The Indian Student Organziation at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute
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Regarding Admission & Financial Assistance

  1. I have a GRE score of x, TOEFL score of y, GPA of z. Can you tell me my chances of getting admission and financial aid?

    The chances of getting an admit and financial aid mainly depend on your academic record. An excellent GRE backed up with very good acads can certainly push your case for getting aid. Any prior research exposure/paper published/related job experience helps significantly. Also, contacting the Professors before your arrival and letting them know about your interests is beneficial.

    NOTE: ISO is not responsible for any admission decisions taken at WPI. Decisions taken by the authorities are final and we cannot predict/change/suggest anything regarding the same. Please DO NOT SEND US any mail regarding admission.

  2. Will it help if I come early and talk to the professors?

    Yes,certainly. Coming early will also give you more time to look for apartments and on campus jobs. However, most professors take a summer break and are not at WPI during early august.If you are planning to come early just to meet professors, make sure that the professor is in school else it is not of much use.

  3. Can I work on-campus?

    Yes you can for 20 hours/week. Wages range from6.5$/hr-10$/hr. However, on campus job scene is not so good at WPI only due to small size of the university.

  4. Can I work off-campus?

    You cannot work off campus for first 9 months of studies. After that, you are allowed to work for 40hrs/week off-campus during summers. This is when most of the students do their internships.

For Accepted students:

  1. What are credit hours?

    The number of hours you are taught each week. Each course generally has 3 credit hours (some have 2 hours).To maintain your F1-Status, you are supposed to take atleast 9 credit hours per semester or 3courses.

  2. Howmany credit hours does a student register for?

    For9 credit hours i.e.3 courses.Taking more than 3 courses/semester can be tough to cope up with.

  3. What are the requirements for completing the course?

    30-33credit hours, depending on your department. This includes the core courses that you must take.

  4. What is the Fee Structure?

    A breakup of fee structure can be found here:

    http://grad.wpi.edu/Financial/tuition.html

  5. What forms of financial assistantships are available?

    We have RA-Research Assistantships and TA-Teaching Assistantships available. Getting a RA or a TA entitles you to earn a stipend of $1600/month+full tuition waiver. Getting RA/TA in the first semester itself is kind of tough, however if you perform well your chances of assistantship in the second sem increases.

    Note:The MIS dept. has no RA and TA. They give out Graduate Assistantships(GA) only.

  6. What is the procedure for securing a Research Assistantship?

    To fetch RA-you have to perform well in your courses. Make yourself more visible in the department and participate in research meets. Also, try to involve yourself in the research Prof.does with his students.

  7. Can you tell me something about getting a visa?

    Refer to the files section of WPI 2006 group for visa related questions.

  8. Do I need to get any inoculations or immunizations before coming to WPI?

    Yes you do. The health form has the necessary requirements:http://www.wpi.edu/Admin/Health/Forms/

Aftervisa: Coming to WPI:

  1. How much money should I carry with me?

    You can carry the first semester tuition fees in draft. You may keep around $2000 in Traveler's Cheques and carry upto300$ in cash. Within a week of your arriving, we will help you open a bank account where you can deposit your Traveller's Cheques.

  2. What are the Living Expenses?

    Apartment share are cheap. Rent ranges from250$-350$ a month.Living expenses will be around 100$ a month.You will be able to cover these expenses easily with your on campus job.

  3. Should I take the TSE before coming to WPI?

    Ifyou're granted a TA, then you'll have to take the SPEAK test here and your TSE score won't matter. The fee for SPEAK testis managed by your department.

  4. Can I have email address of other students coming to the WPI?

    Sure.Please join the group WPI2006.

  5. What Books should I carry?

    Books depend on the courses you are taking. Also,professors keep on changing the text books for the courses. It would be better if you get some reference books for some subjects.

  6. How is the Weather at Worcester?

    It snows here from late Nov-April. Rest of the months it's pleasant weather. We would recommend buying your winter gear from US. Don't forget to bring 2 pairs of thermal wears.

  7. Should I carry Medicines and Health Insurance?

    You can carry medicines. Make sure that you get the prescription of these medicines from your doctor for custom checks.We advise you to buy your health insurance at WPI.

    Fora complete list of things/medicines refer to files section of theWPI2006group/US General.

  8. How should I carry my tuition fee and other expenses?

    Best way to carry your tuition fees is through a Demand Draft in favor of WPI. You can also carry a DD for your living expense, be sure to carry some TCs as cashing of DDs make take sometime. Also, carry 50$ in cash to pay for airport limousine service.

Arrival and Living in WORCESTER:

  1. What are the average living expenses?

    Rent should range from 250$-350$/month.Living expenses will be around 50$/month.You will be able to cover these expenses easily with your on campus job.

  2. Will we have to cook our own food? If so, what should we carry for cooking purposes?

    Yes,you will have to, if you want to save on some money. Outside food tends to be expensive.

  3. What about laundry?

    You get Laundromat machines in which you can wash and dry your clothes.Costs around $3 in total.

After Arrival:

  1. Can I find an apartment after I reach WPI and how long will it take?

    You can start searching for one as soon as you're here. ISO team can help you in your search for an apartment. Usually,it may take a week or so to find an apartment, but you'll be provided temporary housing by the Indian community here.

  2. Can you book an apartment for me?

    We would advise you to come here and take your own time in choosing an apartment.

  3. I don't know anyone; can ISO find roommates for me?

    Yes certainly.

  4. Are apartments furnished?

    Some are, but these are expensive. For unfurnished apartments, you can always buy second hand furniture at very cheap rates. FYI, all the apartments come with closets, hot cold water supply, heating system and a fridge. You may have to pay extra for heating and hot water supply, depending on the landlord.

We hope that the above information will answer most of your queries.. If you have any more questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us.

Please note that it would be highly convenient and suitable if you could email us at so that any of the executive members can get back to you. It would help us to help you.Also, these answers are approximate.

Best Regards

ISO TEAM