JotCast | Applied Graduate Student Chat - March 14, 2019

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Andy

10:31

Hi Will. If not admitted is there a reason provided?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:32

Andy, no, I'm sorry, but it's the School's position that we don't give specific reasons that an applicant is not admitted.

Sara

10:32

Will all rejections for the Biotech MS program go out on the April 4th date?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:32

Sara, some will go out, yes, but not on April 4th. Dates that decisions will be released are 4/5, 4/19, 5/1, or 5/15

Shruti

10:32

Does sending in an application for the early deadline increase one's chances for getting in?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:33

Shruti, it usually means that there will be a smaller number of applicants to compete with, but as this is only the 2nd cycle for the ONLINE program, it's too soon to say that is definitely what will happen.

Guest

10:33

Hi Will. Since the application for CIS is still open, does it make sense to apply now? I know I'm late but the portal still allows applications.

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:34

Guest, the deadline is tomorrow, so you are welcome to apply. However, we do require that all application materials, including letters of recommendation, be submitted by the deadline.

May

10:34

Thanks Will! One more question, what's the cohort size for the MCIT Online Fall term? From last week's chat, I read that 1500 had applied, is that correct but you cannot release the admission rate yet?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:35

May, I'm not entirely sure, as I'm not the one that's responsible for setting that. And no, I can't release the admission rate for the Fall, as the ultimate deadline is May 1, so it's based at least in part on the number of applicants that apply.

Bruno

10:35

Will, please, could you explain what is considered an overqualified candidate for the MCIT program on-campus?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:35

Bruno, it is usually someone that has a CIS undergrad degree, or extensive background in CIS.

Nitesh

10:35

4) From the point of admission, what is expected of me to get one of the professor's names I've mentioned in my SOP as my thesis advisor? Is there a well-defined approach?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:36

Nitesh, there is not necessarily a "well-defined," approach. However, if you mentioned their name, it usually means that that professor would be one of the people that would review your application. However, if they already have a full advisor cohort going into the fall they wouldn't be able to take you on, right? So there are multiple reasons why they may not be your advisor.

Eric

10:36

Hi, Will. Quick question. What about the class size of Scientific Computing this year given that it was 10 last year?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:37

Eric, this is at least in part based on how many students apply and are admitted, so this won't be set for some time.

Have you received decisions from other schools?

Yes (28.6% | 2 votes)

No (42.9% | 3 votes)

I've received some decisions, but not all (28.6% | 2 votes)

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

Total Votes: 7

Guest

10:37

I applied to the PhD in CIS and had an informal interview with a professor in late January. In the end he said I am a strong applicant and I should be positive. But I have not heard anything back since then. I tried to follow up but he did not reply. Being honest, am I rejected already? Is it possible that there is something wrong with his funding?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:39

Guest, being honest - all applicants will receive a decision when a decision has been made. And I couldn't tell you if there was an issue with a professor's funding even if you had told me the name of the professor that conducted your interview. There is a wide variety of reasons why you may not have received a decision yet.

Guest

10:39

Hi Will,

Bruno

10:39

I did graduate courses in Statistics and Business Analytics. Are they considered an extensive background in CIS?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:39

Bruno, no - not unless your actual undergraduate degree is in CIS and/or those courses, and many others you took, were all in a CS discipline.

Lulu Yao

10:39

Hi, will,

Jae

10:39

Hi Will, I have submitted my application for the MCIT program. However, I believe my supervisor from work might not be able to submit her letter of recommendation on time before the March 15 deadline. Is it okay if she submits it past the deadline? Thank you for taking the time to answer my question.

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:40

Jae, we do require that all application materials, including Letters of Recommendation, be submitted by the deadline, as it states on our website (https://gradadm.seas.upenn.edu/how-to-apply/). If it is submitted after the deadline, it's up to the dept if they still want to review the application.

10:41

Jae, I STRONGLY encourage you to speak with your supervisor about getting the Letter in on time, especially as the application has been open since Sept 15 - that's 7 months.

Donald

10:41

For the online MCIT program, we'll receive the decisions on 15th April. And that's a yes/no decision, is that right? There's no you-are-on-our-waitlist-for-the-May option, right?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:42

Donald, that should be a yes/no decision. I have not received any information from the program that they may waitlist, and we do our absolute best to NOT waitlist anyone.

Lulu Yao

10:42

Hi, will. I am an PhD applicant of department of materials science and engineering, I'd like to know if all the offers for PhD students have been sent out or not. Thanks!

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:42

Lulu, all applicants will receive a decision; we are still releasing them at this time.

Lauren

10:42

How common is it for a bioengineering master's student to pursue the thesis option? Is the MSE degree a more professional degree or is it up to the student to determine what to make of their degree?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:43

Luaren, I don't have any statistics regarding the thesis option, but I do know the majority of students do not do so. It is usually done by those that are considering pursing a PhD and want the experience and/or those that have a strong research topic that they are hoping to publish.

Guest

10:43

Dear Will, if we have not received any decision for the CIS PhD, does it mean my chance are very low now?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:44

Guest, I can't give you a yes/no answer, because I don't know how many the dept plans on accepting at this point. I'm sorry. All applicants will receive a decision.

Zhidi

10:44

Good morning Will,
I noticed that some professors mentioned that "they will likely not be able to respond to unsolicited emails from prospective graduate students". I was wondering if that’s the case for other professors too, or I should contact them to increase the chances of getting the offer.

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:45

Zhidi, it's up to you if you want to reach out to a professor that you've not previously contacted. I can't tell you what a specific professor may/may not due at this point. But it's more likely than not that professors won't respond at this point. Ultimately, it's your decision.

Adan Aguirre

10:45

Will, is the MCIT Online the only online degree program UPenn offers? Are there also scholarship offers exclusive to online degree students?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:45

Adan, it's the only one offered by the Engineering school, and in fact, the only Ivy League fully-online engineering degree.

Varun

10:45

Hi Will,

Esse

10:45

Hello, I applied for the bioengineering masters. It seems it wasn’t part of the list to receive decisions by March 8. Is there a specific date when I’d definitely receive a decision.

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