WORCESTER, Mass.–Students at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) are some of the happiest in the country, according to The Princeton Review, which recently ranked the school in the top 20 of national colleges and universities where students feel the "happiest." In addition, The Princeton Review also named WPI a "Best Northeastern College."
WPI is ranked 20th out of 371 schools for being home to some of the "happiest students" in the nation. In the ranking's survey, WPI students told The Princeton Review that the campus enjoys "a strong sense of community." Students said that "the Greek life on campus holds a big presence," and that "basketball is big." During the week most of students' attention is focused on academic-related events, homework, clubs, and other extracurricular activities, but "on the weekends, people try to relax … and prepare themselves for the upcoming week," students noted.
WPI, with its beautiful architecture, grassy quad, and ivy-covered walls, is a traditional New England campus, and it features state-of-the-art technology, wireless Internet in residence halls and classrooms, gym and workout facilities, a swimming pool, tennis courts, a modern athletic field, a popular bowling alley, and pool tables in the Campus Center.
"While WPI is known to be an intensely research-focused university that stresses science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, there is plenty of fun to be had here as well," said Janet Richardson, WPI's vice president of student affairs and campus life. "WPI boasts 200 registered extracurricular groups, and a deeply engaged and diverse student population. Our Greek life system is active in volunteering in the city community, especially during the holidays. WPI students are proactive in helping the campus community push forward its "green" initiatives and efforts in promoting sustainability. As well, WPI's theatre, music, and arts groups provide for rich culture on campus, exhibiting cutting-edge works at Gordon Library, and presenting numerous original and Broadway comedic, musical, and dramatic performances every year in the university's Little Theatre.
"In terms of athletics, our student-athletes are not only successful on the court, field, or track; but also in the classroom," Richardson added. "Academically speaking, our Global Perspective projects program allows students to travel the world and the nation, or even stay in our back yard of Worcester, to research and solve real problems affecting communities."
Home to 12 other colleges and universities and more than 35,000 college students, Worcester is a quintessential college town, and WPI takes full advantage of this status through its membership in the Colleges of Worcester Consortium, through which WPI students may register for courses at other colleges and may experience myriad academic and cultural programming. Students also enjoy late-night diners, clubs, museums, concert venues and theaters in the city; Boston is also less than an hour away by commuter rail. Recently named by Forbes.com as one of the top "bargain boom" communities in America, Worcester is centrally located with easy access to Providence, New York City, the Berkshire and White Mountains, and Cape Cod.
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The Princeton Review is known for its test-pre courses, education programs, college and graduate school admission services, and 200 books published by Random House. Among them are "Best 168 Medical Schools" and guides for graduate school admission exams and application essays. Headquartered in New York, The Princeton Review is not affiliated with Princeton University.
