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Prospective Graduate Student Chat, Dec 12, 2019
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Mike
2:29
Will, thanks so much for the help! How will I get my unofficial score from the GRE so that I can include it on my application? Is that sent to me soon after taking the test? I'll be taking the computer-administered test if that helps.
AvatarWill Fenton, Enrollment Specialist
2:31
Mike, you'll get unofficial scores at the completion of the exam.
Derek
2:30
I am applying for the PhD in computer science. For letters of recommendation, I am using a letter delivery service Interfolio. Today they notified me that one of my letters is missing a supplement one of the requirements that Penn requires. As a result, the online letter delivery failed. Is there a way to send via email or mail?
Nihar
2:30
Just wondering, if I apply and get accepted now, do I have an option to defer my enrollment to the following year in case my green card does not come in before the Fall Semester starts?
AvatarWill Fenton, Enrollment Specialist
2:32
Nihar, yes, we do allow for deferrals. If you are admitted, you'll need to accept the offer and submit a deposit. Then request a deferral and be approved by the dept. You can request to defer for up to a year at a time, for a total of two times.
AvatarWill Fenton, Enrollment Specialist
2:31
Have you submitted your application?
Yes (0% | 0 votes)
 
Started it, but haven't submitted it (100% | 8 votes)
 
Not yet (0% | 0 votes)
 
I'm weighing all of my educational options (0% | 0 votes)
 
Total Votes: 8
Derek
2:31
Oops sorry about the typos. Let me rephrase
AvatarWill Fenton, Enrollment Specialist
2:31
Sure, I'll let you rephrase :)
Derek
2:32
I am applying for the PhD in computer science. For letters of recommendation, I am using a letter delivery service Interfolio. Today they notified me that one of my letters is missing a supplement that Penn requires. As a result, the online letter delivery failed. Is there a way to send via email or mail?
AvatarWill Fenton, Enrollment Specialist
2:34
Derek, you can email the application technical help at help@applyweb.com. In addition, you can ask your recommender to send it to us at admissions2@seas.upenn.edu with your name and Letter of Recommendation in the subject line. We are sorry about this - it is an issue that was supposedly fixed over a month ago.
Sam Biddle
2:34
Does the M:IPD cost differ from the general Masters in Engineering cost?
AvatarWill Fenton, Enrollment Specialist
2:34
Hi Sam, not the program cost is what is listed on the website for all of our programs: https://gradadm.seas.upenn.edu/paying-for-your-education/
Pritish
2:36
Sorry to restate the same details again, "I am looking for PhD program, have 7+ years of university teaching experience, with several papers and patents along with few national and international awards. However my GRE score is 302 - Q157, V145". Since you are the enrollment specialist, can you please just randomly state what percent  chance I have to get admission in PhD in Mechanical Engineering? Just a vague randomized chance which you can think, based on some of the stated facts.
AvatarWill Fenton, Enrollment Specialist
2:37
Hi Pritish, I am sorry, but I can't, as I don't make the admissions decisions. Here are the avg scores for our Robotics program, which often draws comparable applicants: https://www.grasp.upenn.edu/academics/masters/admission-stats
Nihar
2:37
Do you have any differences in admission rates for domestic vs international students?
AvatarWill Fenton, Enrollment Specialist
2:37
Nihar, I am sorry, I don't. However, the vast majority of our applicants for masters programs are international.
Ruhit
2:37
Thanks for sharing the links regarding GRE scores. By which month, the admisssion decision will be notified?
AvatarWill Fenton, Enrollment Specialist
2:38
Ruhit, the PhD program decisions are made on a rolling basis. We do our best to have them all out before the April 15 national deadline.
cool 1
Ruhit
2:41
It seems my Verbal GRE score is quite below average. What aspects in my application can outweigh it? I am currently GTA at South Dakota State University. Also, I am already in communication with my prospective advisor.
AvatarWill Fenton, Enrollment Specialist
2:42
Ruhit, I'm sorry, but I'm not really sure. I'd stress the teaching experience in your personal statement. It is good that you are already in communication with your prospective advisor.
Yanqi Liu
2:41
One more question regarding the data science program: if I submitted my complete application one month ahead than the 2/1 deadline, will I get a decision earlier or are all decisions  delivered on the same date to all applicants for that round?
AvatarWill Fenton, Enrollment Specialist
2:43
Yanqi, the Data Science program has two deadlines - an early one of Nov 15 and a regular one of March 15. It does not have a Feb 1 deadline. You can see all of the decision dates here: https://gradadm.seas.upenn.edu/how-to-apply/
AvatarWill Fenton, Enrollment Specialist
2:43
Where would you live?
On campus (50% | 1 vote)
 
Off campus, but near UPenn (0% | 0 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! (50% | 1 vote)
 
Total Votes: 2
Sri
2:43
I recently began an application to UPenn's Computer Science Ph.D program. One of my recommenders is UPenn-affiliated, and recently informed me that he can't write a letter for this particular program because of his affiliation. So I currently only have two recommendation letters for UPenn, short of the three required. I have been trying to contact other possible recommenders, but this is difficult to do on such short notice. Would you have any suggestions on how to proceed? Thank you.
AvatarWill Fenton, Enrollment Specialist
2:46
Sri, I am sorry to hear that. Unfortunately, we cannot offer an extension. This is a conundrum. Please note that you only need one academic source, so if you have other industry/employer contacts that you can reach out to, you should do that as soon as you can.
Arthur
2:45
Hi Will! I am a prospective student applying to the Ph.D. program in the Materials Science and Engineering. I know that only the general GRE is required, but I also took they physics one and did well on it. While not asked for I think it is related to my ability in materials and the application page allows me to send it in. Would you recommend I do so or leave it out?
AvatarWill Fenton, Enrollment Specialist
2:47
Arthur, this is entirely up to you. I can tell you that it is not something that is usually taken into consideration. But it shouldn't hurt your application.
Yanqi Liu
2:46
Oops I remembered it wrong. Thanks for the correction.
AvatarWill Fenton, Enrollment Specialist
2:47
My pleasure, Yanqi.
Nihar
2:50
Is it better to apply for the MS in Mechanical Engineering versus Robotics MSE?
AvatarWill Fenton, Enrollment Specialist
2:51
Nihar, I can tell you that the admissions rate for the MEAM MSE degree was approximately 39% last year and for the Robotics MSE it was 16%.
Nihar
2:51
I mean I can still choose my specialization in Robotics under the Mechanical Engineering branch, right? What would the difference be?
AvatarWill Fenton, Enrollment Specialist
2:51
Nihar, you can. However, some of the specific courses would be different.
Sri
2:51
Thank you for the advice. Does the recommender need to submit their letter by the December 15th deadline? If they have not completed their letter by the 15th, should I just withdraw my application?
Arthur
2:51
Thanks Will! One more question: last month, I went to the SEAS Open House program after being accepted to it. The coordinator said that we would receive information at some point about an application fee waiver. Is there some way I can go about finding this or should I reach out to the coordinator (Alyse Edwards) directly?
AvatarWill Fenton, Enrollment Specialist
2:53
Arthur, I would recommend emailing Alyse at aedwards@seas.upenn.edu as well as the Assoc Dir of Graduate Admissions, Christina Burton, at chburton@seas.upenn.edu to request the waiver. Please make sure to mention you attended the open hours.
AvatarWill Fenton, Enrollment Specialist
2:53
Havec you been to UPenn or Philadelphia?
Yes, I live here (0% | 0 votes)
 
Yes, both (0% | 0 votes)
 
Total Votes: 0
2:54
Have you been to UPenn or Philadelphia?
Yes, I live here (0% | 0 votes)
 
Yes, both (50% | 1 vote)
 
Philadelphia, but not UPenn (50% | 1 vote)
 
The US, but not Philadelphia (0% | 0 votes)
 
I've never been to the US (0% | 0 votes)
 
Total Votes: 2
Nihar
2:54
Can I apply for two majors/fields using the same application? I started my application but I don't see an option to enter my 2nd preference.
AvatarWill Fenton, Enrollment Specialist
2:56
Nihar, you can only apply for one program per application. To apply for a second you must first submit the application and then you can begin another. If you'd like to use the letters of recommendation from the first application for the second, you can do so by filling in the Letter writer’s full name and other information and then selecting “No,” to the question, “Will this provider be submitting the letter of recommendation online?” Once you submit the application, you’ll need to send an email to admissions1@seas.upenn.edu with the name of the program to which you’ve applied, so that we can then upload your letters of recommendation to the new application.
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