Reviewed on Jan 31, 2025(Enrolled 2024)
What Students Say
Likes
- WPI project based learning curriculum is highly regarded with its distinctive WPI plan allowing us to gain hands on experience through real world experience/applications like mqp and iqp.
- Our university has a global project centre at recreational centre which gives the student with good opportunity to showcase their projects worldwide.
- People are really collaborative here and the staff are encouraging to group work reflecting real world environment problem solving.
Dislikes
- The intense 7 week term system can be challenging as it compresses course material into a shorter time frame with multiple projects bombarding from all subjects with exams and quiz
- The location is pleasant but the town is small and people don't come around often less summer events. Feels isolated
- Career fairs are competitive as like on campus jobs are hard to get and hard to reach
Course Curriculum
10
- The course curriculum doesn't have much tough content in it as the majority is projected but the projects are tough to build as they are actual implementations of what we learn in class For instance, I had a class where a theorem was taught in machine learning and the assignment was to implement it classes are well times, either 1 day for 2hours in a week or 1 hour for 3 days in a week. A class has a maximum size of 20 people and the ratio is balanced for Indian to American 50-50.
Admission Experience
- I was admitted to Syracuse University, Bingyamtom State University, Worcester Polytechnique University, Minnesota Twin City, Indiana, Bloomington, Connecticut, and Clark University. I wasn't rejected by any university. I applied to them using my Duolingo score and they accepted me as I had a score of 8.21 GPA in my undergrad, which helped me along with recommendations and sop made my profile strong + get the best advantage of my work experience to get into computer science.
- The reason for me choosing WPI was its project-based learning curriculum rather than theoretical learning. i already had theoretical knowledge but lacked practical knowledge due to having experience hence joining WPI also gave me a scholarship of $9.5k, so yeah, it was a yes for this university as whether was also pleasant cold, which I liked, added a strong point for me to join along with great opportunities
- My Fall 2024 admissions process was very swift, with the university receiving its decision just four days after submission. The entire application process, from initial submission to final acceptance, took just one week. This rapid turnaround time made the process go more smoothly and minimised the usual tension associated with waiting for decisions.
Faculty
10
- The faculty are pretty abundant and impactful they have what it needs to be a professor so that is good, The faculty has a great method of teaching i say that because they try to pull out the critical thinking for each assignment task they give so that kinda impressive also they have good experience to guide someone and wants you to grow and make most out of their courses so faculty has full support on students they try to teach tech which is in use to industry for greater opportunity, I currently have one faculty who is pleasant and great calle professor Roee Shraga he's having great experience in teaching and is a ds professor.
Campus Life
10
- WPI has three campuses: the main campus in Worcester, Gateway Park (a research facility), and the Seaport location in Boston for corporate programs.
- Our main campus facilities include a 24-hour Gordon Library and a large Sports & Recreation Center with a pool, exercise center, courts, and a climbing wall. We also have a well-equipped health-care center.
- Major events include TouchTomorrow (a STEM festival), Homecoming Weekend, and the Graduate Research Innovation Exchange. The Indian Student Organisation (ISO) actively arranges cultural events such as Diwali and Holi.
- Popular student organisations include the following:
- GSG, ISO, Robotics Club, Game Development Club, and Graduate Women in Science and Engineering are all student organizations.
- We provide intramural leagues, club sports teams, and a variety of fitness classes.
- The International House holds frequent cultural exchange programs and global events.
- Career fairs (fall and spring), networking events, and research symposiums all provide opportunities for professional growth. These activities provide a great balance to academic life and offer excellent networking opportunities.
Part Time Jobs
- As a WPI student, I can confirm that TA/RA/DA roles are competitive yet available. Approximately 30–40% of graduate students obtain these positions, with TAs being the most frequent. TAs normally get $2,800-3,200 per course per term, but RAs are compensated similarly depending on hours completed (15-20 hours per week).
- The wage range for campus work is $15-25 per hour. Common on-campus employment include library assistants, IT help desks, and campus dining.
- Positions include recreation centre worker, lab monitor, and grader.
- International students can work up to 20 hours per week during terms and 40 hours per week during breaks, according to F-1 visa restrictions.
- Finding on-campus employment can be difficult, particularly in the first semester. There is a lot of competition because so many students apply. It's simpler to secure roles in your second semester when you've developed ties with instructors and staff.
- Early applications and networking with department faculty significantly improve your chances.
- As a WPI student, I can tell you that most Indian students work largely on campus due to visa restrictions. Teaching assistants, research assistants, and IT help desk employment are all popular options. Hourly salary ranges from $15 to $25, with TAs earning approximately $2,800-3,200 per course every term. Positions might be competitive, especially in the first semester. The application process is straightforward. 1. Search WPI's Handshake platform for job postings. 2. Submit your CV and cover letter through the site. 3. For TA roles, individually email professors to indicate interest. 4. Interview possible supervisors. 5. Complete the needed papers (I-9, tax forms). Tips for success include applying early in the semester, developing relationships with teachers, maintaining excellent academic status, checking job ads periodically, and networking with senior students.
Placement
10
- As a WPI Computer Science student, our program has a strong placement record, with over 90% of graduates finding work within 6 months. The average beginning wage ranges from $95,000 to $130,000 per year, with higher pay in tech hotspots such as Boston and Silicon Valley.
- WPI Career Fairs (Fall and Spring)
- On-campus interviews.
- Alumni network and company information sessions.
- WPI's Handshake Portal
- Top employers recruiting from WPI are:
- Microsoft
- Amazon
- Google Meta Bloomberg Fidelity.
- State Street VMware
- My classmates have secured positions as Software Engineers, Data Scientists, and Cloud Engineers. Many began with internships, which led to full-time opportunities. The Career Development Center offers valuable assistance with resume revisions, practice interviews, and networking activities.
Accommodation
Off Campus
10
- I located my apartment using a combination of sites, including the WPI Off-Campus Housing Facebook group and recommendations from seniors. I also joined the "WPI Indian Students" WhatsApp group, which was quite useful for locating roommates and receiving housing advice.
- My monthly rent is $800 for a shared apartment in Worcester, which is around 1.2 miles from college (15-minute walk or 5-minute drive). This includes essential necessities like heating and internet. Most apartments in this region vary from $700 to $1,000 per person for shared lodgings. Our apartment features a fully equipped kitchen, in-unit laundry, and parking.
- High competition for apartments near college.
- Understanding Lease Terms as an International Student
- Initial security deposit and first/last month's rent requirements
- Finding Reliable Roommates
- Most Indian students, including myself, live in neighbourhoods such as Highland Street, June Street, and Park Avenue. These places are popular since they are close to campus and offer easy access to Indian grocery stores and eateries.
- Begin your search as least three months before arriving.
- Join the WPI housing groups on Facebook and WhatsApp early.
- Consider subletting first to avoid signing a lease from abroad.
- Share a room with other students to save money.
- Always visit the unit (or have someone visit) before signing.
- Read the lease details carefully, and budget for utilities that are not included.
- Verify the landlord's credibility with past tenants if possible.
Exams
- The admission didn't require any exam to be cleared; it's just the criteria that were required to be filled for my admission, which was a GPA above 8, a Duolingo score above 115 and an English-medium study. That's it. That's the sole criteria. I was required to submit my Lor, sop, transcripts, and score card of Duolingo That's it and your financial proof to me. I was interviewed for the admission.
Fees
- I received a $9,600 scholarship award, which will help offset my total college expenses. The curriculum costs $49,000 over two years, with tuition accounting for the majority of the expense. Additional campus costs are minor, totaling roughly $30 per semester. Breaking it down annually: Total annual cost: $24,500. My scholarship every year is $4,800. My remaining liability is $19,700.
- This grant covers about 20% of my overall tuition expenses, which greatly reduces my financial load. While tuition is the main expense, the low campus fees make the whole cost more accessible. I'll need to pay around $49 each day for my schooling over the course of a complete calendar year, which represents a significant investment in my future.
Scholarship
- I'm glad to announce that I was awarded a $9,600 scholarship based on my academic performance, Statement of Purpose (SOP), and Letters of Recommendation (LOR). The university's scholarship committee reviewed these materials to determine the award amount. While scholarship amounts vary for every student, ranging from $4,000 to $10,000 per year, I am pleased to have earned a sizable gift to help fund my study. Though I am not aware of the exact criteria utilised to establish individual scholarship amounts, obtaining $9,600 is a major acknowledgement of my academic achievements and potential.
- This prize will help me minimise my educational expenses and validate my efforts throughout the application process. It is satisfying to know that the university regards my academic profile and sees possibilities for my future achievements.
