Parents & Families

Frequently Asked Questions

• Academics

  Is Wentworth accredited?

  Yes! Wentworth Institute of Technology is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education. In addition to our institutional accrediation, many of our programs also hold specialized accrediations for their fields.

  How do faculty support students at the school? Are classes taught by professors?

  Wentworth professors, professionals in their fields and partners in learning stand ready to teach, mentor and coach you toward earning your degree and reaching your dreams. Wentworth faculty are in the classrooms, focused on student education and providing you with close-knit instruction and attention that makes a difference.

  Advising is a student-centric, campus-wide collaborative effort to support the academic, professional, and personal development of each student, empowering students to make the most of their educational experience. Advisors support students as they explore their interests, talents, values, and priorities. Students are assisted by their advisors, a team comprised of faculty and professional staff.

  Is there an honors program at Wentworth? 

  Yes, each year a select group of students are invited to join our honors program.  As members of the honors program, they can live together in the honors LEAP housing.  Members also receive a book award for their books.  Throughout the year there is specialized programming and events to keep the group active and engaged.   

• Admissions

  When will my child get their decision from Wentworth after applying? 

  Wentworth has several key application and decision dates to remember: 

  Early Action 1 
  Apply by: November 1 
  Notified by: December 15 

  Early Action 2 
  Apply by: January 1 
  Notified by: February 15 

  Regular Decision 
  Apply by: February 1 
  Notified by: April 1 

  What is the difference between Early Action 1 and 2 and Regular Decision? 

  There is no difference in the application rounds except the timing of the decision release.  We will review all students the same for each application round.  We recommend that students who are ready apply to the earlier rounds so they can receive a decision earlier.  

  What does my student need to apply? 

  Applying to Wentworth is as easy as 1, 2, 3.   

  1. Submit the Common Application  
  2. Pay the application fee 
  3. Have school supply an official transcript 

  Wentworth does not require test scores or letters of recommendation, but students are welcome to submit them if they choose to do so.  

• Campus Safety and Living in Boston

  I'm unfamiliar with Boston. What are the highlights of living and going to school in the city? 

  We share our neighborhood with other fine universities (Simmons, MassArt, and Northeastern surround our campus), major cultural institutions like the MFA and the Isabella Stewart Gardener Museum, and Fenway Park – home of the Red Sox, great food, and concert halls. Many other historic and innovation hubs are a short ride away on the T. Though Boston is a bustling city, our campus is small and manageable, centered around a green quad that hosts summer barbecues and food truck days, and student events throughout the year. 

  Is the campus safe? 

  As an urban campus we take safety very seriously. Our campus police officers are on duty 24/7. The Wentworth Police Department provides a full range of police services to the college community. Campus patrols are conducted by certified sworn Massachusetts Special State Police Officers who are also Suffolk County Deputy Sheriffs. Patrols are conducted on foot, mountain bike, and cruiser.

  In addition to its law enforcement role, the Police Department maintains the college's Safety Escort Program and patrols of the academic and residential campuses. All Wentworth Patrol Personnel are trained as first responders. Wentworth also maintains a blue light safety system across campus as well as the RAVE emergency response system. Families are encouraged to sign-up for campus alerts via GetRave.com.

• Co-ops & Careers

  What is your return on investment?

  A key factor contributing to Wentworth's success is the university’s focus on providing hands-on learning opportunities. Students develop practical skills that are in high demand by employers, making them more competitive in the job market after graduation. Recently Wentworth ranked #1 in a New York Times Ranking Poll when prioritizing earnings, economic mobility, and economic diversity among colleges in Massachusetts. Wentworth ranks #25 nationally out of over 700 schools that have fewer than 10,000 undergraduate students, when prioritizing economic mobility and high earnings. The strong showing highlights the school's commitment to being a university of opportunity as it prepares its students for the workforce. 

  How does Wentworth prepare students with skills for the modern workplace?     

  Wentworth offers one of the most comprehensive co-op programs in the nation. Co-op at Wentworth is a requirement, and all undergraduate students must successfully complete two co-op semesters to graduate. Co-op positions are related to a student’s major, and they can put their classroom skills into practice at real companies, making them relevant hires upon graduation. Over one third of our students are offered a full-time job from their co-op and 95% of our undergraduate students are employed or in graduate school upon graduation. 

• Financial Aid

  This is my first child attending college, where can I get help with financial aid and scholarships? 

  Wentworth students have several available financial aid and scholarship options.  Over 80% of our students receive some form of financial aid to help bridge the financial gap and make your educational investment that much easier. Visit our financial aid page for details information on applying for aid.  

  What is the difference between need based financial aid and merit scholarships? 

  A merit scholarship is funds provided by the university to admitted students based on the merit of their application. These scholarships are based purely on merit and not on financial need.

  The majority of admitted students at Wentworth will receive a merit scholarship.  

  Need-based aid comes from various sources including Wentworth institutional need-based aid funds, Pell Grants, Federal Work-Study, Federal subsidized and unsubsidized loans.  

  Should I fill out the FAFSA even though I think we make too much money to qualify for financial aid?

  The FAFSA form can determine a student's eligibility for grants and aid for all income levels. The information you report also determines eligibility for federal subsidized and unsubsidized loans, which can be very affordable alternatives to other types of loans. 

  Changes in your family’s income or assets from year to year can also affect your calculated obligation. You can also benefit if there are changes to the calculations for federal aid. For example, calculation changes could mean you qualify for a slightly larger subsidized loan.

• Housing & Residential Life

  Does Wentworth provide housing for all four years of school?

  Students are guaranteed four years of housing if paperwork and housing down-payments are completed by the corresponding deadlines. Please contact the Wentworth Admissions if you have any questions regarding the housing deposit as a prospective student.

  Can my student select their housing? 

  There is a housing selection process done in the summer for first year students. Students can select housing preferences and roommates. The student will then be placed in housing based on their preferences; however, first choice housing is not guaranteed.  

  What residence halls do first year students live in? 

  The majority of first year students live in Baker Hall or Evans Way/Tudbury.  

  Wentworth also offers the unique opportunity for students to live in Residential Living and Learning communities called LEAPS (Leopards Engaging Among Peers).  Examples of LEAPS include: Women @ Wentworth, Living Well, STEM and Honors.    

• Student Life

  What kind of clubs and organizations are available on campus?

  With over 70 student organizations at Wentworth, your studnent is bound to find something that interests them. Jump on a podcast with Wentworth Internet Radio + Entertainment (WIRE), get into the scrum with our Men’s and Women’s Club Rugby teams, take a hike in the White Mountains with the Outing Club or build and test a concrete canoe with American Society of Civil Engineers. Whatever your interests, you'll find fellow students just like you.

  Are there study abroad options available?

  Wentworth offers several international study opportunities that helps expose our students to the needs and challenges of an increasingly global economy. Explore our strategic partnerships with neighboring schools in the Colleges of the Fenway, local institutions in New England, and several universities around the world.

  How does Wentworth build community? Will my introverted student have opportunities to meet fellow students?

  Wentworth's Center for Student Life is dedicated to enriching a student’s experience outside of the classroom and providing support and resources to promote their wellbeing and success. Through a host of clubs and organizations, regular on-campus and Boston-area events, and coordination with other schools in the Colleges of the Fenway, Wentworth encourages students to connect and engage with their classmates.