JotCast | Applied Graduate Student Chat, January 15, 2020

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Emily

10:35

How many CS Phd students will be accepted this year in ML concentration?

Will Fenton, Enrollment Specialist

10:40

Emily, I don't know. This is a number that is determined by the program every year, often only after they've reviewed all of the applications.

Rhuta Joshi

10:37

Are masters programs thesis based or non thesis based?

Will Fenton, Enrollment Specialist

10:40

Rhuta, most are non-thesis based. However, you do have the option to do a thesis.

Rhuta Joshi

10:39

What is the point of contact for any specific queries related to MSE in CGGT program?

Will Fenton, Enrollment Specialist

10:41

The point would be if you have specific queries about faculty, or courses, or potential transfer credit, or something that wouldn't be a general application/admissions-related question.

Guest

10:40

Hi Will, would you happen to have information on admission statistics for the doctoral program in CBE last year and how many students applied this year? Thank you!

Will Fenton, Enrollment Specialist

10:41

Hi Guest. Sure thing. Last hear we had 250 applicants and 66 were admitted. This year we had 238 apply.

Yiyang

10:40

Hi Will, the unofficial transcript I uploadrd wigh my application to MSE in CIS for early review contains courses I am currently taking this quarter. Since I can still make changes to my course schedule this quarter. Is it okay if the courses i end up taking this quarter dont completely match with those shown on ghe transcript i uploaded. I am wondering becuase i am not sure if that would be consider discrepency between unofficialy transcript and the official one i would need to submit before enrollment. Thanks!

Will Fenton, Enrollment Specialist

10:42

Hi Yiyang, that should be fine. If we have any questions, we would give you a chance to address them.

Ali

10:40

Hi Will, is it possible for me to update my personal statement and resume to reflect a new research experience that developed after the application due date?

Will Fenton, Enrollment Specialist

10:42

Ali, it is possible to do this. However, if your application is already under review, we can't guarantee that new information will be considered for the review.

Guest

10:41

Is there a difference between getting a response on Jan15th vs Feb15? Is it just based on when you applied?

Will Fenton, Enrollment Specialist

10:43

Guest - it's just based on when the dept put your decision into our application system at this point. We have to give them a deadline so that we can process all of the decisions in time - need to double check that the i's are dotted and the t's are crossed, as they say.

Chen

10:41

Hello Will. I am applying to your CIS, MSE program. According to the instructions on your site, transcript evaluation and translation services are encouraged for non-US students. I have two transcripts now, one from a Chinese university (it has officially translated version from the university) and the other from a Canadian University. As it will take weeks, or even months, to order those documents from those services (WES, CHESICC, etc.), I was wondering whether it will have an impact on my chance of admission if I submit my transcripts without evaluated by those services?

Will Fenton, Enrollment Specialist

10:45

Chen, it shouldn't have any impact on the decision. While we encourage it, we don't require it and the vast majority of applicants don't use the services as at all.

Amanzhol

10:43

One more question, Mr. Fenton. I've just learned about the existence of "early decision" for Ph.D. application, and I'm curious about the approximate date by which the applications were supposed to be submitted to be considered for it? and if one is not deemed to satisfy "early decision" then is he expected to receive the decision no earlier than 6-8 weeks after the deadline (~24 of Jan to mid Feb)?

Will Fenton, Enrollment Specialist

10:46

Amanzhol, we don't have a "early decision" period for PhD applications. All decisions are sent on a rolling basis based on when the department sends us the decision. The vast majority of PhD decisions won't be released until at least 6-8 weeks after the Dec 15, and many after that.

Abduljabbar Alhamood

10:43

is there any specific reason on why some early applications didnt recieve their decision today? Does it affect the likelyhood of getting in or being rejected?

Will Fenton, Enrollment Specialist

10:47

Abduljabbar, I can't speak to any specific reasons, except to say that the program didn't put it into the system by the deadline we had to process it. If you qualified for early decision and didn't receive it today, you should receive it on Feb 15.

Rhuta Joshi

10:43

Will I'm sorry for the misconstrued question. What I intended to ask was, whom do I contact for any queries specific to CGGT program? Who is my point of contact?

Will Fenton, Enrollment Specialist

10:48

Rhuta, ah, thank you for clarifying. You would send an email to: admissions2@seas.upenn.edu

Jiaqi Yuan

10:44

Hi Mr. Fenton, what is a rolling basis? Does it mean that applying earlier, getting admission earlier. Thank you!

Will Fenton, Enrollment Specialist

10:49

Jiaqi, it means that there is no specific date when a decision is released - instead, they are released as the department makes them. The date the application was submitted doesn't really matter, as decisions aren't sent out until after all applications are submitted.

Will Fenton, Enrollment Specialist

10:44

Where would you plan to live?

On campus (27.8% | 5 votes)

Off campus, but near UPenn (27.8% | 5 votes)

Off campus in West Philadelphia/University City (11.1% | 2 votes)

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

I have no idea, help! (33.3% | 6 votes)

Total Votes: 18

Hung-Yuan Chen

10:45

Hi Mr. Fenton,
I'm applying for ChemE PhD and would like to know how many people also apply for the same program?

Will Fenton, Enrollment Specialist

10:50

Hi Hung-Yuan. This year we had 238 applications.

Ali

10:45

Thanks Will, my ApplyWeb status is "Ready for Review", would this differ from "Under Review" and indicate there is still time for me to update my materials?

Will Fenton, Enrollment Specialist

10:51

Ali, no, Ready for Review means that it is ready and has been sent to the department. It won't change at this point. You can send updated transcripts, personal statement or CVs at least once. To which program did you apply?

Talia

10:46

Hi Will! What were previous cohort sizes for the chem e phd program? Also, how is parking at the university?

Will Fenton, Enrollment Specialist

10:51

Talia, we have multiple parking garages/lots on or near campus. But the vast majority of people do not drive to campus - they mostly commute by foot/bike/bus/subway. And last year's cohort had 21.

yasaman moharrer

10:47

Thanks Will for your reply, Yes I am Iranian applicant but I am a masters student in Upenn, and I did not know that the I should start a new application. I was going to upload my updated CV, but as you suggested I will send my updated CV to Abigail. Also I know that my TOEFL has been waived but the scores are linked to my application from 3 years a go, how can I inform the reviewers that my TOEFL has been waived and the scores are expired ad old. I have applied for PhD program in Mechanical engineering.

Will Fenton, Enrollment Specialist

10:52

Hi Yasaman, you should email Abby, admissions1@seas.upenn.edu about the TOEFL issue. If we have scores they will automatically link, even if expired, unfortunately. We're working on that. Good luck.

Shufan

10:51

Hi Will, could you share the admission statistics for the BE Ph.D program last year and how many students applied this year?

Will Fenton, Enrollment Specialist

10:53

Sure, Shufan. Last year we receive 466 and admitted 63. This year we received 513.

Hung-Yuan Chen

10:51

Thanks Will! And I have one more question.
I'm wondering whether Professor Gorte and Vohs from ChemE are looking for PhD students this year.
I'm really interested in their works and eager to join their team!

Will Fenton, Enrollment Specialist

10:54

Hung-Yuan, I can't speak to that specifically, but if either were listed as potential adivsors on the application, then yes, they are.

Riya

10:51

Will Fenton, Enrollment Specialist

10:54

Hi Riya.

10:52

How many CIS PhD applications did you receive this year? Do you expect to admit at a similar rate as previous years?

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