FAQs for Enrolled and First-Year Students
Have questions? Check out this page to quickly find the answers you need.
Are you a transfer student, parent, or family member with questions?
Transfer students may find answers to frequently asked questions here.
Parents and family members may find answers to frequently asked questions here.
FAQs
How do I access and set up my WPI account and WPI email?
By mid May, you will receive an email at the address listed on your application. This will contain your WPI email address. Use these to gain access to your online accounts by referencing our First Time Login instructions. You will need this to do much of the remaining tasks. If you have difficulty, please contact the WPI helpdesk at its@wpi.edu.
Where do I find my Student ID number?
Your student Workday portal contains helpful information such as your student ID number. Log into Workday using your WPI login credentials, and then click on “View Profile”.
How do I obtain my student ID card?
- Residential Students: Upload a photo for your student ID through the online Housing Portal.
- Commuter Students: Follow the instructions on the ID Services website to submit a ticket for your student ID.
- Student ID Cards will be available for pick up when you arrive to campus for New Student Orientation in August.
How do I register for FYWE?
We look forward to hosting you for your First-Year Welcome Experience to begin to map out your time at WPI. Click here for more information about this experience and to register for your desired date.
When do I send my final high school transcript?
Send your final high school transcript to the Admissions Office by July 31st.
What medical forms do I need to submit?
- All undergraduate students are required to submit the forms listed in the new undergraduate student health requirements packet and enter individual immunization dates for required vaccines into the WPI Student Health Portal by July 1, 2024.
- New Undergraduate Student Health Forms Checklist
- Included in the new student health requirements packet are the following documents:
- Immunization Record (individual immunization dates must be entered in the health portal)
- Consent Form
- Physical Examination Form
- Tuberculosis (TB) Screening Questionnaire
- Meningitis Waiver
I am a student athlete. Do I need to submit different/additional medical forms?
Yes! Please check in with your coaching staff for additional information.
What do I need to do if I’m an international student?
- Review the visa process.
- Complete the Certification of Finances form and submit to the Admissions Office by email at admissions@wpi.edu or mail to WPI, Bartlett Center, 100 Institute Road, Worcester, MA 01609-2280. The admissions office will issue you an I-20 once they have received this form.
- Once you have your I-20 form in hand issued by WPI’s Admissions office, you can apply for a student visa. Please inform the WPI Office of Admissions of your visa type. Allow several weeks to complete the visa application process. How to apply for a visa.
When is New Student Orientation?
New Student Orientation occurs from Sunday August 18, 2024 – Wednesday August 21, 2024.
When is move-in day and the first day of classes?
Move-in day for new students is on Sunday August 18, 2024. The first day of A-Term is on Thursday August 22, 2024.
Can I mail packages to WPI before I move in?
Yes! Students should mail packages to campus and include their campus mailbox number. Your campus mailbox number can be found in your student Workday portal.
Can my family help me move in and attend NSO?
Yes! Your family can help you move in. There are specific sessions for parents and families during the first day of NSO. Check out the schedule in your NSO Hub portal!
I am an international student. When should I arrive on campus?
International students are invited to participate in International Student Orientation (ISO). ISO begins on Wednesday August 14th. Please contact the Office of International Student Life for additional information on arrival procedures! Their email address is ih@wpi.edu.
How do I find roommates?
- There are a few different ways that first year students can find roommates, including:
- Roommate Meet & Greets – the Housing & Residential Experience Center will be hosting virtual meet and greets to give first-year students the chance to get to know each other and hopefully find a roommate.
- First-Year Welcome Experience – Offered both in person and virtually, these sessions are a great opportunity for first-year students to meet one another and learn about the different resources and opportunities WPI has to offer.
- StarRez - Within the housing portal, students will be able to complete a brief lifestyle questionnaire. Your responses will be visible to other students and StarRez will provide a percentage of compatibility based on how similarly you answered your questions.
- Discord – Using your WPI ID from your application, you now have access to the official class of 2028 discord server where you can meet and chat with other admitted students
What are the residence halls like?
Check out the the Housing & Residential Experience Center webpage for detailed information about each residence hall!
Can I bring a car to campus?
First year students who live in residence halls are not permitted to park their vehicles on WPI campus property, unless they have been granted special permission by the Chief of the WPI Police (as a result of extenuating emergency circumstances). Individual requests for first year parking privileges will be considered on a case-by-case basis. A written request must be emailed to the Parking Team at Parking@wpi.edu, or mailed to WPI Police at100 Institute Road, Worcester, MA 01609-2280.
What should I pack?
A list of suggested items to pack as well as things not to pack can be found on the the Housing & Residential Experience Center website.
What is the process for choosing housing?
- How to Submit an Application
- Application Opens – May 15
- Documentation for housing accommodations must be sent to the Office of Accessibility Services no later than – June 14
- Application Deadline for Black Excellence/Lavender Lane Communities (if interested, please email housing@wpi.edu) - June 15
- Application Closes – June 30 at 11:59pm
- Selection Times Sent – Week of July 4
- Housing Selection Week – July 8-12
- Select Meal Plans by July 19
When will I receive my housing assignment?
First-year students will receive their housing assignments in mid-July. Transfer students will receive their housing assignments towards the end of July.
I am a transfer student. Will I be living with first-year students?
Transfer students will be placed in upper-level student housing, not first-year student housing.
Who can I talk to about housing accommodations and my specific housing needs?
The Office of Accessibility Services can assist students who are seeking housing accommodations! Their email address is accessibilityservices@wpi.edu.
How will I do my laundry on campus?
Washers and dryers are available through our external vendor Automatic Laundry in the following locations: Daniels Hall, East Hall, Ellsworth apartments, Founders Hall, Institute Hall, Faraday Hall, Messenger Hall, WPI Townhouses. Also at the following residential houses: Elbridge House, Hackfeld House, Schussler House, Trowbridge House, and at each South Village House. Students are encouraged to utilize the Automatic Laundry app for all machines.
Do I have to live on campus?
WPI does not require students to live on campus but is highly recommended for any student’s first year. On campus housing is guaranteed for all first-year students as well as new transfer students. If you live within a certain distance from WPI, you may not feel like you need to live on campus. However, we encourage you to think about daily travel time and benefits of living on campus for your WPI experience as you make your housing decision.
What accommodations are available to students?
- The Office of Accessibility Services offers several different accommodations and support systems to help make your time at WPI as smooth and successful as possible. Accommodations include, but are not limited to:
- Alternate Format Media
- Dining Accommodations
- Housing Accommodations
- Note-Taking Assistance
- Reduced Course Load
- Temporary Accommodations
- Testing Accommodations
- Additional information and details on available accommodations can be found on the Office of Accessibility Services website.
How do I submit accommodation requests and where can I find guidelines?
- In order to disclose a disability and request academic accommodations, you must:
- Complete an Online Intake Form
- Submit the form along with the appropriate documentation
- After you submit the online intake form you will receive an auto-reply, from the office to your WPI email account, indicating that the form was received. Within 5 to 7 business days, after both the online intake form and submitted documentation have been reviewed, an OAS staff member will email you to schedule an intake appointment. During this meeting, college appropriate accommodations will be discussed as well as general office supports that OAS can help with during your time at WPI.
- Guidelines for submitting documentation can be found here.
- To request housing accommodations, see the accommodated housing section of the OAS website for more information on the process to request.
I am not sure if I will need the same accommodations I have previously received. Should I wait to make these requests?
If you are unsure whether you will need accommodations, you should still contact the Office of Accessibility Services to determine a plan that best supports your needs.
Where do I find my Academic Advisor’s contact information?
This information can be found in your student Workday Portal. From the homepage, click on the Academics app. You will find your Academic Support Advisors information listed in your “Student Network of Support”.
Where do I send my AP/IB credits?
Make sure your scores are sent to registrar@wpi.edu, WPI, Office of the Registrar, Unity Hall, 4th Floor, 100 Institute Road, Worcester, MA 01609-2280.
How do AP/IB credits transfer? Will they replace certain credits/course requirements?
- WPI awards credit when you achieve a 4 or 5 on AP exams or a 6 or 7 on the IB exams. Click on the links below to review the list of AP and IB credits accepted by WPI.
Should I buy all of my textbooks as soon as possible?
- Visit the Campus Bookstore website.
- You can purchase your books online or wait until you arrive on campus, but make sure you will have them by the start of classes.
What kind of computer should I bring?
Although you are not required to purchase your own computer, most students prefer the convenience of being connected to the WPI Network and Internet from their rooms. Review computer recommendations and specifications.
How do I take my Math and Language placement exams?
- Log in to Canvas with your WPI credentials to take the math placement exam. Language placement exams differ based on the department. Please contact the faculty members below for information about language placement exams:
- For Spanish Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Angel Rivera (arivera@wpi.edu)
- For German Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Daniel DiMassa (ddimassa@wpi.edu)
- For Arabic Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Mohammed El Hamzaoui (melhamzaoui@wpi.edu)
- For Chinese Placement Information, Please Email: Professor Wen-Hua Du (wdu2@wpi.edu)
- For English Language (International Students) Information, Please Email: Professor Althea Danielski (amdanielski@wpi.edu) and Professor Esther Boucher-Yip (efboucher@wpi.edu)
Is the Math Placement Exam required?
Students who intend to register for a math course in the Fall semester are required to complete the math placement exam prior to course registration.
How is my Math Placement determined?
The "Math Placement Exam" is a series of smaller modules and exams to help give guidance and recommendations for your first calculus course at WPI. We have divided the placement exams into different segments of material to help you decide if you are ready for a particular course. Since all of the Calculus sequence builds on material from the previous courses, you will work through placement exams for each course. Once you complete the exam, the math department will review your exams and send you your placement recommendation.
When do I register for classes?
- You will be able to submit your course preferences to your Academic Support Advisor at your First-Year Welcome Experience in June. Go to the course registration section of the first-year experience website for instructions on what course suggestions are recommended for your intended program of study to start to prepare yourself to submit your preferences.
- Your Academic Support Advisor will use your submitted course preferences to build and register you for your Fall semester schedule in the month of July.
How many classes will I take? What is a typical first-year student schedule?
Students typically take 5 or 6 courses per semester. Depending on your intended major, you will take a math course, a science course, and a Humanities & Arts or Social Science course in A and B-Terms.
Who do I contact to discuss a schedule change?
You can contact your Academic Support Advisor to discuss schedule changes.
Who do I contact about pending transfer credits?
- The Undergraduate Admissions Office coordinates the transfer credit process for incoming students. Contact transfer@wpi.edu to inquire about transfer credit evaluation of coursework taken at another college. Learn more about transfer credits.
What kind of clubs can I join? Are there things to do in Worcester?
With more than 235 student clubs and organizations, a wide variety of vibrant events and activities, and an exciting urban environment, there is always something to do at WPI and in Worcester.
Billing and Financial Aid
What is the Bursar’s Office?
The Bursar's Office, also known as Student Accounts, handles the charging and collection of various fees including tuition, housing, meal plans, health insurance, and other relevant charges. Our primary focus is to deliver outstanding service to the students, families, and the WPI community.
When do I need to pay my tuition bill?
Fall semester bills should be paid by August 14, 2024.
Where should I direct my questions about paying my bill?
- Please direct questions about paying your bill to the Bursar’s Office and the Office of Financial Aid.
Who processes my financial aid?
- The Office of Financial Aid is here to guide and help you and your family understand funding that may be available to you. We offer aid to students and access to programs that can help lower the cost of college. These include:
- Need- based financial aid packages, Merit- based scholarships, On-campus employment, as well as loan programs and payment plans for parents/families.
I have questions about my financial aid. How do I get in contact with someone?
- The Office of Financial Aid staff members are available for meetings in person in the Bartlett Center, virtually, or by telephone. Please call 508-831-5469 or email finaid@wpi.edu for an appointment.
- Appointments are available Monday through Friday, between the hours of 9am-4pm EST.
Campus Employment
As a first-year student, what options exist for student employment?
Can I work on campus in my first year if I do not have federal work study?
Yes. There are employment opportunities for students who do not have federal work study. These opportunities can be found on the Student Employment Website.