<p>My S is applying for fall 2012, and WPI is high on his list. We won't qualify for much financial aid if any, though my income is right at the level where the full cost (200K +) would be painful or perhaps impossible. S is top 22% of his class at a competitive suburban HS, SAT 1520 (CR + M), 700+ on SAT II Physics and Math, weighted GPA 3.86 (grades not reflective of ability until this year--a little late, I know). Seems a reasonable candidate for admission, but I'm guessing no bright prospects for substantial merit aid. Any insight from CC'ers on chances for WPI merit aid or whether the full boat admission is worthwhile? Missouri S&T (nee Missouri-Rolla) is closer, half the expense, and therefore quite doable for dad, though not as highly ranked with a curriculum not as closely aligned with S's interests.</p>
<p>Daughter is a sophomore at WPI. We, too, did not qualify for FA based on need. WPI offered us a merit based scholarship that made the cost acceptable (still expensive IMHO, but worth it). </p>
<p>One of our deciding factors was a reasonable 4 year grad rate at WPI. We live in SoCal (with ties to MA) and she was accepted to several of the UCs. However, they all had poor 4 year grad rates. Our son went to Cal Poly SLO and he took 5 years to graduate primarily due to class availabilty (his department’s 4 year grad rate was 15%, 5 year grad rate 85%). Comparing 4 years at WPI verses 5 at a UC made the cost in WPI’s favor (and looking like its more in favor of WPI as the CA economy sinks lower into the toilet and they raise the UC tuition rates again). Something to consider.</p>
<p>Daughter choose WPI and just loves it there. Classes are available, she delayed her choice of major until start of sophomore year (it was between several engineering majors, hence WPI) where she had to apply to a specific department at the UCs and switching can be difficult.</p>
<p>Another point in WPI’s favor. Daughter was in the dorms her freshman year. She is living in an apartment this year about 10 minutes walk from campus with two other women. Apartment rents are reasonable (about half of my son’s rent near Cal Poly). Area isn’t super, but OK. Street is full of WPI students in apartments. WPI has a system that provides her a safe ride home when she stays late at school.</p>
<p>My D also attends WPI as a freshman. We did not qualify for any FA. She received a very nice merit scholarship, which made the cost much easier for us to deal with.</p>
<p>I encourage your son to apply Early Action. He will know by the middle of December if he gets in. The merit scholarships are awarded within a week of acceptance.</p>
<p>S is a junior at WPI. Nobody was more shocked than H & I when he received some merit $$$ from WPI. S is a solid student, but I wouldn’t describe him as stellar. We were so pleased when he got in, but when that letter came about merit $$$ – well, what a wonderful surprise. OP, I would also encourage your S to apply – what’s the downside?</p>
<p>Yes, agree with gsmomma about applying Early Action.</p>
<p>If he applies Early Action 1 by the November 10 deadline, he should have an answer by mid-December.</p>
<p>Thought you might be interested in page 21 of 35 of the Common Data Set (for students entering in the Fall of 2010), where it says that the average scholarhiip and grant award for students getting fianancial aid was $20,776; and on page 22 of 35, where it says that the average merit award for students not receiving financial aid was $15,400:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.wpi.edu/Images/CMS/IRO/WPI_CDS_2010-2011.pdf[/url]”>http://www.wpi.edu/Images/CMS/IRO/WPI_CDS_2010-2011.pdf</a></p>
<p>Good luck to your S!</p>
<p>My son is a freshman at WPI. He applied Early Action I. He was a National Merit Finalist and therefore received a good merit scholarship. This year’s freshman class was the largest ever - 1000 - so this year it might be even harder to get in. Agree with earlier post that you should apply early action and that the 4 year grad rate as well as the project based curriculum are good reasons to consider. They have some interesting programs like Robotics Engineering and an optional international program, Global Perspectives.</p>
<p>Funny, he also considered MST! I think he is possibly the only student or at least only Freshman from Missouri at WPI! Passing up the in-state tuition plus merit offered by MST was tough, but I think he made the right choice. The 7-week term thing seems to be a good fit for him. He is really enjoying it so far, though it’s only been a month or so! </p>
<p>MST is very open that their programs are typically not completed in 4 years.</p>
<p>WPI is high on LakeJr’s list, after our visit to an orientation last spring. Cost is a concern, particularly since we have a well-regarding public engineering college in-state.</p>