Senior Projects Game Design Worcester Polytechnic University

About

From the School

Here, you don't just learn—you do. Everything about Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) is designed to stimulate your curiosity, challenge you, and support you so that you can imagine anything and innovate everything.

WPI is a nationally renowned, private research university with a cross-cutting educational focus that aims to solve complex global problems. Students collaborate across WPI's four schools—The Global School, School of Engineering, School of Arts & Sciences, and The Business School—to facilitate and nurture a strong focus on innovation, exploration, and real-world competency.

The WPI Plan – a pioneering project-based education based on the university's motto of "Theory and Practice," converts classroom concepts into real-world impact. The Plan (wpi.edu/wpi-plan) will set you apart in the world first as a student, then as a sought-after young professional, and ultimately across your career and life. Fifty years after its implementation, the Plan continues to help WPI students succeed in college and in their careers.

All WPI undergraduates complete a humanities and arts requirement and at least two additional projects that allow them to tackle issues they feel passionate about and make a lasting difference on the world around us—from improving access to clean water in rural communities, to developing robots for underwater research. Through the Plan, you learn how to learn by applying your classroom experiences to projects that challenge you from a proficiency, social, and global perspective.

WPI consistently receives high rankings as one of America's Best Colleges, according to the U.S. News & World Report. The university has earned praise and attention for its project-based curriculum, small class sizes, robust career services, study abroad opportunities, return on investment, and ability to create futures. Find out more at wpi.edu/+formula.

Admissions

Overall

From The School

WPI is a member of the Common Application, the exclusive WPI application method for undergraduate students. As a way to increase access to the institution, WPI has no application fee. WPI offers two rounds of non-binding Early-Action applications due on November 1 or January 15; two rounds of binding Early-Decision applications due on November 1 or January 15; and the Regular Decision deadline is February 15. Transfer students are invited to apply through WPI's proprietary transfer application, with a May 15 deadline.

As a test-blind institution, WPI does not factor SAT or ACT scores into our admission decisions and will not include them as part of our application review. Academic requirements include four years of math (including pre-calculus), four years of English, and two years of lab science.

Other requirements:

High school transcript: must include senior grades for ED applicants

Teacher recommendation (preferably in math or science)
School counselor recommendation
Personal essay
TOEFL, IELTS, or Pearson's Test of English (PTE) scores for international students whose first language is not English

Overview

Applicants: 11,269

Acceptance Rate: 59%

Average HS GPA: 3.85

GPA Breakdown

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SAT & ACT Test Scores

SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing

25th-75th percentile
(enrolled students)

630 - 710

SAT Math

25th-75th percentile
(enrolled students)

670 - 760

ACT Composite Scores

25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)

29 - 33

Testing Policies

Deadlines

Early Decision — November 1

Early Decision II — January 15

Early Action — November 1

Regular — February 15

Other Admission Factors

Academic

Rigor of Secondary School Record

Academic GPA

Selectivity Rating

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Academics

Overall

From The School

Academic Programs

WPI's academic program is built to be flexible. Students take the equivalent of three courses (as courses or project work) during each of four seven-week terms (two in the fall and two in the spring). As part of the WPI Plan, you have the freedom and the responsibility to choose the courses and experiences that best suit your goals and interests.

In addition, WPI does not have failing grades, so the focus is on learning, teamwork, and collaboration, not on competing. Students earn grades of A, B, C, or NR (No Record). This unique grading system encourages you to branch out, experiment, and cross disciplines—that's where amazing things happen at WPI, and ultimately, in your career.

With WPI's Global Projects Program, a distinctive study abroad program, students travel in teams to one of more than 50 off-campus project sites to work on real problems impacting communities and organizations. To remove financial barriers to an experience many graduates refer to as "life changing," every student receives a one-time global scholarship of up to $5,000. Students bring thoughtful approaches to myriad societal and technological challenges. Past projects have included using community engagement to reduce flood rise in Albania's Shkoder region, the development of an interactive data portal for rural electrification in Namibia, and an interactive museum exhibit featuring pueblo influence on New Mexican contemporary architecture.

Majors and Degrees Offered

WPI's 70+ areas of study include engineering, science, business, and the liberal arts leading to undergraduate degrees of the bachelor of science (BS) or bachelor of arts (BA). The university also has strong graduate degree programs. Undergraduate students may opt for the BS/MS program to earn both degrees in four or five years. Exciting interdisciplinary programs, driven by real-world demand, include interactive media and game development, environmental engineering, architectural engineering, global studies, and the nation's first undergraduate program in robotics engineering.

WPI also offers pre-professional programs in law, medicine, and veterinary. You can even create your own major or minor program and go out on co-op. WPI's academic advising program and comprehensive academic support services help students make the right choices to reach their goals.

Faculty and Class Information

Most frequent class size

2 - 9

Most frequent lab / sub section size

20 - 29

Graduation Rates

Majors

BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES.
Biochemistry.
Biology/Biological Sciences, General.
Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology, Other.

BUSINESS, MANAGEMENT, MARKETING, AND RELATED SUPPORT SERVICES.
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other.
Business/Commerce, General.
Management Information Systems, General.

COMMUNICATION, JOURNALISM, AND RELATED PROGRAMS.
Technical and Scientific Communication.

COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES AND SUPPORT SERVICES.
Computer Science.
Computer Software and Media Applications, Other.

ENGINEERING.
Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering.
Architectural Engineering.
Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering.
Chemical Engineering.
Civil Engineering, General.
Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Engineering Physics/Applied Physics.
Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering.
Industrial Engineering.
Mechanical Engineering.
Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering.

LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES, GENERAL STUDIES AND HUMANITIES.
Humanities/Humanistic Studies.
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Other.

MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS.
Mathematics and Statistics, Other.
Mathematics, General.

MULTI/INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES.
Mathematics and Computer Science.
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other.
Science, Technology and Society.
Sustainability Studies.

PHYSICAL SCIENCES.
Chemistry, General.
Physics, General.

PSYCHOLOGY.
Psychology, General.

SOCIAL SCIENCES.
Economics, General.
International Relations and Affairs.

VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS.
Game and Interactive Media Design.

Students Say

Sometimes it can be challenging to understand how to apply your college coursework to your future career. But for the 4,800 undergraduates at Massachusetts' Worcester Polytechnic Institute, there's no doubt that their global, project-based STEM education gives them "a lot of necessary tools" to succeed. From the very first day of class, many students say the "unique quarter system" and "projects that are related to the real world" are foundational to their success. This program, known as the WPI Plan, is split into seven-week terms, each of which has three classes. A two-term Great Problems Seminar serves to ease students into university-level research, and subsequent classes continue to emphasize the "learn by doing" method. Once settled into the WPI academic structure, many students take advantage of the "excellent resources for academics and future aspirations" by actively pursuing "personal engineering projects" and "opportunities for study abroad, co-ops, [and] internships." Of course, as an interdisciplinary and global institution with over fifty project centers around the world, most students rave about the "research opportunities...available for students who wish to have a larger role in the subject they enjoy." At the end of their academic career with WPI, not only do all students end up completing the equivalent of a minor in Humanities & Arts, but they know that their "hands-on learning, group work, and cool projects where you actually get to make something" are exactly what "employers love best about [them]." Project-based learning is central to the academic experience at WPI, which involves an "incredibly supportive and collaborative" environment between students and faculty. A project often incorporates real world problems and "allows [students] to actually utilize the theoretical knowledge [they] are learning" via "lots of hands-on learning [where] students steer most projects themselves." There are "a plethora of projects…that reflect what can actually happen in the workplace." These ventures range from managing an "independent software startup" to completing a software engineering class that is "run like an internship." Many students say that for both their larger capstone projects and regular coursework, "professors are always available for office hours and meetings" to help. Instructors also "work hard to engage students in course material," so expect them to support all types of learners with lectures "reinforced with some kind of lab, project, practice, or interactive activity." Working closely with such "interested and engaged" educators has had a long-term impact on some undergrads. As one student notes, "My chemistry professor has inspired me to pursue a masters or PhD in renewable energy after I graduate from WPI."

Degrees

Bachelor's
Doctoral/Research
Master's
Post-Bachelor's certificate
Post-Master's certificate

Career Services

On-Campus Job Interviews Available

Career Services

Alumni Network

Alumni Services

Classes

Interest Inventory

Internships

Regional Alumni

Opportunities at School

Coop

Experiential

Internship

Notable Faculty

Prominent Alumni

Dean Kamen

Serial Entrepreneur; founded FIRST Robotics to inspire students in science and technology

Edward Cheung

NASA Robotics Refueling Mission team and former chief engineer on the Hubble Space Telescope

Nancy Pimental

Award-winning screenwriter for South Park, Shameless, and the movie The Sweetest Thing

Robert Goddard

Father of modern rocketry

Michael J. Dolan

Senior Vice President, ExxonMobil Chemical Company

Chartsiri Sophonpanich

President, Bangkok Bank Limited

Maria Elisa Carvajal

Vice President of Global Marketing, Colgate-Palmolive

Academic Rating

Careers

Graduation Rates

Career Services

On-Campus Job Interviews Available

Career Services

Alumni Network

Alumni Services

Classes

Interest Inventory

Internships

Regional Alumni

Opportunities at School

Coop

Experiential

Internship

ROI & Outcomes

Information from PayScale:

Starting Median Salary (Up to Bachelor's degree completed, only)

Mid-Career Median Salary (Up to Bachelor's degree completed, only)

Starting Median Salary (At least Bachelor's degree)

Mid-Career Median Salary (At least Bachelor's degree)

Students Say

Due to WPI's emphasis on real-world experience and applied science and technology, it's not surprising that the students are a career-focused bunch. All students participate in three projects, some with external sponsors, before graduation. The Career Development Center is generally well regarded, offering career fairs and company presentations, services like résumé building and interview prep, and advice for students on how to use networking and social media to their advantage. A WPI education is "about preparing students for successful careers in their respective fields upon graduation through practical applications of the knowledge and skills that are taught," and "a large percentage of the student body will leave WPI with a fairly good job when they graduate." Evidence seems to bear out that observation, as WPI has been frequently cited for graduating their students into high-paying careers. Beyond the finances, 53 percent WPI alumni visiting PayScale.com report feeling as though their job has a high level of meaning.

Excerpt from Colleges That Create Futures

For their senior year, WPI students work on the equivalent of a senior capstone project known as the Major Qualifying Project (MQP). These are high-level design or research-based projects that students complete in their chosen field of study. Many students work in small teams to complete their MQP, under the advisement of a faculty member. One industrial engineering major notes that working in teams "encourages cooperation among students rather than cut-throat competition." In keeping with WPI's emphasis on hands-on learning and the fact that MQPs are focused on design and research, students often get the opportunity to work alongside faculty members in state-of-the-art research labs. It's not uncommon for students to complete their MQP at one of WPI's many centers away from the main Massachusetts campus and, because of WPI's reputation for exemplary performance on-the-job, a good number of these projects are completed with corporate sponsorship. An associate professor of mechanical engineering tells us, "We hear from so many employers that our graduates are self-starters." She explains, "During four years at WPI they not only become highly knowledgeable in a discipline, they develop skills and competencies related to teamwork (they work in a variety of teams and most learn to identify and manage conflict in teams); problem solving (they're able to ask the right questions, scope problems, manage complex projects and get things done); and 'learning to learn'—figuring out what they need to learn and jumping right in." The schools says that it consistently has a 90 percent job and/or graduate school placement rate upon graduation with students receiving job offers from Amazon, Microsoft, Bose, Dow Chemical, Google, Pfizer, Sikorsky, EMC Corporation, and ExxonMobil, to name a few.

Tuition & Aid

Overview

From The School

Tuition, Room, Board and Fees

Tuition for the 2021–22 academic year is $54,640 and approximate on-campus room and board is $16,140. A required $891 fee covers student life and health charges.

WPI has an excellent ROI, and our graduates earn starting salaries 40% higher than the national average at nearly $73,000 per year for the class of 2020. Graduates can move quickly up the ranks to positions of influence because of the opportunities they have to gain real work experiences before graduation.

Top-tier employers seek out WPI graduates for their real-world experience and ability to work collaboratively. With 91.3% of graduates in jobs or attending graduate school within several months of graduation, students are recruited by leading organizations such as Pfizer, General Electric, Fidelity Investments, Tesla, and Google. Each year, WPI graduates are accepted at many prestigious graduate schools, including MIT, Yale University, Princeton University, Johns Hopkins University, and Tufts University School of Medicine.

Financial Aid

All admitted applicants are considered for merit-based scholarships - there is no separate application required.

Students may indicate if they wish to be considered for need-based aid. About 97 percent of WPI students receive merit or need-based aid to attend the university, not including federal aid. Most applicants will receive a financial aid package within two weeks of their acceptance.

Students applying for need-based aid are required to file the FAFSA and CSS Profile no later than February 1. By filing before the deadline, you will receive notification of your aid much sooner, allowing you to make more informed decisions.

WPI boasts a 98.9% loan repayment rate—showing that WPI graduates earn strong salaries and are able to pay off their loans in a reasonable amount of time.

Dates

Required Forms

FAFSA
Forms CSSProfile
Forms Divorced Parent

Financial Aid Statistics

Average Freshman Total Need-Based Gift Aid

Average Undergraduate Total Need-Based Gift Aid

Average amount of each freshman scholarship/grant package

Financial aid provided to international students

Expenses per Academic Year

Average Cost for Books and Supplies

$1,200

Tuition / Fees Vary by Year of Study

Board for Commuters

$6,690

Transportation for Commuters

$1,500

On-Campus Room and Board

$15,680

Available Aid

Financial Aid Methodology

Federal and Institutional

Scholarships and Grants

Need-Based

Need-Based College/University Scholarship or Grant Aid from Institutional Funds

Need-Based Federal Pell

Need-Based Private Scholarships

Need-Based SEOG

Need-Based State Scholarships

Institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid is available

Federal Direct Student Loan Programs

Direct PLUS Loans

Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans

Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans

Federal Family Education Loan Programs (FFEL)

College/university loans from institutional funds

State Loans

Is Institutional Employment Available (other than Federal Work Study)

Yes

Financial Aid Rating

Student Body

Overall

From The School

All admitted applicants are considered for merit-based scholarships - there is no separate application required.

WPI boasts a 98.9% loan repayment rate—showing that WPI graduates earn strong salaries and are able to pay off their loans in a reasonable amount of time.

Student Body Profile

Total Undergraduate Enrollment

4,892

Foreign Countries Represented

Demographics

96% are full time

4% are part time

Students Say

WPI undergrads are "well-rounded students" who "are very involved on campus and live the campus life to the fullest." Many enrollees note that people are "extremely interested in their respective STEM fields but also have incredibly diverse extracurricular interests," which contributes to the "specific vibe" at WPI. That is, when you get on the WPI wavelength, "you feel as if you finally belong somewhere." Everyone "is so warm and inviting to anyone new" and "the sense of community is extremely strong, and students are very supportive and welcoming." And if you find yourself struggling, fellow students "are super willing to help you if you have a tough class." One student captures the spirit of the institution, saying, "The student body at WPI feels like a community of like-minded peers. It is exciting to see what other people achieve, both inside and outside the classroom. Even if you don't know someone, it feels like they're your friend because you know how much hard work they put in to reach their achievements."

Campus Life

Overview

From The School

Location

Founded in 1865, WPI's 95-acre campus is located in a residential area of Worcester (Wus-tah), Massachusetts, the second largest city in New England. With its beautiful architecture and green spaces, WPI has a classic New England feel. Dubbed, "...the new ,'It' town." (NPR 2018), Worcester is an up-and-coming city that offers the charm and ease of a college town, the convenience of urban living, and the excitement of being a growing and innovative industry hub for the life sciences and biotechnology sectors.

Campus Facilities & Equipment

These three buildings spotlight WPI and its cutting-edge equipment available in labs and classrooms across campus:

The WPI Innovation Studio serves as a hub for WPI's project-based curriculum. Makerspaces, high-tech active learning classrooms, an Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center, and the Global Impact Lab support the "hands-on" aspect of the WPI curriculum.

The Life Sciences & Bioengineering Center at Gateway Park is a state-of-the-art research center housing faculty from four departments. The Fire Science Laboratory, one of the only such academic fire labs in the nation, enables students and faculty to evaluate fire safety measures in actual fire simulations. PracticePoint is a membership-based development and testing facility in which academics, industry, healthcare professionals, and patients will help advance medical devices and healthcare technologies. The new Lab for Education & Application Prototypes supports the growing integrated photonics manufacturing sector. Laser holography labs, computer music labs, medical imaging labs, a bioprocess lab—they're all here, and lots more.

WPI's Sports and Recreation Center, one of the greenest in the nation, includes a four-court gymnasium, indoor jogging track, 14,000 sq. ft. of fitness space, racquetball and squash courts, competition pool, workout studios, and rowing tanks.

Off-Campus Opportunities

Worcester boasts over 38,000 college students attending eight universities. Along with a robust college population, the city offers world-class restaurants, cultural sights, concerts and sporting events, beautiful parks, and an affordable cost of living. Area transportation allows easy access to regional amenities such as skiing and hiking, plus quick travel to Boston, Cape Cod, and New York City.

Campus Life

Undergrads living on campus

47%

Help finding off-campus housing

Yes

First-Year Students living on campus

86%

Campus Environment

Small Urban

Housing Options

Apartment Single

Disabled Student

Dorms Coed

Frat Sorority

Other

Students Say

Academics are time-consuming, and everyone runs on a "very intense schedule," but students enjoy taking breaks with "school-sponsored events such as karaoke, Just Dance, and trivia" and there's "always time for socializing on the quad when it is nice out." Schedules "are filled to the brim with club involvements [and] sports." Activities range from "a lot of... intramural sports" to "theater and performance groups," and even an active "Greek life [that] is run very well and makes a large impact on the community." As one undergrad puts it, "We live by our Outlook calendars, and they fill up quickly with club meetings and sports." And if students are looking to get off campus, the hopping town of Worcester is just down the hill, filled with "so many good places to eat." Even with all the exciting activities on and off campus, "students manage their time extremely well and remain positive about their school life."

Special Needs Admissions

Type of Program

For all students with disabilities

College Entrance Tests Required

Special Need Services Offered

Calculator allowed in exams

Dictionary allowed in exams

Computer allowed in exams

Spellchecker allowed in exams

Distraction-free environment

Accommodation for students with ADHD

Other assistive technology

Student Activities

Registered Student Organizations

228

Number of Honor Societies

Number of Social Sororities

Number of Religious Organizations

Sports

30% participate in intramural sports

12% participate in intercollegiate sports

Men's Sports (Engineers)

11 Sports

Baseball
Basketball
Crew Rowing
Cross Country
Diving
Football
Soccer
Swimming
Track Field Indoor
Track Field Outdoor
Wrestling

Women's Sports (Engineers)

11 Sports

Basketball
Crew Rowing
Cross Country
Diving
Field Hockey
Soccer
Softball
Swimming
Track Field Indoor
Track Field Outdoor
Volleyball

Student Services

Sustainability

Worcester Polytechnic Institute plays a prominent role in the sustainability leadership on campus and in the local and global communities. The university has established the WPI Task Force on Sustainability and has developed a new Campus Sustainability Plan. Sustainability is woven throughout the university's project-based curriculum. First year students engage in university-level research and project work focusing on themes of global importance, including food sustainability, the world's water, and powering the world. One of WPI's most distinctive offerings is its interactive qualifying project, undertaken during the junior year. The majority of these projects are immersed in creating sustainable solutions to social issues through science or technology in one of more than 40 project centers around the globe. Outside of the classroom, students actively engage in activities ranging from hosting fuel efficient vehicle shows and e-waste drives to leading Engineers without Borders projects. The students have formed a "Green Team" and Eco-Reps educate their peers about waste minimization and energy savings. Student Ambassadors engage middle-school aged students in the excitement of STEM fields.Among WPI's most important environmental decisions was its decree that all new construction meet LEED certification standards. Thus far, WPI has four buildings that meet these standards There are ongoing energy efficiency programs which include LED lighting, motion sensors for climate control and lighting, and solar panels heating the Recreation Center's swimming pool. The campus offers Zip Car memberships, a ride-sharing website, shuttles to areas around campus and beyond, and a WPI student bicycling club. Chartwells, the university's dining service, promotes sustainable practices, and features locally produced foods, cage-free eggs, grass-fed beef, hormone- and antibiotic-free meat, and sustainability seafood.

AASHE STARSÂ® rating

Gold

School Has Formal Sustainability Committee

Sustainability-focused degree available

School employs a sustainability officer

Public GHG inventory plan

% food budget spent on local/organic food

Available Transportation Alternatives

Carpool/Vanpool Matching Program

Free Or Reduced Price Transit Passes And/Or Free Campus Shuttle

Indoor And Secure Bike Storage, Shower Facilities, And Lockers For Bicycle Commuters

Reduced Parking Fees For Car And Van Poolers

School Adopted A Policy Prohibiting Idling

School Developed Bicycle Plan

Data provided by Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), STARSÂ®, as of March, 2021.

Campus Security Report

The Jeanne Clery Act requires colleges and universities to disclose their security policies, keep a public crime log, publish an annual crime report and provide timely warnings to students and campus employees about a crime posing an immediate or ongoing threat to students and campus employees.

Please visit The Princeton Reviewâ€™s page on campus safety for additional resources: http://www.princetonreview.com/safety

The Princeton Review publishes links directly to each school's Campus Security Reports where available. Applicants can also access all school-specific campus safety information using the Campus Safety and Security Data Analysis Cutting Tool provided by the Office of Postsecondary Education of the U.S. Department of Education: http://ope.ed.gov/security

Other Information

Campus-wide Internet Network

% of Classrooms with Wireless Internet

Partnerships with Technology Companies

Personal computer included in tuition for each student

Discounts Available with Hardware Vendors

Articles & Advice