JotCast | Prospective Graduate Student Chat, Sept 19, 2019

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Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:18

Sung Yoon, it is ok to email specific professors and/or research advisors. However, I recommend being very specific with your email and request and not bombarding a host of people if you're not specifically interested in the research they do.

Sung Yoon

10:13

Are there any scholarships or stipends offered to Master's students?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:18

Sung Yoon, Penn Engineering does not offer financial aid to master's students. You can find some resources here: Potential Fellowship and Financial Aid Information
http://www.cis.upenn.edu/prospective-students/graduate/aid.php
https://www.vpul.upenn.edu/careerservices/gradstudfunding.php
JP Eckert Fellowship for CIS-Related programs
http://www.cis.upenn.edu/prospective-students/graduate/aid-eckert.php

Rhuta Joshi

10:14

I have completed my graduation in English medium of instruction but by native language is not English. Is TOEFL still necessary

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:19

Rhuta, if you graduated from a school where English is the language of instruction, you will not need to supply a TOEFL score.

Khalifah

10:14

Looking at the requirements for MSc in Nanotechnology, there are no minimum GPA nor GRE scores required. Does that mean a pass WAM (Weighted Average Mark- Australian standards) can be considered if an application is submitted?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:20

Khalifah, we don't post avg/minimum GPA or GRE because those are just two aspects of the overall application. Yes, that can be considered.

Gurkirat

10:18

Hello I would like to know if Gmat will be accepted for masters in Data science ? Because I am planning on sending my application for both ,finance and data science . One of which accepts Gmat and one accepts gre

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:20

Gurkirat, we do not normally accept GMAT for the Data Science MSE program application.

Rhuta Joshi

10:19

Are their opportunities to become a teaching or research assistant on campus? Does it differ for national and international student?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:21

Rhuta, for master's students, you can apply after the completion of your first semester, as long as you have at least a 3.0 GPA. Programs have a varied amount of positions available per semester, and there is no guarantee that all interested and qualified students will receive a position.

Ankur

10:19

Hello Will,
I'm applying for PhD in ESE dept. In the Program Information section of the application, what role does Concentration/ Advisor Selection play? I'm a bit confused, since PhD students still get to select their advisors later, no? Would one be required to select the same PhD advisor as mentioned in their application?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:23

Ankur, if you select a potential advisor on the application, it usually means that the person(s) will take a look at your application, in addition to the regular committee. We recommend this, especially if there is a specific Faculty member you'd like to work with for your program. You are not required to work with them if they select you, but it is recommended.

Rhuta Joshi

10:19

What is the process of applying for the same

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:23

Rhuta, please see my answer to your previous question.

Kshitiz

10:23

Hi Will,

Jackson

10:23

Hi Will, if I've worked in a programming related job but I did not take any formal CS course, will you think I am overqualified for MCIT program.

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:26

Jackson, I can't say without knowing what your job duties and responsibilities are at this point. And even then, it's not up to me. The Online MCIT program has a pretty good explanation for what to consider if you think you're over-or-under qualified: https://onlinelearning.seas.upenn.edu/knowledge-base/category/from-pro...

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:24

Have you submitted your application?

Yes (0% | 0 votes)

Started it, but haven't submitted it (77.8% | 7 votes)

Not yet (22.2% | 2 votes)

I'm weighing all of my educational options (0% | 0 votes)

Total Votes: 9

Kshitiz

10:25

Since I am enrolled in integrated BTech and MTech program, I do not have a separate transcript and GPA for undergraduate and graduate part. Instead, both of them are merged as one. So how to go about mentioning this in the application?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:27

Kshitiz, you should upload the transcript for both the Bachelor's and Master's degree parts of the application you'll fill out.

Parth Patel

10:25

Is there a difference between MCIT and MCIT US accelerated masters programs? I see both of these on the application but only information for one on the mcit website.

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:27

Parth, the MCIT US Accelerated Master's program is specifically for current undergrads at Penn, Bryn Mawr and Haverford. Unless you're at one of those schools, you should apply for the MCIT program.

Ankur

10:28

Also, under Employment Section what do I need to fill up in the 'End Date' and 'Reason for Leaving' fields if I'm still employed?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:29

Ankur, no, you don't.

Jackson

10:29

Hi Will, I studied abroad in my junior year but the school I went is not registered as an educational institution, but a program. Should I report this in the education section of my online app, parallel with the graduating university?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:30

Jackson, did you take any courses for academic credit while there and, if so, are those courses, as well as the institution, listed on your main transcript?

Jackson

10:31

It only show up as general credit without course name. And they are not calculated in GPA

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:32

Jackson, if you received credit for it we'll need to have the transcript from that school as well.

Rhuta Joshi

10:32

My official bachelors degree is still in process and i won't receive it till February end, but i have transcripts which state that i have completed my bachelors. Is that enough for the application

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:33

Rhuta, yes that will be enough for the application. If you're admitted, you will be required to have the official transcripts sent to us, along with a degree verification certificate if it's not stated on the transcript, by August 1 prior to school starting.

Rhuta Joshi

10:34

Thank you Will, this chat was helpful indeed

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:35

My pleasure! We'll be here nearly every week for the next several months. You can find the chat schedule here: https://gradadm.seas.upenn.edu/online-chats/ and you can email us at gradstudies@seas.upenn.edu

Kshitiz

10:35

I studied for one semester abroad under the semester exchange program. The courses that I took there have been mapped into my curriculum at the home institution and are shown with their respective grades in the official transcript of the home institution. So can I upload this official transcript itself when I mention the study abroad college in the application?

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:35

Kshitiz, yes, that should be fine.

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:39

Where would you plan to live?

On campus (40% | 2 votes)

Off campus, but near UPenn (40% | 2 votes)

Off campus in West Philadelphia/University City (0% | 0 votes)

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

I have no idea, help! (20% | 1 vote)

Total Votes: 5

Rhuta Joshi

10:40

I have sent GRE scores from ETS to UPenn but not any specialisation. Should that be enough or do i have to send it to a certain department again

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:40

Rhuta, that will be fine. Did you use code 2926 or 2888?

Rhuta Joshi

10:42

I sent it to 2926

Will Fenton, Asst Dir

10:42

That will be fine. Once you submit your application, the test scores should match to it, usually in 48-72 hours.

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