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March 15 Graduate Admissions Chat (8AM-12PM EST)
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Akash
Students are welcome to seek out part- or full-time employment while studying. Part time employees can use their earnings towards their tuition and/or expenses. Full-time employees receive a tuition benefit that significantly helps with tuition.
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
11:32
Yes, that is correct. As I mentioned, we don't provide master's students with direct aid.
Akash
11:33
Part time job gives a stipend right? And full time gives stipend and tuition waiver right?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
11:35
No, a part-time job is a job that pays an hourly wage. If you are a full-time employee of the university, you would receive a tuition benefit.
Akash
11:36
Okay. May I know the hourly wage rate? And the allowed hours per week is 20 right?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
11:36
Akash, the rate depends on the job/dept. Same goes for what is considered part-time.
11:37
Those are questions that would be better asked to the Student Employment office, as they will know specifics that I am not able to access.
Akash
11:38
Okay Will.
11:40
The link I shared says 'We do not offer assistantships as a means of funding master’s degrees. However, some departments may have TA positions available and students may try to find part time positions in the many labs on campus.'
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
11:40
Yes, TA positions are hourly paid positions. They do not have tuition benefits associated with them.
And they are part-time.
Akash
11:41
Okay Will. Thanks a lot once again for the clarifications. :)
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
11:41
You're welcome!
Akash
11:44
Goodbye Will. When are you planning to hold the next chat session?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
11:44
We'll have one next Thursday for those that have applied but not yet received a decision.
Akash
11:46
And for the ones with admits?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
11:46
Those are held on Wednesdays.
RD
11:47
Dear Will – I had a quick question for you regarding working full-time at Penn and completing the MCIT. I was wondering if you knew students who decided to take this path, and if so, would you recommend this opportunity? Thank you!
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
11:47
RD, do you mean the ONLINE MCIT program or the On-Campus MCIT program?
RD
11:48
Apologies – I meant the on-campus MCIT program.
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
11:49
No worries. Thank you for the clarification. Yes, it has been done before. It's really up to you - the main issue is that the program does not have evening courses - I believe the latest that they currently begin is at 4:30. So you'd have to be able to work with your supervisor/office regarding your work schedule.
RD
11:50
Perfect! Thank you for the advice. I had a quick follow-up and was hoping you could share the acceptance rate for the on-campus MCIT program?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
11:50
Sure, this past year it was approx 10%
RD
11:51
Great, thanks for your help!
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
11:51
RD, you're welcome.
Akash
11:51
Will,
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
11:51
Yes, Akash?
Akash
11:52
One more question. If I get admitted to the PhD program in Fall 2020, I can expect funding from then right?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
11:52
yes, we fully fund our PhD students.
Akash
11:53
Irrespective of whether I want to do the Masters or not along with the PhD?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
11:53
yes
It's specifically related to being admitted to the PhD program.
Guest
12:00
How should we enter the GRE percentile score if we have not yet received our official grade>
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
12:00
Hi Soona, you should enter it into the Unofficial score area
Guest
12:03
Thanks Will. So I can leave the percentile score blank since I have not received that information yet?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
12:03
Yes
Guest
12:04
Great, thanks so much for offering this chat! Also, may I ask the acceptance rate for the Masters in Biotech program?
AvatarWill Fenton, Asst Dir
12:04
Soona, sure. Last year it was approx 55%
Nicole
12:04
Hi, when will the decisions for the MCIT program be sent out?
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