESL PROGRAM

Billy D. McGowanDirector of ESL Program

Tel 508-831-6033Fax 508-831-6032Email esl@wpi.edu

INTERNAT IONAL STUDENT SERV ICES

Tom Hartvig ThomsenDirector of International Students and Scholars

Tel 508-831-6030Fax 508-831-6032Email hartvig@wpi.edu

admissions.wpi.eduAll interested students are encouraged to learn more about WPI via the Web. Some topics and offices that may be of particularinterest to international students are listed here with specific Web addresses.

Acceptable International Examsadmissions.wpi.edu/International

Admissions Standards and Proceduresadmissions.wpi.edu/International

English as a Second Language Programwpi.edu/+ESL

Global Perspective Programwpi.edu/+IGSD

Graduate Admissions Standardsgrad.wpi.edu

International Student Councilwpi.edu/~isc

International Students and Scholars Officewpi.edu/+iss

Residential Services Officewpi.edu/+RSO

Student Activities Officewpi.edu/+SAO

WPI Certification of Finances Documentadmissions.wpi.edu/International/costs.html

admissions.wpi.edu/facebook

twitter.com/wpiadmissions

Worcester Polytechnic Institute100 Institute RoadWorcester, MA 01609-2280 USA

Office of AdmissionsBartlett Center508-831-5286admissions@wpi.eduadmissions.wpi.edu

“At WPI, you work to solve problems that willprepare you for the outside world and real-lifeissues. The academic programs show youwhat your career will be like, long before the day you arrive at your first job.”

Ilan Shomorony [Rio de Janeiro, Brazil]High School: Escola Israelita Brasileira Eliezer MaxMajor: Electrical and Computer Engineering; minor in MathActivities: Math Honor Society; Soccer Club; Tennis Club;Member of Hillel