JotCast | Applied Graduate Student Chat - April 11, 2019

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Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:37

Brian, you're welcome.

Yusuf

10:37

Unofficial GRE is not accepted ? Official GRE is to be received before deadline ?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:38

Yusuf, as I stated, it's your letters of recommendation that must be submitted.

10:39

We have accepted your unofficial GREs; you do need to send us your official GRE scores, but we do begin reviews based on the unofficial ones. However, we will not begin reviews for incomplete applications, which is where your application stands at this time, per the email you have received from us.

Anirudh

10:38

Will Master's students be considered for any assistantships?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:39

Anirudh, you can apply if your department offers them. However, this varies from dept to dept and semester to semester. In addition, you have to complete at least one semester in good academic standing before you can apply.

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:39

Where would you plan to live?

On campus (0% | 0 votes)

Off campus, but near UPenn (25% | 1 vote)

Off campus in West Philadelphia/University City (25% | 1 vote)

Off campus in Center City (Downtown) (0% | 0 votes)

I have no idea, help! (50% | 2 votes)

Total Votes: 4

Anirudh

10:42

Ok. Thank you so much. Hoping for an admit :)

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:42

Good luck to you!

Rhea Rao

10:42

Hi when will the MCIT results come out if I haven't heard back? I had to commit to a school that had a deadline of April 15th, this is the last program I'm waiting for. I'm getting rushed by the school I committed to get my I-20, and I just want to be able to make a decision soon.

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:43

Rhea, as we have stated on the website, we are releasing decisions on now 4 dates (originally 3), April 12, April 19, May 1 and May 15. We can't guarantee when you'll receive a decision.

Rhea Rao

10:49

Ok thanks！Following up on that - say if I did get my I-20, any chance I could transfer that I-20 to Penn should I get admitted and decide to attend?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:50

Yes, you should be able to do so. You can find out more information about that on our International Students and Scholars Services office, here: https://global.upenn.edu/isss/new

Rhea Rao

10:51

Got it, thanks Will!

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:51

You're welcome, Rhea!

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:51

Have you been to UPenn or Philadelphia?

Yes, I live here (28.6% | 2 votes)

Yes, both (14.3% | 1 vote)

Philadelphia, but not UPenn (0% | 0 votes)

The US, but not Philadelphia (42.9% | 3 votes)

I've never been to the US (14.3% | 1 vote)

Total Votes: 7

Chang Liu (Jack)

10:52

Hi Will, I applied for MEMS PhD program at Upenn for fall 2019 and haven't received a decision yet, but I would like to consider attending UPenn. Many schools have deadline of April 15 to reply to admissions. Therefore, I am asking if you have any information on when will decisions be sent out? Thanks in advance.

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:52

Jack, unfortunately, we don't have a set date for PhD application decisions to go out, so all I can tell you is that you will receive a decision. I'm sorry I can't give you more information.

Lucky

10:52

Hello Will, What is the policy to request deferral? Is it generally possible to defer admission by one year or is that on a per-department basis?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:53

Lucky, you first need to accept the offer of admission, and then email us requesting a deferral, being as specific as possible. The dept will then consider your request and you will be notified of their decision, usually within a week. You can request up to one year at a time, for a total of two years.

Chang Liu (Jack)

10:54

It's okay, I will wait for the decision then. Thanks anyway!

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:54

Thank you for your patience. Good luck!

Lucky

10:55

Thank you, Will. Also, can graduate courses from other schools be rolled over and applied at Penn for Masters/PhD programs? Is there a resource you can point me to as to how many courses and what type of courses can be applied?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:55

Lucky, transfer credit decisions are made on a per-program, per-applicant basis. If you are admitted, you can apply to have up to two courses worth of credit transferred for the master's programs, and up to 9 transferred for the PhD programs.

10:56

Your request is considered by the Program, so there's unfortunately not a guide I can share that would provide more information.

Zelong

10:56

Hello, Will. I am a newly admitted student of the MCIT/CGGT program. I am now filling out the decision form, and I have one question: I currently have a U.S. B1/B2 visa, issued on 2018-02-12, will be expired on 2028-02-07. How should I fill out the "if you currently have immigrant or non-immigrant status in the U.S." question? Should I choose "Other" or "None" or leave it blank?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:57

Zelong, I am going to recommend you contact our ISSS office, because they handle all visa processes. Their website is here: https://global.upenn.edu/isss/new, and you can email them at isss@pobox.upenn.edu. Grad Admissions doesn't handle the visa process. Sorry I can't be of more assistance.

Lucky

10:59

Ok thank you, Will, I appreciate your detailed response. I have not received my MEAM PhD application decision yet. I am curious that if I am admitted, would you know generally what the deadline to accept my offer will be or is that up to my department?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

11:00

Lucky, if you receive the decision before April 15, it would be April 15. If you receive it AFTER April 15, it will be June 1.

Guest

11:00

Does applying late means a reduced chance of admit? I was able to complete the application by 15th Mar for CIS. Also can I expect results to be shared sooner as I have admits from other universities and UPenn is my first preference.

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

11:01

Guest, it usually does because we usually have more applicants apply during the 2nd round, so the competition may be higher. As for when you'll receive a decision, we are sending them out April 12 (tomorrow), April 19, May 1 and May 15.

Yusuf

11:01

If you get one admit and process Visa on that, and if you get admit on second course, both from UPenn, that doesnt need any further processing? one got visa for one UPenn program but joined another UPenn program

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

11:01

No, Yusuf, as long as Penn is the sponsor of your visa, it should be ok.

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

11:02

Thanks everyone, have a great day!

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