JotCast | Applied Graduate Student Chat - April 18, 2019

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Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:14

You're welcome, Yuxin.

Priya

10:13

Hello Will. I have applied to the Masters' program in CIS and still haven't gotten my decision but have to respond to other colleges soon. I know it must be a very busy time right now, but in case I don't get my decision tomorrow, could I contact someone from the CIS department just to check the application status? Who would be the appropriate person to contact in this situation?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:16

Priya, you can contact the program coordinator, Mike Felker, at mfelker@cis.upenn.edu. However, if they haven't made a decision on your application yet, he'll tell you the same thing that I would. That's why we have advertised the decision release dates of April 19, May 1 and May 15 since we added them. The original release date was May 15 for all that applied after Nov. 15.

Nahee

10:14

Thank you

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:16

You're welcome, Nahee.

Peyman

10:14

Hi Will, I applied to Biomedical engineering PhD. You have told me before that decisions are made on a rolling basis, however, It has been a long time and I haven't got a response. I was wondering If I am rejected or should I wait more?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:16

Peyman, if you haven't received a decision yet that means that it is still being made. I'm sorry, but that's all I can say.

Paul

10:14

Supposing, I am have gotten an offer for the MCIT program but I am interested to transfer to the JD/MCIT program. How does that work?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:17

Paul, you have to apply to the JD program separately; if you are admitted, then you'd work with the two programs regarding the courses that will count for both programs. However, you can't "transfer," to this dual degree program, as you must apply separately to Penn Law.

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:16

Have you received decisions from other schools?

Yes (50% | 4 votes)

No (12.5% | 1 vote)

I've received some decisions, but not all (37.5% | 3 votes)

I've been waitlisted (0% | 0 votes)

Total Votes: 8

Guest

10:18

Hi Will. I am curious when PhD app decisions are usually made (specifically Biomed Engr). Is it usually by the end of April?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:18

Guest, the vast majority are made prior to April 15. Unfortunately, though we do have a couple of programs that are still working through all of the decisions.

Michael

10:18

Oh I am sorry. I mean we can choose to be considered as master applicant if PhD is not admitted right. I am asking the chance of being admitted as master in this case and how long will it take to make the decision.

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:20

Michael, I understand what your saying, but we do not automatically consider PhD applicants for the master's program as well. At this point, as the deadline to apply for the master's program was Feb 1, the program would have to request that you apply to the master's program.

Priya

10:18

Thanks Will.

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:20

You're welcome, Priya.

Guest

10:18

Hi, Will!As a MEAM PhD applicant and still waiting for decision, I know there is no exact date of receiving decision. However, is there an official date of the end of this application? This can help me make the decision of when to answer the admission of other school! Thanks for your help.

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:21

Guest, if you mean is there a date that an offer has to be accepted or declined? If so, that date is June 1.

Himanshu

10:20

Can you inform about the percentage of international student in last year program of Data science

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:21

Himanshu, I'm sorry, but that's not a number we release.

William Burton

10:20

Thanks Will,

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:21

You're welcome, William.

Himanshu

10:23

Thanks Will... I hope the best for decisions

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:23

Best of luck to you, Himanshu.

Guest1

10:30

Hi Will, do you know how many students are admitted into the Biotech program (either last year or for this year)?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:31

Hi Guest, we admitted 98 students for the program last year. We don't release current application numbers.

10:32

Where would you choose to live?

On campus (50% | 1 vote)

Off campus, but near UPenn (50% | 1 vote)

Off campus in West Philadelphia/University City (0% | 0 votes)

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

I have no idea, help! (0% | 0 votes)

Total Votes: 2

Ming

10:33

Hi Will, I am a Nano-MSE program applicant. I wonder where can I update my application materials, like recent courses grade or scholarship I haven’t mentioned in my application form.

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:33

Ming, at this time, the Nano program is no longer accepting updated application materials.

Guest

10:33

I am on the waitlist for the IPD program, and I am still waiting on a final decision. Will that also be sent on the April 19, May 1 and May 15 dates?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:34

Guest, yes, that is the plan. However, as the decisions are made between both the Engineering school and the Design school, I don't have a specific date I can give you.

Ming

10:37

I see... I just want to try my best for my application, thanks a lot !

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:37

Ming, I understand and appreciate the sentiment.

Guest1

10:48

Thank you, Will. For last year's Biotech class, how many are full time vs. part time? Just want to understand how competitive RA/lab positions will be given the class size...

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:49

Guest1, I'm sorry, but I don't know; it's based on the number of courses individual students sign up for each semester, and Grad Admissions doesn't track that information.

I can say that the vast majority of our students are full-time students.

Guest1

10:49

I may have misinterpreted - how many of the 98 admitted students last year ended up matriculating? Or is the 98 both admitted and enrolled? Thank you!

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:50

Guest1 we had about 50 total students start class at the beginning of the fall semester.

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:54

Have you been to UPenn or Philadelphia?

Yes, I live here (0% | 0 votes)

Yes, both (0% | 0 votes)

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

The US, but not Philadelphia (100% | 2 votes)

I've never been to the US (0% | 0 votes)

Total Votes: 2

Guest1

10:54

Thank you, sir. If I end up matriculating, how many courses do students typically take for full-time? What would be the minimum for international students?

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