You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Return toGrad Admissions
Enrolled Graduate Student Chat, July 10, 2019
powered byJotCast
View Full Chat Next Page
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:00
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.
Here are some links that you may find useful:
New Graduate Student Resources:
www.gsc.upenn.edu/thrive
New Graduate Student Orientation:
https://gsc.upenn.edu/resources/new-students/new-student-orientation
International Student Orientation
http://global.upenn.edu/isss/orientation
Discounted SEPTA Passes
http://cms.business-services.upenn.edu/transportation/permits-passes/c...
2019-20 Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2192398867643008
2019-20 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12139062/
Miranda Stewart
10:01
Hi all! My name's 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
10:02
Where do you live?
United States (28.6% | 2 votes)
 
China (28.6% | 2 votes)
 
India (42.9% | 3 votes)
 
Europe (0% | 0 votes)
 
Middle East (0% | 0 votes)
 
Another Region (0% | 0 votes)
 
Total Votes: 7
Ray
10:07
Hi Will. Good morning! I am an entering CIS student and I have two queries.
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:07
Hi Ray, what questions do you have?
Tushar
10:07
Hi Will, I have a few queries.

1. I've only registered for 2 courses yet. Would the bill be updated once I register for the remaining course? What would be the deadline for paying this bill? My visa interview is on 26th July and I was planning on paying the fee after the interview. Would you recommend doing it before the interview instead?
2. Does health insurance get included in the same bill if I get it from UPenn?
3. All the vaccinations are listed as unverified even though I have submitted the supporting reports 3 weeks ago. Should I be worried?
Thanks!
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:11
Hi Tushar - here are answers:
1) The Bill WILL be updated once you register for the 3rd course. The deadline is based on the payment plan you work out with the Billing Office. It is up to you as to when you pay the bill. You can find more info here: http://www.sfs.upenn.edu/billing/
2) I believe that the health insurance DOES get included in the same bill, but ultimately, you'll need to talk to the Billing Office - see above link.
3) You'll need to contact Student Health Services - unfortunately, I have no idea how long it takes for them to verify this information. Student Health Services: https://www.vpul.upenn.edu/shs/contact.php
Tushar
10:11
Apologies for the duplicate messages, the chat client is lagging a bit on my side
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:11
No worries!
Ray
10:11
1. When is the fall tuition deadline and where to pay? I did not find any info from emails.
2. I have my SEVIS record transferred to UPenn and my F1 VISA will expire 21 May 2020, so I don't need to reacquire an F1 VISA this year. Is that correct?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:12
Ray, you need to sign up for a payment plan, and you can do that here: http://www.sfs.upenn.edu/billing/. If you haven't registered for courses yet, you wouldn't have received a bill.
10:13
2 - That should be correct. However, you'll want to double check with International Student and Scholar Services, as they handle that specific process. Their website is here: https://global.upenn.edu/isss/new
Guest
10:11
Hi Will,

I will be entering the CIS PhD program this fall, and I recently received a large bill of ~20.5k. My understanding is that PhD students are supposed to have funding -- I also have an NSF GRFP fellowship. Am I expected to pay for this bill, or will it be handled by the CIS department somehow?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:15
Hi Guest - you'll need to contact Britton Carnevali, the CIS PhD Program Coordinator. Unfortunately, graduate admissions doesn't handle billing and/or financing at all. Her email is brittonc@seas.upenn.edu. You can also contact the Billing office, at http://www.sfs.upenn.edu/billing/
DATS-Studnet
10:13
I currently enrolled into 3 courses. I may change some of these courses. Or I may add one course. If drop and add one of the course and keep the enrollment of 3 CU. Will the additional cost be made? Or I will not receive any billing in the following month?(I thought the billing is requested by month)
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:16
Hi DATS-Student - I'm sorry, but I can't answer that question, as Graduate Admissions doesn't handle billing at all. You'll want to contact the Billing Office, http://www.sfs.upenn.edu/billing/. They should be able to better assist you.
Ray
10:16
Thank you so much! Have a nice day.
cool 1
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:16
You're welcome, Ray. You too!
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:17
Where would you plan to live?
On campus (25% | 1 vote)
 
Off campus, but near UPenn (50% | 2 votes)
 
Off campus in West Philadelphia/University City (25% | 1 vote)
 
Off campus in Center City/Downtown (0% | 0 votes)
 
I have no idea, help! (0% | 0 votes)
 
Total Votes: 4
victoria
10:17
I was wondering whether it is possible to take a gap year before finishing the 4+1 program. Would I be able to start my classes for the 4+1 during undergrad, take one year off, and then come back and finish my last year?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:19
Victoria, that's a great question. You would need to request a leave-of-absence from your program. You can find more information about that here: https://grad.seas.upenn.edu/student-handbook/academic-options/, and scroll down to about halfway down the page.
Ayankas
10:19
Good morning, Will and Miranda. My query is directed to Miranda, I have confirmed my on-campus housing at Sansom East. I was wondering what kind of furniture is already included, so I might prepare and shop accordingly.
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:21
Ayankas, please see Miranda's response, further down.
victoria
10:19
Thank you for your time!
Furthermore, I did not have the opportunity to register for any classes as I received my acceptance into the 4+1 program after the pre-registration deadline. When will I be able to register for classes?
Kindly,
V :)
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:20
Victoria, you'll need to contact your Program Coordinator - what program will you be joining?
DATS-Studnet
10:19
Thank you, Bill. That's very nice of you~
cool 1
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:20
You're welcome.
Claire
10:20
Hi Will - is there anyone I can talk to about email setup issues/questions? I went to Penn for undergrad in the School of Arts and Sciences, so I still have my sas email and all MCIT-related emails are going to that address. I also activated a seas email but no emails from the program have gone there. Unsure if it matters if I continue to use my @sas email or not, but I'm at a bit of a loss
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:21
Claire, you could contact the CETS team, https://cets.seas.upenn.edu/contact-us/. I don't really know if it will matter or not. Sorry I can't be more helpful.
Miranda Stewart
10:21
Hi Ayankas! Here's a link to a list of furnishings in the various room types in Sansom East: http://cms.business-services.upenn.edu/residential-services/services-a...
DATS-Studnet
10:21
Good morning Miranda. I have submitted the room change request on Jun 14. When should I expect to receive the results?
MB student
10:23
Good morning. I was curious when Federal Financial Aid would be disbursed? I saw that my bill for Fall term is due 7/31/19, but have not yet received my financial aid
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
10:25
MB Student, I'm sorry, but Graduate Admissions is not involved in this process, so we don't know. You'll want to contact Student Financial Services about this - http://www.srfs.upenn.edu/contacts/index.htm
Miranda Stewart
10:25
Hi DATS-Student! Room change requests are processed on a rolling basis as rooms become available. You could receive a room change offer at any time up to August 6. If we're not able to offer you a room change by then, don't worry, you'll get to keep your current room!
B
10:25
Hi Will, I was wondering whether the PhD students, whose health insurances are provided as part of the program, are supposed to enroll in the PSIP or are expected to waive it as the program will automatically handle the issue?
Connecting…