JotCast | Applied Graduate Student Chat Jan 31, 2019

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Ehsan Sabouni

10:26

Hello I was wondering if I did not mention a professor name in my research statement, can she/he have access on my documents (the same department)?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:27

Ehsan, it's possible, but it depends on how the program chooses to have people evaluate candidates and also on how a specific professor would know you wanted them to look at your application - if you didn't mention them or tell them, how would they know?

Mahdiar

10:27

So Mechanical Enginerring PhD, it is best to reach out to faculty now, before admission letters have been sent out?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:28

Mahdiar, at this point it may be too late, if you don't already have a relationship with that faculty member. Ultimately, this is up to you.

Guest

10:28

Hello, are PhD candidate interview processes notified after decisions are made by each department?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:28

Guest, it is up to the program to notify applicants. But most would interview applicants first and THEN make decisions, not the other way around.

Vivek

10:28

Hi Will! Thanks for taking the time to answer questions this morning. I applied during the first cycle of the MSE Data Science program and received an email requesting for more time to review my application. I was wondering why this was the case and if there is anything that I can do on my end to help with the process. Thanks!

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:29

Vivek, I'm sorry, but I can't give you an answer on that at this time.

Guest

10:29

Hi, will! I am an applicant to MSE phd program. But, i haven’t got any contact for skype interview. Does it mean that i am likely to be not admitted? First round interview offer is already offered to top students at MSE dept., correct?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:29

Guest, all programs handle their own interview requests, so I have no idea what's going on with the MSE PhD program in terms of their interviews and scheduling. Sorry!

Grace

10:29

Hi will, Thanks for holding this. I applied for PhD program in the MSE department. I wonder if my undergraduate GPA that showed improving-trend would make a good appeal to the committee and if there's any chance that three potential PIs, whom i wanna work with and were mentioned in my SOP, will take a look into my application materials. Thanks!

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:30

Grace, having your GPA improve year-over-year is always a good thing and it is a good idea to mention PIs that you want to work with in your SOP, but I can't give you a yes/no on whether or not they will definitely review your application. It definitely helps your chances.

Tori

10:30

Hi Will, I'm an international student and I'm applying to the master's program in EE through external sub matriculation. I'm wondering if I'll have to send in my TOEFL scores?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:31

Hi Tori, no, we wouldn't require them if you are going to one of our partner schools here in the states. If you are applying through international submatriculation, then yes.

BE PhD Applicant

10:31

Are applicants for BE PhD put on waitlists?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:32

Be PhD Applicant, we do our best to not use waitlists, but I can't guarantee that it won't happen. It is extremely rare, especially for our PhD programs.

MSE

10:32

Hi will. I am an applicant to MSE phd program. I have not got any contact from the school for a skype interview. Does it mean that si am unlikely to be admitted? I guess first round offer is made, right?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:32

MSE, I believe I've already answered your question, but I have nothing to do with program interviews, so I can't give you a yes/no.

lbl

10:32

Hi, what about the statistics for MS ROBO and MS CIS last year?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:33

lbl, sure: We had 543 ROBO apps and 75 were admitted; we had 1333 CIS apps and 139 were admitted.

10:33

Hi Will! I would like to know if there is any chance for an MSE student in Chemical Biomolecular Engineering to transfer to a PhD degree?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:34

Li, it is very rare and you would still have to go through the regular application process, but if the dept really likes you, you would potentially be able to start by the 2nd semester of your 2nd year.

Guest

10:34

good morning, what was the number of students applied vs number of students got selected for EE master program for last year?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:34

Hi Guest, EE MSE program had 612 apps and 329 were admitted.

Ehsan Sabouni

10:34

Thanks for your time and consideration.

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:34

You're welcome Ehsan.

Steven

10:34

Did anyone have an interview for ESE PhD? We may talk further...

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:35

Everyone, Steven's question is for any ESE PhD applicants.

10:35

Hi! I am wondering if there is any chance for a MSE student in Chemical Bimolecular Engineering to transfer his degree to a PhD one?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:35

Li, I have answered your question already.

Aditya

10:35

My GRE scores have not yet been matched with my application, should I contact my program regarding this? Will it affect the review procedure or will they use my unofficial scores to make a decision?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:35

Aditya, no, we will contact you if there is a problem. We do begin application review on the unofficial scores you submit on your application.

paramesh

10:35

Hi Will, is it too early to ask about the number of PhD applications received by the MEAM department? Also, the application email mentioned that a decision is most likely in 6-8 weeks. Can I still expect a decision in that timeline or will it change? Thank you.

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:36

Yes, it is too early. Those numbers won't be ready until next fall. We do try to get decisions out in 6-8 weeks, but there is no guarantee and actually, with the gov't shutdown, we expect a further delay because PIs will have to wait longer to find out about their funding.

Guest

10:36

Hi will. thank you for taking time and reply, will

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:36

You're welcome, Guest.

Guest

10:36

Hi Will, just got another question. As the UPenn webpage mentions that the decisions for CBE PhD takes 6-8 weeks from the application deadline

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:37

Guest, we try to hold to that, but there's no guarantee that we can, especially as PI's funding may be impacted by the gov't shutdown we had this year.

Aayu

10:37

What does ready for review on my application mean

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:37

Aayu, that means your application is marked as ready for review and has been sent to the program to be reviewed.

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