Accepted Students

As part of your admission to WPI, you are required to submit final and official transcripts from any university where you earned a degree or completed coursework that counted toward your previous degrees. When you initially applied to WPI, we accepted unofficial copies of your transcripts. However, now that you’ve been accepted and enrolled, our accrediting body, NECHE, requires official copies. 

To be considered official, transcripts must include the registrar’s stamp or signature from the issuing institution. 

International students are required to provide an official transcript that has been translated into English.  

Delivery of Transcripts

1. Mail to or drop off at: 

   Graduate & Professional Studies Office 
   60 Prescott Street, Suite 200 
   Worcester, MA 01609 
   (Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 9am-4:30pm) 

2. Have the issuing institution send the transcripts to us electronically (e.g., via Parchment or email).
3. Bring your transcripts to the new student orientation, or to one of the tabling events that we will host throughout the beginning of the semester.  

Health Insurance 

All students attending WPI are required to have health insurance that meets Massachusetts coverage guidelines and the Affordable Care Act. 

All on-campus students must have health insurance and will automatically be enrolled in WPI's student health insurance plan.

Students may waive coverage under WPI's provided they have alternative coverage 

• Waive coverage
• Please check with the Bursars office for deadlines.
• Waivers must be completed annually 

Please note: Students must actively attend classes for at least the first 31 days after the date for which coverage is purchased. Home study, correspondence, and enrollment in exclusively online courses do not fulfill the eligibility requirements that the student actively attend classes. 

Ensure you are registered for course credits then contact the Bursar Office so you are eligible to enroll or waive insurance.  

To review specific benefit entitlements for RAs, TAs, and Fellows, visit the T&I GWU webpage. 

If you enroll in student health insurance plan and get billed, please contact your department to see if your funded position was processed. If the department believes the appointment has been processed, please contact Jonathan Lee (RAs, TAs, NRT Trainees) or Deborah Baron (Fellows).  

Sometimes—especially in August—students with funded positions (RA/TA/Fellowship) may see a health insurance charge on their bill before their student account has been credited. If this happens, please wait two weeks before reaching out, as the credit may still be processing. 

Immunization Requirements (not applicable to online students)

Make an appointment with a medical provider well before coming to campus to complete the WPI Immunization Form & Tuberculosis Risk Screening Form. Once you receive your WPI email and password and you register for classes, you will be able to submit documentation through WPI Health Services Health Portal. You should submit your health forms as soon as possible (even if they are incomplete). Health forms should be received no later than August 1 or by the start of classes for those admitted after that date. 

Health & Wellness Services @ WPI 

Graduate students have access to health services through the Student Health Center and are encouraged to reach out directly to learn more about the care and support available.

After you have paid your deposit, you will receive an email within 1-2 days from IT Services that explains how to set up your WPI computer account and email. * If you don't receive the email or are having trouble creating your computer accounts, please contact its@wpi.edu. Make sure your computer accounts are set up as soon as possible for you to move forward with registration.  

The Hub 

Hub.wpi.edu 

The Hub at is a centralized online platform designed to streamline day-to-day operations through self-service options and transparent communication. It brings together a wealth of WPI resources in one place, including software libraries, hub sites, an app marketplace, knowledge bases, and news and events. 

Your account enables access to Microsoft 365, including applications such as Word, Excel, and Power Point. You’ll also want to download web collaboration tools such as Teams and Zoom.  

*Deposits not applicable to funded students 

As a new student, there are a number of on-boarding tasks that need to be completed before you register for classes.  

Workday

1. Go to hub.wpi.edu.
2. Click the sign in button in upper right corner and use your WPI email and password to sign in.
3. Click the Workday icon. (If you don't see a Workday icon, then go to workday.wpi.edu.)
4. Complete the tasks in your Workday Inbox. 

Visit the WPI Hub for more detailed instructions, or watch this video on navigating Workday.  

Compliance Training 

In addition to Workday tasks, you’ll need to complete some trainings online, using the Vector portal. You can access this on your personalized hub page.  

Depending on your program, an Academic Advisors may be assigned by your department/program a few weeks prior to or after the semester has begun. While not required, advisors provide supplemental support to students to help them create academic plans and reach their goals. You can contact your department/program to inquire about your advisor. Once an advisor has been assigned, they will be listed in Workday along with the name and contact information for their SSM 

• Depending on your program, a Plan of Study (POS) may be required. Connect with your Student Success Manager (SSM) or Academic Advisor to see if your program requires a POS.
• Finalize your Course Schedule, view all courses available to you before the add/drop deadline.
• Student Success Managers (SSMs) support masters and PhD students in a complementary capacity to departmental Academic Advising provided by faculty
• Students should connect with their SSM for quick questions, referrals to campus resources/offices, and for help problem solving when obstacles arise to degree completion  

Please register for research or independent study credits, if applicable. If you are pursuing a master’s degree with a thesis or a PhD degree, you will need to complete research credits as part of your plan of study.

Once you have completed your onboarding tasks, you are now able to register for classes! 

If you need assistance choosing your classes, you can also contact your new Academic Advisor for guidance. You can also contact the program coordinator listed on your admission letter. Keep in mind that some programs ask students to wait until the fall to register. 

Search for course listings (be sure to filter by graduate).
  
For detailed instructions on how to register for your first class, click here: https://hub.wpi.edu/article/779/workday-student-register 

The Card Access policy helps WPI provide the highest degree of security possible for students, faculty, staff, and guests. Get yours at ID Servies.  

Please note:  

Online students are not required to get a WPI-issued ID, however, if you would like one, please contact your Student Success Manager.  

canvas.wpi.edu

Canvas is WPI's Learning Management System, providing a customized interface to course content, projects, and more. Take some time to familiarize yourself with Canvas. Review the guide to using Canvas if want to learn more. 

Incoming Graduate Students can contact the Housing & Residential Experience Center to see if there are any on-campus housing spaces available. There are a very limited amount of openings for incoming students. If interested in off campus housing, please visit the living off campus page prior to arriving in Worcester. If you have any questions regarding on or off-campus housing, please contact Housing and Residential Experience Office directly.  

To request to be added to the Graduate Housing waitlist, please email graduatehousing@wpi.edu. Graduate housing availability is very limited, and spaces are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.   

Other resources

• JumpOffCampus, an online tool for browsing house listings.
• Telegram.com – a Worcester newspaper that may offer local housing news and advertisements.
• Zillow.com, Apartments.com, Rent.com, Craigslist.com, and local business bulletin boards.
• Discord – which features dedicated channels for WPI students to find roommates.
• Many WPI students use the 'Homeless at WPI' Facebook group to find rooms in apartments and roommates 

Understand the local utility options and providers 

Please note: Housing assignments for International Graduate Students will only be issued AFTER confirming student has been approved for their F-1 visa. 

Tuition is typically due about 1 to 1 ½ weeks prior to the start of each semester. Please check the Bursar’s Office for exact date. Visit the funding opportunities page for more information on payment plan options and additional opportunities.  

On Campus students should plan to attend Graduate Student Orientation, which takes place a few days before the first day of classes in both the Fall and the Spring. Fall Orientation is in person and Spring is online/virtual. Specific dates and times will arrive in your inbox. Online students are not required to attend.  

Pathways to Excellence Webinar Series 

Offered to all new graduate students and hosted by our Student Success Team, the Pathway to Excellence Webinar Series highlights various topics like course planning, adjusting to campus life, etc. Use this as an opportunity to get answers to your questions! 

. Individual departments also have orientations, and we highly recommend you attend, especially for BS/MS students. This is a great opportunity to start building your graduate support system.  

International students are required to attend both Graduate Student Orientation and International Graduate Student Orientation to ensure a smooth transition to WPI. 

If you are a TA, you’ll need to attend the TA training session which will take place after orientation and are hosted by the Morgan Teaching & Learning Center. RAs and TAs need to be ready to begin work by the start of their appointment, which will change from year to year depending on the pay cycles - they are usually appointed at the start of a new pay cycle that comes before the semester start date, typically around August 15 for the Fall.. Please note, there may be course preparation needed in advance of the first day of classes. 

Be in communication with your department/sponsoring faculty member about when you will arrive, so you can be paid in a timely and accurate manner. 

• Anticipate your stipend payments via the Biweekly Payroll Calendar.
• Fellows are paid monthly via Accounts Payable 

Questions about RA or TA appointments can be directed to your department/program administrators 

Questions concerning a fellowship appointment can be directed to grad@wpi.edu. 

• If you are planning to have a vehicle on-campus, please register your vehicle with Campus Police and obtain a parking permit.
• Funded grad students (RA, TA, Fellows) receive a benefit to waive the parking pass fee. 

If you have any disabilities and are seeking accommodation, fill out a application with the Office of Accessibility Services. 

The Heebner Career Development Center (HCDC) (Unity Hall) can help you explore various resources to get started with your internship or job search, meeting with a peer advisor during drop-in hours Monday through Friday from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m., or through appointment with a Career Advisor.   

Want to polish your resume or cover letter? Unsure about a job offer? Need help finding jobs? Check out the CDC’s website for interview tips, help negotiating a salary offer, tips on finding an internship, and more.  

Student Employment Opportunities   

• Platforms to Search: Handshake (l log in using your WPI credentials), LinkedIn, and Indeed are excellent platforms for job searches. Create an account and set up job alerts to stay updated. But don't limit yourself to online listings—explore the hidden job market by networking and reaching out directly to people. You may discover opportunities they hadn’t considered until you connected with them.
• JobX on the WPI Website: Explore available positions at WPI
• Internships: Employment which generally over the summer months, with a company. You can find opportunities at the several career fairs offered each year or on Handshake.
• Off-Campus Employment (Domestic Students only): Some students earn money by working during the academic year at either a company doing work associated with their major or at a local Worcester business. Students should connect with their home department/program to inquire about any hourly academic support positions.
• On-Campus Employment: Many students work on campus helping support faculty in their research labs, helping run programs and events, or supporting one of WPI’s many buildings. Many jobs can be found on JobX or keep an eye on your email for research opportunities. Some students have even landed jobs by talking directly with professors doing work in an area of interest. 

Handshake 

Log in to your Handshake account to see upcoming career fair dates, employer events, workshops, or to schedule an appointment. 

Look out for an introduction to your dedicated Student Success Manager.

1:1 Support to Help You Through Grad School. Your Student Success Manager is dedicated to supporting you throughout your entire academic journey, from matriculation to graduation. Student Success Managers are a dedicated resource to assist with any questions or personal issues that arise. 

What can your Student Success Manager help with? 

Your Student Success Manager will support you throughout your journey at WPI in a way that is complementary to academic advising that you may receive from your academic department. 

Student Success Managers help students by providing quick answers to your questions about course registration, billing, academic progress, accessing university resources, important academic dates, and academic degree completion. 

Your Student Success Manager will connect with you regularly to ensure that you are equipped with the tools to succeed in every course you take. 

With WPI’s Student Success Team, you have a dedicated partner from start to finish, committed to helping you navigate and thrive as a grad student at WPI. 

View Student Success Managers by Program.