You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Return toGrad Admissions
Applied Graduate Student Chat - April 4, 2019
powered byJotCast
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:00
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.
Here are some links that you may find useful:
Where do you live?
United States (22.7% | 5 votes)
 
China (22.7% | 5 votes)
 
India (31.8% | 7 votes)
 
Europe (9.1% | 2 votes)
 
Middle East (4.5% | 1 vote)
 
Another Region (9.1% | 2 votes)
 
Total Votes: 22
Abhiraj Mohan
10:01
Hi, This is Abhiraj Mohan. I am an applicant in the MSE in CIS program. Nice to meet you, Will.
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:02
Hi Abhiraj, good to meet you as well. What questions do you have?
Federico
10:01
Hello Will,

I have applied to the Master of Biotechnology program for Fall 2019.
As I have sent my application for the second deadline (March, 15th) what are my chances of getting admitted since some spots are already taken from the early-deadline in November? Thank you in advance
Yuqin Lin
10:03
Good morning, will. Hope your day is going well.  I have submitted my application for MSE data science mid February,
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:04
Yupin, thanks for letting me know. What questions do you have for me?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:03
Federico, the only thing I can say is that your chances will be lower, as we have had more applicants for the second application period than we did the first. But as the decisions are still being made at this time, I don't know what the acceptance rate will be. Last year it did not vary that much, 55% to 56%. It has had a higher rate in previous years.
cool 1
Yuqin Lin
10:04
and I am wondering if it is possible to hear a decision tomorrow?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:05
Yuqin, it is definitely possible, but I can't give you a definite answer at the moment.
Abhiraj Mohan
10:05
So I applied on the 28th of January and going by what is listed on the website, I should be getting a decision on the 5th of April. What is the process like for getting research opportunities for new MSE students?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:06
Abhiraj, what the website shows is a list of dates as to when you can receive your decision. April 5 is the first date, but you could also receive it on April 19, May 1 or May 15.
10:07
As for getting research opportunities, we recommend that students work with their Program Coordinator, Faculty Advisor and/or professors to look into research opportunities - those are very self-driven for our master's students.
Ayankas
10:06
Hello Will,
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:07
Hi Ayankas
Soyoung Kim
10:06
Hi Will, I applied for the MCIT program as non-CS major. Assuming that I get an offer, would you suggest I spend the rest of these next few months self-studying for the courses to come? e.g. programming languages?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:08
Soyoung Kim, the MCIT program is specifically for those that were non-CS majors, so I don't think you need to do that. However, if you want to do that to improve your skills, then I definitely recommend it. You can also take a look at the courses you'd be taking and see what might help you in those. The course listing is here: http://www.cis.upenn.edu/current-students/graduate/mcit/index.php
Lorenzo
10:06
Hi Will, I applied to the MCIT program. I have two questions: first, how likely is it to receive an admissions decision before 4/15 (trying to coordinate grad school with girlfriend before her deadline). Last, is it common/feasible to submatriculate to the CIS MSE program from the MCIT program?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:10
Lorenzo, unfortunately, I can't say what the likely-hood is of receiving a decision tomorrow vs the other dates - this is the first time we've done our decision releases this way, so the programs are adjusting to that. I'm sorry I can't be more definitive. As for your second question, it is somewhat common for people in the MCIT program to transfer into the CIS program and complete a CIS MSE.
Ayankas
10:08
Hello Will,
I've applied for the MSE in Nanotechnology program and am waiting for a response. My query is if I receive an offer, is it tough getting the visa for United States? Does UPenn provide any assistance in acquiring a visa?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:11
Ayankas, we have an office that is dedicated to assisting you with the process of getting a visa. The Graduate Admissions office does not personally work with this process, but you can find more information here: https://global.upenn.edu/isss/new. And from what I understand, it's not "tough," but this really depends on your home-country's process.
cool 1
Guest
10:08
Hey Will, is there information about parking for student who don't live on campus? Can we purchase passes for the semester?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:12
Guest, there is and you can. You can find parking info here: http://cms.business-services.upenn.edu/transportation/
Abhiraj Mohan
10:08
If I was able to apply in the first round (since I applied before 1st of February), is there still a possibility for my decision to come after April 5?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:13
Abhiraj, the first round deadline for the Biotech program is Nov 15, not Feb 1. I'm sorry if there was confusion.
Mingyi
10:10
Hi Will. I am an applicant of materials science phd program. I wonder if you will send all your decisions before April 15? I haven’t received any updates so far. Thanks.
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:14
Mingyi, I'm sorry you haven't received a decision. We do our best to send out all decisions by April 15, but this is up to the programs and sometimes they don't make all of their decisions by that date. You can email the Program Coordinator, Irene Clements, at ipc@lrsm.upenn.edu and see if she can provide you with more information.
Kyler
10:10
Hi, Will, I have a pending offer that requires me to decide before April 8th. But Penn has always been my dream university, so I am wondering if I can request an early review of my application? Thank you!
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:15
Hi Kyler, unless this is specifically due to state funding or an outside-university scholarship/fellowship, schools can't ask you to commit before April 15, https://cgsnet.org/april-15-resolution . What program did you apply to?
Federico
10:10
Thank you Will! Also, how many students are usually admitted to the Biotechnology program each year?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:16
Federico it's averaged around 70 or so the last few years.
cool 1
Yuhui
10:14
Hello Will, I am applying to the IPD program and I have emailed an updated portfolio about my recently completed projects to Ms. Whittington (admissions1@seas.upenn.edu).  I haven't heard anything back yet and I understand that it's been very busy for you guys. I am just wondering if there is anyway that I can check whether you guys received it because I am not sure if sending another email would help.
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:17
Yuhui, it's my knowledge that the IPD program is not accepting updated information at this time, unless they've specifically contacted you and asked you to send additional information/updates. Ms. Whittington was out all of last week, so that may be why she hasn't been in touch yet. But she will get back to you.
cool 1
Faisal
10:16
Hi, I haven't yet received the decision for my master's application. should I expect it at Friday?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:18
Faisal, that depends on the program to which you applied. You can find the decision release dates for ALL programs here: https://gradadm.seas.upenn.edu/how-to-apply/
Joe
10:16
Will, I am pursuing an ME in Systems Engineering in the fall. Will we be put in contact with an advisor who can help with course planning / requirements for graduation?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:19
Joe, yes, you have a program coordinator, Christina Burton,  that you can contact at esegrad@seas.upenn.edu and you will also be assigned a faculty advisor over the summer before you begin courses.
Load More Messages
Connecting…