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Admitted Graduate Student Chat - April 3, 2019
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Benjamin
10:35
Hi Will, thank you so much for that. My main questions are regarding what I asked last week:

- Can I pursue the Robotics Micromasters on the PennX platform this summer
- If I am able to take classes at Wharton as part of my General Electives requirement or in addition to the Robotics MSE
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:38
Ben, for electives, you'd work with the Program as to what counts/doesn't count. In addition, it can be very tough to get into the wharton courses, as many of them are only available to wharton students. But it is an option. As to pursuing the MicroMasters, you can, but the program had to be completed by the Feb 1 application deadline for the courses to count as credit towards the Robotics degree and decrease the amount of on-campus courses you'd need to take.
Guest
10:35
Hi Will,  would like to know what's the job statistics for students in Penn Engineering Masters program?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:39
Guest, you can find career survey results here: https://www.vpul.upenn.edu/careerservices/surveys.php#GradStudent
Bill
10:35
When should I apply for a dual degree out of SEAS such as MBA in Wharton? I know I have to submit a separate application.
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:41
Bill, unfortunately you'll need to wait until next fall to apply, as the MBA deadline for the last round was yesterday, https://mba.wharton.upenn.edu/
Bruce
10:38
Thank you Will, I appreciate it.
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:41
You're welcome.
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:39
Have you submitted your decision?
Yes (0% | 0 votes)
 
No (33.3% | 2 votes)
 
Yes, but waiting on other schools (0% | 0 votes)
 
No, waiting on other schools (66.7% | 4 votes)
 
Total Votes: 6
Guest
10:41
Hi, will. When is the start day of fall 2019 for MSE master program?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:42
Hi Guest, it's August 27, a Tuesday. You can find the full academic calendar here: https://almanac.upenn.edu/penn-academic-calendar
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:42
Have you received decisions from other schools?
Yes (40% | 2 votes)
 
No (0% | 0 votes)
 
I've received some decisions, but not all (60% | 3 votes)
 
I've been waitlisted (0% | 0 votes)
 
Total Votes: 5
Benjamin
10:42
Thank you Will. I would also like to check if you have information regarding mechanical and electronics prototyping for independent projects beyond pursuing research at the GRASP Lab?

If you can share more on how Penn connects with Philadelphia or even NYC on industry/ entrepreneurship work that would be helpful too.
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:46
Benjamin, unfortunately I don't have information regarding your specific question - that is very much for the GRASP Lab folks. As for how Penn Connects with Philly/Region/NYC in industry/entrepreneurship - we have industry on campus nearly every day; there's a variety of career fairs/seminars throughout the year, many faculty will work with industry partners for research; the Grasp Lab is located in the Pennovation Center which is home to multiple research/industry groups and you can find out more here: https://www.grasp.upenn.edu/engagement
Benjamin
10:44
Additionally, as a Robotics student, will the core technical electives be taken as a cohort/ with other robotics students or are those courses taken with EE/ME/CS master's students?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:47
This is a combination - ultimately it depends on what courses the other students sign-up for, but I have been told that especially at the beginning of the program, so first semester, most of the cohort stays together.
Harshit
10:47
Hello Will, I wanted to apply for TA/ RA. For RA, do I have to talk to the profs when I start my term or can I mail them now itself and let them know that I am interested
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:48
Harshit, you do have to go through your program because the availability of TA/RA positions varies on a semester-to-semester basis. In addition, for most (if not all), you need to have completed at least one semester in your program in good standing.
Benjamin
10:47
Regarding your reply on Wharton classes, I wonder if you have any information regarding the classes that "non-Wharton" students can reasonably take/ apply for?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:49
Ben, I'm sorry, I don't. Each program decides which "outside" courses they'll count as electives, so you'd need to speak with your program first and they'd assist you with this process.
Harshit
10:49
Do you have any info about the stipend that TA/RAs get ?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:50
Harshit, if your a master's student, RA/TA positions are hourly paid positions and the rate can vary by program/department.
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:50
Where would you live?
On campus (0% | 0 votes)
 
Off campus, but near UPenn (33.3% | 1 vote)
 
Off campus in West Philadelphia/University City (0% | 0 votes)
 
Off campus in Center City (Downtown) (33.3% | 1 vote)
 
I have no idea, help! (33.3% | 1 vote)
 
Total Votes: 3
Bill
10:50
Will, do MS students allow to apply for TA/RA?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:51
Bill, if you mean master's students in general, yes, they do. As I mentioned to Harshit, TA/RA availability can vary semester-to-semester and program-to-program.
Benjamin
10:51
Definitely understand that speaking to the program is the most helpful. I will take those specific questions offline then.
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:52
Benjamin, thank you for understanding. Feel free to cc gradstudies@seas.upenn.edu on your email and we'll do our best to make sure someone gets back to you in a timely manner.
Yike
10:51
Hi Will, I have a F1 visa which expires in 2022, but my previous university can't transfer the F1 visa for me, can I still enter US with new I20 and old visa?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:54
Yike, I'm going to recommend you email isss@pobox.upenn.edu and/or check out the ISSS website, here: https://global.upenn.edu/isss, with your question. To my knowledge, you'd need to apply to a new visa because if you're attending UPenn, then they need to be the sponsor of your educational visa. But again, please check with ISSS as it's there job to get this absolutely right.
Ray
10:54
Hi Will, are Penn professors able to fund Masters students and if so how common is it to happen? Also what is the process for getting TA/RA positions like?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:55
Ray, to my knowledge it is extremely rare; we don't usually offer any aid/funding to master's students. As for applying to a TA/RA position - this is handled per department/program and can vary a bit based on the specific program/lab. I'm sorry I can't be more specific.
Crystal
10:54
Hi Will! I am a recently admitted Masters student in Materials Science & Engineering. I was wondering if I could schedule a campus visit within the next month & connect with current students in the program to gain their perspective. Would you happen to know a point of contact to whom I can reach out?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:56
Hi Crystal, congratulations! Yes, you can schedule a tour with current master's students here: http://pennemab.weebly.com/emabambassadors.html. You can also reach out to your program coordinator, Irene Clements, at ipc@lrsm.upenn.edu about meeting with students/faculty in the MSE program.
Harshit
10:54
Is it okay to contact the professors now under whom I want to opt for Masters thesis which I know is usually after 2nd semester?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:57
Harshit, I would recommend you go through your program coordinator first; I'm glad you are already aware of what you want to do for the thesis, but you would first need to work with the Program and your assigned Academic Advisor on the thesis topic before exploring working with other faculty.
Ravi
10:54
Hi Will, As a follow up on my previous weeks questions regarding MSE, Micromasters program,  I have contacted both Charity and gradstudies@seas.upenn.edu. I haven't heard from any of them. It has been 10 days since I have contacted Charity. It would be great if I'd know by when I will be getting a response, as I have to start my visa process at the earliest. Thank You.
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:58
Ravi, I'm sorry that you haven't received a response from Charity yet; I'll forward that email you sent to Grad Studies along to her and reach out to her personally to see if you can get a response. However, I do know that if you didn't complete the MicroMasters course work prior to the Feb 1 deadline you can't receive credit for the courses towards the Robotics degree on campus.
Tanmay
10:59
Sir can I get specific placement data for masters in material science and engineering ? Also  can i get information regarding how to connect with the alumni(I mean do you have some groups or other sources which I can access prior to enrolling)
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
11:00
Tanmay, you can find career placement information here: https://www.vpul.upenn.edu/careerservices/surveys.php#GradStudent. You can also reach out to the MSE Program Coordinator, Irene Clements, at ipc@lrsm.upenn.edu, as she may have more specific information.
Benjamin
10:59
I would also like to check in on the master's thesis option for Robotics. Is that basically an option only if a professor has an opening in his lab or will the program definitely work something out for the students?
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