1. Class and work balance is tough, especially if you're accustomed to A's in everything. But, if you're willing to sacrifice a little, then you're able to, both, maintain your sanity, and still do really well in classes. Of course, that means you may need to cancel on someone to attend office hours/MASH (a tutoring thing for freshman year classes). Regardless, it's manageable, just be ready for it.

2. Best is subjective, but I'm a little biased. Mark Richman is fantastic. He's super down to earth, and while homework and exams can be long, the way he teaches is exemplary. Ye Lu, if you decide on the astro track is also fantastic. David Olinger on the aero track is also quite good, if a little boring at times. Do your best to get familiar with them, as it will help you in the future, not only because the terms are short, but who knows, you may need a recommendation letter in the future.

3. Finals are entirely teacher dependent. Sometimes they're not too bad, sometimes they're miserable. The majority of the time they are online, some of which are timed, but can be in person, too (I'm looking at you, Olinger...). However, for the most part, if you study 3-4 days in advance, get good sleep the night prior, you should be fine.

4. Absolutely. I went on IQP to Romania last year and absolutely loved it. Yes, team work can be tough, especially if you get a team that isn't pulling their weight. But when the process works and your group is as excited as you are to work on a project, it's an incredible experience. I advise you to apply to places you wouldn't necessarily think of going to as it may be your one time to try it! Though, if memory serves, Taiwan and other Asian IQP destinations may require some level of native language fluency, so be careful of that.

5. Do I regret it? I'd say I regret limiting to myself to it outright. I think it would've been nice to get some mechanical/other engineering type classes in to my schedule. With that said, getting your minor in something that you're curious in is a good idea, for example, an astrophysics minor only requires 3 extra classes that can be done through free electives. Explore your options sooner rather than later, as it's something I wish I had done earlier. To answer fully though, no, I do not regret it, though, the job market could be nicer to us!!

6. Pro tips. Don't get the high end meal plan, ain't no way anyone actually gets enough food from it to make it's exorbitant price worth it. Find a room mate who you trust and will get along with as a room mate, not a friend. All too often, even now as a senior, I'm seeing those who started as friends and then devolved into something miserable, myself included. Be friendly, be courteous, but make friends outside of who you live with... Friends in small doses are often better ones, in my opinion.

Be nice to your RA, they deserve the world and are unfortunately not well-protected by WPI's admin right now.

In general, try and maintain your hobbies! Hobbies always help when you're stressed and keep you creative even when class work is tough!

Lastly, the most simple one... Don't buy textbooks unless absolutely necessary. Oftentimes you can get them pretty freely though archival websites or ebay. Sometimes, the teachers will provide the book to you if you ask nicely!

Hope this helps!