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Admitted Graduate Student Chat - May 8, 2019
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AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
9:59
Good day, all. My name is Will Fenton and I'm the Assistant Director of Graduate Admissions at Penn Engineering. I'm here to answer questions you may have about our Graduate Programs, life as a graduate student at Penn and living in Philadelphia.
Meghana
10:01
Good morning Will
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:01
Good morning, Meghana
Miranda Stewart
10:01
Hi all! My name is Miranda Stewart, and I'm the Graduate Assignments Coordinator in the Housing Assignments Office. I'm happy to answer any questions you have about on-campus housing!
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:02
Here are some links that you may find useful:

Grad School FAQ Link:
https://gradadm.seas.upenn.edu/faq/
Student Financial Services:
http://www.sfs.upenn.edu/
Costs
https://gradadm.seas.upenn.edu/paying-for-your-education/
Potential Fellowship and Financial Aid Information
http://www.cis.upenn.edu/prospective-students/graduate/aid.php
https://www.vpul.upenn.edu/careerservices/gradstudfunding.php
JP Eckert Fellowship for CIS-Related programs
http://www.cis.upenn.edu/prospective-students/graduate/aid-eckert.php
International Students & Scholars Services:
https://global.upenn.edu/isss/new
April 15 National Grad School Decision Agreement:
https://cgsnet.org/april-15-resolution
International Student Pre-Departure Checklist:
https://global.upenn.edu/isss/new
April 15 National Grad School Decision Agreement:
https://cgsnet.org/april-15-resolution
International Student Pre-Departure Checklist:
https://global.upenn.edu/sites/default/files/Pre-Departure%20Checklist...
Where do you live?
United States (12.5% | 1 vote)
 
China (0% | 0 votes)
 
India (75% | 6 votes)
 
Europe (0% | 0 votes)
 
Middle East (0% | 0 votes)
 
Another Region (12.5% | 1 vote)
 
Total Votes: 8
Meghana
10:03
I have been admitted to the MSE Electrical program. I've also paid the required amount to confirm my seat and I'm in the process of applying for i20. I just wanted to clarify, I'm done with my 8th semester of undergraduate now and the results will take a bit of time. However I have been asked for my transcripts. Is it alright if I send the transcripts of 7 semesters?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:05
Meghana, you don't need to send us your updated transcripts at this time. What we'll need are your final transcripts. You can email us at admissions1@seas.upenn.edu for more information about the deadline for sending us your final transcripts, as well as your degree certification.
Will
10:03
Hi! Is there any way to fund tuition as a Masters student through a research or teaching assistantship?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:06
Hi Will. These positions are hourly-paid, plus you must have completed at least one semester in good standing before you can apply. So unfortunately, not really.
Mohit
10:05
Hello. I've been admitted into the MSE in Data Science program. I have submitted my I-20 form on 24th April, but I am yet to hear back from ISSS. I wanted to know if any decision has been taken regarding the form?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:07
Hi Mohit, you'd need to contact ISSS about that, as they handle the entirety of the visa process. You can contact them at isss@pobox.upenn.edu.
Mohit
10:08
I have already contacted them but they did not give me a definite date by when they would reply. I'm getting a little anxious since the visa appointments are being filled really fast.
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:09
Mohit, I can understand that, however we ask that you be patient with the process. They will let you know the minute they have it completed.
Will
10:09
Are there intramural sports at Penn? Is the graduate community active in them?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:11
Will, there are indeed intramural, as well as club sports, at Penn. You can find more info here: https://recreation.upenn.edu/intramurals/. And yes, I do know that Graduate Students are definitely active in them. I don't specifically know how many from SEAS, but I assure you, with nearly 10K graduate students at UPenn, quite a few participate.
Mohit
10:11
Okay sure. Thank you. :)
Meghana
10:11
Are the students of engineering and applied sciences school allowed to choose any electives from Wharton?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:12
Meghana, no they're not, as this varies depending on the program you are in, the elective requirements as well as the course(s) at Wharton. You'd want to speak with your Program about what, if any, Wharton courses might count as electives.
Sheldon
10:11
Hi. Regarding to the teaching assistantship, are there a lot positions open for Master's student or they are more likely to be filled by PHD student?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:13
Hi Sheldon, it depends on the program. For example, most of the CIS TA positions are filled by their PhD students. But this varies by program and by semester, so you really have to inquire with the specific program.
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:13
Have you submitted your decision?
Yes (90% | 9 votes)
 
No (10% | 1 vote)
 
Yes, but waiting on other schools (0% | 0 votes)
 
No, waiting on other schools (0% | 0 votes)
 
Total Votes: 10
Will
10:14
Is there a program that arranges or funds international opportunities for students at Penn? For example, internships abroad, teaching opportunities abroad, etc.
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:14
Will, do you mean for bringing students to UPenn, or for students that are at UPenn to go abroad for an opportunity?
Sheldon
10:15
np, thank you!
cool 1
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:16
You're welcome
Anirban Banerjee
10:15
Good morning Will and Miranda! Regarding the I-20 application, in case of a Family Sponsor providing funds, is there a standard format to be used for the funds availability document which will be obtained from the bank? Also, what are the different details to be covered in the bank statement?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:17
Anirban, I'm sorry, but you'll need to contact the International Students and Scholars Services office about these questions, as the Graduate Admissions Office does not handle any aspect of the Visa process. You can email them at isss@pobox.upenn.edu and find more information on their website here: https://global.upenn.edu/isss/new
Lairai
10:15
Is it possible to find off campus housing at a walking distance from the School of Engineering and applied sciences? I ask because I have heard that the on campus housing is quite far away, at a 30 minute walking distance from the same so I was wondering how off campus could be any closer.
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:19
Hi Lairai, I'm not sure who told you that the ON-Campus housing is 30 minutes from the Engineering buildings, but they were wrong. The Graduate Housing is at most a 10 minute walk and can definitely be done in less time. Here's the website for housing, both ON and OFF campus: http://cms.business-services.upenn.edu/residential-services/applicatio...
10:20
And it's definitely possible to find off-campus housing that's within 10-15 minutes of the Engineering Buildings - most of these will be apt buildings in the area.
Will
10:15
For Penn students going abroad for an opportunity
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:21
Will, I don't know how many opportunities are open to Graduate Students specifically, but we do have a very robust study abroad office, https://global.upenn.edu/pennabroad
Keyi
10:20
Hi will, I have applied for the on-campus housing. When can I get the result of application?
Miranda Stewart
10:20
Hi Lairai! On-campus graduate housing is at 3600 Chestnut Street. It is a much shorter walk from 3600 Chestnut Street to the Engineering quad, probably closer to 10 minutes.
Jorge
10:20
Hi, I've been admitted into the IPD program. I understand I must take a summer course. When will I be requested to make a payment?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:22
Jorge, you're not billed into after you register for courses. I don't know when that would be - you'll need to reach out to the Program Coordinator, Maryeileen Griffith, at mebg@seas.upenn.edu, and she can let you know.
Anirban Banerjee
10:20
No problem. Thanks for your help!
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