Who Thrives at Olin?

What kinds of students succeed at Olin?

Students who thrive at Olin are often: curious, creative, collaborative, consequential, and courageous.

There is no single formula for success at Olin. Students who thrive here come from many backgrounds and pursue many different interests, but they often share a few qualities: curiosity, creativity, collaboration, a desire to make a meaningful impact, and the courage to embrace new challenges.

Curious

Students who thrive at Olin are often curious. They ask "What if?" and "Why not?" 

They enjoy asking questions, exploring new ideas, and learning how things work. Their interests often extend beyond engineering into design, entrepreneurship, the arts, humanities, and the social sciences. They are excited by discovery and motivated by the opportunity to keep learning.

Creative

Students who thrive at Olin are often creative. They turn ideas into possibilities.

They like imagining possibilities and bringing ideas to life. They approach challenges with ingenuity, experiment with new approaches, and combine technical knowledge with design and human-centered thinking.

Collaborative

Students who thrive at Olin are often collaborative. They know great work happens together.

They enjoy working with others and recognize that the best ideas often emerge from diverse teams. They value communication, empathy, and shared problem-solving, and they are eager to learn from classmates with different perspectives and experiences.

Consequential

Students who thrive at Olin are often consequential. They want to build things that matter. 

They want their work to make a difference. They are motivated by solving real problems, improving people's lives, and considering the broader social and ethical impacts of technology. They care not only about what they can build, but why it matters.

Courageous

Students who thrive at Olin are often courageous. They embrace uncertainty and keep moving forward.

They are willing to try unfamiliar things, embrace uncertainty, and tackle challenges without obvious answers. They understand that learning involves experimentation and iteration, and they see setbacks as opportunities to grow and improve.

There Is No Single Olin Student

Is Olin good for entrepreneurs?

Yes. Students interested in entrepreneurship often find Olin's project-based and interdisciplinary approach especially appealing. Olin students regularly combine engineering with design, business, and social impact, and many pursue ventures, product development, and innovation experiences alongside their technical studies.

Is Olin good for students interested in design?

Absolutely. Design is woven throughout the Olin experience. Students learn to apply human-centered design principles, build prototypes, and iterate through projects that emphasize empathy, creativity, and understanding the needs of real users.

Is Olin good for creative students?

Yes. Creativity is central to the Olin experience. Students are encouraged to experiment, explore ideas across disciplines, and bring together technical skills with interests in art, music, writing, storytelling, and other creative pursuits.

Is Olin good for interdisciplinary students?

Olin's curriculum intentionally connects engineering with entrepreneurship, arts, humanities, social sciences, and design. Students who enjoy exploring different fields and making connections between them often find Olin especially rewarding.

Do I have to know exactly what kind of engineer I want to be?

No. Many students arrive with broad interests and discover new passions through hands-on projects, collaboration, and experiences across disciplines. Curiosity and a willingness to learn are often more important than having a fixed career plan.

Do Olin students work in teams?

Yes. Collaboration is a defining part of the Olin experience. Students spend much of their time learning alongside one another—brainstorming ideas, building prototypes, solving problems, and reflecting on what they've learned together. Teamwork begins in the first year and continues throughout the curriculum, from hands-on class projects to senior capstone experiences. 

At Olin, students learn that great ideas rarely emerge from a single person working alone. They learn to listen, communicate, navigate differences, and draw on the diverse perspectives and strengths of their peers.

Can I combine engineering with art, music, writing, or other interests?

Yes. Olin students bring a wide range of interests to their engineering education. Many combine technical work with passions in art, music, writing, design, entrepreneurship, and the humanities. Rather than asking students to leave those interests behind, Olin encourages them to explore connections between disciplines and bring their whole selves to their work.

You Don't Need to Fit a Mold

Olin students are makers and musicians, coders and artists, entrepreneurs and researchers. Some arrive knowing exactly what they want to do, while others discover new passions along the way. There is no single type of Olin student. What unites them is a desire to learn, create, collaborate, and make a difference!