4+1 Program Details

Applying to the 4+1 Program

As a dual degree program, the Olin 4+1 program offers a number of potential advantages for Wellesley students. Graduates of the program may have greater access to engineering careers and/or graduate study in engineering. The program requires relatively little disruption to the student’s Wellesley program: the student graduates at Wellesley with her entering class, and then transitions smoothly to being a full-time student at Olin for her fifth year of study. The Olin engineering programs also differ significantly from most other schools’ programs, particularly in the emphasis on design, active learning, and interdisciplinary approaches.

At the same time, the 4+1 program is clearly not appropriate for all students. The 4+1 program requires a significant commitment (at least an additional year of study), and Wellesley students must complete math and science requirements, as well as at least five engineering courses, before their final year at Olin. For some students in fields such as physics or computer science, a master’s degree in engineering or science can make more sense than an additional bachelor's degree. Furthermore, the requirements of the program reduce a student’s elective flexibility during her four years at Wellesley.

Compatibility with Wellesley Majors 

Many Wellesley majors are, in principle, compatible. Naturally majors that include a higher fraction of science and mathematics courses have greater overlap with the requirements of an engineering degree; some majors may be incompatible simply due to the large number of units required.

Requirements for the application to the 4+1 Program

1. Be on track for successful completion of all Wellesley degree requirements. Students must successfully complete their Wellesley degree before full-time enrollment at Olin.
2. Successful completion of a sufficient number of prerequisite courses at Wellesley and engineering courses at Olin to allow completion of the Olin degree in one additional year. Typically this implies that the student will have completed all science and mathematics requirements at the time of application, and will also have completed at least five engineering courses at Olin before graduating from Wellesley.
3. An overall GPA of no less than 3.0 at both Wellesley and Olin.
4. Favorable recommendations from two faculty members in science, mathematics, or engineering, including one Wellesley faculty member and one Olin faculty member.
5. A student applying for the Olin 4+1 Program must pre-apply at Wellesley no later than October 15 of their junior year. Information about the Application for Wellesley Support pre-application can be found here. Upon approval of the 4+1 Wellesley pre-application, a student would submit a 4+1 application to Olin by December 1. Approval of the Wellesley pre-application is required to apply to the Olin 4+1 Program. 

These above items are minimum expectations for a viable applicant to the 4+1 program. Students should be aware that admission to the 4+1 program is selective, and meeting the minimum requirements outlined does not guarantee admission to the program.  

Admission Process 

Students who are interested in pursuing the 4+1 program should talk to Alison Black, Class Dean and STEM Advisor at Wellesley College (see contact information below), and should consider taking ENGR 160 Fundamentals of Engineering at Wellesley as early as possible. Students who believe they may be interested in 4+1 should indicate this to their advisor and to Dean Black early in their program, in order to provide the most flexibility in planning. 

Once the application for Wellesley's support is completed, the student then formally applies to Olin College for admission to the 4+1 Program. The Wellesley pre-application deadline is October 15; the Olin application deadline is December 1 of the same year.

Alison Black

Class Dean and STEM Advisor

Email: ABLACK3@WELLESLEY.EDU

Phone: (781) 283-3152

The Application

Students applying to the Olin 4+1 Program need to submit an online 4+1 application form, including supporting materials, to the Olin College Admission Office. The link to the online application will be provided to students who have been recommended by the Wellesley College 4+1 Committee. Our deadline for the application and all supporting materials is December 1.

Our mailing address is:

Olin College of Engineering

Office of Admission & Financial Aid

Attn: 4+1 Program

1000 Olin Way

Needham, MA 02492

Fax: 781-292-2210

In early December, each applicant will be invited to meet with members of the 4+1 Admission Committee. The purpose of this meeting is to answer any questions that student may have, and to give the Admission Committee a chance to meet the student in person.

Required Application Materials

A complete application includes each of the following required materials:

• 4+1 Application form
• Unofficial transcripts from Wellesley, Olin, and any other colleges the student has attended
• Two letters of recommendation from faculty - at least one from Olin and one from Wellesley
• An up-to-date CV or resume 

Financial Aid

Students who are admitted to the 4+1 Program are admitted to Olin as regular students, and as such will receive the Olin Tuition Scholarship valued at $10,000 per year.

Students admitted to this program are also welcome to apply for need-based assistance through the completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Olin’s school code is 039463 and the FAFSA should be completed by February 15. Students will be awarded the Olin need-based funding for which they are eligible, as well as receive notification of their Federal Direct Loan eligibility.  

Housing 

Students who enroll at Olin to complete the fifth year of the 4+1 Program must live on campus in the residence halls.

If you have any questions about the application or our admission process, please contact us at info@olin.edu and reference the 4+1 Program in the subject.

4+1 APPLICATION TIMELINE

If you have any questions about the application or our admission process, please contact us at info@olin.edu and reference the 4+1 Program in the subject.