JotCast | Enrolled Graduate Student Chat - June 12, 2019

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Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:31

You're welcome!

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:31

Have you received decisiosn from other schools?

Yes (100% | 6 votes)

No (0% | 0 votes)

I've received some decisions, but not all (0% | 0 votes)

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

Total Votes: 6

Saranya

10:31

And regarding getting trasncripts from my undergraduate school, do I need just the cumulative certificate or should I also produce individual semester marksheets?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:32

Saranya, you'll need to produce the individual semester marksheets and, if that overall transcript does not certify that you received your degree, you'll also need the cumulative certificate stating that you did earn your degree.

Mosha

10:34

Hi Will, I was told that Penn does not send out welcome packages with specific steps regarding enrollment. Should I be in contact with my program coordinator on this instead then? I am in the Biotech program. Thanks!

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:35

Mosha, that is correct, Penn does not send out packages of information through the mail. We communicate exclusively through email. So yes, you would need to contact your Program. Your Program Coordiantor is Courtney Johnson and you can reach her at biotech@seas.upenn.edu.

Saranya

10:34

I also have a degree certificate in addition to cumulative. I am just confused as to what all is required.

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:36

Saranya, we would need the marksheets that show your grades for your courses and then the degree certificate that confirms you received the degree.

Sydney

10:36

Hi Will. I will be a PhD student in CIS. Can you elaborate on the process of getting on payroll to receive my stipend from my fellowship?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:37

Sydney, this is handled by your program - Graduate Admissions doesn't handle the on-boarding, as each program may handle this process a little bit differently. You'll want to contact your Program Coordinator, Britton Carnevali, at brittonc@seas.upenn.edu.

Saranya

10:37

ok, sounds good.thanks

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:37

You're welcome!

TheStrongestAvenger

10:38

Are PhD students who are accepted with funding allowed to find external jobs to complement income?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:39

Cap, you may be able to find on-campus jobs, but if you're an international student, your visa may restrict the type of job you can get. As for domestic, students, there are less restrictions on jobs, but we would recommend you discuss this with your program/advisor. Between schoolwork/research/life-outside-of-school, it may be a tad difficult.

Kevin Lin

10:41

Hi, I am interested in an apartment on 40th Baring street. Is it safe to live there?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:44

Hi Kevin, I believe that this area falls into the Drexel PD patrol area, but generally, Philadelphia is a very safe city to live in. You can also contact the Penn Police Dept if you'd like to ask them specific questions about living in West Philly. They can be contacted here: https://www.publicsafety.upenn.edu/contact/

Guest

10:41

Hi Will, just received an email from the ESE department. Thank you so much for your speedy response.

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:44

Guest, you're welcome, but that wasn't me - I hadn't had time to forward the email yet. :)

TheStrongestAvenger

10:42

By the way, it's Banner, not Steve.

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:45

I'm sorry, but Cap was the only one able to live Thor's Hammer, other than Thor. So he clearly is the strongest. And I can do this all day ;)

TheStrongestAvenger

10:42

And thanks for the info!

Kaustubh Sridhar

10:42

Hey Mr Fenton,

10:43

Does UPenn have an immunization requirement?

10:44

I believe I've come across something along these lines. But I'm not sure if that's for undergraduates or graduates?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:46

Kaustubh, yes it does: https://www.vpul.upenn.edu/shs/compliance.php. This applies to all students, undergrad and grad.

Lairai

10:46

Hello, when will the academic advisor be assigned for the ESE department students?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:47

Hi Lairai, I do not know the specific time frame that advisors will be assigned, but you can email the dept at esegrad@seas.upenn.edu.

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:47

Where do you plan to live?

On campus (20% | 2 votes)

Off campus, but near UPenn (20% | 2 votes)

Off campus in West Philadelphia/University City (40% | 4 votes)

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

I have no idea, help! (20% | 2 votes)

Total Votes: 10

Lairai

10:48

Okay thanks!

Ayankas

10:48

Hi Will, I’ve recently filled out the On-campus housing application. Can you suggest the stipulated time it usually takes to get an allotment?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:51

Hi Ayankas, I'm going to let Miranda Stewart answer that question, as this is specifically what she does. You should receive an answer shortly.

Ayankas

10:51

I would also like to thank you for addressing my concerns regarding On-Campus housing and guiding me to contact Miranda Stewart. It helped finalise my housing.

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:51

Glad to hear!

Kaustubh Sridhar

10:51

Hey Will,

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:52

Hi Kaustubh

Kaustubh Sridhar

10:52

Im not sure I understand what the difference between non-healthcare and healthcare professional students is. This link https://www.vpul.upenn.edu/shs/immreq.php forces me to choose one of the two.

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:53

Kaustubh, healthcare professional students are ones that are going to one of the professional healthcare programs, such as nursing or md. I'm pretty sure this wouldn't apply, unless you are doing a dual degree program with the Medical or Nursing schools.

Kaustubh Sridhar

10:53

According to my admit letter, I will be provided health insurance alongside my stipend. Though no details have been mentioned yet

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:54

You would need to contact your program about the specific details, as those are handled separately by each program.

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:54

Have you been to UPenn or Philadelphia?

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

Yes, both (28.6% | 2 votes)

Philadelphia, but not UPenn (14.3% | 1 vote)

The US, but not Philadelphia (28.6% | 2 votes)

I've never been to the US (28.6% | 2 votes)

Total Votes: 7

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