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Admitted Graduate Student Chat - March 13, 2019
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Shaun Fedrick
10:47
I understand that GA's get free housing and a meal plan how do you go about applying to be one, what are your responsibilities in doing so, and how likely are you to get it if you apply?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:48
Shaun, here's where you go to apply and find out more info: https://www.collegehouses.upenn.edu/join/ga/procedure
Miranda Stewart
10:48
Hi Shaun! Information about the GA program is available on College House & Academic Services' webpage at https://www.collegehouses.upenn.edu/join/ga
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:49
As for responsibilities, you are a resource for the students on your floor/wing, as well as in your building, a team member for the other GA/RAs on your staff, and a role model as well. They can include putting on educational talks with faculty, pizza/movie night and counseling a student that may be suicidal, or worse. I did this when I was here in Grad School and it's a great, albeit potentially very difficult, experience. My first day, one of my residents attempted suicide.
10:50
Luckily, everything else was a breeze compared to that first day, and the resident survived and ultimately graduated from Penn.
Dajr
10:50
Do you have information on the recent outstanding achievements and scientific breakthroughs from the EE department?
Sasi
10:50
Thank you!
cool 1
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:51
Dajr, the easiest way to find that information is from our blog: https://medium.com/penn-engineering
Kelvin
10:51
Thank you, Will. If I’m not accepted for Fall 19, can I reapply for Spring 20?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:51
Kelvin, yes, you are able to re-apply for a different semester.
Harshit
10:51
For MS thesis option, is the choice to choose a research advisor given at the time of admission or after one semester?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:52
Harshit, it is usually when you ultimately declare that you're choosing the thesis option, which is usually done towards the end of your second semester or beginning of the 3rd. However, you would work with your initial academic advisor and the program coordinator for your program on the specifics.
Dajr
10:52
Is there a UPenn specific database of research papers from past UPenn alumni?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:53
Dajr, that's a terrific question - I do think that some programs maintain this; I also know that Penn Library maintains a database of Doctoral Thesis'.
You should first reach out to your program for more information on this.
Have you been to UPenn or Philadelphia
Yes, I live here (0% | 0 votes)
 
Yes, both (0% | 0 votes)
 
Philadelphia, but not UPenn (50% | 5 votes)
 
The US, but not Philadelphia (30% | 3 votes)
 
I've never been to the US (20% | 2 votes)
 
Total Votes: 10
Harshit
10:53
Thanks Will for all the info! Hope to see myself at UPenn this fall!
cool 1
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:54
You're welcome, Harshit. We hope so as well!
Guest
10:54
Hi Will, are there research opportunities for students in the masters of Biotechnology?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:54
Guest, there definitely can be, but you usually have to find them by working with your program and your academic advisor.
10:55
Ok folks, we've got 5 minutes left - please submit your final questions at this time!
Dajr
10:57
Mr. Fenton, did you attend UPenn? If so, what was life like there? Or maybe MS. Stewart can assist.
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:57
Dajr,
10:58
Dajr,
I attended Graduate School at the Graduate School of Education, and was a student here for 1.5 years. I have also worked at Penn in a couple of different capacities for 6 years. It was a very challenging, very rewarding experience. You'll get out of it what you put into it, but it will definitely challenge you and force you to grow, both in ways you expect and probably in ways you do not.
Guest
10:59
How can we learn what a typical school provided health insurance covers?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
11:00
Guest, you can find that information here: https://www.vpul.upenn.edu/shs/compliance.php
Tanmay
11:00
How are you Sir? I got an admit into the graduate material science course so can you please tell me something about the scholarships for international students(at the time of education and the TA/RA as well) because at this stage it is very difficult for me to afford education at your university .
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
11:01
Tanmay, I'm sorry, but Penn Engineering does not offer aid/scholarships for master's students. Some programs do offer RA/TA positions, but you have to apply after you've completed 1 semester in good academic standing. In addition, these are hourly paid positions, not stipend/half-tuition positions. You can find some external scholarship/aid sources here: http://www.cis.upenn.edu/prospective-students/graduate/aid.php
Miranda Stewart
11:01
Dajr, I am a part-time student in Penn's Graduate School of Education, but I didn't start attending until after I started working here. If you'd like more information on student life at Penn generally, I'd recommend reaching out to our Graduate Student Center! Their website is http://www.gsc.upenn.edu/
Dajr
11:01
Thank you for your assistance, both of our hosts.
cool 1
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
11:01
Dajr, you're most welcome!
Liad
11:01
This is is a bit of a funny question but nonetheless important.. let’s say you become an RA at Sansom for example. What if after a certain point you realize it’s a bit much too handle, what would happen if you were to quit?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
11:02
Liad, if this were to occur, you'd usually work out a time that you would stop, just like any other job. The difference here is that you would potentially need to find housing if there wasn't any additional housing in Sansom Place available at the time.
Kede
11:02
Hi Will, I received a MS admission of Materials Science and Engineering. I would like to know if there is any limitations for choosing thesis or non-thesis options.
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
11:03
Kede, I'm not quite sure what you mean in terms of "limitations," but ultimately, this is something you'd discuss with your Academic Advisor in your program.
Miranda Stewart
11:03
Hi Liad! That would depend on the terms of the contract you sign when you become a GA. You can find more information on GA responsibilities in the College Houses at https://www.collegehouses.upenn.edu/join/ga. For Sansom, GA information is available by email to sansomic@pobox.upenn.edu.
Guest
11:03
I was wondering is there a housekeeping service for common areas bathroom etc. in Sansom Place?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
11:04
Guest, there is not a housekeeping service, as the bathrooms are shared between the two residents in the apt, if it's a shared apt.
Ok, thanks for your questions, everyone, and thanks for your help, Miranda! Have a great day, all!
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