JotCast | Applied Graduate Student Chat - April 4, 2019

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Ayankas

10:48

Thank you Will, and sorry for any redundant questions. My folks are worried regarding the probability of not getting a visa. I look forward to an opportunity of being part of UPenn. It's been my dream for years and I hope I can realize it.

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:49

Ayankas, I'd definitely check out the ISSS webpage here: https://global.upenn.edu/isss/new, as that should provide some info, but to my knowledge, there aren't too many problems for our students.

jiawei

10:49

Hell Will,

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:50

'Ello Jiawei

Nipun

10:49

Hi Will! Could you provide us with an approximate time for the admission notifications? I live in India and it would be great if I could know beforehand due to the extreme time difference.

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:51

Nipun, We do our best to release all of our decisions before noon - but if we are still receiving them from the department, we are obligated to send them out. As such, we're literally sending them out until at least 5PM on the release date, if not after. I'm sorry I can't be more specific.

Radhika

10:49

Thank you Will! Have a good day :)

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:52

You're welcome!

Kyler

10:50

Sorry, I may have confused you. I have a pending offer from another university that requires me to decide in a few days. So I am wondering if I can request an early review of my application? I have applied for CIS/MES. Thank you!

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:53

Kyler, no, you didn't confuse me. There are four dates that CIS MSE decisions will be released: April 5, April 19, May 1 and May 15. I can't guarantee you a date as to when you'll receive a decision, because UPenn doesn't provide aid to master's students.

10:54

I'm sorry that I can't provide you with a more positive answer, but everyone would like an earlier decision, and with well over 1000 applicants, that's just not possible.

Yuzhi Yao

10:51

Good morning! I applied for the MSE data science degree. Recently I have some research experience and upcoming job experience that related to data science. I believe that both experiences will help me do better in the graduate study. I hope I can update my recent works to the admission office.

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:54

Yuzhi, thank you for applying. At this time the Data Science program is not accepting updated information for applications, but I'm happy to hear you're learning a great deal.

Guest

10:51

Hi Will,
I have applied to MS CIS program and my current application status is "Ready for Review" on CollegeNet portal.

Does this mean that the review has not started? Do we have a specific "Under review" kind of status available?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:55

Guest, there is not a "under review," status. Your status will remain "ready for review," until a decision is made.

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:52

Have you been to UPenn or Philadelphia?

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

Yes, both (28.6% | 4 votes)

Philadelphia, but not UPenn (14.3% | 2 votes)

The US, but not Philadelphia (28.6% | 4 votes)

I've never been to the US (28.6% | 4 votes)

Total Votes: 14

Nipun

10:53

Thanks, Will! Have a nice day. Super stoked (and nervous) for the admission decision.

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:55

Best of luck, Nipun.

Pengrui

10:53

Hello Will! Thank you for holding this chat. As I haven’t received my application decision, should I contact with the department or should I just be waiting? Thanks.

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:56

Pengrui, have you checked out the decision release dates, here: https://gradadm.seas.upenn.edu/how-to-apply/ If you're a PhD applicant, those decisions are made and released on a rolling basis, so I can't give you a specific date as to when you'll receive that decision.

jiawei

10:53

Dear will, could you explain the difference between on campus and online mcit program?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:57

Jiawei, the main difference is that the Online program is conducted entirely online. You can find a lot more information on their website than what I can provide you in this chat: https://onlinelearning.seas.upenn.edu/mcit/

Ayankas

10:56

Thanks, Will. I will definitely check out all the links. If I do get an offer, I hope to see you at UPenn. Have a nice day :)

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:57

Thank you Ayankas, I'll look forward to it. Have a great day as well.

Angela

10:57

Hi Will, could you talk about how we can place out a few classes in the MCIT program?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:58

Angela, we don't really do "placing out," of classes in the master's program. You can apply to transfer up to two courses worth of credit from previous courses you've taken at other schools, but that's about it.

Joe

10:57

Will incoming students for Fall '19 be receiving college IDs? If so, do we have to attend the orientation on August 26 to pick them up?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:59

Joe, you will receive an ID, as all students do. However, these aren't handed out at the main student orientation, because there's just too many students (usually over 550). You'll either pick it up on your own, or your program may do this at your program orientation.

Guest

10:59

Hi Will, I have applied for MSE Electrical engineering program. What was the acceptance rate like for last year?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

11:00

Hi Guest, last year the rate was about 54%.

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

11:00

Ok folks, that's it for today. I hope everyone has a good day and good luck to all of those receiving decisions tomorrow!

Angela

11:00

Thanks Will, but say assuming I am admitted to the MCIT program, is it possible for me to take some classes at other universities in the summer and transfer these credits when I enroll in the fall?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

11:01

Angela, it's up to the program, as transfer credits are determined on a per person, per course basis.

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

11:01

Bye everyone!

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