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Enrolled Graduate Student Chat, August 14, 2019
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AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
9:59
Good day, all. My name is Will Fenton and I'm the Assistant Director of Graduate Admissions at Penn Engineering. I'm here to answer questions you may have about our Graduate Programs, life as a graduate student at Penn and living in Philadelphia.
10:00
We'll be joined by my colleague, Miranda Stewart, the Graduate Housing Coordinator, who can answer questions you may have about living on campus.
Here are some links you may find useful:
Anon.
10:03
When do applications open?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:04
Hi Anon. Applications for the 2020 Fall term will open on Sept 15.
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:04
Where do you live?
United States (25% | 1 vote)
 
China (25% | 1 vote)
 
India (25% | 1 vote)
 
Europe (0% | 0 votes)
 
Middle East (0% | 0 votes)
 
Another Region (25% | 1 vote)
 
Total Votes: 4
Anon.
10:04
Thank you Will!
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:04
You're welcome, Anon.
Miranda Stewart
10:06
Hi all! My name is Miranda Stewart, and I'm the Graduate Assignments Coordinator in the Housing Assignments Office. I'm happy to answer any questions you have about on-campus housing!
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:06
Hi Miranda! I hope you're having an excellent day.
Henry Mohr
10:06
Hello,
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:06
Hi Henry. What question(s) do you have?
Sayaka
10:06
Hi Will, I am an incoming MB student and am interested in pursuing a dual-degree. What are the differences/similarities between the MB program and the MSE in BE program?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:09
Sayaka, I'm assuming you mean the Master's in Biotech? That master's degree is very specialized, focusing primarily on Biotechnology and is, in fact, a Master's of Biotechnology. The MSE in Bioengineering is going to be a broader degree, one that is a MSE and focuses on the Bioengineering aspects of Engineering. They really aren't THAT similar at all.
Guest
10:09
Hi Will.
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:10
Hi Guest
Henry Mohr
10:09
First - I am submatriculating in CIS with Haverford's 4+1 program. I know there are some orientation, etc. things for new students; how much of those are required for me, since I'm mostly still going to be at Haverford rather than Penn?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:11
Henry, Orientation is in fact optional for everyone. However, if you can attend we encourage you to do so, as it will give you a chance to meet your classmates outside of the classroom, as well as a chance to meet your Program Coordinator, if you haven't yet done so, and learn about many of the resources we have on campus at your disposal.
cool 2
It's strongly recommended you attend if you can.
Simona
10:12
Hi, I have a question about Financial Aid for Masters Students: the FAQ section of my program website clearly states that Fin Aid is not provided for masters students, however I have met some students who say that they have received aid... where is the discrepancy?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:14
Simona, if they are master's students and received aid from Penn, it is most likely a very specific aid/grant program to which they applied that may be from Penn, but not Penn Engineering specific. Penn Engineering does not provide financial aid to master's students. However, I definitely encourage you to get as much information from them as possible about these potential resources.
Karan
10:12
Hi Will! I am an incoming MSE Robotics student. As an international student I have to register for three courses each semester. I was able to register for one course on August 5 and the remaining two on August 7/8. However in the August 6 billing cycle, I did not get the bill for the one course I had registered for before the billing cycle. Is it that I will get a bill in the next cycle only after I register for three courses?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:16
Hi Karan. Most likely, yes, that is what will happen. However, to get the best answer, I strongly recommend you contact Student Financial Services, https://srfs.upenn.edu/, as Graduate Admissions doesn't handle billing, so my answer is an educated guess at best.
cool 1
Henry Mohr
10:14
Is there any way for me to see what books and materials I will need for a course (Theory of Computation) before I start? The course website that I found is from 2017 and refers to a different instructor, so I don't expect it to be reliable. Will it be necessary for me to have those materials before the course begins?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:17
Hi Henry. That is a great question. I recommend you contact your program coordinator and, if possible, the professor who is listed as teaching the course - if it's the updated one. You can also inquire at the Penn Bookstore for any books they may have for that specific course number, https://upenn.bncollege.com/shop/upenn/home
Simona
10:17
Hi will, thanks for your reply. Following that, it means that there are very few on campus jobs available for masters students since most jobs listed are work study only. Correct?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:18
Simona. That is usually how it is before school starts. Once school starts and offices figure out what positions are still left to be filled, they'll start hiring non-workstudy students. If you have an office/position in mind you can also reach out to them anyway - it doesn't usually hurt to ask.
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:20
Where do you plan to live?
On campus (0% | 0 votes)
 
Off campus, but near UPenn (100% | 2 votes)
 
Off campus in West Philadelphia/University City (0% | 0 votes)
 
Off campus in Downtown/Center City (0% | 0 votes)
 
I have no idea, help! (0% | 0 votes)
 
Total Votes: 2
Guest
10:20
Hi Will, is there a place to see all the clubs, including academic and athletic organizations, that are open to graduate students?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:22
Guest, as a rule, ALL clubs, including academic and athletic orgs, are open to Graduate Students at UPenn. You can find them here: https://home.www.upenn.edu/life-at-penn/groups_orgs. In addition, You can find a listing of the Engineering-centric ones here: https://ras.seas.upenn.edu/student-clubs-organizations/
10:41
Hi folks, what questions do you have? We're tantalizingly close to the start of classes right now, and this will be the last Online Chat before New Student Orientation.
DATS Student
10:41
Good Morning,
My room type is Single room/Shared bathroom.
I want to ask about the size of the bed and if the bed is furnished with the quilt?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:42
Hi DATS Student, it's a twin bed. You'll need to bring/purchase any and all bedding.
DATS Student
10:42
the size is 99 x 203 cm?
Miranda Stewart
10:43
Hi DATS Student -- All of the beds in grad housing are twin XL (99cm x 203cm)! We provide the bedframe and mattress, but we do not provide quilts, sheets, or pillows.
DATS Student
10:45
thank you for the information!
cool 1
10:48
Do we have the air conditioning providing the cool or hot conditioning in the room?
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