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Prospective Graduate Student Chat, Dec 5, 2019
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AvatarWill Fenton, Enrollment Specialist
9:48
Good day, all. My name is Will Fenton and I'm an Enrollment Specialist for 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.
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Where do you live?
United States (31.2% | 5 votes)
 
China (31.2% | 5 votes)
 
India (12.5% | 2 votes)
 
Europe (0% | 0 votes)
 
Middle East (6.2% | 1 vote)
 
Another Option (18.8% | 3 votes)
 
Total Votes: 16
We're starting a little early, as I had to test the system after technical issues prevented us from chatting yesterday. Don't worry, I'll be here until 11AM EST.
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9:51
Here are some links you may find useful:
This Week in Penn Engineering (updated when they come out):
https://mailchi.mp/6556e410a96e/this-week-at-penn-engineering-april-25...
Application Link:
https://www.applyweb.com/upenng/index.ftl
How To Apply:
https://gradadm.seas.upenn.edu/how-to-apply/
Grad School FAQ Link:
https://gradadm.seas.upenn.edu/faq/
Student Financial Services:
http://www.sfs.upenn.edu/
Costs
https://gradadm.seas.upenn.edu/paying-for-your-education/
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
International Students & Scholars Services:
https://global.upenn.edu/isss/new
April 15 National Grad School Decision Agreement:
https://cgsnet.org/april-15-resolution
International Student Pre-Departure Checklist:
https://global.upenn.edu/
Joey
9:52
Hi Will!
AvatarWill Fenton, Enrollment Specialist
9:52
Hi Joey
Joey
9:52
Regarding Penn, and their effort towards interdisciplinary collaboration, are there existing platforms for promoting collaboration between say technology and art? Or the study of how we apply our technology outside of technology specific industries? I'm planning on applying to the MCIT program.
AvatarWill Fenton, Enrollment Specialist
9:54
Joey, there are opportunities, both inside and outside the classroom. Primarily, this would be facilitated in looking at the potential electives you would take in the MCIT program. I would recommend you contact Mike Felker, the Graduate Program Coordinator in MCIT at mfelker@cis.upenn.edu. He should be able to give you additional, more specific answers.
Elena
9:56
Hi Joey!
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AvatarWill Fenton, Enrollment Specialist
9:57
Hi Elena. This is Will.
Joey
9:56
Awesome, thanks for the time!
AvatarWill Fenton, Enrollment Specialist
9:57
You're welcome.
Erin
9:57
Hi, I am a senior mechanical engineer trying to decide between the M:IPD and MSE:IPD programs after graduation. I know that I qualify for MSE:IPD, but I would like to have an even focus of product design, business and engineering, as opposed to a strict focus in engineering. Do you have any advice as to what I should do, or ways to try to decipher between the two?

I know UPenn is competitive, are M:IPD and MSE:IPD equally competitive? Are the "odds of acceptance" better for either one?
AvatarWill Fenton, Enrollment Specialist
10:00
Hi Erin. That's a great question, the M:IPD would probably be what you're looking for. However, I'd recommend contacting Maryeileen Griffith, the Program Coordinator for the IPD programs, at mebg@seas.upenn.edu, as she can give you a more specific answer. As to your second question, admissions for both programs is about the same level of competitiveness, but the MSE:IPD program has a smaller cohort.
Elena
9:57
Do you accept students with no CS background but three years of work experiences in non CS field?
AvatarWill Fenton, Enrollment Specialist
10:00
Elena, what program are you interesting in?
Elena
9:57
Hi will. Sorry about that.
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Chirag
10:00
Hey Will. Though this is an prospective student chat and I have already applied. Can I still ask question about my application checklist?
AvatarWill Fenton, Enrollment Specialist
10:00
Chirag, yes, that is fine.
Elena
10:00
Can iI take online courses about DS for the application?
AvatarWill Fenton, Enrollment Specialist
10:01
Elena, we don't offer online courses for non-enrolled students that would count towards a future degree.
Aniket
10:00
Hi Will! I was wondering if you would be able to help with a program specific question. I intend on applying to Electrical or Robotics Master's program. If I am able to find relevant courses in both, do both programs allow me access to the GRASP lab and other Robotics resources? And if yes, would it be easier to get into the Electrical Program?
AvatarWill Fenton, Enrollment Specialist
10:03
Aniket, both programs could allow you access to the GRASP lab, but this would depend on the courses you were taking and what, if any, projects or research you were working on. If you want to make sure you'd have access, then the Robotics MSE would probably be a better program to apply. As for admission rates, the Robotics program has a far lower admissions rate than the EE program.
Elena
10:01
I'm interested in MSE in Data Science.
AvatarWill Fenton, Enrollment Specialist
10:03
Elena, you do not need to have a specific CS degree to apply for the Data Science program.
Eme
10:02
Hi,
AvatarWill Fenton, Enrollment Specialist
10:03
Hi Eme.
VINAYTEJA
10:02
Hi,
AvatarWill Fenton, Enrollment Specialist
10:03
Vinayteja, I'm sorry, but we don't have a specific Additive Manufacturing MSE program.
VINAYTEJA
10:03
I would like to do Additive manufacturing masters program? would you please let me know more details about it.
Christian
10:04
Hey Will! I was wondering if application fees can be waived.
AvatarWill Fenton, Enrollment Specialist
10:05
Hi Christian, you can send an email to gradstudies@seas.upenn.edu with your request for a waiver. Please note, we don't usually waive the application fee for master's applicants, because we don't provide financial aid for masters students.
Eme
10:04
Hi,
In case I couldn't obtain my official GRE scores before CIS PhD application deadline, what the initial score should I put  in the application for the analytical writing ?
AvatarWill Fenton, Enrollment Specialist
10:05
Eme, you can leave that blank. We understand that unofficial scores may not include a writing score, especially if you have taken the test the day of the deadline.
Hao
10:05
Hi, Will!
AvatarWill Fenton, Enrollment Specialist
10:06
Hi Hao
Erin
10:05
Thank you
AvatarWill Fenton, Enrollment Specialist
10:06
You're welcome!
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