Academic Visit Days

This year's academic visit days started off with a bang!! We welcomed close to 50 families to campus today. In addition to touring the campus and learning about the admissions process, the families had a chance to attend a general engineering overview and to learn more about our Global Perspective Program through special presentations offered during the day. These programs are a great way for families to enhance their visits to campus. If you are thinking of visiting campus soon check out the offerings over the next two weeks.

Ed

Videos, Videos, Videos

Over the last several months the admissions office has been upgrading our video content and we are on the cusp of several new releases. We wrapped up a 10 minute overview video in the spring. So far we've shared that with some of our admitted students back in April and a group of visiting guidance counselors last week. This video is typically shown at open houses and off- campus receptions, but it will be up on our YouTube channel soon.

We are also putting the finishing touches on our new virtual tour, "Eye on WPI". If all goes well this should be launched in early August!! We are very excited about this new feature which will allow students to choose from 15 short videos or create their own video by picking the topics that they are most interested in learning more about.

Last but not least Adam Epstein is working with the Academic Technology Center here at WPI to create a ton of new video content for our YouTube channel. This will include interview with faculty, staff and students.

Be sure to check out the web site for all this new content in August!!

Ed

Frontiers at WPI

It's hard to believe that the WPI's Frontiers summer program has been going strong for 27 years!! This years program kicked off on Sunday and we welcomed over 180 students to campus from around the US and from around the globe. The program continues to expand each year, with this year being the biggest program yet. Last year we added a second session specifically for our Robotics Engineering students. As you might imagine that program filled quickly and we are expecting another great group of students for that program in 10 days.

I had the chance to meet some of the students and many of the family members during move in day on Sunday. I realize for some families this may be a stressful couple of weeks as their son or daughter is away from home for the first name ever...and still others may be enjoying the quiet:)
Overall I can assure you the students are having a great time in and out of the classroom. We have some great activities planned over the coming days and will get to know many of them a bit better as they may choose to schedule an interview with our office over the next few days.

Looking forward to Session II...

Ed

Summer break and new rankings

The summer break is flying by...almost 2 months since classes ended and new students will be arriving on campus in just over 6 weeks. Visitors to campus have been increasing day by day and July and August always prove to be a couple of our busiest months of the year.

If you are planning a visit to campus consider one of our academic visit days later in July and early August. They are a great way to learn more about the undergraduate programs and opportunities on campus.

Also keep an eye out on the WPI website for more news about our latest ranking...#14 in the country for return on investment. The ranking looked at the return on investment of graduates over the past 30 years and it came as no surprise that WPI shined. Check our the Business Week article for more details. (Also check out the tables for more complete rankings.)

Hope to see you on campus this summer...

Ed

Time Flies

Wow I can't believe it's been almost 2 months since my last post. April is a traditionally busy month in the admissions world and things typically quiet down a bit in May...but not this year!!

While the office was fairly quiet in May, my family and I moved at the end of the month. We'd been in the same place for 8 years and it is amazing how much stuff one can gather it 8 years!!

So what else happened at WPI since my last post? Here's a top ten list of sorts....in no particular order:)

We held two very popular Closer Look Programs for Admitted Students

Our 2010 Commencement which included Curt Schilling as the Commencement Speaker

The ground breaking for WPI's new Sports and Recreation Center

The release of WPI's new Admissions Video...look for it on the web soon!!

The 2010 Reunion at WPI...taking place this weekend

The WPI academic plan celebrates its 40th year!

New project sites in Japan and Santa Fe, NM offered for the 2010/11 academic year

We welcomed a group of Russian university officials to campus interested in learning more about the unique nature of WPI's programs

WPI won the Worcester Cup for the second straight year. It recognizes the college athletic program in Worcester with the highest winning percentage over the entire year.

The May 1st enrollment deadline passed and we saw over 900 students choose to enroll at WPI as part of the Class of 2014!! (We expect an incoming class in the upper 800s come August.)

That's all for now....I promise to be back soon!!

Ed

Closer Look 2010

We are less than 48 hours away from our first Closer Look program for our admitted students. As you might imagine it's been quite busy in the office over the past few days preparing for the program. We are expecting about 300 admitted students and I am happy to see that good weather is expected.

Each year at our Closer look programs we see many students and their families decide that WPI is their school of choice for the next 4 years. If you haven't already paid your enrollment deposit, but choose to do so on Wednesday, we'll give you a free sweatshirt!!

Hope to see you on campus soon!!

Ed

Happy Easter!

March did not disappoint and proved to be one of the busiest months of the year. I've had a few days to catch my breath now that all the decision letters have mailed.

I am in Florida for a few days with the family visiting my mother-in-law for Easter. Beautiful weather 80+ degrees every day!! We've been able to take our little boy to the beach each day and boy does he love the water!! Spent a good part of the Easter holiday at the beach...feels a bit odd, but not complaining:)

Of course the trip's not all fun and games...I'll be heading to Miami tomorrow and will be meeting with some of our admitted students and their families on Tuesday night.

We'll be offering several events for admitted students across the country over the next couple of weeks...check out our web site for the details.

Off to watch the Sox vs Yankees...see the Sox are already losing :(

Ed